Windows into Waldorf Feb. 5, 2026
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s note
Key Dates and Happenings
Dear Waldorf Community,
What do you call 13 students on stage reciting haikus, twenty parents drinking tea and cake, and everyone showing appreciation by snapping their fingers? That's a Poetry Slam. Tuesday morning our Grade 7 & 8 students shared their poems in dramatic fashion as a culmination of their Creative Writing unit, Wish, Wonder & Surprise.
It was an amazing hour of spoken word poetry with humorous rhyming verse on why school is a curse, to a monologue of a dialogue between a big sister and little sister (on why little sister is a flower and big sister should have a poem commemorating all the work she does to raise little sister, and so big sister wrote her own poem as such a poem should exist).
Principal for the Day - CC taking charge - Remember, tomorrow is Pyjama day!
There were dramatic pauses as we all caught our breath, when raw emotion and honesty caught us off guard - only children can be so honest and unguarded, and sometimes only poetry opens that door.
Many loud finger snaps to you Ms Bender, for preparing the students and hosting the event.
Wishing all a wonderful weekend,
Warm wishes,
Conor
Parent teacher conferences - Thursday Feb. 12th and Friday Feb. 13th
By now, you would have received a note from your teacher about the scheduled Parent Teacher Conferences. It is a wonderful opportunity to check in on the status of our child(ren)’s learning and how we can help feed their curiousity and joy for learning. In their letters, teachers explained how you can book your PT conference slot by clicking a shared link and selecting a time that works best for you. The schedule should look something like this:
Parent Teacher Conference Schedule
Also shared were the links for booking a conference with the Specialist Teachers who apply to your particular grade.
Handwork, Cyber Civics, or Nature Studies with Ms. Grainger
Gym and Woodworking with Mr. Ankamah
French with Mme. Moir
Developmental Movement with Ms. Yu
Please take a moment to book-a-time so we can share what we are teaching in Term 2, and as a community bring out the joy and curious nature in our children.
Camp Days next week - Sign up!
In preparation for the Parent Teacher Conferences next week, we're delighted to offer camp days on Thursday Feb. 12th and Friday February 13th. Camp promises to be filled with special time with friends, creative crafts, baking and seasonal fun.
**A quick reminder that due to the Parent Teacher Conferences there will be no school for all elementary students on both days**
The camp is available for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 5, providing a fun and engaging environment for everyone!
Here are the details:
Dates: Thursday Feb. 12th, and Friday Feb. 13th.
Camp Hours: Full Day: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Cost: $95.00 per day, per child ($190 for both days)
If you wish your child to attend Camp on one or both days please register via the February 12th and 13th, 2026 Camp- Registration Form sent to you earlier this week.
If your child is attending, here are a couple of reminders for the day:
Food/Medical:
Please pack a regular lunch for your child(ren). Snacks will be provided by the school.
Please pack your child's water bottle.
Include any allergies or dietary restrictions on the registration form.
Include any medical or other important information for your child on the registration form.
If your child requires medication, please give it directly to the camp counselors when you arrive in the morning with directions (directions should also be included on the registration form).
Clothing:
Please be sure your child is dressed in weather-appropriate gear:
- Socks, jacket, gloves, sweater, jacket, rain boots, rain pants, indoor shoes, etc. as required.
- Please be sure to have the clothing labelled so it doesn't get lost
The daily schedule for both Kindergarten and Grade 1-5 camp is attached to this email, please see below.
Camp Counselors are as follows:
Kindergarten students- Ms. Mehra and Ms. Le
Grade 1 to 5 students- Mr. Nobrega and Ms. Macy
Please note registration is on a first come first serve basis, in order to complete the registration we must receive your registration form AND payment.
Once you have submitted the registration form, please send your payment via e transfer to accounting @ waldorfacademy.org AND include a message with your transfer of: February Camp payment- your child's name.
**Due to the limited space available your spot will be confirmed via email when registration and payment is received.
We are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all students and we will be following all necessary health and safety protocols in accordance with local guidelines.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing your child at our Camp days!
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Friday, February 6, Pyjama day, School-wide
Tuesday(s) February, 8:30AM - 10:00AM, All Parents knitting circle in the Art Studio Space. Beginners welcome!
