Windows into Waldorf Sept. 19, 2025
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s Note
Key Dates
Community Council ask
Invitation from our Truth and Reconciliation Coordinators
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Dear Waldorf Academy Community,
This week at the Grade 2 Parent evening parents joined in to skip rope while reciting the times table. The slight hesitation from parents when asked for a volunteer (when was the last time you were skipping?) became a shared brief trepidation as those brave souls skipping had to count forwards and backwards. Parent evenings tend to be full of friendship and wonder, where the differences of our Waldorf Curriculum are presented in experiences not powerpoints.
Conor making a ‘promo reel’
At the Grade 1 evening, parents drew a variation of a figure 8, similar to the form drawing their children completed that day, where the form crossed the medial line forcing both hemispheres of the brain to engage. The why to what we draw and how we draw it. Ms Daan also explained that having the students listen to a story and create the images in their mind, is a skill that will be used for life, for example picturing the graph that follows from an equation when learning calculus in high-school. Yes, that skill is formed in grade 1.
Another great Waldorf tradition is our celebration of Michaelmas with a full school theatrical performance. The dragon is always a highlight. Following the play the Community Council are hosting a bakesale, and providing free corn on the cob and hot cider. Please be sure to attend if you can.
Enjoy today’s Windows into Waldorf and have a great week.
Conor Jones
PEP TALK
Dear Parents,
We are excited to share that BOOST will be coming to Waldorf Academy to work with students in Grades 2–8.
BOOST (Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre) is a respected organization in Toronto dedicated to supporting children’s safety, well-being, and healthy development. We have partnered with BOOST in the past and are glad to welcome them back into our classrooms.
BOOST’s PEP Talk programs are gentle, age-appropriate, and designed to help children develop important life skills that support their growing independence and awareness. The focus areas include building self-esteem, developing strong communication skills, making healthy choices, fostering friendships, understanding safe and unsafe touch, and knowing how and where to seek help.
For younger students, the sessions are playful and practical, giving them tools for navigating friendships and building confidence. For older students, the content deepens to include rights and responsibilities in relationships, compassion, and strategies for handling more complex social situations.
We believe this opportunity will be very supportive across the grades, helping our students strengthen the skills they need to form healthy, respectful relationships with themselves, their peers, and the adults in their lives.
Warmly,
Ms. Gerrard,
Pedagogical Lead
KEY DATES
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Parent evenings:
Thursday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 - Grade 1 Parent evening (Tonight!)
Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 - Grade 4 Parent evening
Sept. 24 at 1:30 - Terry Fox Run (Grades 5, 6, 7, & 8 - Grade 4 students will take part by assisting with preparations and refreshments). Meet in front of school to head to ravine loop - details in the community calendar). Parents! Join us and come cheer on our kids!
Sept. 26 - Harvest Festival and Michaelmas (all are invited!)
COMMUNITY COUNCIL ASK
Harvest Fair, Bakesale, Michaelmas, oh my!
The Community Council is looking for more “chef extraordinaires” to pledge their culinary delights for the bake sale. Email Community Council with your bestest rice crispy offering!
A SHARED VISION FOR WHOLENESS
An invitation
The Waldorf approach and the Haudenosaunee worldview each offer pathways toward a more integrated, respectful, and life-affirming education.
Dear Waldorf Academy Community,
As the Truth and Reconciliation Coordinators, we are excited to share an upcoming HAWI (Haudenosaunee and Waldorf Inspired) adult education gathering created with Waldorf community members in mind. The gathering is designed to inform and support teachers/community members in learning more about Haudenosaunee history, values, and perspectives as it relates to Waldorf education.
This event is open to educators, administrators, parents, and anyone interested.
Pricing
Register by Sept 18th - Early Bird Discount: $185
Standard Registration: $200
Group Rate: 10% off for schools sending 5+ participants.
Equity/Accessibility Rate: By request, email assistant@wearehawi.com
Let Sydney (sgrainger@waldorfacademy.org) know by Wednesday, Sept. 17th if you would like to sign up with the school and receive the early bird discount. Our Business Manager, Michelle Priestap, will pay for the group and invoice parents to reimburse the school.
Format of Gathering
October 17th--Fri evening virtual. 7-9pm
October 18th--Saturday in-person gathering, 8:30am-4:30pm on Six Nations Territory
What to Expect
Presentations
Storytelling
Songs & Dances
Language learning
Historical Protocols
Community Scavenger Hunt
Warmly,
Sydney Grainger and Genevieve Lennox
PS. For more information on the ‘intersectionalities’ between Waldorf learning and the Haudenosaunee worldview please read our latest BLOG on how we can all learn from each other.
DISPATCHES FROM THE CLASSROOM
Sparking Wonder, Childcare Centre gets new housing for fairy tenants!
Preschool teacher, Ms Terri Santos, added beauty and whimsy to our Spadina CCC entrance with these adorable fairy houses. We are inspired to have so many talented artists on our staff.
Be sure to check them out! We hope they spark that sense of wonder in your family!
OPEN HOUSE DATE FOR FALL 2026 STUDENT COHORT
It’s early in the year, but like all other Independent Schools, we have set a date for our Open House inviting prospective parents to come and explore all Waldorf has to offer for the Sept. 2026 School Year.
We’ll spend an afternoon sharing our approach to education highlighted with activity stations celebrating all things Waldorf.
When: Wednesday, October 22 from 1:00 - 3:00
Want to help or have suggestions on what we should highlight? Need help your “Why did you chose Waldorf elevator pitch?” Let us know! admissions@waldorfacademy.org .
Invitations to the broader community forthcoming! Pass the link below onto your friends!
PICK UP AND DROP OFF
To be courteous of our neighbours we ask that when you come to Waldorf Academy to pick up and drop off your children that you do not block any cars as you dash in to gather your children. We’ve had on occasion that our community-on-the-go have been blocked for 30 minutes or more waiting for the owner of the blocking car to return. - Many thanks for your consideration!
IN THE COMMUNITY -
Our Spadina Neighbours Gow Hastings Architects is Re-imagining parking spaces as people spaces
Participating in PARK(ing) day, our neighbours at Gow Hastings Architects (275 Spadina) are transforming a curbside spot into a vibrant mini habitat of native plants and repurposed materials inviting people to sit and connect and talk all things pollinator education using the Swallowtail butterfly as an example of why we need more native plants in our communities.
Sept 19-20, from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Go check them out!
Incidentally, Gow Hastings Architects recently completed The Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square.
DRAWING AND CREATIVE SESSION
Drawing TO, a Toronto Based Art collective is hosting a Drawing and Creative Session at the Jamii Hub on the Esplanade Sept. 21 at 3:00pm.
