Starflower nursery children enjoying the silks they dyed with marigold and goldenrod flowers. | | |
By Mary Oliver
In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think
of the birds that will come – six, a dozen – to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.
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MICHAELMAS TIME, MICHAELMAS TIME...
Like many Waldorf schools around the world, we celebrated Michaelmas on September 29, a festival that honors courage, strength, and the triumph of light over darkness. As the season turns from summer’s warmth to the colder, darker days of autumn, Michaelmas reminds us to awaken our own inner strength and resilience.
Traditionally, the festival includes stories and songs of St. Michael, the archangel who tames the dragon, as well as games and activities that call on courage, cooperation, and perseverance.
Ms. Neel's Second Grade class presented the play "St. George & the Dragon" and Ms. Lawson's Eighth Grade class led the grades children in the Games of Courage at Hasbrouck Park. The whole school gathered around a seasonally decorated table holding the magnificent Dragon Bread, baked by the First Grade parents.
| | WORDS FROM RUDOLF STEINER | | Where is the book in which the teacher can read about what teaching is? The children themselves are this book. We should not learn to teach out of any book other than the one lying open before us and consisting of the children themselves | | GABRIEL DRESDALE, CLASS OF 2007 (Anne Stanmyer) | | |
MLWS: What are you up to now?
Gabriel: After studying music at SUNY Ulster County Community College in lieu of my senior year of high school, I studied cello performance at CUNY Brooklyn College's Music Conservatory for a year, followed by a private study with the late great jazz composer and political activist Fred Ho. I went on a tour in Europe for two months with Simone Felice, playing cello and singing backup vocals. I have recorded cello on numerous people's albums. Since then I have resettled in Woodstock, and I now have a wife, and an 8 year old daughter who just started attending Mountain Laurel this Fall! I am also now teaching private cello lessons at Mountain Laurel. It feels like a full circle moment. I also teach cello, guitar and piano privately, and I play music for weddings and private events with the string trio Hudson Pro Musica. I perform locally with the band Levanta which includes Thomas Workman, a previous Mountain Laurel faculty member. We recently released our second album, which is available on CD and all streaming platforms. I also play cello in the Bossa Nova/Brazilian band Boreal with my wife, who is the singer. My wife and I also play our original songs together under the name Bliss. Besides playing music I enjoy meditation, spending time in nature, and playing golf.
MLWS: What is your fondest memory from your time at MLWS?
Gabriel: A fond memory I have of my time at Mountain Laurel is the 3rd grade farm trip, which I am so glad my daughter will get to experience this year! Staying overnight with my class for a whole week at Hawthorne Valley Farm, getting to do farm chores and take care of the animals, and spending that amount of time away from home with my class gave me an incredible feeling of confidence and independence.
MLWS: How did your MLWS education prepare you for the world?
Gabriel: The education I received at Mountain Laurel has provided me with innumerable benefits in my life. I think on a holistic level, beyond any academic or practical learning, the warmth and caring of the teachers and environment gave me space to be myself and to cultivate the qualities of compassion, care, and empathy. In a more specific sense, being a musician and someone who was always drawn to music, going to a school where I had private cello lessons once a week, orchestra twice a week, chorus twice a week, played recorder in class almost every day, and was able to attend after school orchestra and recorder ensemble, gave me such an amazing musical foundation and nurtured my musical capacities so much, it can not be overstated. It is something I probably take for granted, but reflecting on this now I see how much of the musician I am today is due to my time at Mountain Laurel.
MLWS: Anything else you'd like to say to current and prospective families?
Gabriel: Mountain Laurel is such a special community. Appreciate the time you have to be a part of it!
| | SIMPLICITY PARENTING SERIES | | | | |
The Simplicity Parenting Series will lead us through the groundbreaking work of Kim John Payne, M.Ed., on DISCIPLINE AND GUIDANCE to shift the way we see misbehavior (our children’s signal that they’re feeling lost, and are looking to us for direction) so we may comfortably, and firmly, set limits and make decisions in the home.
For Parents of Children 0-9
8 sessions
October 16 - December 11, 2025
8:15-10:10 Thursday mornings
(Zoom option may also be available)
| | GIVE NEW LIFE TO LOVED ITEMS | | |
Donate your gently-used children’s and adult clothing, shoes and outdoor gear to support the Third Grade Farm Trip.
Drop off items up until November 10th
during school hours behind Jaeckel Hall.
No household items or toys, please.
Mountain Laurel’s Annual Clothing Sale will be on Sunday, Nov. 16th, from 9am-2pm.
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AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS STARTING OCTOBER 6TH. SIGN UP TODAY!
MLWS After-School Clubs meet once per week (unless otherwise noted) and are run by teachers, parents and professionals. They are designed to offer students the opportunity to stretch their minds and bodies while developing new skills and friendships. Offerings include:
Handwork: Flat Weaving with Michelle Boynton
Sculpture Arts with Tricia McCloskey
Puppet Show Workshop: 'Seed of Light' with Rox Etheridge
West African Drumming with Amadou Diallo
Middle School Co-Ed Basketball with Mr. C
Art from Recyclables with Seaira O'Brien
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NO SCHOOL – YOM KIPPUR
Thursday, October 2
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NO SCHOOL – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Friday, October 3
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FAMILY HIKE - HOSTED BY PARENT COUNCIL
Sunday, October 5
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
All are welcome! We will meet at the River-to-Ridge Trail Parking lot on Springtown Road in New Paltz. This event offers an opportunity for Mountain Laurel families to gather in nature in support of Media-Free Week.
