Summer Travels

Dear New Amsterdam Community,

I hope this summer finds you well and that you are enjoying more time with your children.

New Amsterdam has been quietly and joyful  bringing Summer programs and working hard on our grades school initiative.  We look very forward to sharing more soon!

I am writing today to share with you that at the end of July I will be taking fruits of my work with you and your children to 2 initiatives. I will be meeting  children, visiting a few schools, classes and working with teachers.

One is the Rafiki Waldorf school in Tanzania, Africa.

Rafiki was started a few years ago by my dear friend and colleague Victoria Mlay.

The school currently serves children ages 3-7 and in Tanzania, the government requires that a traditional curriculum be implemented.  While this formal instruction is introduced the teachers are working to bring balance and nurture the children’s imagination and bring joy to their learning experience.

Not to far away is the Hekima Waldorf School.

http://hekimawaldorf.wordpress.com/the-hekima-waldorf-school/

http://www.internationaalhulpfonds.nl/afrika/hekima.pdf

While the school is serving about 150 families, they also created a place for orphaned children.

From here I visit  the Tashi Waldorf school In Kathmandu, Nepal.

http://www.childrenofnepal.org/index.php?id=10

My husband will join me for 2 weeks and we will do more of the same work.

I feel the immensity, I feel the future of Waldorf Education, I feel the wonder of our lives. I hope to plant seeds for future partnerships and for new capacities waiting to be born.

I will take you all with me and share my joy, stories and love for the work we are doing together.

I really just wanted to share this with you all. Thank you for taking time to read this and I look very forward to bring to you my experience and seeing your loving faces when I return.

Lastly, both initiatives are in need of supplies.  Although I will not have a large bag I will bring dolls, paper books, crayons, beeswax, paint etc. 

If you would like to make a donation for any of these items please let me know.

lisa.bono@newamsterdamchildhood.org

I leave July 22^nd.

Wholeheartedly,

Lisa

Announcements for the week of May 31, 2013

Friday June 7th, 2013 11:30 Dismissal
- Last Day of School & End of Year Picnic

Please note that dismissal on the last day of school , Friday, June 7th, will be at 11:30 AM.  After pick up please join us at the El Jardin del Paraiso Community Garden (enter on 4th St between Aves C & D) for our annual End of the Year Picnic!
Bring a blanket and your lunch and share in the celebration of our year together!  The picnic will end at 1pm.

To make Friday easier, we are suggesting that you take as much of your child's cubbie items home on Thursday as you can.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Friday!

Announcements for week of May 24, 2013

Monday May 27th, 2013 School will be closed for Memorial Day.

Letter from Lisa Bono

Dear Parents,

On behalf of the faculty and staff, it is with deep joy and gratitude that I thank you and the community for a wonderful and memorable Spring Fair.

A few months ago the theme of sheep, fibers and spinning came alive from the fair committee, just at the same time the faculty chose Spindle, Shuttle, Needle for the puppet show. How perfect they worked together. I feel this is a small picture of what I often experience as a teacher among our teacher and parent community - harmony.

I know of course these events are a lot of work and can bring about some difficult moments, but when the day came it appeared effortless. I was amazed by the simplicity and beauty of the auction, garden activities and the food. It's was so nourishing and my senses grateful, to take in the beautiful handmade auction items. I felt in the room your hearts, creativity, the children and your love in working with your hands. The food was abundant, delicious, and I could taste the thoughtfulness and care in each bite!  The flow of the garden time brought such ease to an afternoon gathering of so many of us...

Most of all what I'd like to convey the amazement I experience by how our community is living through and through in striving with love the gift to humanity we call " Waldorf education" .
Creating a living, breathing strong organization that brings joy to us all.

Thank you thank you!

With Love,
Lisa

Spring Fair Thank You!

Three Cheers for the Spring Fair!

Our Spring Fair was utterly beautiful. Thank you to the teachers for the captivating puppet show, wondrous crystal cave, and for stepping into the role of Mother Nature in Mother Nature’s Magical Garden. Thank you to the staff for contributing their amazing organizational skills and unending patience. Thank you to Lisa and Jeff for the wonderful wool spinning demonstration. Thank you to the Eurythmy teachers for the pocket fairy magic and the beautiful performances in the garden.  Thank you to our generous sponsors who provided us with the resources to get the materials and food we needed to make this whole event possible.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and worked their fingers to the bone. The indoor shifts were fulfilled diligently and graciously. It was wonderful to experience our first Spring Market! The El Jardin picnic and activities were delightful. The food was delicious and nutritious and the set up was perfectly planned and gracefully executed. The garden has never seemed more inviting or beautiful.

We want to thank especially the core group (you know who you are) who worked tirelessly: plotting, planning, sewing, knitting, pressing, cutting, building, packing, writing, carrying, lifting, digging, hauling, driving, watching, purchasing, setting up, cleaning up, working until their legs and muscles seized, until they hobbled home and passed out on their couches mid-hand-dyeing silk! You are all creative, brilliant people who make our school sing with imagination, beauty and spirit.

And a very special Thank You to Lisa for your purity of vision and your great inspiration to all. It is your example that pulses through our hearts when we strive to become our very best, purest selves. Thank you for that.

There was something indescribable about watching all the children run around the garden, their faces painted, the rain threatening, the weather as intense and exuberant as their joy. And it is moments like these when we realize exactly why we work so hard. We do it for these little, painted faces: these puppies and kitties, bunnies and saber tooth tigers, princesses, fairies, flower girls and many, many butterflies, foxes and unicorns, little bats and spiders, dancing monkeys and swirly, pink fish. We work so hard so we can witness their delight and honor their wonder and goodness. We hope all the children had a magical, unforgettable experience at our New Amsterdam Spring Fair.

With Deep Gratitude and Love,

Spring Fair Committee

2013-14 Aftercare Program Survey

All parents of children enrolled in our 2013-14 Morning 3 and 5-Day Nurseries and Mixed Age Kindergarten Programs should have received a link to a brief online survey regarding our Aftercare program.  Your input is essential in our work to provide an aftercare program that meets the needs of our families.

Please take a moment to complete the survey and contact me if you have any questions or comments or if you did not receive the survey.

The Aftercare Program currently meets from 12:30-3 PM and addresses the needs of working parents who want their children to participate in an afternoon care that is consistent with the principles of Waldorf education.  After the active morning the children enjoy lunch (brought from home) followed by a story or a song and nap. After their rest they will share in an activity and/or a period of free play followed by a healthy snack (provided by the school) before they are picked up at 3:00 PM. The intent is not to structure this time with a whirlwind of activities, but rather to provide a secure daily rhythm within which the child is free to explore options.

You will be receiving 2013-14 Aftercare Enrollment Forms in July and I will let you know as soon as possible if we will be expanding the program to include extended hours.

Warmly,

Karen Talluto 
karen.talluto@newamstercamchildhood.org

School Tour this Thursday, May 23rd

If you are interested in our programs and would like to observe our classes please join me on Thursday, May 23rd from 9:15-10:15 AM. 

We will also have time for a discussion about our unique approach to early childhood education. 

To participate please RSVP karen.talluto@newamsterdamchildhood.org.