Reframing Transitions and Farewells

Dear Golden Forest Parents,

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday morning. Kim will indeed be present during the Rainbow Bridge ceremony at 8:30. Upon reflection, it seemed best not to include a symbolic gesture of Kim passing the torch to me as the Golden Forest teacher during the whole school ceremony. She and I are in the process of planning something very simple on the Golden Forest playground right after the whole school ceremony (approximately 9am); it will likely be quite simple--we want to maintain a sense that all will be well with the transition.

Here are some thoughts about the sadness children demonstrate when saying goodbye to a parent after a long summer away from school (or as also sometimes happens later in the school year). In a workshop with Nancy Foster--one of the wisest of wise women who have refined the craft of Waldorf Early Childhood teaching in America--I remember her recommending that teacher and parent work in concert as "confident actors" (her term), quelling any nervousness on their parts and focusing on the likelihood that all will go well with a child's transition to school.

What if we take this a step forward and use a phrase like, "Things are always working out for me. Things are always working out for my child"? No matter how twisty a path, it is always working out towards one of thriving and well being. If this sounds or seems challenging, we could start with very general phrases that soothe us and make us feel better (whether we need soothing because our child is reluctant, or because our child marches away from us and never looks back!). "I've known a lot of other parents whose children were sad at first and then really enjoyed kindergarten." "There are a lot of times when I felt hesitant about beginning something and was really glad I did so." "I don't have to figure out the perfect way to say goodbye. There is no wrong way, and there is no perfect way." Maybe from here, inspirations or images will come that will support your child.

One image comes to my mind from the spring of 2006. I would begin each morning in my nursery class with 5 children merrily perched on my chair as I was knitting. Some of these children had been with me for 3 years, and in the 3rd year, only seemed appeased when saying goodbye to mom or dad when sitting on my lap. Even after the relief was no longer needed, the fun these 5 children had all crowding onto my chair--and it brings back a big smile for me, too--continued this ritual. It was a wonderful spring with lots and beautiful interactions--on my chair and throughout the room and playground. I bring up this image when discovering ways to soothe a child in distress at the start of the morning.

If you have stories to share or insights, I'd love to hear them. Let me know if I can share with other parents in our class.

Finally, there have been some transitions in assistants and a student. Here are words from Dyanne. "We have a couple of updates to the Sunflower Class. First, Jack McAuliff will be in the Sunflower Class this year. It has become clear to both William and me that this placement will be best for all. Also, I am pleased to announce that Gina Schneider will be my assistant this year. Gina has lived on the island for about one year, during which time she spent a good deal of time substituting in our Sunflower, Golden Forest and Butterfly classes. Prior to her time on Whidbey, Gina taught for 10 years in the California public schools, and was a lead kindergarten teacher at a Waldorf charter school in Orange County, CA. She was trained in "The Art of Teaching Kindergarten" at Rudolf Steiner College and is also published poet. In addition to assisting in the Sunflower class this year, Gina will also be assisting Cordula in the afternoons and working on her internship with The Art of Spiritual Direction Program. Many of your children will remember Gina from last year. She is very excited to be joining the team and we are excited to have her."

With appreciation for your willingness to try new things,

William

Kindergarten Parent Meetings 2012-13


Kindergarten Parent Meetings
2012-13 School Year

Tuesday, September 25 6-8 pm

Tuesday, November 6 6-8 pm

(Tue, January 29, grade 1 risers) 6-8 pm

Tuesday, March 19 6-8 pm

Tuesday, May 21 6-8 pm




(edited excerpt from the Children's Garden 'Parent Handbook)
Parent Meetings

We offer a handful of parent meetings throughout the year. These meetings offer social time with one another as well as an opportunity to look deeper into various aspects of child development. The format of the parent evening offers connection, support, validation, perspective, and insight. These meetings are an important part of your child's education at this school in that they will keep you connected to your child's experience by way of networked adult conversation with the teacher and with other parents. The teachers at WIWS view parent meetings as an essential part of parent teacher teamwork

We recognize that there are many variables, such as work schedules, child care, and bedtime routines that can affect your ability to attend evening events. For this reason, we will notify you in August of all parent meeting dates for the year. Please, plan ahead so that you can attend. If you miss a meeting, it will be your responsibility to speak to a designated parent about the content of the meeting. It is our goal to have 100% attendance (at least 1 parent/ family) at all meetings.

This year, the teachers have pared down the number of parent meetings in a school year so that parents can also feel free to attend the many educational events offered throughout the year. We encourage you to attend these events as they offer not only another opportunity for community involvement and connection, but also serve to deepen our understanding of the children's experience.

Golden Forest Birthdays 2012-2013

Attachment has cleaner formatting.

