Fall colors blazing through the auditorium window!

Parents Dulce Maria de Guadalupe Govea Aguilar (G4) and Dan McSwain (G1&4) sharing the story of the ofrenda in Mexican culture with Grade 1.

Grade 1 pausing to watch Grade 7 play futsal as they passed through the gym.

Grade 3 at the Fall Festival rehearsal. Students in the audience were asked to "clap" silently to keep the focus on the presentations.

Upper School Guitar and Drum Ensemble at the Fall Festival rehearsal.

Creating an installation of shoes that Grade 8 reimagined as art.

A student-led D&D Club meets in the Entrance Hall on Thursday afternoons.

Grades 7-9 opened the Fall Festival with a song they have been singing together in the mornings.

Trying out a new drum set!

Overheard in the hallway: 
Songbirds kindergarteners excited to see their teacher from way back when they were in the nursery.

This morning, Grades 1 & 12 carved pumpkins together!

Hawks on the Rise: A Season to Celebrate!

What a season for the Washington Waldorf Red-Tailed Hawks high school girls soccer team! The Hawks finished the regular season strong, putting together a five-game winning streak that included consecutive road victories on opponents’ senior nights. Their 5–2 league record earned them the third seed and home-field advantage in the PVAC quarterfinals, where they delivered a resounding 6–1 victory over JDS. That strong performance secured a place in the semifinals and guaranteed them a top-three playoff finish!

The win also made for a memorable farewell at home for seniors—Anna, Elena, Kenzie, and Zoe—who celebrated their last dance in front of the home crowd with a victory. Thank you for your leadership, commitment, and all you have contributed to WWS soccer over the past four years!

Although our season came to a close yesterday against Field in the PVAC semifinals, this team has so much to be proud of. Their hard work, growth, and team spirit made it a wonderful season.

Special thanks to Taisto Saloma, Coach Joey, and Coach Enrique for their support and dedication, and to Coach Katie, whose work in previous seasons helped build such a strong foundation. Lastly, thank you to our parents and schoolmates for cheering us on and supporting the team throughout the season. Good things to come!

Go Hawks!

Sign Up to Volunteer and Get the Shift of Your Choice!

It’s time to sign up for your Bazaar volunteer shift.

It is essential that every parent/guardian contributes two to four hours to the Bazaar. Check out the list of activities by class for more information! 

To make things easier, we are offering childcare on Friday, Nov 20 for volunteers.

To secure childcare, please sign up by Wednesday, Nov 18.

• For the best use of time and resources, please only drop your child off for the duration of your shift.
• This care is only available for enrolled students.

When Janet Dunwoody joined WWS in 2023 as the Chairperson for the Lower School (then Grades 1-8), she brought deep Waldorf teaching experience and pedagogical training, along with a solid grounding in administrative leadership. She was brought here to primarily function as a leader and mentor who could hold a higher level view of the students, classes, and teachers.

Over the past few years, her role expanded to become the Faculty Administrator for the whole school. Janet has provided support, guidance, insight, and some fun (did you see her inflatable dino costume?) to our school. She has also worked with many of the students supporting the movement program with her specialty in Spacial Dynamics. Janet was also an integral part of the team that reimagined our school experience to have an umbrella Upper School covering both the middle and high school years (Grades 6-12).

From the beginning, Janet said she would stay at WWS for 3 years. We are glad that she stayed a bit longer than promised, but at the end of this calendar year it is time for Janet to depart. She is returning to her home in Spain where her husband has kept the home fires burning, even as he dealt with health issues. 

We are immensely grateful for all that Janet has brought to WWS and wish her, and her loved ones, great happiness and wellbeing! ¡Mucho éxito!

We just learned that Megan Whitham ('18) directed and co-produced the film "In The Eye of the Beholder," which won the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase Student Documentary Award at the 2026 Cannes Emerging Filmmaker Student Showcase. The film was also a top official selection of the Richmond International Film Festival in September.

Congratulations, Megan!

Coffee, Community & What’s Ahead at WWS

What’s ahead for our school community? Join us Thursday, Nov 12 at 8:45am for the first PFO open meeting of the year! Grab a coffee and a snack in the Entrance Hall while we share updates on the Bazaar and Gala, preview exciting new events, and hear from fellow WWS parents about their work beyond the school.



• PFO updates: We'll share what's in store for this year’s Bazaar, Gala, and new community events - you won't want to miss it. 
• Parent connections: Mary Vitale shares her role representing WWS at the Parents Council of Washington.
• Digital resilience: Adam Mutschler shares his work on the AWSNA board and an update on a media-education framework for digitally resilient kids in Waldorf schools.



All are welcome! Come connect with fellow parents, hear what’s happening, and be part of the conversation. Email Erica and Jennifer at pfoexec@washingtonwaldorf.org with any questions.

Three Drives, One Caring Community

The WWS Gear Shop has a new look and is now a fully functional online storefront!

Shop anytime at wwsgearshop.org. To get started:

• Log in with the one-time code WWS-4800 and create your account
• Add items to your cart
• Submit a pickup request

Donate your gently used OUTERwear, sizes Early Childhood through Grade 8, in the Gear Shop bin in the vestibule.

