March 2021 E-News
A Message from the Faculty Chair
Dear Community,
Did you know that studies show that by the time a student is old enough to enter our Nursery Program, implicit biases about race have already formed?
We, as adults, face the daunting task to undo the bias that has become normalized with decades of repetition. Imagine if we could create an educational environment that intentionally interrupts the stories so that the biases do not form in the first place – so that the students in our care are not limited with these hindrances. As a community, we have re-engaged with this work this year to discover how we can be more effective as Waldorf educators. Often the guidance we find comes from our own students.
As you read this month’s E-News, you will learn about an initiative from some of our High School students to engage our middle and high school students in a Black History Month Contest. Our Black Student Union and our Outreach, Activism, and Service Clubs worked together to create, organize and promote the event. These two groups were self-initiated by students, demonstrating the interest they have in understanding and engaging with, and bringing fresh ideas to, our society. Enjoy the work their project yielded.
Sincerely,
Announcements
Summer at The Waldorf School of Garden City is now open for registration! The next Open House (by appointment) is on Sunday, March 28th. E-mail the Summer Program at summerprogram@waldorfgarden.org to reserve your spot!
To enroll, get an early bird discount coupon, or just learn more, visit www.waldorfgarden.org/summer Don’t forget to follow the summer program on Facebook @summeratwaldorf and Instagram @summer_wsgc!
Now Accepting Applications for Early Childhood 2021-2022!
Parents who wish to enroll children in the Nursery and Mixed-Age Kindergarten for September 2021 are encouraged to submit a New Admissions Application now. Enrollment in these classes is currently underway. While priority is given to families who have siblings in the School, spaces are limited and fill up quickly. Please contact Carol Proctor at (516) 742-3434 ext. 301 or via email at proctorc@waldorfgarden.org with questions
Welcome to the Waldorf family, Harper!
High School Math Teacher Laura Gleason and her husband Sean, welcomed Harper Diana Gleason on 2/21/21. Mom and baby are doing great! 
School News
Black Student Union Hosts First Black Professionals and Allyship Forum
The Waldorf School of Garden City Black Student Union (BSU) was proud to host the first Black Professionals and Allyship Forum on Thursday, February 25th for the entire high school.
The forum offered students a view of the Black professional experience while providing perspective on the importance of allyship.
What is allyship? Why is it important and how can we all become better allies at School, at work, and in our daily lives?
Student-Run Black History Month Contest – A Great Success!
The Waldorf School of Garden City Black Student Union, and Outreach, Activism, and Service Clubs organized a contest for current 7 -12 Grade students in celebration of Black History Month.
Submissions celebrated Black figures in history through poetry, essays, freewriting, music, and artwork as well as provided an outlet for students to showcase their creativity. All students received a certificate and winners received prizes in recognition of their work.
The contest culminated on Friday, February 26th with a presentation for students that showcased the winners in each category. Special recognition goes to senior, Jadyn Mardy who initiated and organized the event. The recorded assembly and gallery of all submissions can be found at the link below. Enjoy!
Lessons Learned from Knitting – A Waldorf Senior Reflects
I have been a student at The Waldorf School of Garden City ever since I attended Parent & Child classes. Being in this school for so long has undoubtedly shaped me into who I am today. As I became older, I began mentally preparing for one of the many rites-of-passage that occurred in high school – The Senior Speech. I would think late at night about which topic I would passionately present to my peers, teachers, and family. I am pretty sure I had a good idea while in eighth grade, but I did not write it down and forgot it. Because my perfect senior speech was forgotten somewhere in the middle school hallway, I was once again in search of a topic that would hopefully be interesting. I thoroughly enjoy snowboarding, boating, and driving, however, I thought it would be best not to tell you all about how I drive the speed limit on ocean parkway, or how when I snowboard, I feel graceful and sometimes allow myself to believe I could compete in the Winter X Games. As it turns out, although I feel like I am flying through the sky for thirty seconds, I realistically launch about five feet off the ground for less than 4 seconds.
Care Is in the Air at The Waldorf School of Garden City
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Lower School children made crafts and art to decorate their classrooms. Some classes chose “Secret Valentine’s” and sent cards and woven hearts to their friends’ cubbies or home to classmates who are doing Teacher-Directed Distanced Learning. The High School upheld tradition with its annual fundraiser selling roses and festive trinkets. Care was in the air, so we thought it would be fun to chat with a few of our WSGC Alumni Couples.
Glen Brook
Change is in the air! Spring Gap has begun, the sap has started flowing in the trees and boiling in our sugar house, and we’re getting ready to start seedlings in the greenhouse.