Golden Forest School Birthday Celebrations

NAME BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION DAY

Natascha Graner June 9, 2006 Friday, September 14
Anna Umlauf June 18, 2006 Friday, September 28

Leon Kohlhaas October 18, 2007 Tuesday, October 16
Daniel Lueken October 21, 2007 Tuesday, October 23
Evening Fisher October 24, 2007 Wednesday, October 24
Ian Wundrow October 24, 2007 Wednesday, October 24
Evelyn Umlauf October 28, 2008 Tuesday, October 30
Atom Zimmermann December 10, 2008 Wednesday, December 5

Sonja Toombs-Kenney July 14, 2007 Wednesday, January 9
Izabella Nikulina July 30, 2007 Wednesday, January 16
Yarrow Batiste July 31, 2007 Wednesday, January 23
Wilder Yanz April 9, 2007 Friday, April 19

(Excerpt from the Children's Garden Parent Handbook/Birthdays)

~ For Children Turning 3, 4 or 5 Years Old
We will be honoring their birthdays at school in a very simple, yet beautiful way. For these children, we want to take great care to support them by creating an experience that does not place them as the focus of attention of their classmates for any extended period of time. On these mornings, the children will become aware that their friend is celebrating a birthday through subtle indications in the room or by the teacher. A simple song or story may be told, muffins shared and a birthday book made. If you know your child will not be at school on their scheduled birthday date, please let your child's teacher know.

~ For Children Turning 6 or 7 Years Old
We would like to invite the parents of those children turning 6 or 7 to join us for part of the day to celebrate with your child. This should take approx 30 minutes. The children will then continue to work and play and parents can leave. If you know your child will not be at school on their scheduled birthday date, please let your child's teacher know.

In preparation of the story we ask that parents prepare a sentence or two to speak about each year of their child's life. To be clear, the child's "first year" is her year from birth to one; "when she was one" is her year from one to two etc. These should be simple and short. For example: "When Olivia was four we moved to Whidbey Island, this is the year she began kindergarten and began to ride her bike."

Golden Forest Rhythm 2012

Two versions: posted in the email, and as an attachment (which has cleaner formatting).

Golden Forest Weekly and Daily Rhythm
Fall and Late Spring

We will attune to the breathing cycle of the year. We will be outside a great deal in fall and late spring, indoors much more in late fall, winter, and early spring.

Drop-off: 8:30am or later, kindergarten playground (Fridays in classroom)
Pick-up, Fall and Spring: 12:25pm, kindergarten playground
Pick-up, Colder Months: 12:25pm, indoors (I'll make clear when we switch)

Snacks
Monday nori almond butter roll-ups, carrots, almonds, veggies and fruit
Tuesday crackers and class-made hummus, veggies and fruit and seeds
Wednesday vegetable soup (nuts, veggies, fruit later)
Thursday hard-boiled eggs and class-made applesauce
Friday bread and veggies and fruit (shared with Sunflower class)

As the cold and rain invite us inside more, Monday's snack will gradually transform into nori and rice day (inside) and Thursday's snack will transform into oatmeal day.

Please bring each week crunchy veggies or fruits for our walk; soup vegetables
Please contact me if you have a bounty of eggs or apples to share in September and October.

Monday and Tuesdays will be trek days (with inside time Mondays in the absolute coldest weather). We start on the playground, prepare snack, care for the animals and environment, work on handwork to suit the weather (e.g., embroidery or felting in fair weather; candle dipping in the cold). We will take a long walk, play in the woods, have circle and snack and story at the Story House. Playground for farewell.

Wednesday and Thursdays are home days (with shorter walks in fall and spring and expansive time indoors in colder and wetter months). We start on the playground, prepare snack, small groups enter Golden Forest to paint (Wednesdays) and draw (Thursdays). Thursdays will also be Forever Mountain's Academy Day, including wellness promoting movement for children one on one or in pairs with me. In fair weather, we eat snack on the playground, clean-up, and take a shorter walk for circle and story at the Story House. In foul weather, we come inside for snack, play, and story.

Fridays are visiting days. We will start inside. We combine with Sunflower for much of the day, including snack. It will be mostly outdoors in the fall.

Reflections from tonight's meeting, docs to follow

Dear Parents,

In separate emails, I will send along a birthday list, rhythm of the day, and class meeting schedule for the year.

I thank parents for their generous laughter, willingness to try new things, and their questions that help me clarify what information is needed sooner than later.  I enjoyed the meeting and your participation.

Here, not in order of the meeting, are some answers or thoughts about your questions.

How will we handle the children's sense of the transition from Kim to me as teacher?  (Some still assume Kim will be there teacher.  Some assume Kim is never coming back).  I have begun working on this.  Kim will be present on Tuesday the 4th at 8:30am to help guide her risers from last year across the rainbow bridge into first grade.  I am working with Kim, Dyanne, and Maureen to creat a brief and symbolic gesture before or after this time.  Something as simple as Kim gives me a hug welcoming me as the new Golden Forest teacher, to something big that she transfers to me.  It will have to be brief and mainly visual, but will plant a seed.  I encourage you to bring your children to witness the ceremony at 8:30am.