Tuesday, February 10 @ 7:00 PM - Community Council
Thursday and Friday, Feb. 12th and 13th: Parent Teacher Conferences (no school, except ChildCare still open. Camp available, sign up below)
Please see all of these details on our community calendar: Waldorf Academy Toronto School Annual Calendar
Notes From Child Care Centre
Childcare Receipts
Childcare receipts
As we enter tax season, our accountancy department is pulling together all the information required and working on getting your childcare tax receipts to you in due time. We will get all the information you require to your family shortly.
Dear Families,
Please find a list below of dates that the Childcare Centre is closed, including our March Break and Summer closing dates. Our closing dates do not always match those of the grade school. Please take note.
DISPATCHES FROM THE CLASSROOMS
JK - SK - No suet! Meal Prep for our winged neighbours. Making meals for our overwintering winged friends and planning for the Spring Migration
Between February and June, millions of North American birds take to the skies on their annual journey from their southern wintering grounds to fly north to their breeding grounds, many settling in Ontario and others travelling as far as the Arctic.
Our friends at Ontario Nature tell us that birds time their spring journeys to coincide with the insects that hatch with the arrival of new leaves on the trees. Getting this timing right is crucial because if birds arrive too early before the food supplies are there, they may starve. Extended daylight hours also give birds more time to collect food.
As we observe more rustling in our trees (& hedgerows), our JK team of birders are working to keep our winged neighbours fed.
Grade 1 - Turning our Lesson books into keepsakes
Our Main Lesson book sewing social (February 5th at 6 pm). If you can attend, please email Ms. Lee to RSVP.
Grade 1-4 - Eurythmy for everyone!
Music made visible - "well-proportioned" or "harmonious rhythm" Many families who are new to Waldorf education wonder, “What is Eurythmy?” when they hear it is part of the curriculum:
At its heart, eurythmy is the practice of intentional movement. Through age-appropriate exercises, patterns, games, and stories, children learn to move with awareness, purpose, and care for one another. These movements grow in complexity through the grades and support important capacities such as coordination, balance, spatial awareness, listening, and cooperation. Eurythmy also strengthens motor skills and midline crossing, which supports healthy brain development.
Eurythmy is often described as “music made visible” or “speech brought into movement.” When children move together in this way, something more than physical skill is taking place. They learn to listen, to wait, to adjust themselves to the group, and to find their place within a shared rhythm. In this way, eurythmy supports not only the body, but also social growth, inner balance, and a sense of belonging.
Eurythmy is for Adults too! Join Us!
Over the next four Mondays, students in Grades 1–4 are fortunate to experience this art form as part of their school rhythm, supported by piano accompaniment. These weeks offer a meaningful opportunity for children to deepen their connection between movement, music, and community in a way that is both joyful and nourishing.
….but! It’s not only for students. Parents who are interested are also invited to join!
Grade 7/8 Poetry Slam
The coffee and tea was ready, and the candles were lit casting a warm glow….the stage was set! Our Grade 7/8 Students read their poetry to a full house of afficienados of a ‘well turned verse’.
Using examples from storied authors, and learning about different poetry styles, the students were assigned to write poems in different forms.
With lines like: “When I grow old, I want to have all the jobs done on my list.” and “Like a rhino on a rampage.” and titles like: “Impossible Flame” & “My old Bicycle Shining in the Sun” the audience sat rapt, listening as the students shone.
Also, you’ll notice by the photos that all of these poems are handwritten. Read our blog on why cursive is key.
Some pictures from the basketball tournament last weekend.
Clubs and a Community Council Invitation
After School Chess Club for Grades 4-8 - Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30
Our inaugural Waldorf Academy Chess Club ran this fall. It was so successful that we are extending the after school club for an additional 5 weeks. The club will run on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30, beginning Tuesday, February 3 to Tuesday, March 3.
Waldorf Academy Chess Club is led by Mr. Bharati (dad to Kairav and Talen), Mr. Buchbinder, and Mr. Jones. All skill and experience levels are welcome. Chess Club is a great way to build spatial imagination and logic while practicing fair play, patience, and most of all, it will be a chance to have fun with friends in a relaxed environment once a week.
Spaces are limited, please email Monica to reserve a space for your child.
New students are asked to pay $20 for the 5 weeks - these funds will be used to purchase additional chess boards as required. There is no charge for returning students.
Please e-mail the Community Council for a link to the Sign-Up sheet and access to the Skate Lending Library WhatsApp page.
