Windows into Waldorf March 27, 2026
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s note
Key Dates and Happenings
Dispatches from our Classrooms
Dear Waldorf Community,
Drums, violins and a dancing piano
The school year always seems to “run downhill” when we return after March break. There are only 11 weeks until the end of school - I know … and yes that sounds crazy. With brighter days and warmer spring weather on the horizon we awaken to spring like the buds from the trees.
Speaking of trees, Mr Buchbinder, who speaks for the trees, led a session at our faculty meeting this week on how to identify trees by looking at their buds, bark and scars. I was unaware how little I knew about trees. The students will have a chance to put this knowledge to the test on Wednesday April 1st when our Grade 6, 7 & 8 students have an outdoor education field trip.
The hallways have been busy all week as students choreograph musical numbers, practice singing, and find a place to practice the violin. This is all in preparation for the student led Grades 5-8 Coffee House tonight, Friday 27 March at 6:00. Our gym is transformed into a Coffee House appropriate for the students to showcase their talents. Hope to see you there.
With gratitude,
Conor
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Friday, March 27th, at 6 pm. - Middle School Coffee House
Tuesday, March 31, at 5:00 - Grade 7 Fall Camping Trip Planning
Wednesday April 1, Outdoor day for Grades 5,6,7,8 - Details below.
Thursday April 16, Grade 3 Play
Please see all of these details on our community calendar: Waldorf Academy Toronto School Annual Calendar
Practicing for Coffee House tomorrow
Dear families of Grades 5-8 - Join in on our Coffee House!
MARCH 31 - RE-ENROLLMENT DEPOSIT DEADLINE
To assist us in our re-enrollment process we ask that you make your tuition deposit of $2,500 for each child by March 31, 2026. This deposit secures your child’s placement for the school year and will be applied toward the total annual tuition.
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN
As we look forward to sunshine and endless fun, we’re excited to announce that registration is now open for Summer camp!
We invite the children to connect deeply with the natural world through storytelling, and exploration. This immersive, nature-based program will combine practical forest skills with collaborative storytelling and leadership development. From nature walks and art projects to storytelling under the trees, every day will offer a chance to observe, have fun and appreciate the living world around us.
The theme for our Summer Camp program will be: "The Guardians of the Forest"
Camp will run for 7 weeks starting on June 15th and ending on July 31st.
DISPATCHES FROM THE CLASSROOMS
Grade 3 - Calling all Engineers and Architects!
Thursday, March 26 – Shelter Fair was a great success. From Japanese Folk Houses, Mongolian Yurts, Haudenosaunee Longhouses, and Kenyan Mud Huts….our Grade 3 class put on an excellent display of shelters from around the world.
Thank you Families for attending our Grade 3 Parent Evening!
Bee Hotel - speaking of shelters, our Grade 3’s have been making Bee hotels for our important pollinators!…(because one in every three bites of food have been brought to you by a pollinator).
Happenings in Grades 5/6
Upcoming Dates of Interest
Friday, March 27: Coffee House - Grade 6,7,8 (details below)
Wednesday, April 1: Spring Outdoor Day
Spring Outdoor Day
Wednesday, April 1 will be our Spring Outdoor Day. For this day, we are collaborating with Ecospark to create, "Birds and Buds," a new one-off program. Ecospark teaches students how to conduct citizen science and provides training on scientific equipment. We will have the opportunity to use binoculars, tangent height gauges, spherical densiometers, and other neat tools to observe and measure the birds and the trees in the Nordheimer Ravine where we spend so much of our time. We are also partnering with researchers from the University of Waterloo who are looking at the effects of short term nature connection programs on attitudes in children. Please keep an eye out for more information about this project from the principal researcher, Alissa Gallizzi. This will include requesting your consent for your child to fill out a survey before and after the program.
Read the Ecospark article about the 9 simple things we can do to safely welcome our migrating birds back home!
Dear families of Grades 5-8 - Join in on our Coffee House!
The Middle School teaching team is thrilled to announce the return of our much-beloved Middle School Coffee House! What’s a Coffee House you ask?!?!*
*"It’s a social gathering, often held in a cozy café-style setting, designed to foster community through conversation, live performances (like music or poetry). Historically known as "schools of wisdom" for intellectual debate, modern versions often feature open mics, art exhibitions." - Ms. Hilts
Friday, March 27th, at 6 pm.
Every student in Grades 5-8 is being asked to participate in some capacity.
The event runs like a variety show: group singing or dance numbers, solos, instrumentalists, skits or poetry readings. Maybe a new band will form, or a hidden talent will emerge.
Who is invited?
Family and friends are encouraged to attend. The show, however, is not geared to younger students/children (noisy or distracted audience members easily throw off first-time performers), so please be mindful of this. There will be no intermission.
Grade 7, 8 invited to high school application and successful acceptance support
Wednesday May 13th at 7:00 here at the school.
Educational Consultant, Sarah Claydon, OCT will present the process for high school application and successful acceptance.
This event is open to all but focussed on the parents of next years grade 7 and 8 students (current grade 6 and 7 students).
More details to come.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Calling all Creators! Invitation from our Friends at Wychwood Barns to Exhibit at their EcoMarket
Market Date: May 24, 10 AM – 4 PM
Location: Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
On Until April 25 - Exhibition Celebrating our Parks and Public Spaces
How do we build a healthier, greener, more joyful Toronto? We start at the park.
The team at Park People invite the community to explore their exhibit showcasing over 15 years of park aniumation projects led by Torontonians making incredible things happen. It is proof of what is ‘homegrown possible’.
At the Urban Space Gallery at 401 Richmond
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.
