February 2020 E-News
~ Celebrating 100 Years of Education Worldwide ~
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A Note from the Faculty Chair
Dear Community,
Great things never came from comfort zones. – anonymous
I’ve always had great admiration for people who step into the unknown because they feel the impulse to try something new. It takes tremendous courage. A few people in our community have decided to take such a step. It is with a mixture of joy for them and sorrow for us that I share the following.
Alexandra Escalante-Gurunian will be leaving her position as Director of Grades After Care at the end of this school year. She and her husband are moving out of the area. When I first met Ali, I wondered why she wasn’t a Waldorf teacher because she had a natural affinity for Waldorf’s approach to education. For the past five years, Ali has worked as a teacher at a public school during the day and at our School in the afternoons. Her untiring love and empathy for each student were always evident.
Ellen Cimino will graduate her current 8th grade before moving on to her next adventure. She started in 2015 as a Middle School Class Teacher. Ellen has inspired students with her environmentally focused field trips and love of history. She brought to her teaching enthusiasm for students and the subjects she taught.
After 19 years of service at our School, Florence Kadri has decided to return to France this summer. She leaves behind a legacy of excellent teaching and deep love and respect for all students. She has positively impacted the lives of many students, parents, and colleagues. We are so grateful for the gifts she has given us.
Bobby Lyons graduated from WSGC in 1976. She returned in 2001 to begin her Waldorf teaching career. Now becoming a full-time grandmother is calling her. Bobby’s quiet and thoughtful approach nurtured the students in her care and gave them a sense of calm and consistency – the perfect antidote to life today. Although Bobby is leaving her teaching role, she points out that she is not leaving the community. The WSGC community will always play an important role in her life. We will look forward to seeing her at future School events.
Please join me in wishing Alexandra, Ellen, Florence & Bobby well as they step into the next phases of their lives. We are grateful for their many years of service with the School and wish them all the very best.
Announcements
A Tribute to George V. Rose – Postponed Until Further Notice
Please join us at a date to be determined for a Tribute to George V. Rose. We will celebrate Mr. Rose’s life through song and reflection.
Due to the tremendous response for this event, we ask that you please RSVP.
Additionally, a group rate of $189 per night for a set number of rooms has been blocked at the Hyatt Place Garden City for a future date to be determined. To reserve, please contact the hotel directly at 888-591-1234 or 757-312-0020 or reserve online.
We look forward to celebrating the legacy of George V. Rose.
Golf Classic & Dinner Reception
How can you support the WSGC Golf Classic?
The 2020 Golf Classic & Dinner Reception has been POSTPONED to Monday, October 5th. The proceeds from this event will primarily benefit the renovation of the gymnasium and renaming to Paul LeSueur Hall, Capital Initiatives, and Scholarship Funds at the School.
Paul LeSueur, husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, athlete and coach, left us on June 10, 2019, after a sudden illness. As our former Athletic Director, Boys Varsity Soccer and Girls Varsity Basketball coach and much-beloved member of the Waldorf school community, Paul LeSueur Hall will serve as a tribute to the life, legacy, and love that Paul LeSueur gave to every student and athlete he encountered.
Your support will enable students, families, and extended community to utilize a fully reimagined space for sports, assemblies, performances, and community gatherings.
CONFERENCE: Staying Sane While Swimming in a Sea of Screens – Postponed
The Winkler Center invites you to our annual conference on a future date to be determined. It takes place in Bonner Hall and runs from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. It is an opportunity to share an approach to life and offer a space to gather ideas for childrearing and our changing culture. We are bringing you a speaker well versed in the topic of the day, Lowell Monke, Ph.D. a teacher, professor, and author on the effects and challenges of technology with the learning child in mind. He has been a speaker at many Waldorf schools as well as a Board member for Alliance for Childhood.
His talk is followed by workshops given by the faculty of the Winkler Center for Adult Learning. You are invited to lunch which is not only healthy and tasty, but also a time for conversations; a meeting space for friends, parents, and graduates of our program.
We look forward to seeing you on March 14th. To register, visit our Eventbrite page.
The Waldorf School of Garden City Proudly Presents: TUCK EVERLASTING
(This event is unfortunately Cancelled)
What would you do if you had all eternity?
Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.
Based on best-selling children’s classic by Natalie Babbitt and adapted for the stage by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle, Tuck Everlasting features a soaring score from Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen.
Appropriate for all audiences. Tickets on sale at the button below!
Shop & Support Waldorf
Until tomorrow, February 29th, receive 20% off any order of $80 or more on the Waldorf BSN Sideline store by entering the code FEB20. Then from March 1st-March 31st save %15 on order of $85 or more with offer code MARCH20. A variety of merchandise for students, teams, alumni and current families is now available to show your #WaldorfPride.
