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November 2013 Newsletter 
Mulberry is Twitter-less
Grade 2 & 3 Fall Decoration

Upcoming Dates
Fri. Nov. 1
P.A. Day
Parent Teacher Interviews 
Please sign up for care in the office ASAP if required.

No classes except for Parent and Child

Nov. 4th to 30th
Annual Mulberry Food Drive. 
Bring non-perishable food items to the basket outside of your class.

Wed. Nov. 6th, 3:30pm
Board Meeting
All Welcome


Mon. Nov. 11th, 5:45pm
Lantern Walk


Thurs. Nov. 14, 6:30pm
Annual General Meeting

ALL MEMBERS OF MULBERRY WALDORF SCHOOL WELCOME


Thurs. Nov. 21, 9am
Mulberry Waldorf School Tour.  
See Early Childhood and Grade School classes in action. 
Register in the office.

Tues. Nov. 26, 6:30pm
Early Childhood Parent Evening
Once Upon a Time: Nourishing the Child's Imagination through Stories



Chemistry At Mulberry 

By Charlotte Schurer, Grade 6, 7 & 8 Lead Teacher
            Chemistry in Grade Seven is an exciting block that starts with combustion and transformation of matter through fire.  The Grade 6/7/8 class was fortunate enough to begin this topic with a large campfire (and the “transformation” of roasted marshmallows!) at Sebastian’s house.  The theme was then continued with flame observations based on Faraday’s “Chemical History of a Candle”.

      Using the phenomenological approach, students made detailed notes on a variety of experiments.  They observed, for instance, that a candle went out when placed under a bell jar.  They noticed that the water rose in the jar placed over a floating candle. They marked the increase in weight after the combustion of steel wool on a balance scale.  And finally, they addressed the question:  “What is fire?
            Other topics in Chemistry related to the Lime cycle, Acids and Bases, and the Properties of Water, “the universal solvent”.   During a field trip to Little Cataraqui Conservation Centre, led by Stana Luxford-Oddie, they learned about the importance of the Wetlands (and a correct Ph level) for biodiversity.  They also learned to be mindful of their water consumption, remembering that on average a Canadian uses 350 liters per day.  
            As a sideline, but equally important, the students participated in a “Waste Free Lunch Challenge”.  Weighing our garbage, recycling and compost brought consciousness to the important topic of “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle”.  A brief discussion of the problems with landfills concluded this topic.
            Throughout this block students have been expanding their sense of stewardship towards the earth.  Their passionate feelings and opinions are now getting a powerful ally:  scientific information!

Winter Fair is coming...

Fri. Nov. 29 & Sat. Nov. 30

Winter Fair is at the heart of the Mulberry fundraising year; it is our biggest single annual event. We welcome the school community and the community at large into our spaces to entertain, delight and enjoy delicious food. This year we will once again host the Friday night event, Mulberry After Dark and our annual fair on Saturday during the day. For the youngest visitors, there are opportunities to see a puppet show, walk through a magical forest, make candles and create a simple craft to take home. For older visitors, there is a silent auction to take in, live music and a unique selection of vendors selling their wares. In short, it is a lovely opportunity for Mulberry Waldorf School to reconnect with our community. 
None of this is possible without a great many volunteers, staff, and old friends contributing their time, energy, ideas and materials to make it a memorable and successful event.   Please join us to make Winter Fair 2013 the best and brightest yet! 


Look out for Mulberry's newest cookbook- Winterfare - Healthy Seasonal Fare for the Whole Family - for sale at the Winter Fair.

Michaelmas Stars from Grade One
Kingston MOSAIC Group (Meaningful Opportunities, Social Awareness, Inclusive Culture)
On Saturday, November, 9th at 11.00 a.m., Kingston MOSAIC Group is hosting a public meeting, open to the community, at Mulberry Waldorf School (25, Markland Street, Kingston). The Kingston MOSAIC Group intends to promote the creation and development of an holistic program of care, education and vocational training, for children and youth with developmental disabilities, within the context of a social therapeutic community setting. We are seeking prospective families with children in need of special education and individuals with an interest, skills and/or experience in the fields of health, education, therapeutic education, arts and crafts and community building. Camphill Ontario is mentoring the group and will be doing a presentation at the meeting. Please come to the meeting and if you like what you hear please join this initiative! See our Facebook page for updates.

Bandsaw box made by Arjun Ivimey, Grade 10 student and Mulberry alumnus.

