Greetings Dear Families,

It’s wonderful to be back together in the forest after our week long break. We introduced a new Autumn circle this past week. The children find a special spot in the forest to stand and the teacher begins to sing:

" Come, little leaves, " said the wind one day,

Come over the meadows with me and play;

Put on your dresses of red and gold,

For summer is gone and the days grow cold. "

Each child is given a leaf and joins the chain of hands, as we walk around our forest space, singing. It’s a delightful and gentle song that invites reverence into our day. On Thursday, the children came to school to find the rain water pouring a beautiful stream into our forest space. The children wasted no time collecting water to play and make special dishes in the mud kitchen. They also used this opportunity to clean their classroom materials like shovels and pots. There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the forest, the class kept busy with games and play that require a lot of movement which has been helpful to keep warm! The children also heard a story about a young girl and her Abuela (grandmother). One of the things the girl loves about her grandmother is that she takes her on adventures. Together, they venture around New York City. They flew over tree tops, parks, and buildings. The children shared about where they would love to go on an adventure, from Florida to Vienna!

This Friday is our Winter Spiral. This is a beloved festival at The Garden School and across Waldorf schools and communities. This festival occurs near the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The children silently and reverently walk the spiral with an unlit candle. They meet their teacher in the middle of the spiral to have their candle lit from a larger candle, and then place their candle on a star of their choosing on their silent walk out through the spiral. This touching ritual symbolizes each child giving their own special and unique light to the world, helping guide others in the dark. Families are welcome (and encouraged!) to watch their child’s class walk the spiral. Our walk will begin at 10:15 am. Please arrive with enough time to find a place at our spiral in the forest (signs will guide your way). Two-day students are invited to join us for the spiral; please meet us in our forest classroom at 10:00 if they will be joining us. They may also stay with us for cocoa after the spiral, and leave with their family directly following snack. The ingredients of the cocoa are: coconut milk, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, vanilla. If you would prefer your child not participate in the cocoa or bring their own, please let me know.

Reminders & Announcements :

Please make sure to swap out your child’s change of clothes in their backpacks into winter clothes- thick socks, long sleeves, pants.
Next week (December 12-15) is our MUST Ministries toy drive. If you are interested in participating, please bring a new, unwrapped toy this week. We will collect them during pick up and drop off.
Next Thursday, 12/15, is the last day of the semester and a HALF DAY for all students (12:30 dismissal). There is also an assembly put on by the grades classes at 12:00. Kindergarten parents are welcome and encouraged to attend and see some of the wonderful things the grades students have been learning.
December 16-January 4 is semester break. January 5th is the first day of the spring semester!

As always, thank you for all that you do and for sharing your precious children with us. 🌹

Peace & Blessings,

Ki Fatima