Windows into Waldorf Nov. 7, 2025
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s Note
Key Dates and Happenings
Get your Tickets to the Winter Fair!
Did someone say Pizza?
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you to all who attended (are attending) the Parent/Teacher interviews this week. It is always a pleasure to speak directly with you about your child’s progress and work together in planning the path forward.
A few years ago a parent asked me what was ahead for their child. He was happy with things now, but worried that he didn’t know enough about what was to come in the higher grades. I suggested he take a tour of the school as if he were a prospective parent. Afterwards he remarked that he had no idea there were so many wonderful experiences ahead for his child. He said he had an idea of what a good school for his child would look like, he just didn’t realize he was already there. If this story resonates with you, even a little, I suggest you book a tour of our school to see what lies ahead for your child. You may not be aware of the many wonderful experiences that lay ahead for your child.
Contact Anthony Westenberg if you want to book a 1:1 tour to learn about the grades ahead for your child (or incoming sibling), and how we will prepare them for high school and beyond (Also, if you know someone you think would love the Waldorf way of learning, invite them to book a tour too to learn about theatre, academics, camping, games, community festivals, and everything Waldorf offers.)
I wish everyone a wonderful weekend and Happy Fall Holiday on Monday!
Conor
PS. Expect a survey early next week to assess (and improve upon) our new progress reports and Parent Teacher conference.
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Monday, Nov. 10: NO School/Fall Holiday - K-8 - Childcare is open and regular hours.
Nov. 11: Remembrance Day
Thursday, Nov. 13: Childcare Lantern Walk
Friday, Nov. 14: K-3 Lantern Walk
Wednesday Nov. 19: AGM
Sunday Nov. 30: Community-wide Winter Fair
Call out for unconventional ‘Playground toys’ - Can you help us fill the play bin in the recess yard with cool implements that spark imagination and play?
Why are the teachers looking for:
sieves
muffin tins
pans
wooden spoons
buckets
wooden bowls etc. ?
Because everyone enjoys creating with “stuff.”
Loose parts are any collection of open-ended natural or humanmade objects that children can move, combine, transform, take apart, redesign, build and line-up. Loose parts are treasure trove of learning opportunities that trigger transporting impulses, engaging big muscle work in dramatic play and construction of structures, boundaries and home bases for games, etc. This helps foster sensory play, design and building, storytelling, problem-solving, inquiry, and more.
Drop your goods off in the recess yard toy bin
For more information on intentionally unstructured play visit the OPAL website: Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL).
COMMUNITY COUNCIL Notes -
Pizza! - Pizza Day for Grade One to Eight students is coming up on:
Friday Nov. 14th
Friday Dec. 12th
We have extended the order deadline until Monday November 10th.
If you'd like your child to join in please be sure to submit your Order Form
One you submit this form (cost and details on the form) you can send payment to accounting @ waldorfacademy.org with a message of "Pizza - Child's name"
Please be sure to submit your order and payment by Monday Nov. 10th so that everyone who wants pizza gets pizza.
Thank you to our Community Council for organizing this event for the students!
Winter Fair (from an email sent to the Community earlier today)
Sunday November 30th. General admission is from 10am-2pm. Families with kids under 4 years old can get early entry starting at 9am.
The ticket purchasing website is now live here - you will receive an automated email upon completing your purchase with details about how to pick up your wristbands in advance.
Puppet show tickets tend to sell out fast, we suggest you secure your tickets for the event as soon as you are able!
This year, we have also included options to pre-purchase trees and wreaths through the ticket website as add-ons. By purchasing a tree or wreath, you allow us to use those items during the Fair as decoration before you bring them home to enjoy through the holidays. In doing so, you help support our Fair to be more sustainable and economical!
You can also purchase tickets for our 50/50 draw as a ticket add-on. Another great way to help support our school!
Please see the poster for the event and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.(thank you to Clementine for your vision and artistic contributions to this year's poster!)
A detailed email was sent earlier regarding volunteering and supporting the production of the Winter Fair including information on:
Bake Sale, Food and Volunteer Signup
Good Witch
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!
Why we Winter Fair -
The Winter Fair is an annual Waldorf community event that celebrates the season with activities, vendors, and music. The public event features seasonal crafts like candle-dipping, a "Wishing Tree," and other activities for young children, while the community gathers for food, music, and handmade wares sold by vendors and student classes.
Waldorf Academy Winter Fair is an annual community event at the Waldorf Academy in Toronto that celebrates the season with activities, vendors, and music. The public event features seasonal crafts like candle-dipping, a "Wishing Tree," and other activities for young children, while the community gathers for food, music, and handmade wares sold by vendors and student classes.
Activities
Seasonal crafts like candle-dipping
A "Wishing Tree" and a visit from the "Good Witch"
Puppet shows
Music and dance
Vendors and Community
School tables and activities with crafts, like wreaths made with students
Food and baking from community families
An opportunity for parents to meet and mingle
History and Purpose
The tradition is common at many Waldorf schools and is one of the school's largest public event of the year.
The fair is organized by the school community, including families
INSTAGRAM from Last Year’s highlights
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.”
Grade 1 & 2 & 3 letter to parents regarding the upcoming Lantern Walk included this thoughtful reflection:
As the days grow shorter and the light fades earlier, we look forward to gathering together for our Lantern Walk and Grade Two Martinmas Play — a beautiful celebration of warmth, light, and community spirit.
Date: Friday, November 14th
We will begin by gathering in a circle to sing a few Lantern Walk songs, light our candles, and enjoy the Grade Two Martinmas Play. Following the play, we will walk together in reverence and silence into the ravine, looping back at the mini bridge. Once we return, we’ll form a final circle to share a moment of togetherness and farewell.
We look forward to sharing this peaceful and heartwarming evening with you — a time to carry our inner light into the darkening season.
In a letter to parents of Grade 5/6 children, Mr. Buchbinder reflected on their learning about the Roman Empire
Wrapping up History Block
We are back together as one class for ‘Main Lesson’. As we wrap up our respective history blocks, Ancient Rome and Ancient India were excellent lessons! The Grade Sixes creative retelling of the life of Julius Caesar was exceptionally delightful.
Roman Marching was also practiced with our students maneuvering in rank and file using latin commands. The students have gotten to the point where they can give the commands and move together. We tested their abilities in the gym by playing tag and dodgeball while in formation.
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 the Community
Nov. 11: Find a Local Remembrance Day Ceremony near you
