From the Development Committee – Cultivating Community and Fundraising Support

Support our nonprofit school! The WWS Development Committee is gearing up for an incredible school year filled with vibrant events, dynamic community initiatives, and ambitious fundraising goals to support our students and teachers.

Discover how you can get involved and make a lasting impact.

See what's planned and how to get involved!

Please join us for a Goat Yoga session THIS FRIDAY at 4pm, led by Grade 1 teacher, Sojourner Walker-Williams, in the outdoor amphitheater! Garden teacher Jennifer Robinson will shepherd the goats.  

Never done goat yoga before?? That's OK, neither have many of us! Here's what to expect:

• Where: The outdoor amphitheater area where the back-to-school picnic was held.
• When: 4-4:45pm, Friday Oct 9.
• Who: Sojourner, You, and our 3 baby goat visitors: Patch, Bumper and Bucket (and their caretaker Ms. Robinson). Children are welcome with an adult.
• What to Bring: Comfy clothes to move in, a water bottle, and your yoga mat if you have one (WWS has a few "borrow mats" to offer if needed).
• What to Expect: Goats do not have top front teeth, so they aren't the biting type. Curious baby goats may bump (Bumper earned his name for a reason), nuzzle, or climb on top of you. They may taste or feel the texture of your hair or clothing with their mouths, but they cannot break the skin or tear something unless you put it between their molars—and you won't be doing that—you'll be practicing yoga!  

Want to attend? Have questions? 

Please email Natalie Rehberger at clubs@washingtonwaldorf.org if you are planning to come.

The goats are returning to MidAtlantic Homestead next week, so this is your chance to interact with them before they go!

It was wonderful to have Mr. K, Director of College Counseling, with us in person last week. He called it a “full and productive week at WWS,” and it showed:

• Grade 12: One-on-one meetings with every senior to edit essays, brainstorm ideas, explore majors and programs, and refine college lists. Seniors also connected MaiaLearning to the Common App, completed FERPA waivers, identified Early Action and Early Decision applications, and used their individual trackers to clarify what needs to happen next and when.
• Grade 11: The PSAT, plus time to think intentionally about life beyond WWS, including their own interests and strengths.
• Families: Coffees with parents of Grades 9-11, plus a middle school coffee open to all.
• Colleges: Visits from Drexel and Oberlin.
• Faculty: Planning the logistics of recommendations and updating our High School Profile, which accompanies applications.

“Being on campus matters,” he shared. “It gives me the chance not only to work with students on applications, but also to see them in classes, conversations, activities, and the everyday rhythm of school. Getting to know them in action is a delight.”

His advice for families of younger students:

“Colleges are less interested in a long list of disconnected activities than in seeing consistent, impactful engagement. At a school the size of WWS, students have real opportunities to create something, lead something, improve something, or bring people together... The goal is not résumé building. It is helping young people discover what they care enough about to keep showing up for.”

We’ll stay closely connected with Mr. K remotely and look forward to his next visit in March.

From Coach Dan Hill

The WWS Cross Country season is well on its way. The team has a few races under its belt with two more to go. The team raced twice in the last week, first at Sandy Spring and, most recently, this past Monday at Spencerville where 10 runners competed at the PVAC Cross Country Meet.

On the middle school boys’ side, Patrick (G7) was our top runner, setting a personal best of 13:35, 16th out of 113 runners. For the girls, the charge was led by Ingrid (G6) with a personal best of 15:23, placing her 7th out of 50 runners. Bella (G9) worked through first-race jitters and finished strong, outpacing a competitor from Spencerville. 

The team’s next competition is the PVAC Championship on October 20 or 21, followed by the Maryland Private School State Championship the first week of November. 

GO HAWKS!

The Cherry Blossom Nursery would like to share their gratitude for "Mr. Chris" at Christopher's Hardware in Glen Echo.

Caring for babies is serious work in the nursery, and it is such fun to take a brisk stroll with a doll carriage. All that enthusiastic pushing eventually took its toll on the carriage. When Ms. Chang stopped by Christopher's for repair supplies, Mr. Chris offered to fix the carriage himself. What a lovely gesture from a neighbor to keep playtime going.

The children made thank-you notes, and we're glad to shine a light on this local business.

Visit Christopher's Hardware!

We loved receiving this update from the WWS Hawks of Haverford!

The WWS contingent at Haverford is growing! WWS alums Magdalena Steckler ('23) and Gillian Foster ('24) were delighted to welcome Phoebe Langham ('26) to Haverford in September! They enjoyed a picnic dinner on the Haverford apartment green, picked apples, and did some art (of course). Malin Thomas ('24) is also a Haverford student who is studying abroad this semester.

Congratulations to Isobel Modica ('10) on her promotion to Vice President of Design at Welspun USA. Welspun is a home textile manufacturer and importer with a focus on sustainability & innovation. Every 4th towel and 5th sheet set in the US is a Welspun product!

