Windows into Waldorf May 2, 2025
The neighbourhood where your children learn and play is awash in blossoms and cascading forsythia!
This Week’s Issue includes:
Director’s Note
Key Dates
Mayfair TOMORROW! See you there! More upcoming events and details below
Registration open for summer camp (ages 4-7)
In the community
DIRECTOR’S NOTE - Windows into Waldorf - 2 May 2025.
“We do things intentionally different here.”
I have spent many years of my life trying to define what makes a school special. At other schools and in other roles, as Director of Admission or Advancement, I have worked with teams of professionals to define “our difference”. Frankly, the “difference” we came up with wasn’t that different from the offerings of other schools. Often when marketing a school the advertisements would come out and several schools were all touting the same difference. How different is that?
And then I came to Waldorf Academy.
All we have are differences. It’s a good thing.
Take parent’s night, we held two this week. At other schools this event looks like this: teachers speak to the group of parents, informing them of curricular events to come. It is large, impersonal, and not threatening in any way. Everyone leaves with the feeling they can check off the event: the teacher and parents all performed the expected role and we can move on. I’ve never had anyone comment on parent evenings (30 years of experience in this department) other than to suggest they could be shorter.
Last night, our Grade 1 parents had to learn a song and then add a dance to go with it. No opt outs, you had to get up and dance. Joy, laughter and missteps. Ms Agi mentioned in a kind manner that the students picked it up much easier. The parents then had to create a ‘wet-on-wet’ painting. They experienced their children’s day. Understood what it means to learn by doing these tasks.
Grade 2 parents all brought food; a potluck dinner, no opt outs. The parents broke bread together This changes relationships and frames the event in a different light. Then Ms Vera shared a story she wrote for the parents, that illustrated her connection to the students and depth of care. The event was social and underlined the way the students interrelate and connect in this class.
Next door, Grade 3, parents were silent, focussed, drawing three essential forms as if nothing were more important than this task. They then listened and took notes on Steiner’s philosophy related to their child’s growth and stage before moving to another room to sit in a circle and share stories of their children. No opt out.
In public school, and other private schools, ‘opting out’ is a big thing. As a parent you can be a passive bystander and opt out. Heck, at Waldorf Academy we take attendance on parent night. You have to sing and dance, you have to break bread and socialize, you have to learn and share. When you enroll your child in Waldorf Academy you are enrolling yourself too. Parent’s night at Waldorf Academy is an event. And yes, one parent said “I wish this went on longer.”
Thank you to the teachers and parents for your efforts this week - your children are fortunate that you care so much. They cannot know at their young age what a gift you are giving them.
Conor
MAYFAIR - SEE YOU TOMORROW!
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.
KEY DATES
Saturday, May 3rd - Mayfair (invitation below)
Friday, May 9 - Gr. 2 Play - King of Ireland’s Son
Thursday, May 15 - Gr. 6 Play - Robin Hood
May 16 - 19 - Victoria Day Weekend (PD Day May 16)
Thursday, May 22 - Gr. 5 Olympiad
Thursday, June 5 - Gr, 7,8 Play - Moliere’s Play The Miser (first performed on September 9, 1668!)
Grade 2 - Advertising Posters adorn the hallways inviting the community to attend their play, King of Ireland’s Son.
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.
IN THE COMMUNITY
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 - Sunday 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.
E-BIKE FESTIVAL - Sunday, May 4 - Our friends at Zygg are hosting an E-Bike Join e-bike shops from across the city and the Toronto cycling community for a day-long e-bike extravaganza highlighting major brands including Cube, Gazelle, O2feel, Velec, Trivel, Yuba, and more, all in a single location (with a focus on e-bikes for commuters, families & general purpose cargo). Test Rides - Ask Experts - Great Deals on New & Used ebikes
Look at that green out through the screen
After a quick rain came
So fast that there wasn't time
To roll up the window
And pull the clothes down off the line
But I don't care, it was so dry
The grass is happy and I think, "so am I"
The Hideout Sarah Harmer
