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Aligning
Tradition &
Innovation

~ Celebrating 100 Years of Education Worldwide ~

| November 2019 |

Giving Tuesday 12/3

Carol Sing

NYS Science Honor Society comes to Waldorf!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us know how we are doing:

A Note from the Faculty Chair

Dear Community,

The question I’m holding lately is about simplicity and gratitude.  Likely many of us will soon spend time with friends and family that involves a delicious feast.  We will give thanks for the basic things in life:  the bountiful harvest and joy in each other’s company.   And for many of us, this moment of gratitude will be followed by the excess and stress of the holidays in December.  How can we live into the celebrations of this month and still maintain our equilibrium?

One fabulous resource of support is our Ms. Stephanie’s offering on December 3rd (see below).  I also find that Nature often holds the answers we seek.  It offers a simple elegance in its being.  We can consider a tree.  It takes in the sun, rain, nourishment from the soil – it takes everything it needs, without apology.   But it doesn’t take more.

My wish for each of you is that your month is filled with simple pleasure.   I offer this poem by Mary Oliver.

When I am Among Trees

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,”
they say, “and you, too, have come
into this world to do this, to go easy,
to be filled with light, and to shine.”

Kelly O’Halogan
Faculty Chair

What’s Happening in Athletics?

The varsity basketball season has begun! Our varsity teams began intense preseason practices earlier this month, working on fitness, stamina, endurance, and the fundamentals they will need to carry them through this long basketball season.

The girls opened the season with a tough loss against Portledge. Despite the setback, the girls bounced back and have learned what they need to do to improve going forward. Likewise, the boys showed a lot of promise during their preseason scrimmages and, despite a disappointing loss against Martin Luther in their opening game, they came back strong with a close win over Lexington last week. Both teams are fired up and ready to face the challenges ahead this season.

Seventh & 8th-grade basketball begins right after the Thanksgiving break with the first practice for both teams taking place on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Click here to see the full schedules for our teams!

Announcements

Show Your Gratitude – Honor a Teacher

During this wonderful season of gratitude, let’s take a moment to honor those who have and continue to make a tremendous impact on our lives. Is there a teacher past or present that has made a difference? If so, honor them with a gift!

Your gift to Annual Fund on #GivingTuesday, 12/3:

  • Allows flexibility to direct funds to educational and extracurricular programs, faculty support and professional development
  • Sends a message to corporations, foundations and potential major donors that our community is invested
  • Supports the operational needs of the School
  • Maintains the School’s accessible tuition
  • Will allow a donation to be made to the WSGC Scholarship & Endowment fund and the Lakota Waldorf School for educational programs, healthy meals, transportation, and school supplies

How can you support The Waldorf School of Garden City on #GivingTuesday, 12/3?             

  • Make a gift or an increased gift at https://www.waldorfgarden.org/donate, which may be made in honor of a teacher or loved one.
  • Spread the word by encouraging friends and family to give via social media:
    “Join me in choosing The Waldorf School of Garden City on #GivingTuesday, 12/3. Every dollar raised today goes toward a remarkable educational experience for a child in the Waldorf community. Support the experience by visiting: www.waldorfgarden.org/donate #waldorfgarden #waldorfpride #wsgc #givingtuesday #wegiveback”

Look on social media for the WSGC Giving Gnome on Tuesday, December 3rd. Thank you for your continued support and for spreading the word!

Carol Sing 2019

All are invited to join us on Friday, December 20th at 8:00 pm for our Annual Carol Sing.

The Carol Sing is a peaceful event that brings a gentle transition from the hectic pace of the season into the celebration of the holidays. Please note that due to the quiet and reverent atmosphere of this event, consider leaving young children who are unable to sit quietly for long periods of time at home.

The alumni rehearsal will begin at 7:00 pm in the music room, and an alumni/faculty dessert reception will follow in the High School Student Room. If you are an alum interested in singing in the chorus, please RSVP here.

Alumni Basketball Games & Community Three-Point Contest

All Community Members are Welcome!

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, January 11, 2020

There will be a $10 entry fee for the Three-Point Contest, with all proceeds benefiting The Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), in celebration of the Martin Luther King Day of Service. “The INN provides a broad variety of essential services to assist those challenged by hunger, homelessness and profound poverty.”

