Director's Note – Windows into Waldorf – 23 October 2026
Dear Waldorf Community,
If you watch squirrels collect acorns for winter, you'll notice a heightened bustle in the fall. I've felt the same bustle around the school these last few weeks. Everywhere I look, children are busy gathering and making things for the season ahead.
Grade 3 students are building shelters and the Grades 6 and 7 are showing their entrepreneurial flair, preparing for the Business Fair by designing and making creations of significant value.
In a few minutes I will be making my way up to the park where our Grade 5 to 8 students are learning to play lacrosse and other traditional Haudenosaunee stick ball games. This event links to our curriculum, deepening our understanding of Indigenous culture, and led by the Haudenosaunee Sports Development Group.
Grade 1 and Grade 8 buddies have been carving pumpkins side by side. Grade 5 students are practising their dancing as they learn about Diwali, the festival of lights. Across the school, lanterns are taking shape for our Lantern Walk, so we can carry our own small lights out into the darkening evenings.
Each of these is a small act of preparation. Together they show a school getting ready to turn inward for the colder months, with warmth, light and community to carry us through.
The adults are preparing too. On our upcoming PD Day, Friday 30 October, teachers will, among other activities, review the policies and procedures that keep our students safe. This fall we are also taking concrete steps to make sure every child feels safe, known and welcome here, with two learning opportunities on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. More details to come.
Wishing everyone a cozy and restful weekend,
Conor
KEY DATES & HAPPENINGS
From Teacher-Parent Conferences, Lantern Walks and theatre excursions, please consult our community calendar for upcoming events: Waldorf Academy Annual Calendar.
Some Highlights next week include:
Thurs. Oct. 29 - Grade 6,7 Business Business Fair
Friday Oct. 30 - PD Day - Camp available
SCHOOL LOGISTICS
Board Call for Nominations
The Waldorf Academy Board of Directors is looking for new members to join our volunteer Board.
Serving on the Board is an opportunity to support the school’s mission and long-term vitality through strategic planning, financial oversight, and governance. Members commit to a three-year term, attend monthly Board meetings, and contribute to committee work.
We welcome a range of skills and perspectives, particularly in finance, fundraising, governance, education, and human resources. Equally important are collaboration, sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to the well-being of our school.
Parents, alumni, and individuals beyond the school community are encouraged to apply. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences.
To apply, please send a CV or brief summary of your experience, your reasons for applying, and your connection to the school, if any, to Nominations @ waldorfacademy.org by November 20th, 2026.
The Nominations Committee will review applications and meet with selected candidates. References will be requested from shortlisted candidates following interviews.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to Waldorf Academy’s future.
The Nominations Committee--
Second Biannual Tuition Payment Due Date
A reminder as we settle into the rhythm of autumn
Our second biannual tuition payment due date is coming up on November 1st.
We kindly ask that you ensure your payment is arranged by the due date. If you have already taken care of this, thank you- you're all set!
Please contact mpriestap @ waldorfacademy.org if you have any questions.
Hot Lunch Orders for Nov.
Please find below the link for ordering Hot Lunch for your children in November.
Orders are due until Friday, Oct 30th.
Please be aware of the following dates:
Nov 6 - No hot lunch at all - Parent-Teachers conferences
Nov 27 - Grades 6, 7 and 8 - No hot lunch. They are away from the school for a tournament ( Grade 5 students are having an Outdoor Education Day but will be back in time for Hot lunch that day).
Halloween logistics
This year, the calendar has made a decision for us. October 30 is a faculty PD day, and Halloween falls on a Saturday, so we will not be marking Halloween at school.
Thursday, October 29 will be a regular school day. Children should come in their usual school clothes, and there is no need to send costumes or party snacks. We hope this takes a little pressure off busy households and lets children enjoy Halloween with you at home and in your neighborhood.
This is a one-year change, simply because of how the dates fall.
The season is still richly held at school. We have already gathered in the harvest and met the courage of Michaelmas together, and in November we turn toward the light of the Martinmas lantern walk. Grades 1 to 3 will lead the walk, and every family is warmly invited to join us on November 11 at 6:00 pm.
As well, this week the Grade 1 & 8 buddies gathered together to carve pumpkins.
Community Council starts work on Winter Fair!
Community Council hard at work!
Thank you Community Council for taking Winter Fair inventory and doing the prep work to kickstart the preparations for the festival of all festivals!
DISPATCHES FROM THE CLASSROOM
This section is to share communication with the community on Grade announcements to highlight the layered approach to learning and joy (and sparked wonder) that happens throughout the school.
Grade 5/6/7/8 Enjoyed the sunshine today learning Lacrosse and other traditional Haudenosaunee (or Onkewehonwe) stick ball games hosted by our friends at Haudenosaunee Sports Development Group. thank you Natalie S. for making the delicious lunches for Carmen & Fawn. That was very welcoming.
Grade 6/7 Business Fair - Entrepreneurs in Action Oct. 27
The Grade 6 and 7 students have been steadily working away on their businesses. The Business Fair is on Thursday, October 27. All the students of the school will be invited to come to admire their wares and engage in ‘mercantile exchange’.
Parents are invited to give their children $10-$20 if they want them to participate in the commercial experience/exchange.
Parents are invited too! Come admire (and purchase!) the wares from 2:30 - 3:10.
Grade 3 - Shelter Projects
Grade Three Parents are warmly invited to join Grade 3 in the classroom on Wednesday, November 4th, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. for our Shelter Project presentations!
The children have been working diligently on their shelters and the written work that accompanies them. They have been putting their literacy skills to work as they research facts about their chosen shelters, gather their ideas, and weave their findings into cohesive pieces of writing, all in cursive!
We are looking forward to sharing their hard work and learning with you!
We will have tea brewing and freshly baked apple crisp to share as we gather together.
Shelters from last year included every type of dwelling from Midieval stone cottages (with sheep!) and Yurts