Have an update to share? Email: alums@washingtonwaldorf.org

Do you have a relationship with a potential feeder school?

We are always looking to strengthen our relationships with area schools that end at some point before high school. If you came to WWS from another school, or have some other connection, you can help by:

• Sharing WWS materials with the school staff and/or parents
• Checking to see if they have an outplacement event where you could share about WWS
• Sharing your connection with our Enrollment Office

Is there a bulletin board in your favorite coffee shop, park, library, or bookstore?

If so, please pick up a flyer at the front desk about our upcoming tours to help spread the word! If you can't stop by the desk, contact Alia Goodyear.

Do you have a yard with a good spot for a school sign?

If you would like to promote the school with a beautiful yard sign designed by alum parent Lisa Catalone, please contact Alia Goodyear.

And, please share information about our upcoming enrollment events on any relevant listservs to which you belong!

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Washington Waldorf School | Preschool - Grade 12

Educating creative problem solvers in the age of AI.

WWS offers hands-on learning with no classroom screentime from PreK–Grade 5 and thoughtfully limited tech in Grades 6-12, with a healthy balance of academics, arts, and athletics - plus a farm-to-table lunch program! Alums go on to top colleges and meaningful careers.

Upcoming Enrollment Events:

• Forest Kindergarten Open House - Oct 17, 10am
• Friday Tour - Oct 23, 9am
• Grades 1-12 Virtual Sneak Peek - Nov 4, 12pm
• Grades 1-12 Open House - Nov 7, 10am
• Friday Tour - Nov 13, 9am
• Friday Tour - Dec 4, 9am
• Preschool & Kindergarten Open House - Dec 5, 10am

Learn More & Register:

https://bit.ly/46qvned

Thursday, Oct 15 at 6pm - On Zoom

WWS Trustees Council (TC) meetings are held monthly. The first 45 minutes (approximately) are open to the community, and all are welcome to attend. 

At the beginning of each TC meeting, there is a brief study of Waldorf Education/Anthroposophy. Following the study is a comprehensive report from our Head of School that includes updates from the various administrative departments of the school as well as other pertinent information. The PFO Executive Team also shares updates from their work with the school community during this portion of the meeting.

Saturday, Oct 24 at 9am

RSVP for the Alum Playdate

You are invited to join us for a fall playdate on Saturday, Oct 24 from 9am to 11:30am featuring breakfast snacks, simple activities for the kids, and plenty of time to reconnect with old friends. Bring the whole family—we’d love to see you back on campus!

Craft & Conversation

Join us Monday mornings after drop-off to learn, create, chat, and enjoy a baked treat. No experience needed, and all supplies are provided! You can join any week and stay for as little or as long as your schedule allows.

We’ll meet in the entrance hall from ~8:30–10:30am. Hope to see you there!

Email pfoexec@washingtonwaldorf.org with questions.

Front Desk Volunteer Needed! 

The Front Office is looking for a volunteer to help at the front desk every Tuesday from 10:30-11:45am, when the admin team has weekly meetings.

Ideally we'd have the same volunteer each week. There may be other times when coverage is requested. Volunteers will be fully trained on front desk duties. Please email your interest and questions to pfoexec@washingtonwaldorf.org.

Affinity Groups

The PFO is excited to invite families to Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups. If you’re interested in joining any of these groups, please sign up by joining the Google group as listed below. All affinity groups are open to anyone who wants to participate.

Two New Groups:

• Black Families & Friends Group - Sign Up

A space for connection and belonging among WWS parents, caregivers, faculty, staff, and alums who identify as Black, as well as those raising Black children, including multiracial families. The group celebrates Black cultures and heritage, offers space to share experiences of race and identity, and supports families as they nurture their children’s sense of pride and belonging at WWS.

• LGBTQ+ Families & Friends Group - Sign Up

A welcoming space for WWS parents, caregivers, faculty, staff, and alums who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as those with an LGBTQ+ family member in our school community. The group provides a place to build connections, share experiences related to gender, sexuality, and family life, and support a school community where LGBTQ+ people and families feel seen, affirmed, and included.

Existing Groups:

• Jewish Families & Friends Group - Sign Up
• Knitting Group - Sign Up

Please take a second to fill out this Learn to Knit Interest Survey to let us know what times work best for knitting sessions.

• Latin American Community & Friends Group - Sign Up
• Muslim Families & Friends Group - Sign Up

The PFO is always looking to support meaningful connections within our parent community. If you’re interested in starting a different parent/guardian affinity group, please email the PFO (pfoexec@washingtonwaldorf.org) to begin the conversation.

Gear Shop

It's cooling off! As you pull out your cold-weather clothing, please donate your children's gently used, outgrown OUTERwear and boots/hats/mittens, sizes EC through G8, to the Gear Shop! 

