Candles for the Evergreen Spiral. There is a community spiral walk on Friday at 8:30am, see below for details.

A Message from the Good Food Lunch Team

As parents and Good Food Lunch team members, we believe in the power of good nutrition for our children’s health and happiness. Here are some highlights of our program:

Our ingredients are fresh, organic, biodynamic as available, seasonal, and nutrient-dense.

Younger students learn to enjoy new flavors with our rotating menu (expanding to a three-week rotation starting in January!) and by dining with peers who are enjoying the same food.

Our plant-forward approach, with dressings and sauces made from scratch (no sugars, corn syrup, or food additives), ensures a wholesome, healthy, and delicious meal. We use olive and avocado oils, and sometimes coconut oil. 

We thoughtfully accommodate all dietary requirements, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian, to offer delicious versions of each meal.

Our pizza—a kid favorite that our 8th graders help prepare—is made extra special with sourdough. This ancient bread, fermented with wild yeast and good bacteria, is easier to digest and helps the body better absorb nutrients. We also prepare gluten-free pizza dough from scratch. 

In short, we pour our hearts into every meal, ensuring a delicious and nutritious experience for our lunchers! 

Good Food Lunch for the Spring Term

Menu & Cost

New for spring term—an expanded three-week menu rotation with additional variety, formulated with input from our student lunchers! 

Enrollment Details

• New Lunchers: Sign up for lunch by December 31! 
• Current Lunchers:
• If you want to continue, no action is necessary.
• If you would like to cancel, please email goodfood@washingtonwaldorf.org by December 31.

Parent Volunteer Testimonials

"I had such a great time in the kitchen. It was so lovely to cook in community and to learn from chefs who have such a deep passion for food and nutrition. What they're doing for our kids is absolutely incredible and I was so impressed with the level of love and care they bring to everything they do. It felt great to support such an awesome team, and the whole experience made me want to keep coming back to help!"

• Miles Amoore, WWS Parent

"The comforting smell of a warm, home-cooked lunch fills the hallways. Chef Eron and his team have turned the kitchen back into the healthy heart of the school. They provide quality, from scratch, daily meals to nourish the head, heart, and hands of our children. I personally appreciate the balance of fruits and vegetables in the menu. I’ve been volunteering in the kitchen since 2019, and can attest your child is receiving a tasty meal prepared with love."

• Sarah Langham, WWS Parent

"Volunteering in the school kitchen is so rewarding and fun. I have been really struck by how much genuine care and attention is put into the lunches. Chef Eron, Serafina, Laura, Jesse, and all the volunteers have extremely high standards, and they taste and adjust every recipe before it is served to ensure it is perfect. From the menu planning, to sourcing ingredients, to prepping, cooking, and cleaning—every step is done with real love, and your children are thought of throughout the whole process."

• Madelaine Johnston, WWS Parent

The high school knows how good it is for students to participate in service learning, to engage in hands-on work in service to others, to learn about the vision, dedication, successes, and struggles of an organization, and to meet the people doing this work daily. These experiences are meaningful for all of us, and inform our sense of self, place, and community. We were grateful to find opportunities with DC Central Kitchen and with Martha's Table just before fall break. 

From Bonnie McClelland, HS Administrator

Members of Grade 9 visited Martha’s Table at The Commons in SE DC to bag groceries to be offered to families in a pop-up Joyful Food Market at a local elementary school later that day. The Commons is a handsome building with nice space, and a real hive of good activities! Martha's Table provides educational, health and wellness, family engagement, and community investment programs to advance a more equitable Washington, DC.  

We bagged name brand boxed stuffing and canned cranberries, and a lot of top quality fresh produce like sweet potatoes, kale, onions, garlic, the largest pieces of ginger we have ever seen, apples, pears, grapes, and bananas. Students and other volunteers were all working with efficiency and joy. As we finished, customers were gathering for the regular market to open on the main floor of The Commons, also fully stocked with top quality items and loads of fresh produce. We would have gladly stayed longer and worked more!

