Windows into Waldorf Oct 30, 2025
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s Note
Key Dates and Happenings
On Salamanders and a Kinder Campfire invitation
Dear Waldorf Community,
Go Jays!
Looking ahead to next week, Parent & Teacher conferences for Kindergarten to Grade 8, take place on November 6th and 7th following up with the Fall Holiday on Monday the 10th.
You will receive progress reports from your child’s class teacher in advance of the conferences. You may notice some changes from previous reports, made in an effort to improve the clarity, quality and individuality of the information provided. Keep an eye out for a survey following the conferences. We will be assessing the report format and conferences in an effort to refine and improve our communication. It is important to check in with to assure you are getting the information you need in a format that makes sense. Please take a moment to reflect on the reports, conferences and share that information when you receive the survey.
Wishing everyone safe trick-or-treating this weekend, engaging conferences next week, and a relaxing Fall Holiday on Monday the 10th.
Conor
PARENT TEACHER ++ A message from our Business Manager:
Dear Parents, A reminder:
1. Parent Teacher Conferences: Nov. 6th and 7th. Sign up sheets were sent to the parent community this week, don't forget to sign up! There will be no classes on November 6th and 7th due to the Parent Teacher conferences.
2. Camp Days- Nov. 6th and 7th- 8:30am to 5:00pm. Registration sent out on Oct. 29th and will be open for registration until Nov. 4th. This program is available to all students from Kindergarten to Grade 5, providing a fun and engaging day while parents meet with the teachers. Sign up here : November 6th and 7th Camp- Registration Form
3. TUITION: Biannual Payment Reminder: For all families who pay on a biannual basis, your annual tuition (biannual) installment, or next payment due date, is November 1st, 2025
NEW PROGRESS REPORT FORMAT
Over the past year, we have listened to feedback from parents and reviewed our reporting formats. Many shared that the previous checklists, while detailed, often felt overwhelming and not very personal. In response, we are introducing a new Progress Report system designed to provide a fuller picture of each child’s learning.
Teachers will now prepare Progress Reports twice a year, in November and February, followed by an End of Year Report in June. Reports will be shared one week before Parent–Teacher Conferences to help guide thoughtful and focused conversations.
For Grades 5 to 8, the new reports offer a richer narrative description of each student’s learning and engagement. For Grades 1 to 4, the revised format will be more informative and specific, offering clearer insight into each child’s progress while keeping the simplicity of the checklist structure.
We hope this shift will give families a more meaningful window into their child’s experience. A parent survey will follow the conferences so we can hear your feedback and continue to refine our approach.
In partnership,
Conor and Tammi
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Monday, Nov. 3 - Board Meeting
Tuesdays, Nov. 4 - Community Council Meeting
Tuesdays, Nov. 4 - 25: Chess Club! - Only a few spots left!
Thursday, Nov. 6 and Friday, Nov. 7: Parent-Teacher conferences - An announcement to book time slots and information on availability was sent out earlier this week. There will be no classes on November 6th and 7th due to the Parent Teacher conferences.
Monday, Nov. 10: Fall Holiday/NO School - K-8 - No school. Childcare is open and regular hours.
Wednesday Nov. 19: AGM
Sunday Nov. 30: Winter Fair
COMMUNITY COUNCIL - Call for Silent Auction contributions!
A heartfelt thank you to those who have already contributed to our upcoming school auction.
If you haven't already, we invite you to consider contributing something special to this year's auction. The offering of Experiences were a big hit at the 2023 auction, with favourites like parent & child knitting classes, bonus games class, music lessons, and games night. Whether it's an item or a unique experience, anything you'd like to share would mean so much to our students and community.
If you're interested or have ideas, offer them up to winterfair @ waldorfacademy.org. Thank you for all that you do for our children!
DISPATCHES from the CLASSROOM
Every once in a while we’ll share with the community a story or activity that says “This is what Waldorf is all about.”
Nature Connection in Kindergarten
Over the past few weeks our Kindergarten classes have been enjoying their beloved neighbourhood walks to the little ravine by Glen Edyth Park and have travelled all the way up the long flight of Baldwin Steps to the Spadina House Gardens. These local outdoor spaces provide a perfect environment for the children to experience the local flora and fauna and connect to the natural world. Star Garden and Sun Garden have really enjoyed these outings and look forward to continuing them in the weeks ahead. One day the Star Garden Kindergarten was absolutely delighted when a child found a salamander at Glen Edyth Park!
For those of you who want to nourish this interest in nature, the City of Toronto offers a series of free Biodiversity Booklets that are available as PDF downloads or at public library branches. This series includes titles on various local wildlife and plants, such as Mammals of Toronto, Birds of Toronto, and Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of Toronto. The booklets are part of the city's effort to raise awareness about biodiversity and how to help conserve it in an urban environment.
The Link to the Amphibians and Reptiles booklet can be found here.
Weaving Ribbons: A Day of Connection and Discovery
Contributed by Stacy Hill — October 19, 2025
Reflecting on our Fall Gathering for Waldorf Educators
On Sat. Oct. 18th, a beautiful fall day, twelve Waldorf educators—six from the Waldorf Academy (including one parent) and six from the Toronto Waldorf School—gathered for our Weaving Ribbons Fall Gathering. The day was designed as both a learning journey and an exploration of place, deepening our understanding of the historical and ongoing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Beginning in a Good Way
Our day began at the Mohawk Village Memorial Park, where I welcomed participants to our territory and acknowledged their journey to our community and into the day. Together, we opened in a good way through story, song, and dance, setting the tone for a day rooted in respect, gratitude, and shared purpose.
From there, we visited the Woodland Cultural Centre (visit their education department), where participants toured the museum and watched the orientation video for the Mohawk Institute Residential School (book an in person or virtual tour). Though we did not go inside the building, some took time to read the plaque outside, and we gathered for a group photo on the steps—a quiet but meaningful moment at a place that continues to hold deep history and memory.
If you want to learn more about the intersect between Waldorf education and the Haudenosaunee learnings, read our blog A Shared Vision of Wholeness
CHILD CARE PARENTS - Join us for a Kinder Campfire and Playdate Nov. 22
Kindergarten Teachers Ms. Ciepielewski and Ms. Lennox will be Hosting a Kinder Campfire Morning at Waldorf Academy - NOV 22 from 10:00 - 11:30 to share with you what you can expect coming to JS next year. Check your e-mails for the invitation to RSVP.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
November 1, 2025
Illuminate Halloween at Pumpkin Parades! Bring your best pumpkin carving creations to a participating Toronto park and cast a warm glow over the community.
The City provides organic disposal bins to help with post-event clean up. Bins are collected and processed to create compost that can be used in City parks and gardens.
Find a participating park near you!
