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Aligning
Tradition &
Innovation

~ Celebrating 100 Years of Education Worldwide ~


|          June 2020          |


 Announcements
News
Camp Glen Brook
Athletics
Alumni

Let us know how we are doing:

A Message from the School Administrator

A Message from the Faculty Chair

Dear Community,

The 2019-2020 school year is now closed. It is one that will be noted for its impact on every member of our community, for its uncertainty and for placing all of us far from the regularity of our lives. New vaccine requirements, a pandemic and a nation in

protest pleading for equality for Black people — it’s been a year of both challenge and opportunity. It’s been a year that requires us to adopt a new focus and be more innovative as we look toward 2020-21.

We continue to look at our curriculum, with a renewed commitment to improvement and innovation so it represents all peoples of the world more fully. We re-evaulate our hiring processes with the goal of employing more people of color. We check and re-check biases we have allowed ourselves to fall asleep to.

We consider how best to include students who may require quarantine, and how to adjust our lesson plans to be flexible enough to jump from in-person learning to online learning and back to in-person learning again. We study our physical building to find new ways to use it. We explore how to take advantage of our Glen Brook campus in the environment of a pandemic.

Nothing is left untouched — almost.

What has not changed is our conviction that the human relationship is the single most important ingredient for a healthy education. This principle guides us in every decision we make in this time of profound re-examination. The bond between human beings

is foundational. Human relationships provide us the opportunity to understand others and reflect upon ourselves. It helps each of us to know ourselves in a way that nothing else can. So while our country, and our world, undergoes a period of upheaval and transformation — this human element, the very cornerstone of Waldorf education, remains constant.

I look forward to meeting you again in September and am eager to see how we have all transformed.

Sincerely,

Kelly O’Halogan
Faculty Chair

Announcements

Thank You from The Waldorf School of Garden City

A Message from the WSGC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

The Waldorf School of Garden City is committed to the unwavering pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on every level and we will continue to meet our community with ongoing conversation and action to support this mission. Please join us in reading, viewing, and sharing resources for social and cultural change. This page will be our temporary home for these resources until a dedicated page is built. It will be updated frequently and we welcome suggestions. Thank you.

https://www.waldorfgarden.org/distancelearning 
Password: 225cambridge

With Appreciation,

The WSGC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee:

Stephanie Cleary
Victoria Dehan
Keelah Helwig
Victor Kim

Alexios Kritas
Nicole Littrean
Lisa Miccio
Karen Talluto

Music Video Release: “Almanac” by Dan Strauss ’88

As communities around the world continue to protest for equal justice under the law and to breakdown, the threads of systemic racism weaved throughout our daily lives; Dan Strauss ’88 has created a special journey for our minds, hearts, and souls through thoughtful lyrics and stimulating visuals.   Please see below a personal note from Dan along with a video.  Thank you Dan for sharing with us!

I wrote this song during the height of the George Floyd BLM protests.  I very much wanted to be part of these marches, but out of concern of the spread of COVID-19, I stayed home.  My heart and spirit were with all of those who stood tall and made their voices heard.

Since I could not be part of it in person, I found myself reaching for my weapon of choice, my guitar – and began to write.  After finishing the song, I searched out images of the protests and put this video together.  I wish to thank the photographers for making their images available.  Their names are listed at the end of the video.

To all those who marched and those who stayed home but care deeply about issues of injustice and inequality in this country, this is for you.  I hope it resonates for you.

With respect and gratitude,
Dan

Please click on the heart.

Album Release: “Songs of My Soul” by Bonnie Masi

Bonnie Masi, WSGC Piano Accompanist, has released an album called “Songs of My Soul”. It has 12 piano/vocal songs that reflect her relationship with God and her passion for song writing. Samples of each song and links to all major streaming platforms can be found at bonniemasi.hearnow.com. Visit bonniemasimusic.com to read a little more about her music background and purchase the CD.