School News
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 for a wonderful Sophomore Play
At the beginning of the month, the Class of 2022 proudly stood together at curtain call knowing that they had staged a successful version of Arabian Nights.
After Saturday’s performance, the students eloquently thanked the many adults who aided them in producing the show.
Congratulations to the class for a job well done! Thanks to Iwonka Piotrowska for the photos!
Kimberton 2020
Both of our Varsity Basketball Teams had a fantastic time at the Kimberton Tournament and represented the School well. Four of our girls, Celeste, Kennedy, Lucinda, and Mollie and three of our boys, Marco, Colin, and Benett were all nominated to play in the tournament’s all-star games.
Congratulations to all our players for a great showing! Thanks to Iwonka Piotrowska for the photos; see a full gallery by clicking the button below.
Camp Glen Brook
Winter Camp
It always warms my heart at Winter Camp to see how enthusiastically children are able to enjoy ice, snow, sleet, and everything in between while trying new things and forging new friendships. Though many people think of winter as a time to huddle inside and wait for warmer weather, anybody who has come to Winter Camp knows that winter is pure delight.
This year we were lucky to have heaps of snow for the campers to play in, and they got to experience snowboarding, cross country skiing, tubing, skating, snow-shoeing and — of course — copious amounts of sledding. The snow is also amazing in the way it reveals animal tracks. This year children found countless signs of animals in our forest. Perhaps the most exciting was the coyote trails, and the chance to follow these predators on their quest for winter food. And there’s something truly magical about following deer tracks and finding the “bed” they slept in the night before, complete with a little shed fur.
Playing and exploring so enthusiastically in the snow can create the foundation for lifelong ability to enjoy being outside in any weather, which is the key to staying healthy and happy if you live somewhere that can have six months of cold weather in a year.
Of course, when it’s time to rest and warm-up, children came inside to warm up by the glow of our woodstoves and to share music, cook meals, work on art projects, and play games. As I write this at the end of a day of Winter Camp, we have finished evening singing, a few last games are being played, and a group that just came in from seeing the stars is excitedly telling their friends about how bright Venus is and how to find the north star. The children and staff are content, tired, well-fed, and eager to get started on another day, and all seems right with the world.
Mark Stehlik – Summer Camp Director
Winter Family Weekend
We had a wonderful February Winter Family Weekend and we look forward to welcoming many more WSGC families to our March Winter Family Weekend which is full.
It is time to sign up for Summer Camp and our August Family Camp.
Spots are filling up, don’t delay, claim your bunk today!
We hope to welcome you to Glen Brook this coming summer.
Shelley Goguen Hulbert – Executive Director
What’s Happening in Athletics?
As the 2019-2020 basketball season comes to an end, we are happy to have celebrated some amazing victories, such as when our Varsity Girls team triumphed over Stony Brook at home 30-29, and then beat OSNA 41-39 away from home. The Varsity Boys also had a remarkable season that propelled them to the PSAA Metro Division Championship Final. Although in the end they fell to a powerful Kew Forest, we are delighted that they surpassed the goal they set for themselves during the pre-season of making it to the playoffs!
Special congratulations go to Senior Mollie Resnick who was nominated to the PSAA All-Conference Team, to Senior Lucinda Peal and 8th grader Kennedy Mayers who were both nominated to the PSAA All-Division Team, and to Senior Marco Bai and Sophomore Joshua Wang who were both nominated to the PSAA Metro All-Division Team.
Our 7th and 8th grade teams showed some amazing potential throughout their seasons and both varsity head coaches are eager to work with the rising 8th graders helping to prepare them for their future athletic successes.
Baseball and Softball will soon commence with the varsity teams beginning pre-season practices in March. We are thrilled with the strong turn-out of student-athletes this year and can’t wait to get to work building upon the successes of last season. The Varsity Baseball and Softball season will officially begin the first week of April, weather permitting of course! We look forward to seeing you on the field.
Alumni
Celebrating a Reunion This Year?
Calling our graduating classes ending in ‘0s and ‘5s! Have you started making your plans for your big reunion this year? We’re here to help! Whether you plan on celebrating in the fall during Alumni Weekend or are looking to schedule something on your own time, keep us posted. We’d love to help in any way possible.
Please contact Samantha D’Aleo at daleos@waldorfgarden.org for assistance.
