Our book cupboard is well stocked! Thanks to everyone for making donations and a reminder to parents and students that you are welcome to select titles to bring home!

• WEEK AT A GLANCE
• NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
• COLLEGE OF TEACHERS FALL REVIEW
• ALUMNI CORNER
• FUNDRAISING UPDATE

Dear <<First Name>>,

Returning to work this week, tears once again sprang to my eyes as I learned that we continued to receive donations toward our Annual Giving Campaign over the break. In consideration of the extraordinary circumstances of the past year, we made a conscious decision not to state a specific goal for our campaign. We chose instead to invite, highlight and celebrate all of the good things underway at the VWS during the fall term, which included the outpouring of support toward our fundraising campaign.

Continued below in:
Fundraising Update

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Monday, January 11

Grade 3 Parent Evening 7:00 pm

Tuesday, January 12

Grade 8 Parent Evening 7:30 pm

Wednesday, January 13

Grade 6 Parent Evening 7:00 pm
VWSS Board Meeting 7:00 pm

Thursday, January 14

Grade 1 Parent Evening 7:00 pm
Grade 2 Parent Evening 7:00 pm

On the Horizon

Grade 8 High School Immersion Week January 18-22
Grade 5 Play Perseus and Danae TBD
Grade 10 Play January 23
Full Faculty & Staff Meeting January 28
HS Whistler Winter Day February 12
Family Day BC Holiday February 15
February Break/Work Experience February 16-19
End of Term March 19

NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

HIGH SCHOOL FRIDAYS - The High School faculty and staff welcome Ms. De Ceuster and the Grade 8 students as they join the High School all day on Fridays for the rest of the school year. This is always an exciting time for all, and we look forward to becoming better acquainted with the Class of 2025.

GRADE 10 PLAY - Instead of the traditional Grade 10 play, the class is producing a short film based on the Sherlock Holmes story, The Adventure of the Copper Beeches.

GUITAR TO LOAN? - Do you have a guitar that you are willing to lend to our HS students for the winter term? We are starting a beginner guitar ensemble and have 6 students wanting to borrow a guitar and case rather than buy one. Please contact Sarah at svondruska@vws.ca or 604-986-2922.

WALDORF STUDY GROUP - The Development Committee wishes to gauge interest in a Waldorf parent study group - similar to the Detroit Waldorf School, who engaged in a “community read” and then met virtually to discuss and share learnings that stemmed from their chosen title. Email Mary at mhenley@vws.ca if you’re interested in participating in something similar. Thanks to those who have reached out with interest. Mary expects to be in touch by the end of this month with next steps.

ALUMNI CORNER

A gift from the Burley Boys who came to remove a decaying tree in the Grade 1 play yard on the winter solstice.

FUNDRAISING UPDATE

Continued...
I am beyond thrilled to share that the school received $20,409 in donations spanning the eleven weeks from mid-October through to December 31st. That total includes 127 individual gifts made online, 1 monthly pledge for the coming year, and 10 donations made specifically on Giving Tuesday, the global celebration of philanthropy in all its forms, which was December 1st. This year, our campaign was anchored by Giving Tuesday and was elevated by the lovely and unique parent-led Children’s Winter Fair - Take-Home Edition as well as the wonderful Grade 6 Bazaar online store. Total sales for the Grade 6 Bazaar online store are a whopping $1,443.74 and net proceeds will also go to the Community Fund once expenses are tallied. Hearty congratulations are due to Grade 6 students, families, Ms. Chrimes and Laura Bergstrome. Great job, Grade 6!

In addition to funds raised during the Annual Giving Campaign, Grocery Card Program proceeds for October through December totalled $3,519, while our Monthly Donor Program has raised $1,315 this school year. I am also so pleased to share that in December our Community Fund received a $5,000 general support grant from the MakeWay Foundation.

It is my responsibility to manage our Community Fund in partnership with the Development Committee and the Accounting Office. My goal is to cultivate a shared understanding of the mechanics of fundraising at the VWS and to encourage the community to continue participating in our fundraising programs while also making use of fundraised monies. So far this year, the Community Fund has been used to pay for guest speakers, field trips, classroom supplies, cooking activity ingredients, and playground enhancements. Each and every time I am asked whether or not the Community Fund could be used for something, I do a little jig. The money that we have all worked so hard to fundraise together is there to be used and I know that it is being used to make every family’s experience at the VWS even better which deepens the impact of Waldorf education broadly.

We are moved and so thankful for such strong participation in giving from current parents and grandparents, current and retired teachers and staff members, alumni, friends, and neighbours. Though we did not state a specific campaign goal, I can unequivocally say that our campaign was a tremendous success. What I am experiencing right now is reassurance that we are working successfully toward achieving the overarching goal of our work. That is, to build and reflect trust.

Thank you for believing in us.

Sincerely,
Mary Henley
Community & Resource Development Manager