"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits." - Martin Luther King Jr. from his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964
Dear Families,
Happy New Year! Winter greetings on this chilly January day. It was a treat to have a dusting of snow this week. Also a treat was returning to school after the break. The children returned with excitement and good stories to share of their travels or days at home.
During the winter break, the faculty worked on our school accreditation; as you may know already, this year we are in the process of re-accreditation at our school (for both the Association of Waldorf Schools and the New York State Association of Independent Schools), a process we undergo every seven years or so. Many of us worked in small groups and then as a full faculty over the break. It’s been enlivening to look at all of the many varied details of our school and analyze how it all works. After such operational work, it’s always great to see the students again, reminders of why we do what we do!
Another focus over the winter break was preparing for our first Martin Luther King Jr., Day celebration. This coming Monday, January 16th at 3:30pm we will host community members in the Hall for music, a talk, discussion, a potluck, and puppet plays. Families are welcome to join as we honor this important day with you. The students and faculty will also attend an assembly on Tuesday in honor of Marin Luther King Jr.
While we have Monday as a day off from school in acknowledgment of Martin Luther King Jr. (as many do across the country), it is a time to reflect on the messages that King shared during his life. If you cannot attend our community event on Monday afternoon, having conversations with your children about King’s unflinching dedication to equality and a hope for a future that allows for equality are encouraged. Children are eager to learn about the deeds for humanity that King brought to life so potently and so well.
As January and Winter move along, I hope you find warmth within your homes with your families. Thank you for sending your children to us, it is a pleasure to be with them each school day.
All the best,
Meaghan McKenna
Lower School Chair
Grade 5 Parent Meeting 7pm
January 13th
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
January 16th
Celebrating the Life and Works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. / Beloved Community ~ An Epistemology of Love @ 3:30pm - 6:30pm
January 16th
PTA Meeting - In Person!
January 18th
Grade 10 & 11 Parent Meetings @ 7pm January 19th
Grade 4 Parent Meeting @ 7pm
January 19th
Grade 3 Parent Meeting @ 7pm
January 20th
Grades 9 & 12 Parent Meeting @ 7pm
January 25th
Grade 2 Parent Meeting @ 7pm
January 30th
7th Grade Circus
February 2nd - 4th
EC Parent Meetings @ 7pm
February 8th
Middle School Parent Meetings @ 7pm
February 9th
PTA Meeting
February 15th
Middle School Science Fair
February 17th
Mid Winter Recess
February 20th - 24th
For more detailed information visit the calendar page on our website, here.
This week, the Fifth Grade performed a play about the Ferryman who appears in the stories of the Ancient Civilizations they are studying. He is always there at the threshold of life and death. The play utilized text and scenes from the Mesopotamian story of Gilgamesh, Homer's Odyssey and the Egyptian Book of the Dead.
Mr. Kilb
The basketball season is in full swing, and our varsity team has played 7 games. We have won 5 games all at home and dropped two games – one away and one on a neutral site. We are undefeated against similarly sized class D schools and attained the top-ranked spot in the Capital Region from the Times Union at the turn of the year. The team has put in a significant amount of work, and we have had multiple players play significant roles in games. Our scoring leaders are Oliver Towe at 17.1 points per game, Henri Towe at 12.7, Noah vom Stein at 11.3, Torin Pewtherer at 6.3, and Justin Gamiello chipping in 4.8.
This Monday!
Celebrating the Life and Works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Beloved Community ~ An Epistemology of Love
Monday, January 16th
3:30pm - 6:30pm
We welcome community members of all ages to join us for this extraordinary event that will take place at Hawthorne Valley School on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Offerings include~
3:30pm in the School Hall
Beloved Community ~ Dr. King’s Epistemology of Love
A presentation by Alex Forrester for adults and children age 12 and older.
3:30pm, 4pm, and 7pm in the Morning Star Kindergarten
The Story of Hambakahle ~ An African Wisdom Tale of Love and Service
Presented in silk marionette theater. Learn more below.
3:30pm - 4:30pm in the Early Childhood Building
Activities for those who are 5 - 12 years old.
4:40pm in the School Hall
Community Choral Singing
for all ages led by Dr. Simon Frishkoff
5:30 - 6:30pm in the School Hall
A Community Pot Luck
Please contact Linda Park if you can help with meal organization.
A reminder to all current school families re-enrolling for next year:
Full Tuition Contracts have been posted In Blackbaud and are due back by January 25, 2023. Parents that this pertains to have received an email with a link and directions. (Check your junk mail folder if you have not seen it.) If you have not received a notice yet please contact me.
Tuition Adjustment Applications - fully completed applications submitted through the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management portal are due by January 19, 2023. If you received an adjusted tuition for the current year and are not in need of doing so for 23-24, please contact me so that you can be sent a full tuition contract.
As we have wonderfully full classes and continue to receive a high volume of inquiries from new prospects it is very important that you meet the upcoming deadlines for your contract return and tuition adjustment applications to secure your student’s place.
Hawthorne Valley School has begun its regular re-accreditation process with both the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA) and the New York State Association of Independent schools (NYSAIS).
The accreditation process includes a yearlong self-study that identifies our strengths, weaknesses, and areas requiring further study. “In both philosophy and practice, the focus of the AWSNA evaluation/accreditation program is on the development and nurturing of excellence rather than certification. The principle objectives are to provide a stimulus for excellence, help the school assess its strength and weaknesses, and help the school confirm the validity of its priorities and planning for growth."
As part of the self-study HVS would like to hear from different groups in the school community, including the parents and alumni. As parents and alumni, you are our most important partners in the work of the school, your contribution to the study is vital to crafting an accurate and appropriate vision for the future of the school.
Please take a moment to complete either (or both, if you are a parent and an alum) surveys at the earliest convenient time. It is important that the faculty and staff of the school have the most thorough input.
The ultimate goal of the self-study and your important contribution to it is to create the best possible Waldorf environment for the children.
Sincerely,
Karin Almquist
School Director
Parent Coffee Hour
Thursdays after morning drop off
JOIN US for a weekly Coffee Hour for parents every Thursday morning! Come for a cup o’ joe and some light treats from our farm after drop-off (8:00 AM – 9:45 AM) at the Teaching Kitchen. These regular morning gatherings will give parents an opportunity to get to meet one another, share questions and resources, as well as learn a little more about what is going on at the school and at Hawthorne Valley. All are welcome! We look forward to seeing you there. Who: PARENTS! What: fresh coffee and light breakfast When: every Thursday after morning drop-off (8:00 – 9:45 AM), starting January 12th Where: Teaching Kitchen (located in the same building as the Assembly Hall)
Hawthorne Valley Place Based Learning Center is offering a Winter Week Day Program again! February 20th-24th, children ages 6-11 will participate in a myriad of activities, including farm animal care, story time, hiking, crafting and more. An organic snack and lunch will be provided by our chef each day. The price for the full week is $500, or $140 per day. Email vsp@hawthornevalley.org to sign up.
Hawthorne Valley is a diverse non-profit 501(c)3 organization committed to social and cultural renewal through the integration of education, agriculture, and the arts. Initiatives include:
