Windows into Waldorf April 25, 2025
Spring is a season of wonder for children. 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 and the birds singing up in the trees. - message from Meadowroom Pre-School
This Week’s Issue includes:
Director’s Note
Key Dates
Parent Evening
Grades 4 - 5 - Tuesday, April 29th, at 6:00 PM
Grades 6-7-8 - Tuesday, April 29 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Grade 1 - Thursday, May 1st at 6:00 PM
Mayfair details May 3
Registration open for summer camp (ages 4-7)
In the community
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Dear Waldorf Community,
I have a small green book on my desk. Each morning, and sometimes several times a day, I pick it up and read a page or two.
It acts as a talisman for me. Whether it is the content, or the moments pause, I almost always feel ready to return to the task at hand after reading.
Many of you will know the book, it is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
These four agreements are simple rules that you make with yourself, and to which you must hold yourself accountable.
Be Impeccable with Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean.
Avoid using words in a manner that lessens yourself or is gossiping about others.Don’t Take Anything Personally
What others say and do is a projection of their own reality.
It is more about them than you.Don’t Make Assumptions
Assumptions lead to misunderstandings.
Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want.Always Do Your Best
Your best will change from moment to moment.
Simply do your best under any circumstance, and you’ll avoid self-judgment and regret.
When I am at my best, I am accountable to these four agreements.
When I reflect on days that seem long and hard, I usually find I have missed the mark on one or more of these.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.
Conor
KEY DATES
Saturday, May 3rd - Mayfair (invitation below)
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN to 4-7 year olds
Led by Ms. Garcia, we’re excited to announce that registration is now open for this year’s summer camp. The theme for camp will be: The Living Earth: A Journey Through Nature’s Wonders.”
*NEW* In previous years Summer Camp included students 4 to 6 year olds, but this year we have opened it to 4-7 year olds.
Camp Details: 6 weeks as follows:
Week #1- Camp is open to Kindergarten AND Grades 1 to 5 students.
The theme for Grades 1 to 5 camp week will be “Nature Quest” exploring the four elements — Earth, Water, Air, and Fire
Week #2 through Week #6 is for children ages 4 to 7 years old. Daily schedule and activities to follow.
**Children must be 4 years old by the start of the Summer Camp as outlined in the Child Care and Early Years Act.
Dates:
Week #1: June 16th to 20th
Week #2: June 23rd to 27th
Week #3 June 30th to July 4th (4 day week, no camp on Canada Day)
Week #4 July 7th to 11th
Week #5 July 14th to 18th
NO CAMP - July 21st to 25th. The Child Care center is closed for this week.
Week #6 July 28th to August 1st
Location: 250 Madison Ave.
Registration Deadline: May 23rd, 2025
Spots are limited, so we encourage you to register soon to secure your child’s place. We can’t wait to share this magical summer experience with your children!
**When you reach the payment portion of the camp registration please do not use the fast check out button only use the paypal button. At that point you can select your payment method and it will process your payment.
EARTH DAY - Witnessing the Spring awakening through the eyes of a 6 year old.
We Must Cultivate our Garden - Voltaire in Candide published in 1759
Grade One knows this is true. From Ms. Agi’s letter to class parents, she writes:
On Earth Day, the Grade Ones were rosy-cheeked and fully engaged in group games and helping with the community clean-up. It was such fun to picnic and play together as a whole school!
During our nature hikes, the children love pointing out new flowers, plants, tree buds, and animals along the way. They’re so excited to show Ms. Lee, Ms. Pasatir, and me all of nature’s changes, exclaiming things like, “Look, Ms. Agi! Look how much these buds have grown!” The children are reverent and respectful of the life of plants and of little insect friends. They will cautiously tread the ground where the carpets of purple squills are blossoming, being careful not to squish any, and will curiously examine snails and worms, but place them back to where they found them afterwards.
THE POLLINATORS ARE WAKING UP!
We invite our community to admire the fabulous bee installation in the front window and the nature studies display case in the foyer. We thank Ms. Grainger and Parent Sarah Levine for these engaging displays of our school work and values.
Did you know? "1 in every 3 bites of food we eat depends on pollinators" meaning that more than one-third of the food we consume is directly or indirectly produced by plants that rely on animal pollinators for reproduction.
DISPATCH FROM GRADE 4 - On Wednesday, the class had their Forest of Reading voting day! We have been counting down to this day since February. The group got to vote for their favourite book out of the collection from Canada's Largest Recreational Reading Program. The winners will be announced by Ms. Grainger in mid-May.
DISPATCH FROM GRADE 6 -
SAVE the DATE - Parent Evening on Tuesday, April 29 at 6:00pm.
Also…..Grade 6 getting ready for stage and screen!
Last week, Grade 6 students shared with us their delightful South American adventures!
This week, there is talk of a play in the making. Ms. Bender put a call out looking for a guitarist in the community with this note.
Good afternoon Grade 6 families,
Is there anyone who plays guitar that would be interested in joining Michel as an accompanist for our play? There are three songs to learn as well as some filler tunes. We would all greatly appreciate the additional instrument!
Followed up with a request for Play Props including: With regards to the upcoming play take a look at the prop list attached. Specifically, we need bows and arrows for many scenes as well as swords (fake, of course). I am also looking for 3 sort of fancy/wooden chairs for the castle folk to sit upon, a small side table, Goblets or challaces *NOT GLASS, a silver carrying tray, and fake food items (fruit, bread, etc.). Please look at the list as well. Each student will be required to source their own costume - all peices to be brought in by NEXT FRIDAY. If you have anythign at home that feels medieval and may fit with our play, please feel free to send Ms. Bender a photo for confirmation or just bring it in. Overall, we have had an amazing first few days! I am blown away by the talent and commitment in the class. Please ensure your children are completely off book by Monday as we will be blocking on the stage and need lines solid.
Call for PROPS! Please send in anything you have that may work for these props.
Bag for gold coins (scene 1 Sheriff, scene 4 from Tobias to Clarissa)
Bows + arrows x 4 (scenes 1 Robin Hood and Merry Persons, scene 5 competition)
Swords x 6 (scene 2) - Robin Hood, Sheriff, 4 guards
Mandolin + strap (scenes 1 Alana, scene 2 Robin, scene 3 Robin, scene 4 Alana)
Wine bottle + goblets x 4 (scene 4 Friar Tuck)
Silver carrying tray
Gold coins (scene 2, 1 coin + scene 4 Tobias)
Archery target (scene 5)
Handkerchief (scene 5 Anabelle)
3 decadent chairs
Small table w goblets (scene 5)
Trophy arrow (scene 5)
Archery competition poster (scene 4)
Horn/trumpet (scenes 1, 6)
Prop horses x2
Hair brush (scene 3)
3 X regal chairs- wooden if possible
Small side table for castle scene
Fake food for feast
DISPATCH FROM GRADE 7/8
Dear Parents,
Final class parent evening of the year is this coming Tuesday, April 29 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. There is important business to cover about the spring term and the transition to next year, so I hope every child can be represented.
Please RSVP to Mr. Buchbinder so he can know who will be attending.
MAYFAIR! COME CELEBRATE SPRING WITH US, SATURDAY MAY 3rd
Spadina Museum has informed us that Hardscaping work on their property has begun, meaning that the main gates are not in use. Access is currently being rooted though the driving gate at the north end of the property.
This means that the already limited parking available will be be even more scarce. Please make arrangements to park off site if possible.
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.
Also, our friends at TRCA are hosting a series of family friendly Community, Conservation, and Citizen Science in Action activities designed to inspire environmental stewardship. Did anyone have Turtle Tally on their Earth Month bingo card?
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.
PINE PROJECT OPEN HOUSE MAY 4
Our friends at Pine Project are hosting a free, activity filled Open House on Sunday, May 4, from 1–4 PM at Stan Wadlow Park. Drop in for a little while or stay for the whole afternoon. This event is open to everyone—kids, families, educators, organizations, and anyone curious about nature.