To Donate:

• There is a bin in the vestibule where you can donate items. 
• All proceeds from the Gear Shop are donated to the ONEFUND. 

To Purchase Items:

• View the Gear Shop inventory.
• Send an email to wwsgearshop@gmail.com that includes the line number(s) of the item(s) you're interested in and/or to see a photo of any item.

October

8/ Thursday

• Apple Blossom Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm
• Cherry Blossom Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

12/ Monday

• No School

15/ Thursday

• Trustees Council Meeting, 6pm - On Zoom

17/ Saturday

• Forest Kindergarten Parent/Guardian Meeting, 8:30am
• Forest Kindergarten Open House for Prospective Families, 10am

19/ Monday

• Craft & Conversation, 8:30am

20/ Tuesday

• New Family Breakfast, 8:30am

23/ Friday

• School Tour for Prospective Families, 9am
• Fall Festival, 4pm

24/ Saturday

• Alum Family Playdate, 9am
• Seedlings Parent/Guardian Meeting, 11am

If you are a current family - first, check ParentSquare for posts from your teachers, departments (Early Childhood, Lower School, Upper School), and the administration.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on ParentSquare, please email your department Coordinator or our Operations Director:

• Early Childhood & Lower School (G 1-5) Coordinator - Esther Probst
• Upper School Coordinator (G 6-12) - Bonnie McClelland
• Operations Director - Laur Garner
• Director of Auxiliary Programs - Natalie Rehberger

How to Submit a Listing

• We welcome submissions of community news, items for sale, want ads, etc. Please keep notices to 500 characters or less. There is no charge for listings.  
• Please submit listings by COB TUESDAY with the subject "Bulletin Submission."
• If you are sending images or flyers, a link to an online version is preferred.
• Bulletin Board notices generally run for 3 weeks - if space allows - unless other arrangements have been made.
• Listings may not be accepted and will likely be edited.

Five-Day Creative Speech & Storytelling Retreat in Costa Rica

Led by Debbie Spitulnik, Former WWS Faculty & Alum Parent

February 12–18, 2027

In the cloud forest of Monteverde, we will spend five days immersed in storytelling, Creative Speech, and the living landscape around us.

Using the Four Pillars of Creative Speech™ (Imagination, Movement, Sound, and Breath), we will explore how a story comes to life through its speaker and how our own inner capacities shape the way we meet our listeners.

The cloud forest itself will become part of our study. We will listen to the movement of water and wind, live into the gestures and rhythms of the landscape, observe color, form, and atmosphere, and experience silence. We will bring these into our work with language and story.

This is more than a storytelling workshop. It is a sojourn for the soul: a time to deepen your artistic practice, renew your relationship with your own voice, and experience storytelling in conversation with one of the world's extraordinary ecosystems.

We are all storytellers. This retreat is for all who seek to deepen their connection and kinship to nature, their inner self, and the spoken word.

Learn More & Register

Overnight Camp In West Virginia

From Kate Mueller, G7 Parent & TC Chair

Camp Twin Creeks is where friendships flourish, childhood thrives, and independence grows! During two weeks of traditional overnight camp, children become part of a lifelong community. By unplugging from technology and the distractions of everyday life, campers are able to connect with new friends and mentors, try new things, and develop confidence and independence.

Camp Twin Creeks has a beautiful, cool campus in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Our campus and seasoned adult staff provide endless opportunities for new and fun experiences. Activities include: Arts and Crafts, Dance, Theater, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Swimming, Nature, Soccer, Basketball, Archery, Climbing Wall, Vertical Playground, Mountain Biking, Fishing, Ropes Course, Horseback Riding, Rink Hockey, Zip Lining, High Ropes Adventure, and more!

For over 25 summers, our camp has been led by husband-and-wife directors. Our programming decisions, staff training, and all our endeavors are guided by the four pillars of our Youth Development Philosophy, which serve as our true north star.

2027 Dates and Rates

FiberArt.STUDIO Fall Classes Start Next Week

FiberArt.STUDIO offers weekly after-school sessions, private instruction by appointment, and adult classes on special crafts in Carderock Springs. You can sign up for one class, a month, or a season.

View the Class Schedule & Register

A message from Miss Anja:

Dear Waldorf families,

Knitting is everywhere and sweater weather is just around the corner. To get you excited I recommend to watch the Game of Wool series on PBS. Great fun!

But we do all kinds of crafts, like crochet, basket making, teddies and Waldorf dolls from scratch, embroidery, needle felting and so much more...

Let me know if you have any questions, or would like to come see the studio. I love visitors.

With lots of strings attached,

Anja Caldwell

WWS Alum Family (Ella 2022)

View the latest FiberArt.STUDIO newsletter.

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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