Windows into Waldorf April 11, 2025
Spring is a season of wonder for children...new life begins (even though we are still getting a glimpse of winter from time to time). During this time of year, nature is transitioning from a time of stillness and darkness to an explosion of new and vibrant life. So when you go out walking, look for signs of spring, such as the smell in the air, or the sight of buds starting to poke out from the ground, and listen for the birds singing up in the trees. - message from Meadowroom Pre-School
This Week’s Issue includes:
Director’s Note
Key Dates
Earth Day April 22
Mayfair details May 3
Sports Update - Badminton news
In the community
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Dear Waldorf Community,
I tend to doodle. This habit can be annoying to others who assume that my doodling means I am not paying attention. It has caused me grief more than once. This year, in several different contexts and situations, where doodling was appropriate, I wrote the following phrase several times: Delivering on the Promise. This phrase was the title of the presentation I gave last night at the Community Council Town Hall meeting.
What does it mean to deliver on the promise?
For me as an individual it means to hold true to promises I make. To keep my word. It is a call to hold myself accountable, to keep my integrity by delivering on that promise.
As educators it is a reminder to see our students as they are in the present and also view them as they can be in the future. In this way we see the possibilities in each child, the promise they hold. As educators we help to deliver this promise to the child, and to the world.
As a leader it is a declaration, a vision of the promise that can be called forth from our community; it is our purpose. It is a call to action, to deliver on that promise and make it real.
I look forward to meeting further with those who attended last night, and with those who were unable to make it, indeed with all our constituent members, as we work together to deliver on the promise that is Waldorf Academy. The slide deck from the evening provides an overview of the topics covered and is attached.
With respect,
Conor
KEY DATES
Knitting Circle for adults is in full swing on Monday mornings. All skill levels are invited! Join Ms. Grainger in our new Art space from 8:30 - 10:00 am.
Tuesdays - Homework club for students in particular grades is starting up again on Tuesdays (consult your teacher).
Apr 18 & 21 - School & CCC Closed - Good Friday & Easter Monday
April 22 - Earth Day Activities! Next week we will share details of our Earth Day. It will be a full day off-site event; please be sure to send appropriate clothing and easy-to-eat outdoor lunch
Saturday, May 3rd - Mayfair (details below)
GRADE 3 SHELTER BUILDING
As Grade 3 students learn about shelters and habitats from around the world, and work on their dioramas, they took the day to make shelters in real life. Check out their shelter building handiwork this nature based hands-on experience!
BADMINTON TOURNAMENT NEWS
Dear Waldorf Families,
I am absolutely filled with joy and pride as I share the wonderful results of our recent badminton tournaments. Each individual who participated truly embodied the spirit of dedication and perseverance. From the preparation to the tournament itself, there was an inspiring display of growth, determination, and effort in every game played.
A heartfelt congratulations to all our athletes who participated in the badminton events. Results of notable distinction include:
Boys' Singles – 2nd place: E. Mitchell
Boys' Doubles – 4th place: N. Ross & K. Bharati
Girls' Singles – 3rd place: M. Scharlack
Mixed Doubles – 3rd place: K. Brooks & A. Browne-Tuney
These remarkable students will be advancing to the U12 Badminton Championships on April 22nd. I will continue to keep you all updated in the coming weeks as we prepare for this exciting next step.
Again, I am extremely proud of each individual who partook in this tournament!
Thank you for your unwavering support, and let’s continue to cheer on our talented Wizards!
Isaac Ankamah, Athletic Director & Physical Education/Games Teacher
MAYFAIR! COME CELEBRATE SPRING WITH US, SATURDAY MAY 3rd
At Waldorf we love our festivals as a way to connect community to the natural world and by marking the changing of the seasons.
Join us for a wonderful day celebrating renewal and new beginnings Mayfair.
Date: Saturday May 3rd, 2025
Location: Spadina Gardens
Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Schedule:
*Please note, due to capacity constraints on the Spadina Grounds, this event has been split into two groups.
9:00am to 11:00 am
Childcare and Kindergarten students and families.
11:15am to 1:00pm
Grades 1 to 8 students and families
In Detail
Group #1:
9:00am- Event begins for Childcare and Kindergarten
9:15am- Childcare and Kindergarten Maypole dancing begins
10:00am- Students from Grade 4 and 5 - Maypole dance for the younger children
10:20am- Community Maypole dance
10:30am to 11:00 am - Event ending for Childcare and Kindergarten families
Group #2:
11:15am- Event begins for Grades 1 to 8 students and families
11:30am- Grade 4 and 5 students - Maypole dance
11:50am- Community Maypole dance
12:15 pm-1:00 pm- Socializing and Event winding down
1:15pm- Clean-up and Departure
Bring your own blanket and snacks to enjoy while celebrating Spring. There will be Frisbees and hula hoops available for children (and adults) to play with.
Special instructions: No food will be served at the event but you can bring your own for your family. There will be 2 portable washrooms located on site for Waldorf families to use. We ask you not to use the washroom facilities at Spadina Gardens. Parking at Spadina gardens is also very limited so please plan accordingly.
Rain Plan
Dancing in the gym, Events in the classrooms
To get into the spirit, here is an interesting article on how The Maypole Dance Prepares you for The Future of Work
IN THE COMMUNITY
APRIL IS EARTH MONTH - Arts and crafts lovers in Toronto are invited to Evergreen Brick Works every Sunday in April from 10am – 3pm for a free, drop-in community artmaking space with @arthivepopup! They have the supplies, you bring the creativity! Art Hive is accepting donations of unwanted materials for creative reuse.
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.
