Caregiver Class at New Amsterdam School

“ If During the first period of life, we create an atmosphere of gratitude around the children, then out of this gratitude toward the world, toward the entire universe, and also out of thankfulness for being able to be in this world, a profound and warm sense of devotion will arise…upright, honest and true.” 

-Rudolf Steiner

The Child’s Changing Consciousness

Our Caregiver Class will meet on Wednesdays

11:30 AM -12:30 PM for 9 weeks, beginning Wednesday October 1^st

The Caregiver Class gives parents and caregivers alike the tools to provide care for children and infants that is reflective of the Waldorf approach, and will help support families to work with this approach in their homes.

This nine week course warmly invites anyone interested in deepening his or her understanding of the very young child, birth to three years old.  The course intends to support parents and caregivers in their work with children through study of the developing human being and self development in relationship to the wellbeing of the child and its relationship to their environment.

Course Outline

Week 1: The Unfolding Human Being

Week 2: The Unfolding Human Being

Week 3: Self Initiated Movement

Week 4: Rhythm

Week 5: Rhythm

Week 6: Imitation

Week 7: Foundational Senses

Week 8: Practical Activities: Bread Baking

Week 9: Artistic Activity / Review

The price for the course is $414

Please contact our Admissions Director, Cherish Pratt, to fill out an application or for more information
cherish.pratt@newamsterdamchildhood.org

An Invitation to Join us on June 7th

Dear New Amsterdam Community,

Our faculty and board invite you to join us as we 

welcome Chris Schaefer to New Amsterdam 

June 7th from 1 to 5pm.

Chris Schaefer will lead us into discussion around 

building community.  We will look at some of the

current tasks the New Amsterdam Community has and how to address

the questions we are all carrying.

If you are a parent, friend, and or have served on committees it would be great if you were able to join us.

It is important to us that we know if you are coming.

Please RSVP to lisa.bono@newamsterdamchildhood.org

by June 1st.

An agenda for the day will be circulated June 3rd.

Here is a link to an article about Chris Schaefer's new book " Partnerships of Hope: Building Waldorf School Communities" and his BIO.

http://www.anthroposophy.org/articles/article-detail/?tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2013&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=03&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1167&cHash=0f8c01f0e7177a62ce8cfbcba205e6f9

Christopher Schaefer is a Waldorf graduate and a Waldorf parent and grandparent. He was a founding member of the Waldorf School in Lexington, Massachusetts, and has worked as a Waldorf school advisor on questions of school and community development in the United States and Canada as well as internationally. He was for many years a faculty member
and program director at Sunbridge College in Spring Valley, New York, where he founded and directed the program in Waldorf School Administration and Community Development. In Europe he was the co-founder and co-director of the Center for Social Development at Emerson College, as well as a founder of Social Ecology Associates, an international organization development
consultancy institute. He travels, consults and lectures extensively and is the co-author of Vision in Action: Working with Soul and Spirit in Small Organizations.

Blessings to you all,

Lisa

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle Spring Fundraiser to Benefit our Garden!

Support the children’s experience in nature by

Transforming Your Children’s Clothes Into Gold For The Garden  

April 30th - May 7th

in the Parent lounge/Crafting room at our 1 Avenue B location. 

Clothing Donations accepted NOW!

           

This Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle week long event begins with parents (yes this means you!) doing your spring cleaning.  As you begin to sort through your children's seasonal, out grown clothing, please put aside several pieces of very gently used, good quality clothing items and donate them to this event for another child to enjoy!

Our fundraising pop-up shop is based on your generosity.

The shoes and clothing are not priced, you may pay as you wish, however the suggested donation is $5.00 per item, so please donate the quality of clothing that you would willingly pay $5 or more for … and that you’d personally dress your child in.

This event is held for a full week so everyone has a chance after morning drop off or right before pick up to continue to donate, browse, and shop for your family and friends.

You may always choose to generously contribute monetary funds in cash or check to the school into our "Golden Dreams for the Garden Donation Basket" located in the shop.

We hope you will join us transforming clothing into gold for the garden …

You may begin to drop off your stain & rip free clothing beginning now and continuing throughout the event  at the Front desk. 

Many Parents may not know that it is only through our involvement,

parent sponsorship, and funding that our garden committee’s work is done

and that our nursery and kindergarten children have the chance and privilege to visit

El Jardin del Paraiso with their friends on their many nature adventures

throughout the seasons in this magical garden that is a public place.

Spring Fair!

Spring Fair Committee Meeting

This Friday at 10:15 am 

Please come and add your voice!

Dear Parents,

We are hoping you had a joyous spring break and have come back to school to see Spring finally, truly upon us! The flowers have blossomed, the birds are singing and the trees are in full bloom!

At our school the children are joyous, the songs are loud and clear, the boots are muddy, the sun is peeking in!

