Windows into Waldorf Oct 3, 2025
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s Note
Key Dates and happenings
Community Council
Events In the Community
Gratitude never goes out of season
Dear Waldorf Academy Community,
As the leaves on the trees vibrantly announce the arrival of our autumn season, I am thankful to be surrounded by our active and thoughtful community. The Community led Harvest Festival and bake sale that followed an exceptional Michalemas pageant brought families together in celebration of the season, filling the side yard with warmth, generosity, and joy.
Our students continue to step into meaningful experiences as the Grade 4 students embark on an afternoon canoe trip on the Humber River giving the children a chance to meet nature and see our city from a different vantage point. Our Grade 7 & 8 students return this afternoon from their 5 day canoe and camping trip to Algonquin Park, I expect this trip will provide students with a deeper journey of discovery, resilience, and connection. These moments reflect the rhythm of the year, where learning is not only in the classroom but also in the wider world.
The important community work of refining our Mission, Vision, and Values continues. The faculty conducted a self-reflection activity this week as we define who we are and who we want to be when we are at our best. A similar exercise will be offered for all parents at the Community Council meeting this coming week, Tuesday 7th at 7pm. Come and share your thoughts and insights. We strengthen the life of our school by taking part in these shared endeavours.
I am grateful for the bounty of the season, the dedication of our teachers and staff, the support and commitment of our parent community and the songs, stories, and traditions that nourish our inner lives. Above all, I am grateful to be part of the daily joy, wonder, and striving of our children, as they are at the heart of all that we do.
With respect,
Conor
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Monday & Tuesday Oct. 6 & 7 is Picture day (check your grade appointed day)!
Tuesday Oct. 7th 8:30am - 10:00am - Inaugural knittng circle (details below)
Tuesday Oct. 7th at 7pm - Community Council
Friday Oct 10 - PD Day (Camp offered, details and sign up below)
Tuesday Oct. 21 - Inaugural after school chess club for students (details below)
Picture Day! Monday and Tuesday next week
(check the date for your child’s grade)
Dear Community
We are happy to announce that the school's Picture Day this year will be on Monday, & Tuesday, Oct 6 and 7
This is a great opportunity to capture unique moments of your child or children during their time at Waldorf Academy.
Alex Bradshaw, one of our parents, has kindly agreed to be our school's photographer again. She will take class photos and individual photos, and you can decide afterwards what you would like to order (i.e., no prior signup necessary). After Picture Day, Alex will send details about the ordering process. Please note that there will be a photo retake session at a later date.
Monday - StarGarden, Grades One, Three and Seven/Eight families
Tuesday - Sundgarden Grades Two, Four, Five, Six
Tuesday October 7 - Inaugural Knitting Circle - weekly onwards from 8:30am - 10:00am
As Ms. Grainger is spinning and dying wool (with natural cochineal) with many grades, and we venture into ‘Sweata Weatha’, Waldorf’s ever famous weekly Knitting Circle starts next Tuesday in the Arts Studio.
Community Council Meeting - Tuesday, Oct 7 at 7:00pm including Mission, Vision and Values Workshop
During the second half of the October 7 Community Council Meeting, we will be hosting an interactive workshop for all community members wishing to attend. This workshop is part of the Strategic Planning Committee’s work to renew our school's Mission, Vision and Values statements. This interactive session welcomes additional feedback from the community in Phase 2 of the work that we commenced this past summer. All community members are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Parent Song Circle
Community Council is thrilled to announce that the beloved Song Circle, led by our wonderful parent Layah, has started for another joyful school term! Join from 8:30am-9:15am in the basement Art Studio to raise our voices together in song. This morning’s session was very uplifting.
No prior attendance or singing experience is needed. This is all about the joy of coming together as a community to share music and connection.
Upcoming Song Circle dates:
Friday, November 14
Friday, December 5
Friday, January 9
Friday. February 6
PD Day Camp Offer - Friday October 10th is a PD Day
While school may be out.....the fun is totally in!
We are pleased to offer a PD Camp day to keep your children laughing, learning and loving their day off. From creative crafts, fun games and time with friends we've got something for every camper.
Here are the details:
Date: Friday Oct. 10th, 2025
Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm *late fees will apply for pick up after 5:00pm
Location: Camp starts at 8:30am - drop off in the side yard
Cost: $95.00 per student
Snacks provided, please send lunch for your child.
If you would like to register your child for this PD Camp day please sign up here-
Oct. 10th, 2025 - Waldorf Camp Day Registration Form
Payment for camp can be sent to accounting@waldorfacademy.org and please include a note such as "Child's name- Oct.10th camp day"
Registration is complete when the registration form AND payment have been received.
After School Chess Club on Tuesdays!
We are excited to announce a new after school club offering! Indeed, all students in Grades 4–8 are welcome to join the inaugural Waldorf AcademyChess Club. Led by Mr. Bharati (dad to Kairav and Talen), Mr. Buchbinder, and Mr. Jones, this club will meet every Tuesday from
October 21 through November 25, inThe Cedar Room, from 3:30 to 4:30.
All skill and experience levels are welcome.Chess Clubis a great way to build spatial imagination and logic while practicing fair play, patience, and learning from mistakes (core skills for turning adversity into strength).Most of all, it will be a chance to have fun with friends in a relaxed environment once a week. Spaces are limited, and we’d love to see you there. Sign-up sheet forthcoming.
Cost: $35 for the six week session.
Glimpse into the Classroom
Every once in a while we’ll share with the community an image or activity that says “This is what Waldorf is about.” Today’s image is taken from Ms. Bender’s Gr. 7-8 Bulletin Board
OPEN HOUSE DATE FOR FALL 2026 STUDENT COHORT - OCT 22
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 with 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!
IN THE COMMUNITY
Nuit Blanche this weekend: Translate the city through art.
This Weekend!
The City of Toronto is hosting a free all-night celebration of contemporary art that transforms Toronto’s public spaces into unexpected landscapes and animates cultural sites throughout the city. Featuring more than 85 works by local, national and international artists, the city becomes a living book created not just with words, but through sights, sounds, movements and shared spaces.
This year’s theme, Translating the City, invites you to consider how art can translate the complexities of cities and the role we all play within them. Why not reimagine the possibilities a city can hold?
Sunday Oct. 5 - Our friends at Not Far From The Tree are hosting an end of picking season soiree!
Did you know that over 1.5 million pounds of fresh fruit grows in Toronto?
As our Grades 1, 2, 3picked apples earlier, we are inspired by Toronto’s fruit tree harvesting program (NFFTT), where volunteers pick fruit in people’s yards – called Toronto’s urban orchard – and share the bounty with organizations that feed fellow Torontonians.
When a tree owner can’t keep up with their harvest, they mobilize a volunteer team to pick the fruit, and then split it: 1⁄3 to the tree registrant, 1⁄3 split amongst the volunteers, and 1⁄3 donated to one of their community agency partners. This simple act brings Torontonians together, empowering communities to reduce food waste, increases access to fresh fruit, and to helping us live more sustainably in the city.