Many thanks to WWS parent David Hanke for spotting an opportunity to improve the Gear Shop and generously volunteering his time to build the solution!

Good Food: Dinner Is Handled!

No time to cook? Skip the takeout and grab dinner when you pick up.

Good Food offers packed-to-go portions you can pick up from our snack fridge (just inside the kitchen doors) and take home for dinner tonight or later in the week.

Why families love it:

• Easier than takeout: No waiting in line, no ordering apps. Just stop by the kitchen when you’re already at school to pick up your child.
• Easier on your wallet: At $12.50, our portions cost less than a typical takeout meal.
• Saves you time: Heat, serve, and spend your time on homework, activities, or a little rest.
• Flexible: Eat tonight or store for later in the week.

How it works:

1. Email goodfood@washingtonwaldorf.org by 10am the morning you'd like to purchase, or set up a regular weekly or monthly schedule.
2. Stop by the kitchen to pickup your portions. They will be waiting in the snack fridge.
3. Take them home and enjoy!

Stock up for the week and take one thing off your plate.

Good Food Menu for Nov and Dec

Questions? Contact Good Food at goodfood@washingtonwaldorf.org.

A New Session of Student Clubs Begins Next Week! 

• Chess Club (Grades 2-5)
• NEW! - Creative Mending Club (Grades 6-12)
• NEW! - Indian Dance Club (Grades 1-3)
• Robotics Club (Grades 5-8)

Please register and learn more.

If you have questions about clubs, please contact Natalie Rehberger, Director of Auxiliary Programs, at nrehberger@washingtonwaldorf.org.

The Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) is thrilled to bring back their Holiday Gift Guide on the Waldorf Alum Connect platform!

Throughout November, all Waldorf alum business owners are invited to submit a listing with gift-focused products and services.

Submit your Holiday Gift Guide listing here! 

Tell your friends to drop in and check out WWS on Saturday, Nov 7 between 10am-Noon. There will be teaching demonstrations, a question & answer time, and a chance to see the school at their own pace. The whole family is welcome!

Registration is helpful, but not required. Walk-ins welcome!

Parents Council of Washington Virtual Speaker Panel:

"Growing Up in the Age of AI: What Parents Should Know"

Tuesday, Nov 17 from 7-8:30pm

Join fellow Parents Council of Washington (PCW) community members to learn from the following experts:

• Russell Shaw (former Head of Georgetown Day School), adopting AI in a school environment
• Angela Virtu (American University), leading large scale AI transformation in higher education
• Rebecca Winthrop (Brookings Institution), seeing the global AI education landscape from 30,000 feet

All PCW member school parents, administrators, faculty, and staff are invited. There will be time for live Q&A.

To participate live and/or view a recording, register today! 

October

30/ Friday

• No School - Parent Teacher Conferences

November

2/ Monday

• No School - Parent Teacher Conferences

3/ Tuesday

• No School - Election Day

4/ Wednesday

• G1-12 Virtual Tour for Prospective Families, Noon

7/ Saturday

• SAT
• Lantern Walk, Sunflowers, Songbirds & Waldorf in the Woods
• G1-12 Open House, 10am

9/ Monday

• Craft & Conversation, 8:30am

12/ Thursday

• PFO Open Meeting, 8:45am
• Trustees Council Meeting, 6pm

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 contact:

• 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.

A Waldorf Welcome in Italy: Finding Home Far From Home

Thanks to WWS Alum Parent & TC Member, Anne Wotring for sharing a recent article from the Waldorf Today newsletter.

You can read the article online. It chronicles a Waldorf family's experience visiting a small Waldorf summer camp in rural Italy.

Furnished Bedroom & Private Bathroom for Rent – Cabin John, MD

From Virginia Ibarra (Alum Parent) posting for a neighbor

Fully furnished bedroom with a private bathroom available in a quiet, welcoming single-family home in Cabin John. Convenient location near Bethesda, shopping, parks, and major commuter routes.

$1,500/month – All utilities and Wi-Fi included!

Ideal for a working professional or student. Background/credit check required.

Text 202.596.1688 for details or to schedule a viewing.

Thanksgiving Turkeys from a Local Regenerative Farm

From Eben Kaplan, Parent G4 & G6 and TC Member

Whiffletree Farm in Warrenton, VA, uses humane, regenerative farming practices to raise poultry and livestock. They are a fantastic source for sustainable meat and eggs. They make monthly deliveries near the school and will be delivering Thanksgiving turkeys the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Preorder online!

First Fridays Concert Series Curated by WWS Guitar Teacher Sven Abow

Ethio-Fusion artist Zedicus featuring Abyssinia Roots unplugged are up next at Brentwood Arts Exchange. 

Friday, Nov 6 from 8-10pm

Learn More

Unplugged, and in an intimate art gallery setting, experience Zedicus & Abyssinia Roots, who have crafted a sound that defies boundaries, fusing reggae, rock, alternative, and world music into an irresistible sonic tapestry.



Location: Gateway Arts Center, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, MD 20722 (just three blocks north of the Rhode Island Ave. circle, close to the DC / MD line). Free parking at Mixt Foodhall and at Mint Dentistry!

Tickets are $20 at the door or online: Learn More

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