NEW! Summer 2020 Online Clubs & Activities

Beginning in July, The Waldorf School of Garden City is pleased to offer a variety of activities that will ensure social distancing while also allowing you to connect with others, learn something new, and have fun!

CLICK HERE FOR DESCRIPTIONS and TO REGISTER


School News

Virtual Event Archives Available Online

If you missed your opportunity to watch our recent events online, archive videos of our Closing assembly are available online.

 

 

6th Grader Accepted into Prestigious Music Program

Current 6th Grader, Alyssa Wu has been accepted into the Precollege Division of Manhattan School of Music. The highly competitive and professionally oriented pre-conservatory training program provides “talented students professional instruction and multiple performing opportunities in a supportive environment, as well as collaborative time spent with like-minded peers.” Instruction includes private music lessons and a variety of classes such as; theory, ear training, composition, orchestra, chorus, and conducting. Acceptance to the program is based on an audition.

 

 

Camp Glen Brook

We have an unprecedented opportunity at Glen Brook this summer.  Where we would usually be joyously and breathlessly working to welcome summer campers, the staff here are able to take stock of where Glen Brook is now, and where we are heading next, in the midst of great upheaval in our nation.  In keeping with our mission, we are doing this in ways both large and small.

In this pause in our normal operations, we are reaffirming and clarifying our core values, the “why” behind what we do in our programming.  As we do this, we are reaching out to members of our community to get their input on how Camp Glen Brook has mattered in their lives (if you want to share your Glen Brook experience, please email or call us—we’d love to talk with you).  From this starting point, we will work through our school programs, summer and winter camps, and gap program to evaluate how each of our programs must meet children and emerging adults in this changing world.

Of course the farm, garden, and grounds need daily care more than ever in the summer—a welcome grounding counterpoint to the planning work!  We’ve shifted the planting times this year so that the bulk of our harvest will be in time for our fall programs.  Since the plants we are tending now will nourish students and gappers come the fall, each row we hoe and weed we pull gets us just a bit more excited to have children here again to experience the bounty and beauty of this place.

What’s Happening in Athletics?

The Waldorf Athletics season officially came to an end on June 3rd during the annual Sports Night Banquet.

This year’s banquet was held virtually via Zoom and, even though coaches and Student-Athletes could not meet in person, it was wonderful to see everyone’s smiling faces. The night was special and included slideshows showing us action-packed photos taken by Iwonka Piotrowska, as well as touching speeches by coaches who reminisced about the season and highlighted the lessons learned and obstacles overcome. Special awards were given to Student-Athletes who gave their all to their team and School, and who demonstrated quality character traits such as commitment, dedication, leadership, sacrifice, and sportsmanship.

Two athletes, in particular, encapsulate these qualities and were honored with the Athlete of the Year Award: Marco Bai and Mollie Resnick. We are so proud of them both and thankful for all they have done for us. Mollie Resnick was also awarded the prestigious Gabriel Kane Spirit of Athletics Award not only for her athletic prowess but also for her love for athletics and her leadership qualities over the past four years. Click the button below for the full list of award winners!

We wish all of our student-athletes and their families a safe and healthy summer, and we look forward to getting things underway all over again in the Fall!


Alumni

Let’s celebrate your big reunion!

Whether it has been five years or sixty years — we want to share your milestone with the Waldorf Community. For the months of July and August, we will post snapshots of all the milestone reunion classes to commemorate this exciting time. Due to COVID-19 our gatherings may not be what we imagined but this does not mean we cannot accomplish togetherness virtually. The class of 1985 along with others has already begun online socials and we will be excited to share many more. Thank you to all of our class reps and ambassadors who have kept the momentum, keep sharing your reunions with us at Littreann@waldorfgarden.org. Stay tuned for an update on Alumni Weekend 2020.

