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September 2016 Newsletter Update from the School Director

3855 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis, OR 97330 office@corvalliswaldorfschool.org

541-758-4674

“Educating the mind without educating

the heart is no education at all.” -Aristotle

Upcoming Events:

9/29 – Michaelmas Pageant, 12pm @ CWS

10/28 – Fall Assembly, 11:15am @ CWS

10/28 – Halloween Celebration, 4-6pm @ CWS

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the

2016-2017 school year at Corvallis Waldorf

School. Our mission is “to educate

independent thinkers who meet life with

courage and respond with initiative and

creativity to the needs of the world and their

fellow human beings.” We develop the full

range of children’s capacities so that they can

step confidently towards an unknown future.

We welcomed over 30 new families to our

community this year, beginning the school

year with 193 students, served by 32 faculty

and staff members. The faculty is

rejuvenated after a summer of study,

preparation, and relaxation; our classrooms

are filled with the sounds of enthusiastic

teachers and learners. Our new Agriculture

program is flourishing under the leadership

of Ms. Jennie Cramer, complementing the

Music, Handwork, and Spanish programs

that have consistently enriched our students’

lives over the years.

The Early Childhood classes continue to

thrive. Our Little Acorns Parent

Participation class, our Sweet Peas and

Golden Roses Preschools, and our Morning

Glory and Willow Wind Kindergartens are

pleasantly full (only one Kindergarten spot

remains open!) and applications have already

been turned in for next year.

It promises to be a great year at CWS. I look forward to

seeing you all on campus during one of our upcoming

events. Thank you for all you do to support our school,

and our unique way of educating the head, heart, and

hands of each individual child in our care.

Sincerely,

Peter Zaremba

Setting sail on the open seas! Student watercolor

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From left to right:

Garden volunteers

Peter Zaremba,

Jenna Collins, Ron

Collins, and Rob

Koning

Welcome to our garden!

Summer in the Garden

by Jenna Collins, Parent Enrichment Committee Chair

We have an Agriculture program at the school,

featuring a beautiful and inviting garden!

For the past few months, a small group of

parents and staff have spent time lovingly

expanding and resurrecting the space.

The garden has been tilled, planted with a

cover crop of buckwheat, weeded extensively,

and fenced, creating a larger area than in the

past. The chicken/ duck coop is cleaned out

and a new area with a water feature nearing

completion. The grapes are heavy with

delicious clusters of fruit. The apple tree

was pruned to make way for apples next

season. Biodynamic compost from GoodFoot

Farm (think super compost!) has been spread and rows of

vegetable starts donated by Peoria Gardens have been planted.

Many thanks go out to this steady group of workers, including

many parents from last year’s Golden Rose class; Jennie Cramer

for tilling and planting a cover crop; grandparents Lon and Meredi

Hatfield for their unending perseverance in weeding, fencing,

weed whacking, and full property brush mowing; and community

members Rob Koning, Ron Collins, Peter Zaremba, and Tim Love

for putting in the fence and mowing.

When we moved here two years ago, we were drawn to the diverse

and vibrant community that encircled Corvallis Waldorf School. I

love working together, giving back to this community, supporting

the school’s mission to educate our children to be lifelong learners

and stewards of our world.

See you in the garden!

Ian Black, a student in Mr.

Luck’s graduating class of 2011,

is now a sophomore at

University of Cincinnati

majoring in Industrial

Design. At the age of 12 he

designed his first athletic

shoe. With the support of his

Waldorf teachers he pursued his

passion with an 8th grade

mentorship at Nike. Ian is now

fully committed to a career in

athletic footwear design. He

also credits his 8th grade

mentorship project with opening

another door: As part of his

apprenticeship, Ian spent a week

in the football equipment room

at OSU. Connections made

during that time have allowed

him to become the graphic

designer and team photographer

for the University of Cincinnati

Football Program. When not

pursuing his design career, Ian

enjoys playing lacrosse,

spending time with his three

siblings (Sunitha, CWS 8th

grader, Emily and Matthias,

CWS graduates) and playing the

guitar. Good luck Ian!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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This past summer, Corvallis Waldorf School sponsored Parenting in

the Park, a series of 6 workshops lead by former CWS preschool

teacher Jessica Henry. Geared toward towards children from infancy

through age 6, Parenting in the Park seeks to nurture and support

parents as they grow along with their children. New this year was an

emphasis on activities for children that enhanced and built upon their

developing physical and cognitive skills, supported by their first and

most important teachers, their parents. Great work Jessica!

Parenting in the Park By Jessica Henry

Parenting in the Park By Jessica Henry, former CWS preschool teacher and parent parent

“The need for imagination, a sense of truth,

and a feeling of responsibility – these three

forces are the very nerve of education.”

-Rudolf Steiner

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT was held on 9/18. A good time was had by all!