February Break 2015-2016 Enrollment!! February Assembly Annual

January 30, 2015
2015-2016 Enrollment!!
Enrollment Agreements & deposits for
returning students in grades 1-8
are due Monday, March 2.
Re-enrollment Packets were mailed
in early December.
Contact Lori Parent with any questions.
[email protected] /802.296.2496 x11
Annual Giving 2014-2015
Goal: $110,00
Received to Date: $89,325
(see page 5 for more info on how you
can help us reach our goal!)
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Help Promote our Next Event!
Please encourage friends and aquaintances to register for our upcoming event,
Valentine Craft & Story, for 3 – 6 year
olds. While the craft is geared toward children in this age range, families with younger children are welcome to attend as well.
This
event
will
take
place
on
Wednesday, February 11 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
in Roberts House (Apple Blossom Classroom).
We will be sending out an email promoting the event that you can forward to friends.
Please join us for the grades assembly
at the Quechee Church on
Friday, February 13, 1:30 pm
l Updat
inde
nt Rem
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• Re-En
School will be closed
February 16 - 20
February Assembly
r:
side Fo
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• Perso
February Break
January UVWS Board of Trustees Update
Mission Statement
The Upper Valley Waldorf School’s
mission is to cultivate a balance of
intellectual achievement, spiritual
growth, physical development, and
personal responsibility through a
classical education that reflects an
understanding of the growing child.
Contact Information
80 Bluff Road
P.O. Box 709,
Quechee, VT 05059
Tel: 802.296.2496
Fax: 802.296.5075
[email protected]
www.uvws.org
Administrative Director:
Christine Scherding – ext. 12
[email protected]
Admissions Director:
Lori Parent – ext.11
[email protected]
Development Director:
Jenny McKenna – ext.14
[email protected]
Facilities Manager:
Dave Meredith – ext.18
[email protected]
~ Julia Pellegrino was appointed to UVWS Board of Trustees
ExecutiveCommittee.
~ Board discussed, at length, the PASC’s idea of conducting a
parent survey. Ideas were shared and overall school communications were discussed. A workgroup was formed to map current
communication channels and look for opportunities for efficiency and improvements.
~ The PASC will work with the PLCG on process for a parent
survey.
~ PASC and Board Executive committee will work together on
clarification of roles and responsibilities across governance model
but also including PASC and Parents.
~ Financials remain stable.
~ Annual Giving campaign running now through February
13th. Participation rate is currently 26%, goal is 100%. Last
year’s participation rate was 59%. Board members were asked to
make phone calls and PA communicators will be asked to reach
out to their classes. The message is that participation reflects the
health of the school community and every gift at every level matters.
~ Daniel Masi has joined the Campus Development Task Force
as the Faculty representative. Thank you Mr. Masi!
~ Bylaw revisions were reviewed and the Board hopes to vote on
them as final in February. Faulty Board members were asked to
draft a statement to further clarify how governance body work
supports the wishes of the Faculty.
~ Board Study involved review of the E. Lehrs document
“Republican – Not Democratic.” This document gives an understanding of what philosophies or viewpoints contributed to the
development of the current UVWS governance structure.
Respectfully submitted,
Melanie Sheehan
Board Secretary
Finance Director:
Anne Parent – ext.15
[email protected]
Office Manager:
Jeannie Surrell - ext 10
[email protected]
Newsletter • Page 2
Personnel Update
Hiring update for open positions ~ 2015-2016 school year
For the school year 2015-2016, UVWS is seeking class teachers for Grade 1, Grade 6 and looking to expand our Early Childhood program with the hire of a Morning Garden/Early Childhood
teacher. Currently, interviews are taking place and scheduled through February and into early March.
Current Grade Five ~ Interim teacher hired
The Governance Council is pleased to inform our community that Emma Hamlin has accepted our offer to
teach Grade 5 for the remainder of this school year. Our search for a teacher to take this class Grade 6-8 continues. Many of you may already know Ms. Hamlin as she has been the interim Grade 3 teacher covering Ms.
Larson’s maternity leave. We are pleased that Ms. Hamlin has agreed to stay on with us at UVWS and teach the
class through June as it can be a challenge to find a qualified teacher mid-year.
Here is more about Ms. Hamlin’s background and experience~
Emma Hamlin grew up in Western New York and attended the Aurora Waldorf School (where her mother is also
a teacher) from nursery through eighth grade. After high school she attended Queens University of Charlotte in
North Carolina, graduating summa cum laude with honors thesis, a degree in English Literature and a minor
in Music. During college her studies took her to England, where she studied literature at the University of Essex.