With Appreciation,

Nicole S. Littrean
Director of Development

Goodbye Class of 2020 – Hello Alumni

Every year the Office of Development & Alumni Relations hosts a senior send-off event to celebrate the graduating class and welcome them to life after high school as a member of the Alumni community.  This year the event took place virtually on June 2nd  at 7:30 pm EST and, although we could not have a pizza party, we added another event called the Alumni Meet-Up for the members from classes of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Both events were a great success and an amazing experience for all involved. Current students had a chance to hear from recent grads as well as alumni from 2002 and 2012.  A special thank you to these dedicated Alums who continue to be the change they want to see in the world!

Tarik Carney ’02, Sarah Hilton ’12, Annie Harrigan ’18, Boris Epie Ntongo ’18, Beatrice Steuer ’18, Rena Ikenishi ’18,  Conchetta Bohm ’18, Emma Keane ’18, Jovawn McNeil ’19, Sydney Bossuk ’19, Ella Siff-Scherr ’19, and Christian Kritas ’19.

Alumni Notes

Honoring Alumni that have Graduated this Year:

Oliver Jaskowski ’16 graduated on May 31, 2020, with a BFA from OCAC and Pacific Northwest College of Art. He received the Caryn Daschbach Award for Exemplary Leadership & Fostering Community and has secured a spot on the Dean’s List two spring semesters in a row. Oliver has been very productive in marketing his craft while attending school. In 2019 he hosted a fashion show, Method, where he showcased many of his own designs along with new upcoming designers in Portland. He curated several pop-ups that garnered attention and sales for his hand-sewn garments and silver cast jewelry. His thesis website is available to be seen at www.OCACThesis.com/Oliver-Jaskowski Congratulations Oliver!

Amanda Jean-Louis ’15 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Long Island University (LIU Post) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music for Vocal Performance. Over the next year, she will be offering private voice lessons before pursuing a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies.

William Strauss ’16 graduated from McDaniel College on May 23rd. He was on the Dean’s List four times and majored in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing, Management, and Entrepreneurship. A member of the baseball team, he was also a founding member of the McDaniel Entrepreneurship Club. He has been accepted into the Hood College Mental Health Counseling program in Frederick, MD, and will begin his graduate studies in the fall while continuing his collegiate baseball career. Congratulations Will!

 

Congratulations to all of our Alumni Graduates! We are honored to share your success and accomplishments. If you would like to update us on recent developments in your life to share with the community, please send the information and a photo to daleos@waldorfgarden.org.

Faith Rose ’86 and her husband Devin O’Neill were recognized by Wallpaper Magazine as “20 of the most promising architectural practices worldwide.”  The magazine describes their work as centering around “ideas of daylight, visual connection between inside and out, and the intersection between digital and handcrafted processes.”   You can see this at work in one of their projects recently showcased by Interior Design, which we came across on Instagram, Undermountain House @interiordesignmag. To see more of their creative genius please visit www.oneillrosearchitects.com , IG @oneill_rose_architects, and FB @oneillrosearchitects

On Sunday, June 7th members from the Class of 1999 (and Thom Walsh ’00) held a zoom class reunion from across the globe. Top row left to right: Valerie (Ferrantino) Raguseo and daughter Violet (NJ), Josh Blumenthal and son Ethan (TX), Thom Walsh (MA), Middle row left to right: Gareth Soloway (OR), Daria Carmon (NYC), Maurizio Tusa, Former Faculty Chair and Class Advisor (Colombia) Bottom row left to right: Meredith (Wiliams) Guzman (LI), Joylynn Holder (NYC), and Meredith Wanzer (LI).  They all are looking forward to doing this again very soon.

Abigail “Abby” McGlone ‘09, WSGC Early Childhood Assistant, and Victor Kim, WSGC HS Physics & Mathematics Teacher welcomed their beautiful baby Emma to the world on June 17th. Welcome to the Waldorf family Emma and congratulations to the new parents!

Visit or Join our Alumni Facebook Group:


We are proud of our Alumni! Please tell us what’s new:

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!

 

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