Alumni Notes:
Jordan Carmon ’11
Jordan Carmon ’11 has been working with civic associations, senior centers, political clubs, churches, etc. to get the message out about the importance of getting everyone counted in this year’s Census. Jordan says, “The Census decides how much funding communities receive for schools, housing, health care, infrastructure, and so much more. It decides how your political representation in Congress and the electoral college. It decides whether or not businesses will set up shop in your community. Especially if you have children, filling out the Census is one of the best things you can do to ensure a bright future for your community. That’s why we’re hard at work getting the word about the importance of everyone filling out the 2020 Census.” Keep up the good work, Jordan!
Carla Perez-Gallardo ‘06
Carla Perez-Gallardo ’06, owner of Lil’ Deb’s Oasis in Hudson, NY, was featured in this winter’s Bon Appetite! Lil Deb’s Oasis is in its fourth year of being alive and Carla and her partner are thrilled to continue offering their warm hospitality and flavor-packed plates to everyone who walks through the doors. Carla says, “Being featured in this winter’s Bon Appetite was a welcome gift, ensuring we’ll be busy in the slower winter months and we’re so excited to hear how everyone enjoys cooking with our recipes!” Congratulations, Carla!
Rena Ikenishi ’18
Rena Ikenishi ’18 competed at the 2020 US figure skating championships and was able to place in the top ten. Rena was also able to get her personal record and is on track to be on team USA. Congratulations, Rena and best of luck!
Emily Rothenbucher ’06 and Michael LaBella Fitzsimmons ’06
Congratulations to Emily Rothenbucher ’06 and Michael LaBella Fitzsimmons ’06 who were married on February 13th, 2020 in downtown Brooklyn, NY. The two live down the block from Waldorf classmate Melinda Smith ’06. We wish you the best in this next chapter of your lives!
Dan Strauss ‘88
Congratulations to Dan Strauss ’88 who just released his 5th studio album, The Flying River available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. The nine new original songs (and one old-time cover) move across genres from country to folk to rock and back again. The songs were recorded in Brooklyn, NY and Burlington, VT. Dan says, “There is nothing I love more than making music and I am extraordinarily lucky to have these amazing musicians contribute their talents to this music.” For more information including upcoming shows, please visit danstraussmusic.com.
Carole Davenport ’60
Join Carole Davenport ’60 for Asia Week New York! View her exhibition, Shinto Redux: Kami, Shinzo, Shimpo & Sculpture by Hiroyuki Asano, from Thursday, March 12th – Saturday, March 21st. The first native religion Japan was Shintoism, based on nature and natural phenomena. Gods, or kami, were assigned to include trees, mountains, waterfalls, locations, animals, forces of nature. The exhibition provides insight into this fascinating religion, and how the Japanese people dealt with and explained natural phenomena. The exhibit will take place at Leigh Morse Fine Arts, Fifth Floor 22 East 80th Street (off Madison Ave) Fifth Floor. All are invited to stay for the cocktail party on Saturday, March 14th from 6-9pm. For more information, please visit www.caroledavenport.com.
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News from AWSNA
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SAVE THESE DATES (ALL EVENTS IN RED POSTPONED OR CANCELED DUE TO PANDEMIC)
HS Model UN Conference
Wednesday, March 4th – Saturday, March 7th
2nd – 5th Grade Circus Performance
Friday, March 6th at 2:00 pm
Parent Association Meeting
Friday, March 6th at 7:00 pm
SCHOOL CLOSED – Parent-Teacher Conferences for Grades 1-12 and Professional Development Day for EC Faculty
Monday, March 9th
5th Grade Play
Thursday, March 12th – Time TBD
Friday, March 13th – Time TBD
Textbook Forms Due to the Bookstore
Friday, March 13th
Winkler Center Conference
Saturday, March 14th from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
4th Grade Play
Thursday, March 19th at 9:00 am
Friday, March 20th at 9:00 am
High School Musical – Tuck Everlasting
Friday, March 20th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Middle School Dance
Friday, March 27th
Sprachfest 2020 – For German Students
Saturday, March 28th
Tuition Assistance Applications Due
Wednesday, April 1st
Transportation Applications Due
Wednesday, April 1st
2nd Grade Play
Thursday, April 2nd at 8:45 am
Friday, April 3rd at 2:30 pm
End of 3rd Quarter (HS Only)
Friday, April 3rd
A Tribute to George Rose
Sunday, April 5th at 2:00 pm
5th – 8th Grade Spring Concert
Tuesday, April 7th
lAST DAY OF ONLINE CLASSES BEFORE BREAK
Wednesday, April 8th
Spring Break – SCHOOL CLOSED
Thursday, April 9th – Friday, April 17th
Classes Resume (TENTATIVELY)
Monday, April 20th
Don’t Forget you can Shop and Support The Waldorf School of Garden City with the following organizations!
