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This week’s Berkshire Record School Section includes an article featuring GBRSS parents and a conversation about children using technology.
NBC news filmed the Waldorf School of the Peninsula which you can watch here.
FINAL FAIR NEWS
Here in the darkness there is light, even on the darkest night, each of us is one small light, and together we shine bright….and YOU did shine very brightly this year at our 39th Annual Holiday Handcraft Fair. The gross is over $38,000 and it was all due to your commitment to your children and the education that you have chosen to share with them. From the deepest depths of our souls…Thank you, thank you, thank you…
”Down with the Darkness” is a children’s song that we sing during our Fall Lantern Walk.
EVENTS
Saint Nicholas – December 6
Loved and revered for centuries, St. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor in the 4th century A.D. Stories and legends of his compassion and generosity have spread over continents. Traditions vary throughout the world and in many countries on December 6 children eagerly await a visit from St. Nicholas, who brings gifts or treats – or a lump of coal. He also brings with him his companion, Ruprecht, and a gold book, which contains all the children’s deeds. He has been known to visit our school and share his wisdom and love for children.
The Shepherds’ Play – December 19
Rudolf Steiner recommended that the faculty give one or more of three Christmas plays as a gift to the children of the first Waldorf school during the holiday season. They were medieval plays that had been performed between the 8th and 16th centuries, carrying profound and universal themes of life’s journey to actors and audience alike.
In this tradition, our faculty and staff will be giving The Shepherds’ Play to our children and community this holiday season. The Shepherds’ Play is a delightful portrayal of the shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem, filled with humor, love, joy and the awe-inspiring possibilities that birth brings.
The Shepherds’ Play will be performed on Monday, December 19 for children after school at 3:15 pm and that evening for families on at 7:00 pm. If families elect to have their children stay for the play in the afternoon, they are asked to pick them up promptly at 4:30 pm.
Holiday Assembly Tuesday, December 20, 11:00 a.m.
Parents and friends are invited to join us in song and celebration of the season. Early Childhood will be dismissed at 10:45 a.m., to allow children to attend the assembly with their parents.
Nowell Sing We Clear -GBRSS Auditorium- Friday, December 23, 7:30 p.m.
Nowell Sing We Clear are four musicians / singers who perform a concert of folk carols for the Yuletide celebration, playing fiddle, accordion, and other instruments with four part harmonies including an audience chorus to sing along. There will be a Mummers’ Play in the midst of it all. Great family fun for all! Discounted tickets for GBRSS students are available until December 12. Tickets are $20 adult, $15 children ($10 GBRSS students until 12/12)- available at GBRSS and Matrushka. Buy your tickets early as it will sell out. Contact: Christopher Sblendorio 413- 528- 4015.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Congratulations are due to Sarah Mugridge and Dane Nielson on the birth of their son, August Finn, born last Sunday, November 20. Their daughter, Lena Mugridge Nielson, is in the Robin’s Nest nursery.(There was an extraordinary double rainbow that morning at sunrise!)
Rhyme Time @ Matrushka (309 Main St., GB) is held every Tuesday at 10:30 am. This is a weekly collection of rhymes, finger plays, circle games and simple puppetry designed to delight and engage infants, crawlers, toddlers and young children. It is led by two moms in the community who have experience in early childhood education and who share our desire to create free community events for families. It is a free, weekly drop-in event for young children with their caregivers. All are welcome.
The Spiral Of Light
The Spiral of Light is one of the most important festival days in the year for the children. Its importance is heightened by the situation in the world and by the pervasive fear that has permeated our culture. The experiences of an angel bringing a lit candle into the darkness, children lighting many little candles from one lone flame, the lights slowly filling the room with more brightness, the quiet music-filled peace of the room enhanced by the aroma from the spiral of pine boughs, are all very inspiring for the children.
As each child walks the evergreen spiral, carrying a candle in an apple to be lit and placed on the spiral, it is possible to feel sure that each one will find a way in the dark world. It is possible to see and experience the quiet growth of hope in the world through this practice of the Spiral Garden. It reflects Solstice and religious festivals all around the world. It is a call to the light, to the children and to us, in this time of year when stress and materialism can be overwhelming. The picture our Spiral offers is of light, peace and courage at the darkest time.
We warmly invite all our early childhood families to join us on Sunday, December 4 at 4:00 pm to experience the wonder of the Spiral. Please bring your child to the grade school auditorium on that day. Festive dress is encouraged. Since your child will be carrying a lit candle guided by an earthly angel, please be sure to tie hair back away from the face and eliminate loose fitting clothes, noisy shoes or clumsy boots. Siblings are invited to participate if they wish.
EC Early Dismissal for Christmas Assembly
The Christmas Assembly is a festive community event for all our families and it marks the beginning of the holiday break. This year it is on Tuesday, December 20 at 11:00 am. All early childhood students will be dismissed at 10:45 am on that morning so that they may attend the assembly with their parents. We wish all our families peace and joy for the season. School will resume on Wednesday, January 4.
ELEMENTARY
Sports
The basketball season is off to a strong start. Over 35 middle-schoolers are practicing and learning the game of basketball at Simon’s Rock. Please see the game schedule in the Updates and support our teams. Home games are played at Bard College at Simon’s Rock.