A huge thank you Sybil for spearheading this wonderful event. Lace up!
In the Community
Ancient Greek Myth - storytelling event with ‘Valentine’s Theme!’
One of Waldorf’s favourite Storytellers Dawne McFarlane will be telling the Ancient Greek Myth of Psyche and Eros with musicians Maryem Tollar and Sophia Grigoriadis on Sunday February 8, 5-7pm, at the Tranzac Club, Southern Cross room, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2M7
Before Eros became cute little cherub Cupid on Valentine’s day cards, he was the Greek god of desirous love! Psyche means breath, spirit, soul- she is mortal. When the two meet, heaven and earth are changed!
It’s a beautiful collaboration of storytelling and music, the story is full of ancient wisdom and Maryem and Sophia are gorgeous with Sufi devotional love songs and more. The Southern Cross room is small (about 30 people).
Dawne adds - “It’s pay what you want- no pressure:)”
Cycle Toronto Hosting NYC Urban Planner Podcasters at HotDocs tonight
Hosts Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear are coming live to Toronto on February 5 at the Hot Docs Cinema for a discussion on urban design and transportation as explored in their new book, Life After Cars.
Toronto holds a special place for the New York City-based podcast. Back in 2010, Toronto mayor Rob Ford infamously declared that “the war on the car is over,” and vowed to halt the city’s expansion of bike lanes, transit, and anything that inconvenienced motorists even slightly. Live podcast event starts at 7:00
Our Neighbours at Toronto Archives are Hosting Canada Black Music Archives Event
For Black History Month, the Archives will be showcasing Toronto's premium soul and R&B artists.
The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) is hosting their annual Black History Month Showcase event at the City of Toronto Archives on Thursday, February 5th, 2026. This event is free.
Family Life Care Professionals Seminar
For those who are interested, registration is open for the Family Life Care Professionals Seminar with Kim John Payne, happening Saturday and Sunday, February 7th and 8th.
This two-day, live seminar is designed for care professionals and educators who support children, teens, and families in their work. If you're seeing how overwhelmed families have become, longing for steadiness and balance they can't quite name, this seminar offers practical ways to help.
Drawing from Kim's bestselling book, Simplicity Parenting, you'll learn how the power of less can support calmer, more secure children. You'll gain clear language and tools to guide parents toward small, sustainable changes that help families slow down, reduce stress, and create more connection at home.
Seminar Details:
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, February 7th & 8th, 2026
Time: 11:00am–2:00pm Eastern Time (both days)
Format: Live webinar with Kim John Payne
Recordings: Included with registration (and count toward Coach Training completion if you can't attend live)
For those interested in guiding parents more deeply through one-on-one coaching, this seminar is also the foundation for the Simplicity Parenting Coach Training. The training includes this Family Life Seminar plus two additional seminars, along with ongoing supervision and support as you build your coaching practice. While the Coach Training has rolling admission, the Family Life Seminar is only offered once per year.
Register by clicking image below.
The Toronto Branch of the Anthroposophical Society of Canada - Mondays to June 15
Extend a warm invitation to parents and members of our community who are interested in exploring anthroposophy. Please see the details below as provided by Robert McKay, who will be leading this study group.
Invitation to an Anthroposophical Study Group
You are cordially invited to participate in an anthroposophical study group. The group will meet every second Monday evening from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at (TBD) starting on Monday, January 19 and continuing until Monday, June 15. (Note: The group will skip holiday Monday's and the Monday in March break.)
Each week, the group will read from one of Dr. Rudolf Steiner's books or lectures and discuss it section by section. Study groups are an excellent and supportive way to get to know anthroposophy. No prior understanding is required. Questions and reactions are encouraged.
We will start with Theosophy in which Dr. Steiner explains what we are as human beings, how we journey through various incarnations, and provides insights into the purpose of life that anyone can apply to their own evolving story.
Participation is free but as space is limited so please register with Amrit at amritmum@pm.me. Please let her know if you want a free copy of the book as they will be provided courtesy of the Toronto Branch of the Anthroposophical Society in Canada.
Share The Love!
So many families discover Waldorf through the stories you share. Our community is one of the most important ways new families find their way to us—thank you for spreading the word. It takes a village, and we are grateful for our community of amazing Ambassadors. To any of your interested friends, we are happy to give them a tour of your great school.