Upon graduation Ms. Hamlin worked in the financial industry, but always with an eye toward a career in education. She
continued her pursuits, singing with the choral ensemble affiliated with the Charlotte Symphony. In 2013, she was accepted to Antioch University New England, where she studied both Waldorf and progressive public education. Her internships
took place at Surry Village Charter School in a combined 7th/8th grade class, and in the third grade at Hartsbrook Waldorf
School, in Hadley, Mass. She has since received her Masters, and has been teaching third grade at UVWS since November 2014.
Emma lives in Greenfield, MA with her partner Matt, their two dogs, and their ten chickens. In her spare time
she and Matt enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing, and renovating their home. She also ran the Vermont Covered Bridges Half-Marathon last June, which took her right in front of UVWS without even knowing it!
Ms. Larson, Grade 3 Teacher returning
We are eager to welcome Ms. Larson back after her maternity leave. She will return to Grade 3 for Main Lesson
after February vacation and then return full-timey as of March 16th. Thank you Ms. Hamlin for aptly covering
this class for these past three months and welcome back Ms. Larson!
Ms. Waletzko, Movement Teacher returning
We are looking forward to welcoming Ms. Waletzko back to her movement program on Monday, March 4th.
We look forward to hearing about what she learned from observing other Waldorf School Movement programs
during her time away. Please join us in thanking Lisa Meisinger, Eurythmist, for covering the movement curriculum this winter. Ms. Meisinger will be ending her teaching block just before the February break on Friday,
February 13th.
Thank you Ms. Meisinger – we will miss you!
Newsletter • Page 3
Enrollment for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
.March 2, 2015 Enrollment Agreements and Deposits ($400 first child/$200 each additional child) due for returning
students in grades 1 – 8. After this date, deposit increases to $500 first child/$250 for each additional
child and enrollment is dependent on available spaces.
April 1, 2015
Applications for financial aid due in order to be considered in the first review of financial aid
awards.
May 2015
Financial Aid awards announced.
July 1, 2015 Single annual payment due to UVWS.
(If cash or check payment is received in UVWS office by June 30, early discount applies).
July 5 or 20, 2015 First monthly FACTS tuition payment for 2015-2016 academic year due.
If you have questions please contact Lori Parent at extension 11. We hope that this advance notice will help your family to budget/plan accordingly. If you are applying for financial aid, you will want your income taxes completed in anticipation of filling out
and submitting your financial aid application by April 1, 2015. If this is not possible, you will need to use estimated numbers
or submit late and be considered in the late review.
Experience Waldorf Day/Open House
On Saturday, January 24, UVWS hosted its annual Experience Waldorf Day/Open House. We once again had
robust attendance from the outer community at our early childhood craft & story event. Many of the families
who attended indicated that they will be applying for a space in next year’s program.
There was modest attendance at the grades activities but we were happy to have a couple of prospective families
participate this year. Hopefully interest in this offering will build each year.
Thank you to all who attended and/or supported this event!
Lori Parent, Admissions Director
Newsletter • Page 4
Annual Giving
The education that my daughter has received in her Waldorf education is preparing her for
healthy friendships and choices as well as being a successful student and productive worker. I have to give great thanks to this experience and look forward to seeing her through the remainder of her years with UVWS. I hope that you will join me in making a gift to UVWS.
- Finnie Trimpi
We want to express our gratitude to those who have given to this year’s Annual Giving Campaign. Every gift at every level makes a difference. The campaign runs until February 13, 2015.
