The first narcissus of the season raising their sunny crowns
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Dear <<First Name>>
Each year, Grade 3 students study farming and gardening, shelters from around the world, fibre arts, and food preparation - all of which lead to building a respectful relationship and reverence for the earth. The children tend to be exuberant and inspired by their planting and harvesting in the school garden beds, collecting compost daily, baking and preserving produce from the fruit trees, and of course, their on-campus building project!
The Grade 3 year is equally exciting for the class teacher and the various subject teachers who support the curriculum - one of their challenges is to develop ideas for a suitable building project that may be designed and completed with the students.
This year, Grade 3 has taken up building a hen house and has plans to care for chickens at the school! Over the past week, efforts have been underway to prepare the land in the back corner of the Grade 2/3 play yard, which will be the site of the new coop, a chicken run, fencing, retaining wall, and access path. The students are engaged in imagining what caring for chickens will be like and how to provide a safe and happy home for them.
Backyard chickens were approved by the District of North Vancouver two years ago, and we are the first school in the District to adopt hens as companions, egg providers, and dependents. Thank you to Melissa Matthew, Education Assistant, for donating the five laying hens that will eventually call our school home. Of note, our hens may not be used for food, and we may not have roosters or raise chicks.
Shelter-building, since the beginning of human existence, has been a community project. Parents, grandparents, siblings, family, and community members were all involved in building shelters together. The Grade 3 project is no different. We are incredibly grateful to the generosity of volunteers for donating their time, labour, materials, expertise, and kindness to this exciting project.
With each wheelbarrow full of gravel, bucket of rocks, or hammer of a nail, the children blossom with accomplishment and mastery of each challenge.
Warmly,
Laura Bergstrome
Communications & Events
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Students in both Grades 3 and 4, with their gardening teacher, Chris Henley, and amazing parent volunteers, help prepare the land to house our new chicken coop.
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Monday, March 15
Community Connect 7:00 pm
Tuesday, March 16
Parent Education Planting the Seed Through Waldorf Education: The Three-Fold Human Being in the Three-Fold Social Order 7:30 pm, Zoom
Grade 6 Play: Asterix and Obelix March 16, 17 18 TBA
Wednesday, March 17
Transition to Grade 1 Parent Evening 6:30 pm, Zoom
Thursday, March 18
Class Rep Meeting 7:30 pm, Zoom
Friday, March 19
Grade 8 Projects online
End of Term, Early Dismissal 12:20 (GS), 1:00 (HS)
No Aftercare or After School Program
Winter Term Reports Posted
On the Horizon
March 22-April 1 | Spring Break
April 2-5 | Easter Holiday
April 6 | Spring Term Begins
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Little leprechauns who found their gold at the end of the rainbow at the Red Door Store
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ECC REMINDERS - A gentle reminder to ECC families, please allow the big field, the knoll near the shipping container, and the play structures to the exclusive use of the Grades 4 - 8 students from 12:40 - 1:10 pm, during their lunch recess. There have been a few incidents in the past few weeks where our littlest community members have been involved in near-miss situations around the tetherball and basketball courts.
When leaving campus, please use the footpath rather than crossing the basketball court. Teachers are often using that space with their classes in Period 2 (11:40 – 12:25 pm), and allowing the students' unencumbered use is the safest for all. Thank you kindly!
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CIRCUS ARTS COSTUMES & DRESS REHEARSAL - Students in Grades 7 & 8 must bring their costumes, in a bag marked with their name, to school next Monday, March 8. When selecting clothing for the performance, note that we are creating a school recording and must follow the grade school dress code. Students without costumes or costumes that are not within the dress code will be asked to use their VWS gym strips.
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COMMUNITY CONNECT - On Monday, March 15, Mary and parent volunteer Victoria will discuss findings made about the previous owners’ use of the land and buildings at 2725 St. Christopher’s Road, which the VWS purchased in 1976. Register here
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PARENT EDUCATION - In the final session of the Waldorf 101 and 201 series on March 16, we will discuss Planting the Seed Through Waldorf Education: The Three-Fold Human Being in the Three-Fold Social Order. Register here
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PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE REQUEST - Small garden pots (4 inches or less) needed ASAP by the playground
committee for transplanting little seedlings. Please phone or text
Bonnie Gosse 604-880-3543 to arrange pick up.
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SPRING CLEAN-UP - If you notice anything that needs attention around either campus, please let Mary know at mhenley@vws.ca.
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Don’t miss your chance for a fun-filled, safe week of summer camp at VWS this year. Leave your children with us for a week, or six, with the peace of mind that they will be cared for in a manner congruent with our Waldorf philosophy. Camps will be themed each week and organized by our teachers to include favourite activities such as woodworking, games, baking, crafting, hiking, and weekly excursions to popular Vancouver attractions. Junior Camp (ages 6-8) and Senior Camp (ages 9-13) will both run from 9:00-3:00, Monday – Friday from June 21 to July 30. The cost is $375 per week and includes activities, excursions, and food. Details on our Preschool Age Summer Camp will be forthcoming in April.
For more information on any of our Summer Camps or to put your name on the list for pre-registration, please contact Ronaye Ireland at reception (rireland@vws.ca or 604-985-7435 ext 0).
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"Every year, there is a limitless amount of things that you can do in and around the garden. One great way of showing children the process of growing plants, is to grow them from seed. And whilst this will naturally take longer than popping down to the local garden centre and buying them already grown, it will teach your little ones some very important skills." Read more from Kids Do Gardening and
while you're at it, learn how to make your own biodegradable paper seeding pots from this video on Youtube to help you get started!
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In February, I shared with you an update on some of the work our school has undertaken in support of our commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our intent in supporting DEI work is to create safe and welcoming spaces for our community to come together and engage in dialogue that is critical to ensuring the continued relevance of Waldorf education in the dynamic landscape of the 21st century. Such dialogue is intended to challenge norms, build awareness, facilitate growth, and ultimately, to nurture a greater understanding of the lived experiences of all of our community members. As an organization, we have committed to DEI work to strengthen our collective efforts toward social renewal and to create a learning environment where all children see themselves reflected, and feel seen, heard, and safe.
It has been wonderful to receive your messages of enquiry, support, collaboration, and participation as we continue our journey of growth together. I am pleased to share with you that for the most part, our work has been well-received. However, the more that we engage in DEI work, the more we see that there remains important work to do.
While some of the DEI work underway at the school is resourced from the Development Office, our organizational commitment to Diversity, Truth & Reconciliation, and Social Inclusion was made by the College of Teachers and the Board of Trustees during the AWSNA Accreditation Process we completed in 2019. Further, our 2019 – 2026 Strategic Plan informs the work we undertake each year and speaks directly to DEI work as one of our major priorities. As educators and administrators we are required by law to ensure that all of our students are physically and emotionally safe at school. As individuals, everyone is on their own journey and will form their own relationship with DEI work, with the understanding that committing one’s lifework to Waldorf education is synonymous with committing one’s life to self-reflection, personal development, and continually answering the question: “Who am I striving to become?”
Over the coming weeks, the DEI Working Group will continue to liaise with teachers, administrators, and parents as we plan for the next school year. As a member of this group, please feel welcome to contact me if you would like to learn more about our commitments, the work itself, and likewise, with resources or ideas to share.
With kindness,
Mary Henley
Development Manager
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