April 2022 E-News
A Message from the Faculty Chair
Dear Community,
There has been a busy buzz of teaching candidates visiting our School lately! I’m happy to announce that we have many folks interested in joining our team. To date we have hired Diana Chery as our HS Spanish Teacher and Ruben Davila as our LS Spanish Teacher for the 22-23 school year. Diana brings years of teaching, as well as Theatre Arts, experience. Ruben began the Waldorf teacher training program prior to Covid and is looking forward to resuming his studies. Previously he worked at the New Amsterdam Waldorf school and at a Waldorf-inspired school. (We will have a full bio of all new hires later in the year.)
We will be ready to announce more on the Class Teacher search next month. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how many qualified candidates sought us out. We are excited about next School year and all the wonderful possibilities that are before us.
More to come!
Kelly O’Halogan
Faculty Chair
Announcements
Early Childhood 2022 – 2023
Now accepting applications for our 2022 – 2023 Early Childhood Program! See details on our website about upcoming open houses and how to apply.
Save the Date for our Spring Benefit!
We look forward to celebrating our esteemed honorees at the 2022 Spring Benefit which will take place Thursday, May 19th at The Royalton Mansion in Roslyn. Visit our event website to purchase early bird tickets, sponsorships, journal ads, and to read more about our honorees. Early bird tickets are available until April 15th.
How can you get involved? Donate a silent auction item! We are currently seeking items in the following categories:
- Restaurant Gift Cards
- Flight points
- House rentals
- Sporting event tickets
- New and fun experiences
Have connections? Please use this letter to solicit items along with our Silent Auction Item Donation Form. All items must be submitted no later than Thursday, April 28th.
Thank you for your support!
School News
The Little Sponge that Could
By Contributing Author Kelly Denig –– Launch a full-scale musical theater program in a high school of fewer than 100 students? No problem. Launch an elaborate Broadway-based production with complex moving sets, a daunting number of costume changes, multiple challenging lead parts, a large ensemble cast, audience interaction, and several different styles of dance, including tap and hip hop, DURING a pandemic AFTER two years of not performing at all? Absolutely!!
Director Andrew Fallu, our music and chorus teacher, who one could argue is our real-life SpongeBob, took on the seemingly impossible critically acclaimed Broadway spectacular, SpongeBob the Musical, this winter. After only moments into the show, it became clear that this unusual choice for a Waldorf play was, in fact, the perfect story for these tumultuous times. Against all odds and in the face of a looming natural disaster, the unlikely hero and unfailing optimist, SpongeBob, rallies his friends and neighbors to overcome government incompetency, scapegoating, media distrust, xenophobia, dismissal of scientific evidence, and the distractions of misguided hero worship to not only save all of Bikini Bottom but bring everyone closer together. The brilliantly executed jokes and all too familiar themes gave the audience many opportunities to laugh at some of our most frustrating recent current events. The moving and jubilant finale, complete with sprayed bubbles and confetti cannons, was exactly the injection of hope and joy that we all needed, especially our children.
Click below to read the full review and view the SpongeBob the Musical gallery.
Celebrating the Life of George V. Rose
On Saturday, March 26th, four generations of alumni, alumni parents, current and former employees, friends, and family gathered to pay tribute to the late Faculty Chair and Music Director, George V. Rose. The beautiful harmonies of William Charles Fry and Gilbert & Sullivan filled the halls between anecdotes about Mr. Rose’s impact on so many community members over his 35 years with The Waldorf School of Garden City.
Alumni met early in Bonner Hall to warm up and run through music some had not sung in 40 years. There was nervous chatter about being out of practice, but everything came back to them when the piano began to play, like so often happens with activities that shaped our childhoods. Some Alumni were moved to tears by nostalgia. Once all guests were gathered in the gym, current High School Chair Roland Rothenbucher shared his memories of Mr. Rose. “He had the heart of service. He served the music he presented to us and served the School… I thought the world of George. He could walk into a space like this and command the room.”
To view a recording of the live stream, click the read more button.
Lessons Learned at Model UN 2022
From 3/16 – 3/19, members of our high school participated in the National High School Model UN Conference in New York City. Below, read the perspectives of an attending teacher and two students, one new to Model UN and one who attended for her final time as a senior.