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MEDIA-FREE WEEK
Monday, October 6 - Friday, October 10
Each year, Mountain Laurel Waldorf School sets aside a week to live without media. No phones, no video games, no television, no scrolling. By stepping away from media, we discover that we are not defined by what streams across our screens but by the relationships we build, the creativity we bring forth, and the sense of wonder we cultivate. Learn more here.
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VOICES FOR INCLUSION & EQUITY (VIE) GROUP
Tuesday, October 7 (meets every other week)
7:00 - 8:00 PM via Zoom
The VIE Group is dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, just, and welcoming school environment. Meets every other week; see School Calendar for all dates. Email vie@mountainlaurel.org for more information.
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COMMUNITY HANDWORK GROUP
Thursday, October 9 (meets every other week)
8:15 - 9:00 AM
Carriage House at 7 Innis
A relaxed and friendly atmosphere for creatives at all levels to gather and work on personal fiber art projects as well as occasional community service projects. Meets every other week; see School Calendar for all dates. Email Michelle Boynton for more information.
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PARENT COUNCIL MEETING
Friday, October 10
2:00 - 3:00 PM
2nd Floor at 7 Innis Avenue (enter at back of building)
MLWS parents and caregivers are welcome to participate in a meeting designed by and for parents and caregivers. At the October 10th meeting, we will share how it went for our families during Media Free Week and what we look forward to bringing forward. We will also discuss Parent Council plans for the coming year. Please join us as we start a new school year together! Email parentcouncil@mountainlaurel.org for more information.
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NO SCHOOL - INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
Monday, October 13
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MINDFULNESS MEETS ANTHROPOSOPHY
Wednesday, October 15 (first of 6 monthly sessions)
7:00 - 7:45 PM
Jaeckel Hall
A co-created supportive adult community engaging in mindfulness practices such as singing, walking silent meditation, seated silent meditation, reading from inspirational texts from Anthroposophy, “dharma talk" style sharing in order to practice deep listening, closing mirror activity. Meets monthly; please see School Calendar for all dates. Email Michelle Boynton for more information.
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SIMPLICITY PARENTING SERIES
Thursday, October 16 (first of 8 weekly sessions)
7:00 - 7:45 PM
Jaeckel Hall
The Simplicity Parenting Series will lead us through the groundbreaking work of Kim John Payne, M.Ed., on DISCIPLINE AND GUIDANCE to shift the way we see misbehavior (our children’s signal that they’re feeling lost, and are looking to us for direction) so we may comfortably, and firmly, set limits and make decisions in the home. The first session is for parents of children ages 0-9 and will meet weekly for 8 sessions. Learn more and sign up here. Email parentcouncil@mountainlaurel.org for more information.
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OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, October 25
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Know anyone considering a Waldorf education for their children? Please let them know that our open houses illuminate the Waldorf philosophy, our academic offerings and our dedication to creating a lifelong love of learning. During the open house prospective families will have an opportunity to visit the classrooms and view students’ work samples, attend informational workshops and watch a puppet show. Children are welcome. Learn more and share with anyone you think might be interested in learning about our school.
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NO SCHOOL - PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Monday, November 3
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NO SCHOOL - VETERANS DAY
Tuesday, November 11
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LANTERN WALK
Thursday, November 13
5:30 PM
In November, as the natural world darkens, the inner light of humanity wants to shine forth. During our annual Lantern Walk, this light appears as the flame enclosed in each child’s lantern. Stay tuned for more details about this seasonal event for families with children in Nursery through Second Grade.
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ANNUAL CLOTHING SALE
Sunday, November 16
Coordinated by the Third Grade (and supported by the entire school through our clothing donations), this event raises funds for the annual Third Grade Farm Trip to Hawthorne Valley Farm. This event is not to be missed, with great deals on gently-used clothing, outerwear and more, and delicious bake sale offerings as well. (Drop off donated items Sept. 29 - Nov. 10 during school hours behind Jaeckel Hall.)
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FALL FOOD DRIVE - HOSTED BY PARENT COUNCIL
Monday, November 17 - Friday, November 21
Please take a moment to recognize the gifts and abundance in our communities and help to support those in need by donating to our Fall Food Drive. We will be accepting donations on the porch of the administrative building all week.
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WORKSHARE
Tuesday, November 25
Workshares are events that usually take place twice during each school year, just before Thanksgiving and on the last day of school in June. Parents, grandparents, and friends are welcome to come and watch the children in Grades 1 through 8 as they offer a sampling of what they have been working on. Exact time TBD.
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HALF DAY
Tuesday, November 25
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NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING BREAK
Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28
| | CLASSIFIEDS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS | | |
Herbalism Workshop for Kids Ages 9-11 - Saturday October 11th, 9am - 3pm
Plant stories, games, foraging, and herbal medicine making. Join outdoor educator Shawn DeRyder and herbalist Sam Perry for a magical day together in the natural world. Hosted by Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism. 181 Huguenot St., New Paltz NY. $50. Rain Date Sunday October 12th. Email sweepingfeather@gmail.com to register.
Percussion Ensemble for MLWS Students Grades 3-8
Wednesdays 7:40am - 8:05am. Starts October 8th. 6 Elting Studio. Performances at the Winter and Spring Music Shares. $125 per semester. To register, contact Chris Losee at LoseePercussion@gmail.com.
Submit your listing
To have your classifieds or community announcements listed in our next issue of The Laurel, please submit entries here by October 15th. Thank you!
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