From - Gabriele Schilz, HS German Teacher

Members of Grades 10, 11, and 12 visited DC Central Kitchen at the Klein Center in SW DC and worked on the morning meal prep shift. We cut unbelievable amounts of potatoes, peppers, collard greens, and other vegetables, helped with cooking in the kitchen, and did some other jobs like sorting and labeling grapes! We were amazed at the organization's work. They make between 17,000 and 20,000 meals a day, which they sell and donate to schools (public and private), a couple of hospitals, homeless shelters, and recovery programs. Their training kitchen facility looks amazing.

DC Central Kitchen has 98 employees and about 40-50 volunteers every day of the year. Some days they have more, especially on Thanksgiving Day, which they were looking forward to. Their program is well known even in other countries, from where groups come to visit and volunteer. 85% of their students who complete the culinary training, find full-time jobs afterwards in kitchens throughout the area. The staff we interacted with were very present, open, friendly, generous, and full of spirit about their work! They all complemented our students for the work they did, and noted that they worked with commitment, speed, focus, and determination! One of their training mottos is "Life skills before knife skills!"

From Kate Knuth, Class Teacher

My former colleague at Pine Hill Waldorf School, Jackie Davis (the premier Waldorf circus arts expert in the country and teacher extraordinaire), came up with the term "developmental circus arts" in her master's research at Harvard. In her words, the term is used to "describe the philosophy and practice of circus-making as a vehicle for physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development in young people." All those in the Washington Waldorf School community who had the great pleasure of witnessing the Grade 6 presentation of their circus last week experienced the truth of these words. 

For four weeks, under the guidance of movement faculty Christian Gardiner and Janet Dunwoody, the students individually honed skills, paired up to concoct and perfect "acts" for the show, and were challenged to reach new heights. The pride that the students felt in their work was impressively humble, yet the grace and beauty they gifted to the community truly shined like a beacon. We could see from our seats the students' physical prowess, social grace, emotional balance, and cognitive coordination -- as individuals, in small groups, and as a whole class -- all a wonder to behold. Thank you, 6th graders, for your gift to us all, and thank you to Mr. Gardiner and Ms. Dunwoody for your wonderful guidance, coaching, training, and perseverance!

Online Shopping Ends Tomorrow!



The Waldorf Store sales continue online through midnight on Friday, Dec 13.

https://washingtonwaldorfschool.square.site/

After you submit an order, you'll receive an email when your order is ready to pick up at the front desk at WWS (usually the following day). 

Please pick up your order by Friday, Dec 20, the last day of school before Winter Break.

View/Download a PDF of the Report

Trustees Council Meeting - TODAY

Thursday, Dec 12 at 5:30pm

(open to the community 5:30 - approx. 6:15pm)

WWS Trustees Council (TC) meetings are held monthly in the WWS library (with an occasional virtual meeting). 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/Faculty Chair 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. 

Community Evergreen Spiral Walk

Friday, Dec 13 at 8:30am

Parents/guardians, grandparents, alum families, and community friends are invited to walk the Evergreen Spiral.

Each participant is given a candle to light and add to the path of the spiral. This contemplative activity is a time of peaceful reflection giving us an opportunity to connect to our inner light as we approach the winter solstice and the darkest days of the year.

**Adults Only

**Given the nature of the event, there will be no late seating.

Coffee with Margery Bank & Torie Gorges

Friday, Dec 13 at 8:30am

All are welcome! Grab some coffee or tea, and join Head of School/Faculty Chair Margery Bank to ask any questions you have, or just come to listen. Torie Gorges, Chair of the DEIB Committee, will also be available to answer questions about the committee's work this year. 

This event will be held in the Dan Wacker Entrance Hall at the front of the school.

Feel free to join late or leave early as needed. If you are participating in the evergreen spiral walk (above) you can join the coffee after the walk is done.

RSVP recommended but not required. 

You are invited to a simple, come-as-you-are

Community Solstice Gathering

Friday, Dec 13 from 4:30-5:30pm

• WWS outdoor amphitheater space (behind the library)
• All ages
• A snack of popcorn and warm cider will be offered.
• Handheld camping lanterns and event or camp chairs are welcome. 
• Please plan to go without phone use and without taking photos while gathered, in order to be fully present. 
• We expect that children in Grade 6 and younger will be here with parents or other adults who will supervise them. Children in Grades 1-6 who do not usually attend aftercare may join until they are picked up before 4:30 to attend the event. Update: there is no charge for aftercare drop-ins before the event, but the suggested donation for the extra aftercare support is $25 (cash or check please). Email aftercare@washingtonwaldorf.org to reserve a spot.

