Windows into Waldorf April 30, 2026
THIS WEEK’S ISSUE INCLUDES
Director’s note
Key Dates and Happenings
Dispatches from our Classrooms
There will be a Nature Studies Table at Mayfair too!
Dear Waldorf Community,
It can be in simple and unexpected moments that our Waldorf education shines. This morning one of our young students was having a tough time. Unhappy, and uncooperative, he sat down in the side yard as the students were lining up. It was clear he was not going to school today. A teacher brought him to my attention and as I was thinking of my next step, one of our Grade 7 students left her place in line and gently sat down beside him. She stayed with him as the other students filed out of the yard. After a gentle conversation the boy stood, took her hand and they walked the path to the back yard together.
The awareness, kindness, gentle spirit and skill she demonstrated in this moment is the product of a Waldorf education. One that places people first, that focuses on relationships built over time, that looks for collaboration before competition, and rewards empathy and social responsibility.
Thank you, Mariah. Without knowing it, you were a shining example of who we are when we are at our best. Your kindness towards others is noted and appreciated.
Looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday morning as we celebrate Mayfair!
Kind regards,
Conor
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
The school-wide Calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
Saturday May 2 - Mayfair at Hillcrest Park near Wychwood!
Tuesdays After School - Gauss Math Club for 7/8
Tuesday, May 5 at 6:00 PM - Grade 1 Parent evening
Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 PM - Gr 7/8 Play ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ All welcome!
Please see all of these details on our community calendar: Waldorf Academy Toronto School Annual Calendar
MAYFAIR!
Join Us for our Community Celebration of Mayfair
Students learning to dance around the Maypole
What: Mayfair!
When: May 2 from 9 am - 2 pm
Where: Hillcrest Park
Who: The whole Community! All Welcome
Details:
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 am Entertainment and free play
10:00 – 11:00 am — Mayfair Dances (youngest to oldest)
- Childcare Group 1
- Childcare Group 2
- Kindergarten
- Grade 4 (3 dances)
- Community Dance: Hal an Tow (a song celebrating the arrival of Spring!)
11:00 am – 12:00 pm — Games (organized by Community Council)
12:00 – 2:00 pm Picnic and free play — BYO blankets and chairs!
2:00 - 3:00 - Take down and clean -up
Victoria Day Weekend May 15 to 18
Friday May 15
Professional Development Day for Teachers. Camp will be available for students! - Details to follow
Monday May 18
Victoria Day Holiday. There will be no Camp available
Summer Camp Registration (spaces filling up quickly!)
Camp will run weekly for 7 weeks starting on June 15th and ending on July 31st.
Registration Open until May 22 or until spaces are full!
DISPATCHES FROM THE CLASSROOMS
Tuesday, May 5 at 6:00 PM - Grade 1 Parent evening
We will be engaging in some discussion on tech, an artistic experience, and looking forward to grade 2!
Grade 3
The children are currently exploring Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee creation stories. These stories introduce important themes and motifs from these Indigenous traditions and build beautifully upon the creation stories the students encountered earlier in the year.
Grade 4 off to the Zoo! - Classroom Learning Brought to Life
Taking their classroom learning outside, students set off to see the Canadian animals they chose as their study topics in real life!
Grade 5, 6
Olympiad - Grade Fives will be participating in the Greek Olympiad on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22 at Toronto Waldorf School in Vaughan. The Grade Sixes are invited to come spectate and support on Friday. Pictures from last year’s Olympiad.
Grade 7, 8 - The Play’s the Thing
Play season is in full swing at Waldorf Academy. Today, the Grade 7/8s did a full walk through dress rehearsal of their play, A Wrinkle in Time
Sharing themes of love, grace, and fighting the darkness the play focusses on the value of individuality, and the importance of defying conformity. It is a quintessential "heroine's journey" where Meg Murry ventures from her normal life to face an evil force, returning with the power to trust her own worth and love.
Join us for a Performance of a Lifetime!
Thursday May 8 at 6:00 in the Theatre/Gym - All are welcome
It inhabitants of IT who have "given in" to the Black Thing, the force of evil, descend on Meg, moving in mechanistic synchronicity as if they were robots.
Grade 7 , 8 - Tuesdays after school - Gauss Math Club
The University of Waterloo hosts - The Gauss Contests introduces students in Grades 7 and 8 to a broader perspective of mathematics in a fun, accessible way. Intriguing problems and a multiple-choice format make the Gauss contests a wonderful opportunity for all participants to grow their interest in and curiosity about the power of math.
Parents of students of Grades 6 and 7 (ascending) are invited to an evening session to learn how to prepare strong school applications for successful acceptance.
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.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Batter, batter swing! Step up to the plate!
Blue Jays game on Sunday May 24 vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates
Parent Jenny has graciously reached out to the Blue Jays and reserved a block of 56 seats. We need to confirm numbers by May 17 to lock in the block of seats and price, so we’re asking folks interested to consider May 15 as the cutoff date for signing up. Tickets will be in the 500 level. The cost for each ticket is $47.75.
Fill out the form here if you are interested!
IN THE COMMUNITY
Brought to the attention of one of our community members, Power Plant’s current show Colourful Parachutes, perfect for kids, very interactive and tactile.
*photos Nick Kozak
Our friends Jane’s Walk are hosting their annual Walk Festival May 1-3
Since we are ‘Jane’s neighbours in the Republic of Rathnelly and we are a community of armchair urban planners who like to explore our city,
Tour routes to Janes Walk Festival will be listed here. Check out if there is one in your ‘hood!