The sounds of needles felting, knitting, sewing in the parent lounge; the purr of sewing machines, the clicking of knitting needles in the homes of our school's grandmothers; the plotting, planning, ordering voices of the spring fair committee add to the song of spring and signify that our spring fair, our celebration of this this joyous season and our wonderful school, is just around the corner!

Please add your voice! Come plan with us this Friday at 10:15 am in the parent lounge. The meeting will be held during our regular Friday crafting hours. 

The spring fair requires 100% participation in order to be a successful event. Your assigned duty will be revealed to you soon by your parent rep. Come add your voice to the planning and give 101%. Help us make this year's fair the joyous celebration of the flowering growth of our school! 

If you have time and want to help but can't make the meeting, please email 

Kaarin kaarinvon@gmail.com, 

Claire claire.szeto@gmail.com

or 

Lynne lynne.wu@newamsterdamchildhood.org

With Warmth and Gratitude,

The Spring Fair Committee

April 28th Parent Lecture

How Thinking Develops in Young Children
7-8:30 PM
1 Avenue B (at Houston Street)


Please join us for a discussion about  how Waldorf education perceives thinking in human development and therefore discover how the young child thinks!  We will look to insights from Rudolf Steiner and Karl Koenig to guide our discussion.


Speaker:  Lisa Bono currently teaches our Bridge and Parent-Child classes.  She is also the founding teacher of the New Amsterdam School.


All our parent lectures are free and open to our school community and the general public.
Parents only please.

New Amsterdam at the NYC Green Festival

Saturday April 26th at Pier 94
11:30am-12:30pm Panel Discussion:  Greening Our Schools
11:30am-6pm Children's Corner


Panel Discussion:  Greening Our Schools
Inhabitat is hosting a panel discussion at the upcoming NYC Green Festival to tackle the challenges faced by parents today when trying to choose the best green education for their kids. Inhabitat’s founder and editor-in-chief Jill Fehrenbacher (who is also a Kindergarten and Parent-Child Parent at New Amsterdam) will be moderating the talk and will be joined by Amie Hamlin, Executive Director of New York Coalition For Healthy School Food, Aimee Arandia Østensen, 2nd Grade Teacher and Co-Leader of Go Green Committee at Manhattan Country School; and our own Elea Robinson, teacher and founding faculty New Amsterdam School.


Children's Corner
The New Amsterdam School Children's Corner is a peaceful play area for children and their families to relax and unwind in the midst of the busyness of the Green Festival. Based on New Amsterdam School's Waldorf approach to child development, activities in the corner will include puppet shows, crafting, storytime and seasonal songs.
Children and parents will enjoy free play and activities in our interactive area at the Green Festival.  Meet our teachers and learn more about our programs.
Tickets are available at http://greenfestivals.org/nyc/admission


We would love to have our families join us at the event and some complimentary tickets are available.  If you would like to participate please contact Karen.Talluto@newamsterdamchildhood.org.

School-Wide Family Garden Day this Saturday 1/12

Breaking News!

Our school has just been cleared for our next...


School-Wide Family Garden Day at El Jardin del Paraiso

This Saturday, April 12th  from 10:00 am to Noon


Come on out, get dirty and have some fun!
This will be a rock, stick, stone and mulch morning, with BYO-picnic lunch to follow. 

All families and age groups are invited.  Our garden projects and events are all funded, supported and run by parents like you so we need your help!


We'll be working throughout the garden on different tasks cleaning up after our very busy little gardeners. Throughout the fall and winter months their daily work takes quite a toll on all the community areas. We will be digging and scouting for river rocks that have been lost to return them to their home in the stream and around the pond as well as sorting, carting, repairing walls, creating stick teepee's and moving the earth about.


We do this in order to prepare for the many school events that are planned for the 2014 season ahead: Garden Plant Dye Cafe, Picnics, Spring Fair...


As always we invite you all to consider becoming garden members and having a personal family membership to El Jardin del Paraiso. Their official annual membership and work day will be Saturday, April 27th, so this is a great chance to check it out before then! 


Thank you so much from the Garden Committee, the Teachers and Faculty of New Amsterdam, and of course the unspoken gratitude of the young souls who romp with spirit, vigor, and delight in a clean garden through out the year!


RSVP's  to garden events are always greatly appreciated.  Please feel free to ask questions or RSVP- Shoshanas@mac.com and see you soon in the garden!


The Garden Address is 311-321 E. 4th Street (between Avenues C & D).

Garden Plant Dye Morning

Tuesday  April 22nd 10am-Noon
El Jardin del Paraiso Garden (Enter on E 4th Street between Avenues C & D)
Please come and join our Garden Plant Dye Morning!


This is a two hour workshop where you will experience the true natural colors of plant dye.  Plant dyes are like "whole food colors."  They are truly nutritious and medicinal.