For more information and to RSVP to play in the games or participate in the Three-Point Contest, CLICK HERE.

 

Register Today for Winter Parent & Child Classes!

Registration for the Winter 2019 session of Parent & Child classes is now open! Click here to register.

Please contact Suellen Gentile if you have any questions at gentiles@waldorfgarden.org

Winter Concert For Grades 1-8
Wednesday, December 11th

The Music Department will hold the Lower School Winter concert on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 pm in the Gymnasium.

All are encouraged to attend and support our student-musicians.

Enrollment for Early Childhood

Parents who wish to enroll younger siblings in the Nursery and Mixed-Age Kindergarten for September 2020 are encouraged to submit an 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.

Announcing the 2020 High School Musical:
Tuck Everlasting

The High School Music Department is proud to announce the 2020 High School Musical, Tuck Everlasting.

Three performances are scheduled for:

Friday, March 20th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

Auditions for Waldorf high school students will take place on Friday, December 6th after school.

Contact Director, Andy Fallu at fallua@waldorfgarden.org with any questions.

Simplicity Parenting for the Holidays

You are invited to join us for an inspirational morning on Tuesday, December 3rd at 9:00 am!

 

We will work together to create rituals and traditions that enrich our family holidays this season!

Register Today for Winter After School Clubs & Activities!

Registration for the WINTER 2019-20 session of After School Clubs & Activities is now open! Please follow the link below to view the offerings!   Classes begin the week of December 16, 2019.

Please note that registration and payment for these clubs should be completed online no later than Friday, December 21st. Clubs with less than 8 students registered will be canceled.

School News

Daniella Kata Receives Peter A. Zimmerman, M.D., J.D. Award in Recognition of Academic and Intellectual Excellence

Daniella Kata ’20 has been named as the 2019 recipient of the Peter A. Zimmerman, M.D., J.D. Award in Recognition of Academic and Intellectual Excellence. The award is given to a student who, at the completion of their junior year of high school, has exhibited academic and intellectual excellence in keeping with the highest educational standards of The Waldorf School of Garden City.

NYS Science Honor Society comes to Waldorf!

We are proud to announce that 19 students were inducted into the newly formed Waldorf School of Garden City Chapter of the New York State Science Honor Society on Tuesday, November 19, 2019!  The ceremony honored students who have not only achieved notoriety through their Science coursework but who have also maintained a high standard of academic excellence in all of their classes.

Senior Selected to Speak at LI Convention

Congratulations to Senior Mia VerPault who recently performed with the diocesan choir for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island and served as the soloist during the 153rd annual convention for the diocese.  The diocese includes Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the choir consists of members from all four regions.

12th Grade African Dance

This year, at the Thanksgiving Assembly the 12th grade performed two dances originating in Guinea. The first one is a very popular dance called Sinte. It is a celebration dance that many believe includes original steps from the great ancient kingdom of Mali. The second dance is a stick drumming dance called Dundun. It was traditionally performed by women, but now men participate as well.  Congratulations to the Seniors for their amazing performance. See the full dance video below!

Paying it Forward – Supporting Lakota Waldorf

Throughout the month of November, our School has dedicated itself to supporting The Lakota Waldorf School located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The school was founded in 1993 by a group of Lakota parents committed to an alternative vision for their children’s education – one that provides a Waldorf education integrated with Lakota language and culture.  Lakota is the only Waldorf School on a Native American reservation and, despite its natural beauty, the reservation is severely lacking in resources. The Waldorf School of Garden City is committed to helping Lakota create a positive, life-transforming education for their children. To this end, our School is donating a portion of all gifts to the Annual Fund received during #GivingTuesday on December 3rd to The Lakota School. In addition, students and parents have come up with their own creative ways to support our Waldorf neighbors. The High School Diversity Committee hosted a dress down day and a bake sale with the proceeds directed to The Lakota School. Meanwhile, the parents of Mrs. Miccio’s Mixed-Age Kindergarten Class, with support from the Craft Circle, sewed scarves for The Lakota School students. During this time of Thanksgiving, we are particularly happy to be able to share our blessings with those who need it, and we wish The Lakota Waldorf School community a very happy holiday season.