Nina Renker, Lower School Assistant: Culminating a year’s worth of research, writing, and debate, 25 members of the high school Model UN elective participated in the 48th National High School Model United Nations conference in New York City this past week. The WSGC delegates represented Ethiopia and its interests in committees across the conference, from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) to the Commission for Social Development (CSocD) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Over the course of four days and five meeting sessions, student delegates from across the country and the globe grappled with the same questions which UN diplomats themselves work to address on the world stage. Together, through collaboration and compromise, committee members synthesize would-be solutions for some of humanity’s most persistent quandaries.
Continue reading about experiences of our students ThuThuy O’Halogan ’25 and Francesca Fraim ’22 below!
Glen Brook
Our New Gap Program Director
Please join us in a warm welcome to Tori Heller, our new Gap Program Director. With almost a decade of experience in outdoor education, Tori is passionate about facilitating transformative nature-based experiences with children and young adults. We are excited to see her bring her many skills to our Gap program and to Summer Camp. To learn more about Tori, read the rest of her bio on our website glenbrook.org. Welcome to the team!
Winter Family Weekends Wrap as we Turn Toward Spring
We had a wonderful Winter Family Weekend in March– making syrup, sledding, taking care of the animals, and more. If you missed being here this month, we still have space in our August Family Camp 
Healthcare Provider
We’re looking for our ‘Camp Nurse’ or ‘Camp Doc’ for Summer 2022. You can read more about the position here– it’s a great position for an experienced healthcare provider, and we offer tuition remission for camper-aged children.
Kitchen Staff
We’re hiring for kitchen staff to join our team. The farm is the lifeline of camp and the kitchen is its heart. During the summer months we never stop beating—3 meals and two snacks a day from scratch. Come join our special community and help to keep it thriving! You can read more about the position here.
Lamb Watch
Our three beloved ewes– Bonny, Anita, and Ruth– are due to have lambs any day now! Keep an eye on our facebook and instagram feeds to see pictures of the new lambs.
While we have record-high enrollment, some groups still have space available. You can apply on our website or call to ask more about this amazing summer experience for your child!
What’s Happening in Athletics?
Dear Waldorf Sports Fans,
Spring season is officially underway here at The Waldorf School of Garden City. Our inter-scholastic teams are practicing hard and preparing for another competitive spring season.
Coach James Hughes manages the Varsity Baseball team as he begins his 11th season in charge of the team. We are happy to welcome a new assistant coach to the baseball program, Coach Andre Torres. Coach Torres is a parent of a nursery student who brings a wealth of knowledge and playing experience to the team and a love and passion for baseball. Coach Torres will also be in charge of the 7th & 8th-grade Baseball team, which began practicing outdoors this past week. We are delighted to welcome 8th grader Sebastian Martinez onto the varsity baseball team. Sebastian has been playing baseball for his home of Floral Park for several years and brings a technical understanding of the game. Best of luck, Sebastian!
The Varsity Softball team has a stellar coaching staff this spring. Coach Steven Pitz returns as our Head Coach, and Coach Ann Mulvehill is back as the team’s #2. They will have the help and support of two Adelphi Sports Management graduate student-athletes, Coach Jillian Licurgo and Madison Graham. Both currently play on the Adelphi women’s basketball team but played softball through high school and bring a love of the sport to both our varsity team as assistant coaches and our 7th & 8th-grade softball team as head coaches.
The WSGC Golf team has never been stronger. We have eight student-athletes this season, eager to get out on the course and show us what they can do. We are currently preparing for matches against Portledge and LuHi later in the season before the PSAA Championship Open on May 21st at The Glen Cove Golf Club.
Go, Waldorf!
Shane Flanagan
Director of Athletics
Alumni
Alumni Notes
Sophia Conrad ’21
Sophia Conrad ’21 has taken two new positions during her first year at Barnard College: the first as a Preceptor for an upper-level Econometrics class, and the second as an intern with the New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence. She is so excited to be following her passion for government and public affairs through this internship and looks forward to learning more about current politics in New York City. Her work as a Preceptor includes facilitating lectures and technological assistance with Barnard professors. Sophia is also involved in Mock Trial and Barnard’s activities council. Congratulations, Sophia!
Jordan Carmon ’11
Congratulations to Jordan Carmon ’11 who has been appointed Senior Advisor for Communications and Policy to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. The Brooklyn DA‘s office is the third-largest local prosecuting agency in the country, and DA Gonzalez made history in 2016 when he became the first Latino elected District Attorney in the State of New York.
