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The Current | VWS News & Events | Issue 19
February 7, 2020
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Celebrating 100 Years of Waldorf Education

CONTENTS

Celebrating with cheesecake for completing the Social Inclusion Approach training!

Dear <<First Name>>,

We're mid-way through the winter term, and will be breaking next week for the Family Day holiday, Grade 9 & 10 volunteer work experience, and Faculty Professional Development days. There will be no classes in session Monday - Friday, February 17 - 21. So, enjoy your long weekend and days off from the lunch-making routine.

CALENDAR

February 17 - 21
NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, February 25
Whole High School Parent/Guardian Evening 7:00 pm, HS

Wednesday, February 26
Winter Day at Whistler: Gr 8 - 12

Thursday, February 27
Grade 3 Parent Evening 7:00 pm, GS

Friday, February 28
GS/HS Recommitment, Fees, Tuition Adjustment Due
Community Coffee Morning
8:30 am, GS

NOTICES

RECOMMITMENT To ensure your child's space in the Grade School or High School for next year, don't miss the deadline to submit your recommitment form, deposit fee, and completed tuition adjustment application (if applicable) by Friday, February 28.
LATE & ABSENTEE STUDENTS It is imperative that you notify the office if your child/student will be late or absent for the day.
  • HS 604-986-2922 or highschool@vws.ca
  • GS 604-985-7435 x 421 or reception@vws.ca
  • ECC 604-985-7435 x 101 Dandelion & Mulberry, x 102 Plum Cottage, x 103 Red Rose, x 104 Sunflower
If we have not heard from a parent/guardian within 30-minutes after school starts, the child is considered missing, and the next course of action (at the Grade School) involves police investigation.
SPRING CLEAN The wind, rain, and snow have taken their toll these past couple of months. If you notice any damage or areas that need attention, please let Mary Henley (mhenley@vws.ca) know as we freshen up the campuses for spring.
SR GIRLS BASKETBALL Congrats to our HS basketball team who has made it into the playoffs! Their next game is Tuesday, February 18 - time and place TBD. Stay updated on the GVISSA website.
SUN RUN TEAM Join our 2020 Vancouver Sun Run team by registering here vancouversunrun.com. Select "Join Existing Team", then searching for Vancouver Waldorf School. We've got 10 people on our team already.
VWS COMMUNITY PAGES Be sure to check out our Community Events page for spring break camps vws.ca/upcoming-community-events and our Classifieds and Marketplace directory vws.ca/community/vws-community-directory to get involved with our broader community.
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION Information provided by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education is kpet up to date on the North Vancouver School District website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Grade 8 is presenting As You Like It by William Shakespeare on Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14 from 6:00 to 8:15 pm at the Grade School Hall. Thank you to the families for support with costuming and makeup, and especially to Robert Carlyle for assisting with direction & choreography.

The Festival of the Arts is a presentation of our student’s work from grades 2 through 12, and will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver. The program will include eurythmy, drama, singing, orchestra, and recitation, and a display showcasing student handwork, ceramics and pottery, woodwork, drawing and painting.

Early bird pricing is in effect until March 4 for our community celebration - Spring Mingle! We're looking for a few awesome volunteers to help with set up, take down, and possibly with service during the event. Come speak to Mary or Laura to get involved.
Pick up your tickets here.

WEEKEND READING

Learning Through a First Nations Lens "We believe in learning through stories (at Waldorf). Confronting things head-on can lead to butting heads, but stories, like rivers, can flow around something and provide different ways to encounter a problem."
Inside the Teenage Brain The teenage brain is a mysterious thing and it's eluded adults since the beginning of time. Until recently, it was assumed the brain was fully developed by the age of nine.
New Studies Link the Arts to Crucial Cognitive Skills New research reveals that the arts may prime our neural circuitry for a broad range of activities, boosting crucial cognitive and social skills like spoken and written language, focus, self-control, and empathy.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Thank you to the wonderful families who came together to create this beautiful event for our children and community

CODE OF COMPASSION

This is the code by which we live, knowing our school is at its best when these core values are upheld.

Respect yourself and each other as well as possessions and property
Be open to new ideas and other points of view
Be inclusive in work and play
Be authentic and stay true to yourself
Listen to each other
Communicate clearly, especially when resolving conflict
Take responsibility and apologize when necessary
Inspire kindness in yourself and in others
Appreciate diversity and remember that everyone is important
Be helpful whenever you can
Contribute in a positive way
Strive to do your best

Written on behalf of the Vancouver Waldorf School by the Student Social Action Committee of 2018-2019 - Melika, Siarra, Evan, Tavish, Erika, Baya, Jenny, Sanoe, Roaen, Saeth, Nave, Anika, Paulina

GRATITUDE

Yesterday, February 12, we bid adieu to Kim John Payne who had been at the school observing classes and working with students, faculty and staff to help guide our continued Social Inclusion work. At the parent evening on Tuesday, through a tapestry of story, Kim shared tools and examples of how integral this work is to the healthy social culture in both our school and our homes.

One of my personal takeaways is the concept that "conflict is a necessary part of being human." It is through conflict that we grow. When we are able to consciously guide children through their disputes, they have the opportunity to learn constructive life lessons, build resilience, develop strength in character, and engage in healthy relationships.

We are incredibly grateful for the past three years of intensive work together with Kim and for the past 17 years of collaboration. Kim is known and respected worldwide for his work helping children, parents, and teachers navigate challenges and conflict.

Blessings,
Laura Bergstrome
Communications & Events

Find the calendar in your Parent Portal or on our website.

The Vancouver Waldorf School is situated on the unceded ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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