George Abrams
June & Gregory Albright
Maura and Herb Alexander
Robert Anderegg
Anonymous
Christi Berube & Jon Huntington
Birdseye Foundation
Corky Bohen
Pieter Bohen
Ann & Hans Brechbuhl
Nancy & Irving Brown
Julie & Greg Brown
Lynn Chong & Bob Pearlman
Marcy Chong & Alden Hall
Henry Clark
Janet Cobb & Bernard Cole
David Collins
Sarah Daney
Helena duPont Wright
Julie & John Fago
Laurie Foster & Michael Livingston
Jim Godfrey
GoodSearch
Isabeth & Bob Gross
Rachel Gross & James Sturm
Lela & David Jaacks
Merideth Jackson
Caddie Johansen & Vinnie Talento
Kimberly Sawyer Jones &
E. Stewart Jones, Jr.
Jean Kelly
Charan Korhonen
Sarah Pinneo & Michael Lake
Katy Larson
Shifra Levine & Linda Mulley
Erin Lord
Megan Lumnah
Jennifer & Ian Lutz
Valerie Major
Daniel Masi
Jennifer McKenna
Shannon & Colin McLaughlin
Anke Starke & David Meredith
Jelena & Keith Milone
Jennifer & Tod Minotti
Amy & Joseph Morel
Stephanie Morgan
Peter Neri
Robin Nichols
Gillian Goodwin & Michael Paccione
Katinka & Raphael Paquin
Anne & Timothy Parent
Lori & Roger Parent
Leigh Peet
Julia & David Pellegrino
Ruth & Michael Perkins
Plymouth Hill Foundation
Judy & Guy Roberts
Sue Rogers
Sarah & Nelson Rooker
Wendy Kares & Ken Rumelt
Christine & John Scherding
Melanie & Terry Sheehan
Rachel & Stephen Silver
Jeffrey Simpson
Leif Smedman
Jane & Chris Soderquist
Lisa Solbert-Sheldon
Elizabeth Neily & Kurt Spann
Mr. & Mrs. John Stafford
Angela & Michael Stafford
Leslie & Jay Stroud
Jeannie & Ray Surrell
Laurie Swett
Tanya & Matt Swett
The New World Foundation
Finnie & Joshua Trimpi
Michael Trimpi
Carolyn & Charles Umpleby
Tricia van der Schoot & Roger
Carnehamma
Lucinda Walker & Peter Money
Allison Wall
Rebecca Warren & Jason Lutes
Renata Welker & Chris Jones
Laura Williams
Cory Waletzko
Lydia Locke & Jamie Ziobro
Newsletter • Page 5
Hallway Art
Newsletter • Page 6
From the Main Office
February 2014 Newsletter
School Cancellations Due to Weather
2015 Summer Camps
Save the dates for the following camps being offered this
summer at UVWS. More info coming!
Because our community comes from such a wide geographic area with varied weather conditions, we encourage parents to use their own judgment when conditions are
questionable near home, but have not required cancellation
of school. If you have the slightest question as to whether
or not school might be closed or delayed, please check before you leave the house.
•
How to find out about snow closings:
The next newsletter will be published on Friday,
February 27. Deadline for materials will be 2:00pm on
Monday, February 23.
•
•
Music Camp with Sophia Pellegrino
Grades 5 - 8, June 22 - 26
Music Camp with Sophia Pellegrino
Grades 3 - 5, July 20 - 24
Handwork Camps with June Albright
Either July 6 - 10 OR July 13 - 17. Mrs. Albright
has yet to decide which week. Please feel free to share
which week would work best for your family!
Open Positions
The Upper Valley Waldorf School is currently accepting
applications for the following positions:
• A fully trained Waldorf class teacher to take our Sixth
Grade class for the fall of 2015. Full benefits package
includes Professional Development support, Medical and Dental Insurance plans, Short & Long Term
Disability, Life Insurance, TIAA-CREF Retirement
Plan, and access to a Flexible Savings Account.
• A fully trained Waldorf class teacher to take our First
Grade class for the fall of 2015. Full benefits package
includes Professional Development support, Medical and Dental Insurance plans, Short & Long Term
Disability, Life Insurance, TIAA-CREF Retirement
Plan, and access to a Flexible Savings Account.
• A Waldorf trained and experienced Lead Teacher
to work one day a week with a parent-child group
for the 2015 Winter and Spring Term. We have a
well-established early childhood program including
Parent-Toddler groups, one three-day Nursery, and
two mixed-age Pre-K/Kindergartens.
If you are interested in joining us at the Upper Valley
Waldorf School, please send a cover letter, resume and
contact information for three professional references to:
Governance Council: Hiring
Upper Valley Waldorf School
P.O. Box 709
Quechee, VT 05059
Internet
www.sover.net or www.vpr.net
under the School Closing listings.
Radio
WTSL 1400 AM, XL 92 FM, KIXX 100.5/ 93.5 FM,
WVRR V101.7/93.9 FM as well as New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR).
Phone
School Answering Machine: 296-2496 ext. 31
Phone Blast
All families will get a phone call for closings using their
listed number in the directory, unless they ask for their
number to be changed or removed.
Morning Garden Families have the option of being added
to the phone list, though you may receive calls on days
when your class is not in session. Please contact our main
office if you want to be on the call list. You may be removed from the list at any time
Delayed Opening
When a “2-hour delay” is announced, Early Childhood and
Grades classroom doors will open at 10:00 a.m. Morning
Garden will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 12 noon. In
general, we would cancel school on Thursdays instead of a
delayed start due to the shortened school day.
Weather-Related Dismissal
As a general practice, school will not be canceled for inclement weather developing during the school day.
However, parents should feel free to pick their children up before dismissal if they are concerned about
conditions.
Newsletter • Page 7
Supporting Wellness in our Community
As we find ourselves in the midst of flu season, we ask that all parents please read the following information about health and
wellness at school. Specifically, pertussis (whooping cough) is a current concern in the state of Vermont with a few cases reported
locally. Pertussis is a contagious but very treatable illness that is spread through the air when infected people cough or sneeze. It
is important to note that pertussis can infect fully immunized individuals of all ages.