A team of Queen’s University School of Business students made handmade cards for each of the Grade School students for Halloween.  This was part of a project for these University students to “make a difference” in someone’s day.  The cards were very much appreciated. 

'Who will help me find a light?

For Halloween is here tonight
The sky is dark I cannot see
Will someone light my way for me?'
 
The little girl listened and who did she hear
Fairies singing oh so near
And a pumpkin patch filled with light
With fairies dancing through the night
And in the centre a Queen sat down
On her head she wore a golden crown
'Do you have a light for me?'
'Yes, my dear, come and see.'
And to the fairies great delight she lit her jack o lantern oh so bright
 
Jack- o- lantern, Jack- o- lantern you are such a funny sight
As you sit there in the window looking out at the night
You were once a yellow pumpkin growing on a sturdy vine
Now you are a Jack-o-lantern, see the candle light shine.

Hallowe'en at Rideaucrest

Mulberry Grade School Hallowe'en Parade at Rideaucrest

All of our Grade School classes sang for Rideaucrest residents


Handwork for Adults at Mulberry
Join Mulberry’s handwork teachers, Carlina Heins and Sara Gabova, for a series of handwork classes this Fall at Mulberry. Adults only! 
  • Knit and/or Purl  - Make a simple doll or animal, supplies included. Cost - $45. Sat Nov 2 and 9, 9:30-11:30 am
  • Bread Making - Learn the basics and simple variations, take home a loaf (organic). Supplies included. Cost – $65, Sat Dec 7, 9:30-2:30 pm 
PLEASE SIGN UP AND PAY AT THE OFFICE. 613-542-0669 or reception@mulberrywaldorfschool.ca

Our weekly bake sales in October have already raised about $125.00 for various school items. Thanks everyone for all your support. Keep those baked goods coming!

Grade 4 & 5 Window Mosaics for Michaelmas
Saint George and the Dragon
by Brittany Shannon, Grade 2 & 3 Lead Teacher
As plants wither and frost hardens the ground, humans have traditionally felt the contraction that the impending winter brings. In earlier times, Michaelmas was a festival of courage to face the winter as well as to celebrate the strengthening of community bonds. The grade two and three children prepared the play Saint George and the Dragon for their parents and siblings on Friday, October 25th.
Calling upon the guidance of Saint Michael, in this play Saint George rescues a kingdom from havoc being wreaked by a large, long, and scaly dragon. Breathing fire and stealing livestock, this dragon’s devastation required immense human courage to overcome. The theme of courage carried over into the children’s outer deeds of strength, endurance, and balance in enacting the play, as the multi-person costume of the dragon required great teamwork to move and manipulate. Also, students playing the role of villagers and royal family cooperatively banded together to support one another in movement and song at the front of the stage. This being the first time the class presented something for their families from the Mulberry stage, the image of ‘slaying dragons’ referenced both inner and outer battles that the class fought with courage and brilliance. 


Chalkboard Drawing by Ms. Shannon

Fort Henry Cross Country Meet
by Carlina Heins, Games Teacher
October 10th was a very exciting day at the Cross Country Running race at Fort Henry, with over 1000 children racing from the
 Algonquin and Lakeshore District School Board and other Independent Schools.! Mulberry runners all worked hard to do their best, and the cheering squad gave strong encouragement. Well Done!

Feast  Fridays !!
by Janice Law, Grade 2/3 parent 
The first two Feast Fridays have been a huge success!  Thank you to the parents, siblings, students and Faculty who have supported the event! We have raised $320 thus far to put towards much needed classroom resources or a field trip.
Thank you to all the Grade 2/3 parents who have kindly made delicious chili and brought it to the school Friday mornings or at the serving time. Much appreciation to the Office, Clover Garden and Meadow Garden staff for allowing crock pots to simmer on the counters!  Lastly, a big thank you to the Grade 2/3 parents who have helped to set up, serve, and clean up after the Feast! Everyone's contributions are greatly appreciated. Remember to bring your cup, spoon, and toonies in a ziploc bag for our next two Feast Fridays: November 8th and 22nd, 3:30 pm at the main entrance door



Meadow Garden parents making felted lanterns for the Lantern Walk on Nov. 11th





The Morning Garden class thanks Mulberry parent, Jamin George, for building a beautiful play stand!
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Our mailing address is:
25 Markland st., Kingston, ON
www.mulberrywaldorschool.ca