For more information about The Lakota Waldorf School please visit:

https://lakotawaldorfschool.org/

In Memoriam – George V. Rose

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing on November 6th of former Music Director and Faculty Chair George V. Rose. He was 89 years old. He is survived by his wife and former faculty member Faith Rose, and his five children: Rebecca ’73, Elizabeth ’76, Charles ’78, Thomas ’82, and Faith ’86.

Mr. Rose has been associated with The Waldorf School of Garden City since 1962 when he joined the School as the Head of the Music Department.  In 1979 he became the High School Chair and served in that capacity until 1981 at which time he assumed the position of Faculty Chair, a position he held for over a decade.  With the creation of the Faculty Council in 1993, Mr. Rose continued to serve the School in a leadership position until his retirement in 1997. “George Rose’s leadership in our School defined an era,” said Roland Rothenbucher, High School Chair. “The years with George at the helm were marked by George’s big heart and generous soul.  He genuinely delighted in his students’ achievements in the classroom, on stage, and on the playing fields, and through his magical personal qualities the School became a beehive of cultural activities in the Garden City Community.”

Alumni

Alumni Notes

Gabriela Gallo ‘14

After studying and living in Paris, France for the last 5 years, Gabriela Gallo ’14 never would have expected to return to The Waldorf School of Garden City to teach. That being said, she says “it has been one of the greatest and most rewarding experiences of my life.” Gabriela enjoys teaching history to the new generation of Waldorf student’s and she truly believes that she is learning from them just as much as they are learning from her. Thank you, Gabriela, for your dedication!

Carole Davenport ‘60

Carole Davenport ’60 completed her first-ever showing of Minimalist Stone Sculpture earlier this month featuring artists Hiroyuki Asano of Japan and Yervand Zakian of New York. The show took place at the Tambaran Gallery in Manhattan. Visit https://caroledavenport.com/ for more information.

Michael Escribano ’11 and Olivia Adragna ’12

Michael Escribano ’11 and Olivia Adragna ’12 are happy to announce their engagement! The couple met in Waldorf’s lower school playground where Olivia passed a love note to Michael.  It wasn’t until 11 years later, in high school, that Michael asked Olivia to be his girlfriend.  This past October, Michael surprised Olivia at their favorite South Beach hotel and this time asked her to be his wife. The couple is planning to celebrate their wedding in the summer of 2021. Congratulations!

Seth Skolnik ’85 and Bob Gold ’73

What do Waldorf alumni do together in Los Angeles? Meet for lunch! Seth Skolnik ’85 and Bob Gold ’73 met a few years ago at an alumni reunion event and even though they weren’t in the same class, their shared Waldorf experience brought them together as new friends. They shared laughs as Seth recalled exactly what was for lunch every day of the week at Waldorf!

Visit or Join our Alumni Facebook Group:


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

Camp Glen Brook

Glen Brook’s popular Winter Family Weekends are filling up fast.  We still have room for your family the weekend of February 7 – 9.  Don’t delay, claim your spot today!  It is also time to sign up for Winter Camp, February 17 – 22  for 3rd – 9th graders. Spend a fun-filled week in our winter wonderland during February School break. Round trip bus transportation is offered from WSGC.  Visit our website for details and sign up today!

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

Classes Resume
Monday, December 2nd

Giving Tuesday
Tuesday, December 3rd

Photo Make-Up Day
Wednesday, December 4th

Nursery and Mixed-Age Kindergarten Winter Spiral
Sunday, December 8th

Winter Spiral
Monday, December 9th

Winter Concert for Grades 5-8
Wednesday, December 11th

High School Holiday Dinner
Saturday, December 14th

Holiday Assembly – Noon Dismissal
Friday, December 20th

Carol Sing & Alumni/Faculty Reception
Friday, December 20th at 8:00 pm

Holiday Recess
Monday, December 23rd – Friday, January 3rd

Classes Resume
Monday, January 6th

Last Day for 2019 tax-deductible donations
Tuesday, December 31st

Alumni & Community Basketball Games
Saturday, January 11th

Don’t Forget you can Shop and Support The Waldorf School of Garden City with the following organizations!