Windows into Waldorf Dec. 18, 2025
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s note
Key Dates and Happenings
Dispatch from the classrooms
Dear Waldorf Community,
The most apt word to describe the sound emanating from our school hallway as we approach the last day of school is joyful. There is singing and laughter, and even the ambient noise is joyful.
It is in this spirit that I warmly thank every family, teacher, administrator, and board member for making our Waldorf Academy community so vibrant and full of heart. Together, we’ve celebrated learning, grown friendships, and created countless meaningful moments in the class and outside.
I wish you an exciting 2026 filled with health, hope, and new adventures. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead!
Warm wishes,
Conor
Read about the symbolism of the Winter Spiral in our Blog . Our thanks to Fiona McLarnon and Lukas Jerabek-Schan for their beautiful music.
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Friday, December 19 PM: school ends at 1:00 p.m.* Period 2 will finish at 12:45 p.m. - details below. *Please note that Child Care Centre is full day and is open until 5:30
Tuesday, January 13 at 4:30: SK Parents, please join us for our Grade 1 info session sign-up here!
Monday, January 12: Booking for the June 12-14 2026 weekend at Killbear Provincial Park will opens. Book your camping spot! (details below)
Tuesday, January 13: Directly after morning drop off in the Art Space. First knitting circle of the term
Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00 PM: Community Council
Winter Break Dates & Dismissal Time
As we approach the holiday season, a reminder about our upcoming schedule:
Last day of school before Winter Break:
Friday, December 19 – early dismissal at 1:00 p.m. (*Please note that Child Care Centre is still ‘full day’ and open until 5:30 )
We are closing early to allow classes to finish the term with a gentle, unrushed morning together and to give families and staff time to begin their winter break and any holiday travel in good time.Professional Development Day (no school for students):
Monday, January 5Students return to school:
Tuesday, January 6
We wish you and your families a peaceful and restful Winter Break, and we look forward to welcoming the children back in the new year.
Note from Community Council: Community Camping Trip 2026 Date is set!
The booking dates for our June Community Camping Trip are fast approaching once we return in the new year! Booking for the June 12-14 2026 weekend at Killbear Provincial Park will open on January 12th 2026, and spots go fast.
To help snag your spot on this trip, join the Community Camping Trip 2026 WhatsApp group by reaching out to Jesse Macht here, and keep an eye out for more details sent via email from the Community Council early in January. We’re looking forward to building on the tremendous success of last year’s trip as we rekindle this long tradition in our community!
Lost and Found - Parents come get your kid’s stuff!
While that lonely rubber boot we posted about earlier has been returned to its rightful owner, there are many articles in the lost and found! We get it, seasons change.
Parents have until Dec. 19th to pick up their childrens’ items from the lost and found. During the winter break anything that is left will be donated to a good cause.
The lost and found is at the bottom of the stairs en route to the lower ground Art and Woodworking space.
Come get your kid’s stuff!
Dispatches from the Classroom
“Buddies” in Grade One & Seven/Eight making cookies!
We talk often of how integrated our school is, various grades greeting each other in the hallways. It’s easier to simply demonstrate it in the million little ways these moments happen. Here is Grade 7/8 decorating cookies with Grade 1.
Grade One exploring the 4 ‘kingdoms’
This time before winter officially begins is also a wonderful time to reflect on the 4 seasons and the 4 kingdoms that exist in nature - the mineral, plant, animal, and human kingdoms. Through stories about these kingdoms and how they make up our world, the children can find their relationships with the world around them and also gain perspective for their place in the world as stewards of the earth and members of humanity - large existential concepts that they are already asking many questions about! We invite you to visit our display case by the entrance and ask your children about all the ‘kingdoms’ on the bottom shelf!
Grade 5/6 Winter Reading List
We had an enthusiastic start to our winter reading list. Students have a reading log with instructions in it. They must track the time they spend reading. Please help them remember to keep accurate (and honest) records. I made two small changes to the program. Students need only read a minimum of 25 minutes a day, 4 days a week, rather than 30 minutes. I think those five minutes make a big difference for students who find reading for extended periods challenging. Of course, students are welcome to read more.
Tuesday, January 13 @ 4:30, Kindergartener Parents, Join us for our Grade 1 Information Session