GBRSS 2011-2012 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Boys
| Date | Team Played | Home/Away | Game time | Return time |
| Dec. 12, Mon. | Hawthorne Valley School | Home | 3:30 | |
| Jan. 11, Wed. | Indian Mountain | Home | 3:30 | |
| Jan. 14, Sat. | vs. Cape Ann at Berkshire School | 8 am – 12 noon | ||
| Jan. 18, Wed. | Washington Montessori | Away | 3:45 | 6:15 |
| Jan. 23, Mon. | BCD | Away | 3:30 | 5:15 |
| Jan. 27-28, Fri.-Sat. | Green Meadow Tournament | |||
| Feb. 1, Wed. | Washington Montessori | Home | 3:45 | |
| Feb. 6, Mon. | BCD | Home | 3:30 | |
| Feb 8, Wed. | Indian Mountain School | Away | 3:00 | 5:30 |
Girls
| Date | Team Played | Home/Away | Game time | Return time |
| Dec. 12, Mon. | Hawthorne Valley School | Home | 4:15 | |
| Jan. 6, Fri. | Indian Mountain (Varsity) | Home | 3:00 | |
| Jan. 11, Wed. | Hotchkiss | Away | 4:30 | 6:15 |
| Jan. 14, Sat. | vs. Cape Ann at Berkshire School | 8 am – 12 noon | ||
| Jan. 18, Wed. | Indian Mountain | Home | 3:30 | |
| Jan. 25, Wed. | Washington Montessori | Away | 3:45 | 6:15 |
| Jan. 27-28, Fri.-Sat | Green Meadow Tournament | |||
| Feb. 6, Mon. | BCD (6th grade only) | Away | 3:45 | 5:30 |
| Feb. 8, Wed. | Indian Mountain School | Away | 4:00 | 5:30 |
| Feb. 13, Mon. | Washington Montessori | Home | 3:45 | |
| Feb. 15, Wed. | Hotchkiss | Home | 3:30 |
After School Ski Program
Close to 40 students have signed up for the Catamount Ski Program. Our first session starts on Friday, January 6. We all need to think snow and cold weather!
Those who wish to participate and have not signed up should go to Catamount and let them know that they are with the Steiner program. Students should leave their ski equipment against the red shed by the elementary school building. Buses will transport the students to Catamount after school. Parents are responsible for pick up at Catamount by 8 p.m. Please make sure your child is dressed warmly and has enough food for dinner.
HIGH SCHOOL
Please join Stephen Sagarin, former Steiner School teacher and administrator, to celebrate the publication of his book, The Story of Waldorf Education in the United States: Past, Present, and Future, on Saturday, December 3, from 3-5 p.m. at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center, 15 Crissey Road, Great Barrington, MA. He will read from the book at 4 and sign copies. There will be books for sale andrefreshments. Please let him know if you plan to attend: Email ssagarin@waldorfhigh.org or call 413- 644- 9028.
OFFICE
Health tips
- It is the cold and flu season so remind your child to wash his/her hands frequently.It never hurts to check for head lice. Remind your child not to share his/her hat, scarf or comb.
- Please inform the office if you find lice, we will inform other parents in that class to check their children to prevent outbreaks and reinfestation.
- Ticks are still prevalent so check for them frequently.
Lost and Found
Please collect your child(ren)’s lost hats, coats, gloves, lunchboxes, etc. from the front porch of the elementary school before they are taken to Goodwill. There are also plates, pie dishes, and miscellaneous cookware items left over from the fair to be collected. Thank you.
School Office closed
The school office will be closed on December 23 and will re-open January 3.
SCRIP! A simple way to help the school as you shop!
How do I do it? Two easy ways!
- Purchase scrip for your local and online shopping directly through the school’s SCRIP representative using the handy enclosed order form and paying by check. Buy it one time or create a standing order.
“I like knowing I help the school doing my ordinary, weekly shopping here in the community. And buying scrip helps me budget my food money too!” –Scott McFarland, Scrip-buying parent - Buy scrip online from home. It’s easy! Sign up for a free account at www.shopwithscrip.com, using the school’s code: 8921332621922. Want to make it even simpler, with no checks to write or send and instant availability? Try PrestoPay!“When I shop online, it’s great to think some of my dollars stay here in the community, and help the school.”–Janet Elsbach, Scrip-buying parent.
Your grocery shopping, household expenses and holiday gift-giving could be helping the school–at no cost to you! Sign up now!
The math is simple. A monthly grocery bill of $200 purchased through Scrip would contribute $144 annually to the school (assumed 6% contribution). If 10 families did this regularly, there’s another $1440 donated.
Contact Rebecca McFarland at mcfarland135@verizon.net or 413-528-1954 with your questions or order.
ALUMNI NEWS
Margot Wise – Pamela Giles’ graduating class of 2001.
“Putting my organic farming experience toward social transformation, I am leading a garden education project at the Hogar de Ninas MADELAES, a home for abandoned and orphaned girls, in La Victoria, Dominican Republic. MADELAES (Acronym for Mary of Hope) is home to 23 girls, ages ranging from 3 to 20. I will be working at the home until mid-December, making it a 3-month initial venture, with subsequent visits to ensure the garden’s success. In a highly masculine-dominant culture, the garden is aimed not only at providing increased security of fresh, clean vegetables to the home, but also serving to create dialogue about feminine identity and self-confidence. The idea is that “self-sufficiency” will go beyond the physical.”
“My blog, Girlfood, keeps readers up to date on the progress of the garden and is a place for me to use my experiences here to reflect about culture, humanity, and the natural world. My interest in philosophy and agriculture was influenced by my experience at the Rudolf Steiner School. While I was in school there, I barely knew who Rudolf Steiner was. Now his biodynamic agriculture, which connects agriculture and spirituality, is highly influential in my work here in the Dominican Republic. Indeed, the main message I want to get across to these girls is how connected they are with natural systems. If I can get even that idea across, I will feel like my work here has been successful.Visit the blog at http://girlfood.tumblr.com“