The Vermont Department of Health recommends:
•
Anyone with a coughing illness should be evaluated for pertussis.
•
Infants are most likely to be severely ill with pertussis. Keep them away from people with a cough. Babies with any coughing illness or choking episodes should be promptly evaluated.
•
Anyone diagnosed with pertussis or suspected pertussis should be excluded from school and other public settings
until they have completed 5 days of the antibiotic treatment for pertussis.
Please follow these guidelines and notify the Vermont Department of Health if anyone in your household is diagnosed with pertussis
or suspected pertussis. If you have questions, please call the Vermont Department of Health at (802) 295-8820 or (802) 863-7240.
In general, when children are well-rested and in good health they benefit more from their time at school. Even children who are
on the verge of illness will do best if they stay at home to heal until they are ready to return to school and fully participate. Of
greatest concern in a close school community is that sick children expose others to their illness, thereby setting off a wave of illness
that impacts everyone and their own ability to heal is impaired.
You can do your part to support wellness by assuring that your child:
•
Gets enough sleep
•
Eats nutritious food (reducing sugar intake)
•
Washes hands regularly, and
•
Stays at home when ill.
Return to School GuidelinesTo help you decide whether or not your child should be in school, we offer the following guidelines
supported by the state of Vermont. These markers are minimums. Your best judgment, which errs on the side of giving your child
the opportunity to recover as much as possible before returning to school, will benefit everyone.
WHEN A CHILD MAY RETURN TO SCHOOL FOLLOWING AN ILLNESS
Fever:
24 hours after fever is gone
Colds:
When mucus is clear (not green or opaque)
Strep Throat:
24 hours minimum after starting antibiotics
Conjunctivitis:
24 hours after beginning medication
Chicken pox/Shingles: When rash or sores have completely crusted over
Impetigo:
24 hours after beginning medication
Measles:
5 days after rash appears
Mumps:
9 days after swelling starts
Pinworm:
May return with a doctor’s note clearing the child for school attendance
Head lice:
After application of appropriate treatment, and no live bugs are present in the hair
Bronchitis:
24 hours after fever is gone, mucus is clear
Pneumonia:
This is a potentially serious illness that can have a viral or bacterial form and persist for a long period of time.
Please actively consult your pediatrician before considering returning your child to school.
Please help us support a healthy school.
Feel free to contact our Administrative Director, Chrisitne Scherding at 296-2496 ext 12, if you have any further questions.
Newsletter • Page 8
House For Sale
Three Bedroom House in West Lebanon
For Sale $149,900: Nice Family home in West
Lebanon. 3 BR plus 2 extra/office rooms, 1bath,
Living Room with bay window, large, bright
eat-in Kitchen, + Dining/Sitting Room. Nice
yard, gardens, walking distance to library/town,
convenient to bus.
Lynne & Simon Weatherill 603-276-3409
[email protected]
For Rent
Three Bedroom House in Quechee Village
House for rent in Quechee, five minutes walk
from UVWS. For further details please contact
Matthew & Joanne Sergeant: [email protected].’
Items for Sale
Handmade Gifts
Plant dyed silks, yarn, felt, embroidery thread,
flower fairies and fabric bags made by June
Albright Custom sewing and/or natural dyeing
available for dress-up, costumes, or gifts. Also
wood play kitchen stoves, sinks available in
limited quantity made by Greg Albright
contact June @ 802 221 1112
[email protected]
Events
Spacial Dynamics for Parents & Friends of UVWS
Fridays from 8 - 9 am, beginning January 9 through
February 13. Strong House Spa, 694 Main Street,
Quechee. Suggested Contribution $5- $15. No
prior experience needed. Come and find out more
about the movement principals of the Waldorf
movement education curriculum and how you
can apply them to your own life. A soft start after
drop-off anytime during the class. Lisa Meisinger
Pilates Mat Class
Continues at the Strong House Spa. February 27
- March 27, Friday’s from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Please
sign up with Lucy Dunne
[email protected] or 802-291-2982
The Skating Club at Dartmouth (SCAD)
is pleased to announce our 2015 Skating Spectacular
with proceeds of the show benefiting The Children’s
Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. This year we have
a world competitive ice-dancing pair, a synchronized
skating team from Nashua, Olympic Speed Skaters,
Dartmouth College and SCAD figure skaters performing group and individual routines. We hope to see you
at 4pm on Sunday, February 1 at Thompson Arena.
Please go to our website for more details
www.skatingclubatdartmouth.org
The bulletin board is provided as
a service to our community. The
information and events contained
here are not school sponsored. Also
please note that if space permits,
entries will remain for a maximum
of three insertions before being
taken out of circulation.
Newsletter • Page 9