May 19, 2017

Join us May 19^th for the last Family Potluck of the year at 6pm (Bring a FAMILY sized potluck dish to share; Last names A-L, bring MAIN MEAL, last names M-S bring SIDE DISH, last names T-Z bring DESSERT)

And... the Waldorf School of Atlanta’s first ever- Student Talent Showcase:  A night of family fun and entertainment provided by our very own students! We will start the showcase at 7pm, and it will conclude by 8:30pm.  There will be no games tonight.

Join us in welcoming our newest member of the community!  Margaret Bracewell, in Ms. Eugene's class, is a big sister! Her little brother, Thomas Faulkner Bracewell, was born Monday, May 15th. Congratulations to mom and dad, Jessie and Matt!

It is with great pleasure that the Core Faculty announces next year’s Grade One teacher:  Ms. Melinda Evanovich.  Melinda’s Education degree was focused on outdoor learning with classes varying from child development and psychology to outdoor facility management and therapeutic recreation.  She is also an alumna of the Center for Anthroposophy Foundation Studies program given here in Atlanta.
Melinda began the Waldorf Teacher training program through Waldorf Institute of Southeast Michigan (Nashville Regional Program) this spring.  Please join us in welcoming Ms. Evanovich to her new position! Ms. Evanovich joins a developing cohort of WSA community members working toward their Waldorf Teaching Certificates.  The Core imagines a robust support system for these newly developing teachers with opportunities for assistant positions, observation and practice teaching as their course requirements demand. 

WSA is currently seeking a Business Manager.
The Business Manager is responsible for managing the school’s resources in a manner consistent with the mission and values of the school. The ideal candidate will be a strategic partner with the School Administrator and Board of Trustees and participate with the highly collaborative administrative team, contributing to long-term planning and current operations. Reporting to the School Administrator, the Business Manager runs the accounting, human resource, risk management, and tuition assistance activities of the school. The position is exempt and full time for twelve months per year. The position is eligible for full staff benefits.



General Responsibilities:
    •    Manage all functions of the business office following priorities set by the School Administrator, Board and institutional needs
    •    Manage accounting activities including interim and annual reporting, coordination of audit and 990, analysis of trends and comparative information, and oversight of business office systems
    •    Support the Administrator and Board Treasurer in the annual budget process including budget forecasting
    •    Collaborate with the Board, and Board Committees (Personnel, Finance, Facilities, etc.)
    •    Oversee human resources functions including payroll and benefits administration, handbooks, and employee and independent contractor agreements, oversight of 401(k) program and annual 5500 filing 
    •    Administer the tuition assistance program 
    •    Oversee risk management practices including insurance, compliance, and safety and security program
    •    Attend meetings of the school Staff, Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, Investment Committee, Board of Trustees, All School Meetings and others as customary and related to school finance and business functions

Qualifications and Competencies:

    •    Five years professional experience in finance or accounting with verifiable experience in preparation of non-profit GAAP financial statements.
    •    Positive personality with customer service mindset.
    •    Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and adapt to frequent changes with a strong team orientation
    •    Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
    •    Knowledge of systems applications related to business office job functions
    •    Accurate and attentive to detail
    •    Sensitivity, discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality
    •    Commitment to development relevant professional knowledge, skills, and abilities



To apply:
See the full Job Description at www.waldorfatlanta.org
Send cover letter, biography, resume and 3 references to jobs@waldorfatlanta.org

The summer Backpacking Camp session with Melinda Evanovich is now open to Rising 5th Graders!

This camp is an introduction to backpacking! By entering the wilderness with everything we need on our backs we come to terms with essentials.

This year we will meet Saturday, July 15, 9 am-12 noon and Sunday, July 16, 1:30 -3:30 pm to discuss safety, gear and trip details. Monday, July 17, 9 am-3 pm, we will take a day hike with loaded backpacks at Stone Mountain Park before leaving for three full days of wilderness hiking in the Smoky Mountains (Tuesday, travel day; Wed-Friday, hiking) and returning the afternoon of Saturday, July 22. A full gear list will be sent upon registration. Parents/Guardians are welcome to join us for the planning sessions on Saturday & Sunday.

Please go to our ACTIVE website to register.

 
Are YOU looking to deepen your understanding of Anthroposophy?

A group of adult students is now forming the Atlanta Cooperative for Anthroposophical Study. If you have been considering foundation studies, this co-op will be a great way to join in with local folks who are eager to study for spiritual and self-development. Topics will include the foundational work of Rudolf Steiner, the evolution of human consciousness, human biography, cosmology, biodynamic gardening & farming, Waldorf education, and much more. We will schedule lectures, book study and peer-led discussions, and we will offer many opportunities for Art: painting, drawing, eurythmy, woodworking, and speech & drama. Classes and workshops will take place in a variety of formats and at different times of day in order to accommodate as many people as possible. Whether you are new to anthroposophy or have been around for awhile, taking up the study in community is rich and infinitely rewarding ~ we invite YOU to join us now! 

Currently, we are looking for people who can join in as a Core Member with a one-year commitment and $1000 suggested donation in order to start scheduling the classes. For anyone who cannot commit now, we are planning opportunities to participate a la carte, so stay tuned for updates. 

This program is forming in collaboration with the Anthroposophical Society in America and the adult education program of The Waldorf School of Atlanta.

For more info about the Atlanta Cooperative for Anthroposophical Study, email Angela Foster at ACAS@thirdbody.net


Deepening the Investigation on the Temperaments

For those familiar with Anthroposophical language and interested in going a bit deeper on the theme of the temperaments, this is a three-hour workshop where participants will be able to take the discussion beyond the basics.
June 3 - from 10 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $30
Location: WSA - main campus – in a kindergarten classroom
Facilitator: Jolie Hanna Luba – Kindergarten teacher at WSA and Waldorf Educator for almost 20 years.
Registration:
adulteducation@waldorfatlanta.org
 
Interested in both? Special price: $165
In your registration, please mention classes AND workshop.

Book Lending Libraries
Please return and/or donate any gently used books to all three of our Lending Libraries.  Students can enjoy swapping books for the last few weeks of school and also for summer adventure reading!

• Play in a Park, Splash in a Creek:  Wednesday, May 24, 3:15 -  for the entire WSA community.  Meet on Admin Driveway and walk, ride a bike, scoot, or drive to nearby Dearborn Park.
• Read a Book, Ride a Bike:  Friday, May 26, 1:15 pm - for Kinder families.  Meet at the 5-day Kindergarten building -  Bring a book, blanket, and a bike for your child and you also!

• All inquiries, questions, suggestions welcome!
• Contact Sara Michelson: samichelson@gmail.com

Our public library system is a wonderful resource for programs and activities over the summer.  The DeKalb program has kickoff programs for each age group.  Visit http://decaturartsfestival.com/festival-events/kids-and-teens-arts-festival/ for more information on the DeKalb Summer Reading Program.