We’re still hiring for our farm manager and farm assistant positions— use these links to read the job descriptions, and please spread the word!
Many of our summer groups still have space– if you’d like to learn more about Summer Camp, give us a call, send an email, or visit our website! We are so excited to welcome campers back together, safely, to experience connection, growth, and fun in 2021!
You can see our Q & A regarding safely operating here: glenbrook.org/qanda.
Even if you’re not able to come this summer, please consider supporting our campership fund for campers who need financial assistance. This year more than ever, our community needs support to give campers a magical summer of community, nature connection, and joy! You can change a child’s life here: glenbrook.org/donate.
What’s Happening in Athletics?
In conjunction with the Development and Alumni Relations Department, the Athletics Department is delighted to announce a Virtual Lacrosse Alumni event this Spring. Former Athletic Director, Gordon Purdie and current Athletic Director, Shane Flanagan will host an evening dedicated to reminiscing about past Lacrosse seasons. All Alumni are welcome to attend! We look forward to hearing stories from past players and sharing photos of former teams. The date for the virtual event will be shared with the community in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information and we hope to see you there. Go Waldorf!
Alumni
Alumni Notes
Class of 1964
Last month, sixteen members of the Class of 1964 gathered virtually for another one of their class reunions. The last time the class got together via Zoom was in April of 2020. They usually have a “destination” reunion every three years, and the group set plans to hold their next physical reunion next fall in San Diego, Covid permitting. A member of the class said, “Because of Waldorf, we’re all joined together into one big, upbeat and caring family.”
Pictured below from left to right are:
Samantha D’Aleo (WSGC Development Associate, Alumni Relations), Bruce Fraser, Philip Bertenthal, Bill Gregory and Janet Bull Gregory, Don Kibbe, Marc Spinrad, Roger Saunders, Margaret Kendall, Tina Pomeranz Strominger, John Oppenheim, Victor Bloede, Nicole Littrean (WSGC School Administrator), Putzi Wesson Hirshberg, Adrienne Lecraw Polychron, Penny Haft Thomason, Ron Miller, Karen Kaufmann Karwoski, and Les Lakow (not shown).
Carolyn Smalls ‘13
Carolyn Smalls ’13 has been coaching the 8th-grade girls AAU basketball team. Carolyn is an assistant coach this season, and while it has been a challenging year, Carolyn says it has still been very exciting. Carolyn recently started her own YouTube show called “What’s The Game Plan”. Carolyn started the show in hopes of creating a space where Women’s Basketball coaches could connect, and she can further her knowledge in the area. Carolyn hopes to make a career out of coaching. She says, “Gathering information and connecting with women’s college staff members is not as accessible as it is on the Men’s side”. Carolyn met her mentor, Lamar Barrett, who has been very helpful in setting up those conversations. Lamar has his own YouTube docu-series called “Unmasked”, where Carolyn’s shows will be posted as well. To watch her first show, visit https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ruZlwiK3Cos. Follow Carolyn on Twitter @coach__smalls for more episodes which will be posted soon!
Rena Ikenishi ’18
Rena Ikenishi ’18 was featured in NYU’s Campus News. The article titled “For NYU student, spinning from midterms to triple axels” talks about Rena’s rigorous skating and school schedule and how she got to where she is today. The author of the article, Dave Paone, writes, “At 20 years old, Rena’s “pretty crazy life” is just beginning. There may be a trip to the Olympics next year or at least another US Nationals.” We are so proud of you, Rena! Keep up the great work. Visit https://cccnews.info/2021/02/22/for-nyu-student-spinning-from-midterms-to-triple-axels/ for the full story.
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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!
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:30 pm
DEIJ Community Forum:
Tilling the Soil – Digging into our Implicit Bias
Monday, March 8th
ALL School Parent Conferences – SCHOOL CLOSED
Wednesday, March 10th – Saturday, March 13th
Virtual HS Model UN
Thursday, March 11th at 7:00 pm
Parent Association Meeting
Friday, March 12th
Textbook Forms due to Bookstore
Sunday, March 14th
Daylight Savings Begins (Spring Forward!)
Thursday, March 18th
Glen Brook Evening – All Welcome!
Monday, March 22nd
6th Grade departs for Glen Brook
Friday, March 26th
FULL DAY of School (this was changed from a half-day)
6th Grade returns from Glen Brook
Sunday, March 28th
Summer at Waldorf Open House
Monday, March 29th – Friday, April 2nd
Spring Break – No School
Don’t Forget you can Shop and Support The Waldorf School of Garden City with the following organizations!