The cost is $100 for the workshop with a rainbow silk veil or $50 with a rainbow silk play cloth (additional dye materials available upon request.)  All proceeds go to supporting New Amsterdam School Tuition Assistance.


Children are welcome to come to the garden with you under your own responsibility and supervision.


For registration and questions please call Kaori Fuller at 914-467-9750 or email kaori.fuller@newamsterdamchildhood.org

New Group Forming 5 to 10 Year Plan Committee

For Parents and Friends of New Amsterdam

Open Invitation To Join A Newly Forming Group: The 5 to 10 Year Plan Committee

On Wednesday May 14, 2014 4:00-6:00pm there will be an opportunity for anyone who is interested to come observe The 5 to 10 Year Plan Committee’s work thus far.

The Towards Societal Wholeness Group has merged with a faculty committee to develop a comprehensive and thorough plan for New Amsterdam, built upon the ideals of the social mission of Waldorf Education: to grow individual and group capacities, to develop gift consciousness, and to bring about a renewal of the education for the human being.

Due to the nature of this work, we are asking for a full commitment from all participants. We meet every Wednesday, 4:00-6:00pm and select evenings and weekends through the end of this school year.

May 14th will be a warm, getting acquainted with the 5 to 10 Year Plan Committee as well as an opportunity to hear and experience some of Rudolf Steiner’s social ideas.  

If you plan on attending, please email Meaghan: meaghan.witri@newamsterdamchildhood.org

We will provide childcare, please RSVP so we can arrange accordingly.

We Need Your Help to Distribute New Amsterdam Postcards!

This week each pre-school family will receive an envelope with 15 of our most recent postcards.


Please leave a stack or post them in your favorite neighborhood yoga studio, market, library, toy store, pediatrician's office, book store or café.  Please keep a list of the names and addresses of businesses where you leave cards so that we can add them to our marketing database.  Once you've distributed your first set of cards please pick up more at the school.


You are also welcome to take lecture flyers from the front desk to post as well.


If you are unable to distribute your cards please return them to the school.


Thanks to everyone for helping get the word out about New Amsterdam!

March 31st Parent Lecture with Patricia Carlin 7-8:30 PM

Working with the Will of Young Children


How can we best serve the needs of the young children in our care?

Discerning how to work with their wills is fundamental in guiding them to realize their full potential. Come listen to a lecture full of examples from real life, and take away some insights and tools for using at home.

Speaker: Patricia Carlin

Patricia joined our faculty in 2011 and is the lead teacher of the 5-Day Nursery class. She has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY New Paltz, and has been a nursery teacher and kindergarten teacher. She will complete her Waldorf professional development training this summer.

Monday, March 31st 7-8:30 PM

1 Avenue B, New York, NY


This event is free and open to the public.  Please invite your friends and share on web groups and social media.

19 Clinton St. Space Rental

Clinton Street Space Rental for Parent/Child Families

We are pleased to share that this spring we will be renting our space at 19 Clinton Street to Parent/Child families on Saturdays and Sundays for 2 1/2 hour sessions for up to seven children per session. The family renting the space must be a New Amsterdam Parent/Child family. We are not permitting food or drink in the space. A faculty member will be there to let you and others into the space and to make sure that you have everything that you need. The cost for the rental is $300. We are excited to share our space with you outside of our normal gathering times and are looking forward to learning about ourselves as a Parent/Child community in doing so.

For those interested in renting our 19 Clinton Street space for a child gathering, availability inquiries or general questions, 

please contact: Brigitte.choura@newamsterdamchildhood.org . 

Craft Cooperative

Craft Cooperative!

Friday, March 7, 14 & 21
DOLL MAKING WORKSHOP
The Craft Cooperative is revving into gear to create lovely things for the Spring Fair!
The Root Baby Dolls have been a very popular item in the year’s past, both as essential pieces of our Mother Nature’s Magical Garden and for sale at our Spring Fair Market.
This month, for the official Craft Collective Workshop, we will be holding a Small Doll Workshop to make these cuties. There is no charge to attend the Workshop to make a Root Baby for the school, and a Suggested Materials Donation fee of $20, if you would like to keep your lovely craft. We are suggesting to make two at time, one for the school and one to keep!

Plant Dye Cafe to begin February 4th from 9am to 11am

Dear All,
I will re-open the plant dye café Tuesday, February 11 from 9am to 11am at 19 Clinton Street. The session will be "Valentine Colors and easy Shibori Tutorial".  We will explore the colors of red, pink, and purple.  Shibori is a Japanese term for several methods of dyeing cloth with a pattern by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, and compressing it, or capping.
If you are looking for a Valentine gift for your loved one or for yourself, this session offers a chance to create a one and only plant dyed silk scarf.
Space is limited. Please sign up at the front desk of 1 Avenue B.
Thank you,
Kaori

Lecture: The Importance of Sleep

Monday, January 27th 7-8:30 PM

The Importance of Sleep

Please join us as we look into the importance of sleep for our children and ourselves. 
We will discuss ways to support the rhythms and rituals that move us into sleep, how we let go of our day and the phenomenon of sleep itself. 


