Window into Waldorf Feb 14, 2025

Written By Larissa McWhinney

Claudia Galbusera

IN THIS EDITION:

  • Director’s Note

  • Key Dates

  • Community Open House Moments

  • Grade 4/5 Play

  • Rudolf Steiner College of Canada Opportunities

DIRECTOR’s NOTE

Dear Waldorf Community, 

What follows is the first part of the Tuition Fee letter sent to all parents and guardians today. I am proud of the efforts the Board and administration have taken to ensure tuition fee increases are kept to a minimum. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at cjones@waldorfacademy.org or call 416-962-6447 ext 225.

After significant review and consideration, taking advice from the Finance Committee and Compensation Committee, weighing the rising cost of living against the positive financial position of Waldorf Academy, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed to the following tuition fees for the 2025-2026 school year.

JK/SK  $22,500     |     Grade 1-8   $24,950    

The annual increase is $7 for Grade 3 to 8, and $40 for JK/SK. The annual increase for Grade 1 & 2 is 1.5% ($369), which completes a multi-year process to unify the elementary tuition into a single band. Tuition is now aligned for all students, Grade 1 to 8, at $24,950.

In addition, the school administration commits to keeping the Aftercare fees at the same rate as last year. Maintaining tuition fees under $25,000 and holding the rates on Aftercare expenses will help keep our community together and assist in attracting new families to our school. 

The full text can be accessed here. 

Wishing everyone in our community a Happy Family Day Weekend.

Conor

Diane Klock

KEY DATES

  • Feb 17 - NO SCHOOL or CHILDCARE (Family Day; No Camps)

  • Feb 20 - 7pm - Community Council Meeting

  • Feb 21 - 8:30am - Parent Song Circle

  • Feb 24 - 7pm - Knitting Circle

  • Feb 26 - PINK SHIRT DAY!

  • Feb 27 - 7pm - The Four Temperaments - presented by Ms. Vera & Joe G. Zhou

  • Mar 3 - 7pm - Knitting Circle

  • Mar 6 - 6pm - Grade 8 Project Presentations

  • Mar 7 - Grade 3 Play

  • Mar 10-21 - MARCH BREAK - 2 weeks

  • Mar 17-21 - March Break Camp Week (for K-Grade 5)

  • Mar 24 - PD Day (K-8 closed, CCC Open) (no camp available)

  • Apr 18 & 21 - School & CCC Closed - Good Friday & Easter Monday

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE!

The school was abuzz last Saturday at our Community Open House! We welcomed a wonderful blend of current and potential families who mixed and mingled for two hours of a beautifully-prepared program.

The morning opened with a welcome from Mr. Jones and Ms. Gerrard, followed by the presentation of a memorable scene from the Grade 4 and 5 production of James and the Giant Peach. We are immensely grateful to all our young Thespians (and their parents!) for coming out on a Saturday morning to participate in this community event.

The theatrical demonstration was followed by an interactive tour, guided by our own “Passport to Learning for Life,” which was given to each participant, complete with their own polaroid photo!

The passport featured 12 stations throughout the school including a science experiment led by Ms. Gerrard; a math exercise with by Ms. Bender; literacy and literature with Ms. Vera; a music station hosted by Ms. Agi featuring a reprise of the Great Lakes song composed by members of last year’s Grade 4 class and performed by Noah, Dylan and Kairav; an art activity shepherded by Ms. Lee and a woodwork demonstration by Mr. Buchbinder, both in our newly-renovated creative space; a nature studies table with Ms. Grainger; a sports and games display (and corn toss) with Mr. Ankamah; French bingo with Mme. Moir; a poster board featuring our Field & Wilderness Trips; and a special area featuring three of our illustrious alumni!

Prospective families were effusive in their praise for the information and impressions they received:

“We came not knowing what to expect, and left feeling that Waldorf Academy would be perfect for our child!”

“Thank you once again for the wonderful Waldorf Open House. Our daughter was so excited after the morning, has read through the package (and read it to us many times over now) and is saying she thinks this may be "her school".  

“The sense of community really stood out!”

Our student ambassadors were wonderful contributors to the event, and our alumni clearly demonstrated how well our students do after Waldorf. One family effectively made the decision to apply after speaking with one of our recent graduates!

Huge thanks to all the parents who came out to represent the Festivals & Community poster board and to serve Ms. Pasatir’s freshly baked bread at the refreshment table (many of you kindly stepped up at the last minute to fill the shoes of those who couldn’t make it due to illness). Thanks also to the parents who took prospective families under their wing at the Open House, and helped them see our wonderful school through the eyes of current families.

Thanks of course to our students, teachers, staff, and alumni for your part in ensuring that our Open House authentically reflected who we are and what we do. It was a beautiful event!

GRADE 4 & 5 PLAY
At Waldorf Academy, each grade from 1 to 8 does something theatrical every year, from a simple Greek chorus in Grade 1 to a full-on production (e.g., Shakespeare) by Grade 8.

The purpose of these dramatic exercises is not to promote acting careers, but rather to build confidence, support teamwork, foster love of language, hone memory, to reflect an aspect of the curriculum, and to indirectly teach each student something about themselves.

Grade 4 & 5 met all of these challenges and opportunities with aplomb. Their play was over an hour long - which is unusual for that grade level. The lines were challenging to learn, but all the students stepped up. Our Kindergarteners were so riveted they watched the entire play, and older grades were clamouring to see it again. The finale performance on Wednesday afternoon was a show-stopper for a full house! Thank you to to the parents who bolstered the cast by sourcing costumes and supporting their children, and to Ms. Hilts and Ms. Gerrard for their dramaturgical shepherding!

RUDOLF STEINER COLLEGE of CANADA

Our friends at the Rudolf Steiner College of Canada have asked us to share two new courses that are being offered. Please follow up directly for enrolment:

WE WISH YOU A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Larissa McWhinney
Next

Windows into Waldorf Feb 7, 2025