Windows into Waldorf April 5, 2025
Gr. 1 - “In anticipation for the spring time sun, we focused on the colour yellow in our paintings. We created a background of lemon yellow for sunshine and golden yellow for the yellow crocuses we saw on our nature walk the week before.”
IN THIS EDITION
Director’s Note
Key Dates
Knitting Circle schedule for this term, all parents invited!
In the community
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Dear Waldorf Community,
I love magicians. I know I am being tricked, but I don't know how. It's entertaining. I understand that I am being fed a falsehood, and for a moment reality is turned on its head. Some magicians are great illusionists. Magicians never want you to know how a trick is performed, because then it loses power.
Last night the school hosted Bear Bergman, who I respectfully now think of as an "anti-magician". Bear revealed the tricks of social construct. He revealed how the story was created, explained how the trick was played, how common misconceptions masquerade as reality. Bear revealed how the illusion was manufactured, and in doing so revealed the truth and took all the power from the falsehood. Bear Bergman, an acclaimed writer, storyteller and educator was here for an "... enlightening talk on creating safer, more inclusive spaces for trans and non-binary folks in our community." He provided much more.
The two-hour talk: part history lesson, part lecture, part reminiscence, part stand-up, and all riveting. urged us to examine the stories we know, or think we know. It is our responsibility to question what we think we know about gender and sex. To begin his talk, Bear used a metaphor to explain how colonization created the current "lack of history" we are living in by removing the trans and non-binary stories. Bear explained that colonization paved over a meadow of beautiful flowers and proclaimed, "This has always been a parking lot." When the ground cracked and flowers pushed through, this was pointed out as being wrong, but it was just a reminder of what was before. The meadow was there before and when the pavement gets lifted, the meadow is still there and grows again. There is a long trans and non-binary history that when revealed, helps the audience see the reality and the illusion.
Thank you to our community for wanting this discussion, for hosting this discussion, and for continuing this discussion.
With thanks,
Conor
p.s. Please join me and the Community Council next Thursday April 10 at 7:00pm for a brief presentation and discussion on the current state and next steps for our Waldorf Academy.
KEY DATES
Thursday, April 10th, 7:00pm - Community Council at 7:00 pm.
Knitting Circle for adults is now on Monday mornings (instead of evenings). Join Ms. Grainger on Mondays in our new Art space from 8:30-10:00 am.
Tuesday, April 8th - Homework club for students in particular grades is starting up again on Tuesday, April 8th (consult your teacher).
Apr 18 & 21 - School & CCC Closed - Good Friday & Easter Monday
Saturday, May 3rd Mayfair
THE KNITTING CIRCLE RETURNS!
This TERM, the knitting circle will be held in our beautiful new art space (made possible by you, members of the community with our 30 Wishes in 30 Days Campaign).
Details include:
What: The popular knitting circle returns!
When: Mondays from after drop off (8:30) to 10:00am starting March 31
Where: Waldorf Academy’s brand new art space
Who: Everyone! Beginners welcome, No experience necessary
How: Waldorf’s specialist teacher Sydney Grainger has donated supplies
We’re looking forward to seeing your creative masterpieces!
IN THE COMMUNITY
For ANNE OF GREEN GABLES fans in our Community
Our neighbours at Tollkeepers Cottage will be hosting Author Catherine Little who will present LUCY MAUDE MONTGOMERY'S LIFE IN ONTARIO integrating readings from Lucy’s journals. SUNDAY APRIL 6 from 2:00-3:30 PM
For each talk: $10 donation. Refreshments served.
Space is limited. It's helpful if you could let them know if you plan to attend: tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com.
JANE’S WALK RETURNS TO TORONTO MAY 2-4
Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led, neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood walking conversations inspired by citizen activist Jane Jacobs—a journalist, author and proud Torontonian. She lived near Waldorf Academy in the ‘Republic of Rathnelly’.
On the first weekend of May every year, Jane’s Walk festivals take place in hundreds of cities around the world. Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighbourhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.
