Windows into Waldorf Sept. 17, 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,
It was wonderful to see so many of you at the parent evenings this week. We hope that you got some good insight into the progress and love of learning that happens in the classrooms and that you also took the time to re-connect with fellow parents (and meet new ones!).
Conor making a ‘promo reel’
As we get into the rhythm of the school year I am inspired by the joyful sense of community around us. We are making connections, lingering longer at pick up and drop off to catch up with fellow parents, and throughout the school, posters from Parent Council invite us to join Bake Sales, Harvest Festivals and Knitting Circles.
As Rudolf Steiner would observe, all these interactions highlight that as a community we are worthy models for the child's imitation, setting good examples for them and showing them how to 'be' in the world.
Two such examples are touched on in today’s newsletter. Next week’s Terry Fox Run, and our bridge building work with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Enjoy today’s Windows into Waldorf and have a great week.
Conor Jones
Director Waldorf Academy
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 of 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 - 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.
Sept 19-20, from 9:00am - 5:00pm, with coffee being served at 9:00am tomorrow. Go check them out!