I can pick up on this seed of a story briefly during cubby time with the children.  I am gathering information about Kim's story she told at her departure.  

Likely on the 10th, when our full class is together, I will pick up on Kim's story to help connect my presence to hers, with intimations of my little one to come (he may come sooner).

Will there be Spanish on Fridays?   Yes

What can I do to support my child who looks upon the school year/being away from mom or dad with trepidation?  While I have sent articles in the past, I feel the time has come for me to create a new image, a new picture of what might be helpful.  Let me sleep on this and strive to deliver something satisfying to you in the days ahead.

  

When we parents email the group (about festivals, classroom help, Holiday Workshop, and soforth), it can be easy to leave a name off the email list, especially the names of families joining mid year.  I propose we form a google group for parents in the Golden Forest class as an experiment.  This is like an email contact group that is held centrally, so you know if you want to write the whole class about a festival or fun experience, you can write one address (that of the group), and all parents will receive it.  The messages will also be archived at the group, so a new family joining the class could, once they join the group, look back over old messages very easily.

The challenge of this method is that each of you need to accept an invitation to join the group.  I'll start the invitation, but the email you receive will be from google; some of your email programs may drop it into spam.  So I'll email you directly to tell you to look for the group invitation in your inbox or spam folder.

Once it is all a go, I'll let you know that it's ready to use.  I'll make you all owners of the group once we are in, so you can refine and tinker. 

To keep things clear, I won't use this google group for my emails to the class, so you can keep parent fun and work separate from my discursive ramblings (I will be on the group, so it is not a great way to plan hoaxes or surprises for me). 

I am copying this note, and all future notes, to what was my nursery blog, which I will endeavor to rename something more generic (William'spontifications.com or something like that).  This way, too, a new parent joining the class could rather easily read all communication from me in one place.

Where will drop off and pickup be?  We are always starting outside on the playground.  As you will read in the rhythm of the day and week, we will end outside in the fall and late spring and inside in colder weather.  After the meeting, I spoke to Dyanne and Cordula.  While this may or may not work, my intention for foul weather is to have children who do not stay for lunch carry coats and boots through the Golden Forest Room, and we will get dressed right by that door and join Dyanne's class for dismissal at 12:25pm.  This will help extended care have a quiet space for lunch.  This lets us continue the nice tradition of bringing both classes together at dismissal time (we are working on a closing song together).  And it means parents always go to the same place to pick up children (the playground).  You may still have to come in to fetch treasures and wet clothes from their cubbies (if it is manageable, I'll transport those to the playground as well), but still this will hopefully make life easier.

Do we sign up to bring specific foods?  For now, I'd love to try having you bring what is abundant, letting our soup reflect the seasons.  Plan on bringing 1 crunchy fruit or vegetable, and 1 soup vegetable each week.  Bring more if you want.  Forget if it pleases you.  All will be well and fun.  Plan to bring them Monday so I have time to send reminders or procure added fruits and vegetables.  We are starting the year with an apple sauce and hard boiled egg day on Thursdays to reflect the bounty.  Please bring plenty of apples if you have an abundance.  It is great if egg donors contact me so we don't get a superabundance of eggs.

What's up with the clay?  No one really asked this, but this seems like a nice way to end this note.  I would have liked to have shared a metaphor or analogy or story about the clay.  When we work with clay, the process is part of the delight, a Big part of the deliciousness.  We don't take a lump of clay and expect it to be finished by one throw on the table.  The molding and shifting and modifying are part of the joyful process of growth.  I see this too in the way each child has her or his own path of development through childhood, in the way every social situation--from friendship to conflict--has a gradual way of growing into something more, something rich, something satisfying.  When Kim Payne speaks to us in October, he will encourage us to enjoy conflict, to enjoy the sifting and sorting and working things out.  I find great joy in doing that myself.

With great appreciation,

William

birthday song album, Summer Fridays

Dear Families,

Thanks again for a lovely spring and year.

If you want to listen to all the birthday songs, they are now available at http://williamdolde.com/fr_birthdaysongs.cfm.

Families are gathering informally at Maxwelton Beach from 10 to 3 on Fridays this summer. I'll miss the few but look forward to seeing you later in the summer.

Cheers,

William

a gradual pack-up of the room

Dear Nursery Families,

I think it best to pack up the nursery room (from which I'll move after Wednesday) gradually. Rather than leaving it completely set, I want our children to see it begin to move away. I think this will help some of them understand that school will be out for summer (rather than feeling they are being kept away from a nursery class that is still rollicking about). We have many favorite places in the woods, and without exhausting our children, I want to guide us to these spots one more time before the summer.

I'm planning to see all of you on the playground on Wednesday at 11:30am. Blessings on your summers.

William