From 2018-2021, Jordan (also known as ‘Deni’) served as Senior Communications Advisor to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. During his time in Mineola, Jordan helped lead key initiatives including but not limited to the County’s COVID-19 response, police reform, and the 2020 Census. He also served as Nassau’s Spanish language spokesperson, appearing on Univision and Telemundo over 30 times. Jordan was previously Deputy Press Secretary to the New York Attorney General (2017-2018) and prior to that worked as a Consultant at Deloitte (2015-2017).
Carla Perez-Gallardo ’06
Carla Perez-Gallardo ’06, co-owner of Lil’ Deb’s Oasis, the James Beard Award-nominated hotspot in Hudson, New York, published their first cookbook, PLEASE WAIT TO BE TASTED. In a press release by Princeton Architectural Press; the book is said to be, “More than a recipe collection, it’s a bighearted, sensual celebration of food, love, and community. … In addition to some seventy recipes and tips on tools and pantry must-haves, PLEASE WAIT TO BE TASTED shares the knowledge and love that go into making memorable meals at Lil’ Deb’s Oasis.” The book goes on sale June 21, 2022. Congratulations to Lil’ Deb’s Oasis on this incredible achievement!
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March Photo Flashback
Every month our students participate in a variety of fun and enriching activities. Enjoy this small sample of the events from March 2022.
Photos by Iwonka Piotrowska, Brandon Goldner, and Bianca LeRoux.
WSGC Statements on Recent World Events:
Ukraine
We would like to acknowledge the disturbing events surrounding the recent invasion of Ukraine and understand that some students, faculty, staff, and families within our community may be impacted. The situation is certainly frightening and may be confusing for many of our students. If you, your family, or your children are navigating this crisis, please know that The Waldorf School of Garden City supports you. Parents and families should feel free to be in touch with our School counselors as needed. Tatyana Kissin (all ages), Marisa Gelb (9-12), or Emma Innella (1-8).
In addition, an emergency support fund is being coordinated by the Friends of Waldorf Education (Freunde der Erziehungskunt Rudolf Steiners e.V.), through which various and evolving needs of our Ukrainian friends can be addressed. At the moment, Ukrainian children and families are being supported in finding places in Waldorf Schools in Europe, and Waldorf families throughout Europe are opening their homes to them. Financial support is being sent to Ukraine to support the Waldorf teachers who have lost their income due to the closing of schools, and emergency pedagogy teams will be working with traumatized Ukrainian children. The types of support will continue to evolve in order to meet the most urgent needs.
We invite you to support these emergency efforts. AWSNA has an agreement with Freunde to solicit funds from the United States on their behalf. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation, and in the dropdown menu select “Freunde/Ukraine Relief.”
The WSGC Stands in Solidarity with the LGBTQ+ Community
As educators, it is our duty to provide a safe learning environment where students can be who they are, express themselves freely, and feel affirmed and supported regarding their identities. A school must be a place where children not only feel safe, but where they can also grow personally and intellectually.
You may be aware of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been passed recently in Florida, Texas, Iowa, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Bills like the stop-W.O.K.E. Act, Don’t Say Gay Bill, transgender sports ban, anti-trans health care order, and book bans not only put critical anti-bias work at risk but also stifles important conversations and learning about our difficult history and inhibits a school’s ability to interrupt the pathways of bias and bigotry.
The WSGC stands with all of those who are directly or indirectly impacted by this discriminatory legislation including our current and extended community. Please be assured that we are dedicated to supporting our students and families and ensuring that our School remains welcoming, accepting, and inclusive. No matter who you are, you matter, and you belong. If you or your child feel the need to discuss these events in a more personal way, please reach out to our school counselors, Marisa Gelb in the High School, Emma Innella in the Lower School, or Tatyana Kissin, School Social Worker.
News from AWSNA
Keep up with all the news from the Association of Independent Waldorf Schools in North America by subscribing to their monthly E-News. Learn more by clicking the button below!
Save These Dates
Transportation & Tuition Assistance Applications Due
Friday, April 1st
Ramadan Begins
Saturday, April 2nd
Sophomore Play – Coyote Tales
Thursday, April 7th at 7:30 pm
Friday, April 8th at 1:00 pm
Saturday, April 9th at 7:30 pm
Spring Assembly
Thursday, April 14th
Spring Break
Friday, April 15th – Friday, April 22nd
Summer Day Camp Open House
Sunday, April 24th
Classes Resume
Monday, April 25th
High School Spring Concert
Tuesday, April 26th
Earth Day Celebration
Wednesday, April 27th
Don’t Forget you can Shop and Support The Waldorf School of Garden City with the following organizations!
