Halton Waldorf School
2193 Orchard Road L7L 7J8 Burlington, ON, Canada

Happy Friday, everyone. Here is some bedtime advice and a beautiful verse from @meaganrosewilson

Halton Waldorf School is a school community in which students become thoughtful, resourceful, confident young people who are prepared to navigate the world with resilience and a sense of purpose and belonging. We provide a holistic educational program of humanities, maths, sciences, world languages, music, and movement, as well as fine, practical, and performing arts, in a vibrant experiential learning environment that is connected to nature and community.

Our students are moving this week! Virtual physical education classes and outdoor exploring are just two ways we are encouraging our students to move their bodies. Photo here from our grade three movement class today with Ms Livesey.

With Our Gratitude As 2020 comes to a close, we can’t help but be reminded that our community is resilient. We have a lot to be thankful for. Our school is operating in an unprecedented year. We are grateful for those who have stepped forward with a donation, showing their appreciation for Waldorf education and an investment in the future of our school. Our donors have supported our needs to add additional washroom facilities, handwashing stations, outdoor classrooms, lap...tops and cameras, enhanced cleaning protocols, improved ventilation and a second portable to our campus. The abundance of volunteerism that surrounds and upholds our thriving school culture is a steady source of inspiration. We are moved by the collective efforts of our community.

Despite the ongoing obstacles of this year, we would like to wish all our community a restful holiday. We hope we can all take the time to embrace being together with our loved ones and that special love is felt by those we cannot be with. Stay safe and healthy.

Our early childhood teachers provided songs, stories and crafts for the children to enjoy at home this week. We hope our EC families are embracing your time together and can integrate some of the Waldorf rhythm and activities into your days. Our distance learning package this week surrounded sailboats with our song, story and craft all incorporating this theme. Tonight our EC families will connect virtually to discuss the ‘Importance of Rhythm’. The conversation will be hosted by Ms. Judi, with all of our lead EC teachers in attendance. The meeting is open to all of our Early Childhood families.

Join us next week for our live Q&A on Waldorf high school academics. Our 60-minute virtual event will be joined by members of our high school faculty, parents and students to discuss english, math, science, experiential learning and more! Wednesday January 20 at 7:00 pm... Samantha Peris Admissions Manager [email protected] Learn more and register at: haltonwaldorf.com/post/60-minute-~-high-school-q-a

Gratitude to Heather Church! Heather Church stepped into the role of interim Pedagogical Director in February and formally finished her role with Halton Waldorf School at the end of term one (yesterday). Our school has been fortunate to have Heather hold the pedagogical realm of the school through the pandemic, supporting our teaching faculty, administration and families.... Heather’s deep love for Waldorf education and investment in anthroposophy was felt each and every day. We wish Heather all the best and will miss her calm demeanour, guidance and warmth in our school. Heather will continue to support us in an advisory capacity through 2021.

HWS is seeking a dynamic Administrative Director and innovative Pedagogical Director to serve as the leaders of our school. Together the Administrative Director and Pedagogical Director uphold the school’s mission, vision and values and engages collaboration between the faculty, administration, parents, and our Board of Directors. Learn more ... www.haltonwaldorf.com/employment Proudly operating for the last 36 years, Halton Waldorf School encompasses early childhood through high school programming with an enrollment of more than 200 students. Additionally, we serve many families with younger children in our parent and child program. A culturally, economically and racially diverse student body from throughout the Halton region is guided through the full complement of Waldorf Education by our well-trained, innovative, and long-serving faculty and staff. Our faculty is committed to continuous growth and improvement, and our pedagogy is rooted in Anthroposophy. HWS is a place to grow intellectually, artistically and socially. Our early years programming is accredited by WECAN. Our grades 1 through 8 are accredited by AWSNA.

Thank you @meaganrosewilson for these tips on enjoying the outdoors trough the winter months. There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing!

Wishes of connection, warmth and comfort Today term one officially came to a close. This week our students and faculty completed main lesson blocks, handwork projects, crafts, in-class activities, musical pieces, and performances. It’s always a very special time of year at the HWS and this year is no different. It’s been heartwarming to witness the unique way seasonal festivals are celebrated in each class, to hear students singing, playing, and rehearsing their parts.... We are grateful. Photo here of a handmade card from one of our grade seven students.

Happy Thursday, everyone. As we embark upon this new calendar year, we are grateful to hold our connection although we are not together in person this week. The Province of Ontario has indicated that elementary students (K-8) will return as planned on Monday, January 11 and High School students will remain in distance learning mode for the next two weeks, returning on Monday, January 25. We look forward to returning to in-person learning! HWS will share a community update with our families before the end of the week.

First snowfall of the year. Happy Monday, everyone!

Construction continues at our second campus and our building is taking shape with the addition of a roof this week. Thank you to everyone who has supported (and continues to support) our efforts! haltonwaldorf.com/expansionproject

Today is day two of distance learning. Take a look at these photos taken from the home of grade one and three students during main lesson. Our grade one class teacher shares these tips for Waldorf students learning from home If possible, set up your child in a quiet space on their own, but be within range of them calling out if they need you to help with little tasks such as orienting their book. Their books are BIG so they'll need a desk or table upon which it can fit. ... Each student will need their main lesson book and their beeswax crayons each morning for main lesson. Lastly, have some some plain printer paper on hand for any supplementary drawing or practice during extra mains. Normally we do this on chalk slates at school.

Warm wishes for a very blessed Diwali to all those celebrating this weekend. Photos of our Grade 3 class painting diyas today.

Waldorf Education Honours the Head, Heart, and Hands 101-Year-Old Tradition Offers a Holistic Approach to School https://www.independent.com//waldorf-education-honors-the/

The school is looking for a full-time Pedagogical Director to serve as the educational leader of our school, ensuring effective fulfillment of the Waldorf pedagogy. The Pedagogical Director will focus on community building, faculty development, faculty mentorship and school governance. Working in collaboration, the Pedagogical Director and Administrative Director uphold the school’s mission, vision and values and facilitates collaboration between the faculty, administration..., parents, and our Board of Directors. Learn more: www.haltonwaldorf.com/employment

Let There Be Music! Music is an important element of the Waldorf curriculum. It awakens and nurtures the deep inner life of the children. As the main lesson curriculum follows the very specific stages of child development, so also does the music curriculum. Engaging the soul activities of thinking, feeling, and willing in the child. Music cultivates the very forces necessary to be able to meet the challenges of the world with enthusiasm and confidence.... Photo here is from our grade 4 outdoor lesson this morning.

Take a closer look at Halton Waldorf School!

Although different this year, our early childhood community and grades one and two classes participated in our annual Lantern Walk last night. Children and parents went for a walk as the sun set, carrying handmade lanterns, symbolizing our own individual light. This is a quiet, meditative celebration. Following the lighting of the lanterns, the children will walk through the forest and play yard with their class, singing lantern songs. Parents were asked to walk with their c...hildren and to help preserve the mood of the evening by joining in the singing and encouraging the children in reverence and calm. Thank you to all for making the evening so special. We are grateful that we were able to hold this adapted celebration.

We look forward to an evening of reverence.

Each day, a new beginning; Each day full of potential. Light and warmth to you and yours.