Questions? Contact Bonnie McClelland

Grade 8 Play: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Wednesday, Dec 18 at 7pm

The Grade 8 students have been hard at work and invite you to come enjoy their class play The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe next week. You'll recognize many things about this classic tale but find some fun twists as well!

Poster by Linden (G8)

Alum Basketball Game

Friday, Dec 20 at 5:30pm

We invite all alums to lace up your sneakers and hit the court once again for our Washington Waldorf Alum Basketball Game! Reconnect with old teammates and friends, relive the glory days, and enjoy some friendly competition. Whether you’re ready to play or cheer from the sidelines, we’d love to see you there! Check out the invitation and RSVP below.

The game is for alums v. current students. Everyone is welcome to come and cheer!

Learn more & RSVP

December

12/ Thursday

• TC Meeting, 5:30pm
• Cherry Blossom Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

13/ Friday

• Community Evergreen Spiral Walk, 8:30am
• Coffee With Margery Bank & Torie Gorges, 8:30am
• Community Solstice Gathering, 4:30pm
• HS Movie Night, 7:30pm

17/ Tuesday

• G2 Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

18/ Wednesday

• Grade 8 Play, 7pm

20/ Friday

• 12:30 Dismissal
• Alum Basketball Game, 6pm

**Winter Break Dec 23-Jan 3 | Classes Resume Jan 6**

January

3/ Friday

• Returning Family Financial Aid Applications Due in Clarity

🏀🏀🏀View the Athletics Calendar on our website.

If you are a current family - first, check ParentSquare for posts from your teachers, departments (Children's Garden, Lower School, High School), and the administration.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on ParentSquare, please email your department coordinator/administrator or our Operations Manager:

• Children's Garden Coordinator - Cecilia Berg-Benson
• Lower School Coordinator - Margaret Mansker
• High School Administrator - Bonnie McClelland
• Operations Manager - Laur Garner

Book Discussion: Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me

A group of people interested in social justice gathers once a month to support each other in antiracism and other social justice organizing through study, practice, and dialogue. Please join us!

• Our next gathering is Monday, Jan 6 at 7:30pm
• We will be discussing Part I of Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me
• Open to all and no prior experience needed

Interested in this gathering, or future ones? Let us know!

Holiday Music Spanning the Centuries Featuring Vox Pulchra and Celebrated Multi-Instrumentalist Tina Chancey

From Jennifer Robison, WWS Faculty & Parent

Friday, Dec 20 at 7pm

The small women's vocal ensemble that I sing with, Vox Pulchra, is performing a holiday concert at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital on Capitol Hill. We will be singing music spanning centuries and continents, but revolving around themes of the solstice, the stars, and Christmas traditions from many cultures.  

We will be joined by instrumentalist Tina Chancey who plays all sorts of incredible instruments that come to us from the distant past. If you've ever wondered how Cellos used to sound before there were Cellos, then come hear Tina play the 7 stringed Viola de Gamba and you'll know!

Tickets are $20 and beverages are available for purchase in the lobby.  

Get Tickets

Time for Three Concert - Home for the Holidays - TONIGHT!

Thursday, Dec 12 at 7:30pm

WWS alum Nick Kendall ('97) and his Grammy winning trio Time for Three, are playing a "Home for the Holidays" concert at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, on the University of MD, College Park campus.

Learn more and buy tickets.

Wooden Waldorf Items for Sale

Wooden/Waldorf items for sale, including wooden doll treehouse, fully furnished wooden dollhouse, and castle door. To see pictures and purchase information, see: https://forms.gle/zft1HvuhaYMk2kT36

Contact: Nancy Doyle nwdoyle@gmail.com

WWS Parent Restaurant Opening

Thanks to Bonnie (HS Administrator) for letting us know that current WWS parent, Alexis Starkey (G1) opened a new restaurant in Petworth! Check out this article from Petworth News to learn more about Fedwell which is intentionally kid-friendly and where "she’s designed both the menu and the space to minimize stress on families who’d like to eat out."

Visit the restaurant website.

Congratulations!

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