Speaker:  Nancy Blanning has been a Waldorf educator for 30 years, emphasizing therapeutic and developmental support for young children.  She serves on the WECAN board and is the editor of Gateways.  She has co-authored "Movement Journeys and Circle Adventures,"  a therapeutic movement resource book for teachers.  She travels widely as lecturer, teacher trainer, mentor, and developmental consultant.


Our Parent Lectures are a wonderful way to invite new families to learn more about the Waldorf approach to parenting young children.  Please post information about this and other lectures on parenting web boards and invite your friends!

Community Meeting Re-Scheduled for Monday 2/3/14

NEW DATE
Monday, February 3rd, 2014 6:30 PM
Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 at 6:30 PM



Please join us for our Community Meeting!


Community meetings are semi-annual opportunities for parents, board members, faculty, and administration to come together and grow as a collective. We will discuss our important shared work at the school, learn from each of the committees about their activities thus far, and hear an update on our school growth.

We request that each family be represented at the meeting by at least one parent.

Please set the evening aside and we look forward to seeing everyone

January Admission Events & Enrollment Opportunities

Open House
Thursday, January 16th from 7-8:30 PM
Our Open Houses are for parents only and are an opportunity to see our classrooms, meet our teachers and participate in an in depth discussion about our programs. 

RSVP Karen.Talluto@newamsterdamchildhood.org to participate.


Pre-School Tour
Tuesday, January 28th from 9:10-10:10 AM
During the tour we will take time to observe each of our classes and then there will be an opportunity for a brief discussion. The tour is for parents only and space is limited.  RSVP Karen.Talluto@newamsterdamchildhood.org to participate.


The New Amsterdam School is Growing
As we begin to grow our grade school programs we are also growing our preschool and will have more space than ever before for new families in the Fall of 2014.  With the addition of new classroom space we hope to expand our offerings to include two Mixed Age Kindergarten classes and two 5-Day Nursery classes while continuing to offer our Bridge, 3-Day Morning Nursery and 3 & 5-Day Afternoon Nursery classes. 


There is still time to apply for next year.  Please contact me if you would like to attend one of our upcoming events and learn more about our school.


We also have limited space in our current 3-Day Morning and 3 & 5-Day Afternoon Nursery Programs and in our Mixed Age Kindergarten Program.  If your child is between 3 and 6 years of age consider joining one of our classes this Winter or Spring!

Holiday Auction Extended to 11:59 PM on Sunday, December 8th

The Holiday Auction is on a roll ...  bids are coming in fast and the competition is intense for many popular items.

But there are still bargains to be had (and fundraising targets to be met!) so...

We've decided to extend the auction through
Sunday, December 8th at 11:59pm!

Yes, another four days to make sure that you don't miss out on this fabulous opportunity to do your holiday shopping AND support our wonderful school.  And a little more time to encourage friends and family and anyone you know to get online and join the bidding.  

Every little bit helps.

Thanks so much for your support and happy bidding!

 

Here's the all important link.

The Holiday Auction is open to all.  Please pass on to family and friends and encourage them to pass it on, too.

Like us on Facebook and share our Auction updates.

There are so many amazing items!


Unique Experiences


Murray's Cheese 101 Class




Firehouse Tour for 15 Children


Vacation Homes


Family Week at Small Farm




Montauk Weekend



Ingredients for the Perfect Date Night


Date Night Babysitting




Home Massage & Private Chef's Dinner for Two


Collectibles


Limited Edition Gift Pack


Wonderful Waldorf Toys


Hand Knit Hedgehog Family


Gift Certificate to Nova Natural


Handcrafted Heavy Doll from Ghana


And so much more!!!

There’s sure to be something for everyone!

Upcoming Admissions Events

Pre-School Tour
Tuesday, December 17th from 9:10-10:10 AM
During the tour we will take time to observe each of our classes and then there will be an opportunity for a brief discussion. The tour is for parents only and space is limited.

Grade School Open House
Tuesday, December 17th 7-8:30 PM
During this event we will have an in depth discussion about the Waldorf grades curriculum and how it meets the needs of the developing child.

Open House
Thursday, January 16th from 7-8:30 PM
Our Open Houses are for parents only and are an opportunity to see our classrooms, meet our teachers and participate in an in depth discussion about our programs. 

RSVP Karen.Talluto@newamsterdamchildhood.org to participate

Parent Lecture: January Date and Topic TBD

Our January Lecture will be set soon.
Visit our Lecture page for information about past lectures.