Spring Fair May 17th

New Amsterdam School Spring Fair Saturday, May 17th9:30 am - 12:30 pm at New Amsterdam, 1 Avenue B (at Houston)  12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Picnic in El Jardin del Paraiso Community Garden, 4th Street bt. Aves C & D http://newamsterdamspringfair.brownpapertickets.com Buy you tickets online!   Dear Friends, Please join us on Saturday, May 17th for this joyous event in celebration of spring, our community and our wonderful school.  The indoor portion of the fair will begin at 9:30 am at the school. Young children will delight in the many activities that we have planned. They will marvel at their school's transformation into Mother Nature's Garden, a Magical Meadow, and a mysterious Crystal Cave! They will follow the pocket fairy as she floats through the hall revealing beautifully crafted prizes from her pockets! They will watch in silent awe the enchanting puppet shows that our teachers have so lovingly prepared. Parents will have the opportunity to shop at our spring fair market and purchase handmade toys lovingly crafted by the parents, grandparents, teachers and staff who make up our craft cooperative. They will also be able to bid on all the many delights we have to offer in this spring's silent auction, or stock up on Waldorf supplies at our first ever pop-up shop!   The day will culminate in a picnic and free play time at our school garden. The picnic will begin at 12pm. Each attendee will have his or her own bag lunch included with the entry fee, so please select the option you want (vegetarian or vegan) when you purchase your ticket. A true out-breath after the taking in of all the exciting new things at the fair--new sights and sounds, new crafting experiences, new toys, new people, and new fun, the garden portion of the event will nourish their bodies with a healthy lunch and nourish their spirits with carefree play.    This year's fair will be particularly joyful as we celebrate the continued blossoming of our school and, in particular, the blossoming of our first ever FIRST grade!    Buy your tickets online and join the celebration! Indoor Activities 9:30-12:30 New Amsterdam School 1 Avenue B Outdoor Activities  12-3 El Jardin del Paraiso Community Garden 4th Street between Avenues C & D Admission (Entrance fee includes complimentary lunch-- choose from vegetarian or vegan option) Child $5 Adult $10 Activity tokens are available for purchase online    We are grateful to our generous sponsors: Murray's Cheese Chipotle The New Amsterdam School Community

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.

Thank You To a Special Person in Our Community

As you have learned from the news published in this newsletter, our friend and colleague Karen Talluto will be resigning from her position as Director of Admissions for New Amsterdam School. Karen has been an integral part of the success and growth of the school and we are truly thankful for her many years of hard work and dedication and for her kind and generous spirit. It is with a heavy heart that we see her go, but we are excited and encouraged by Karen's continued support of our school and by her next steps into a deeper exploration of the Waldorf pedagogy. 

Please know that for the remainder of the year, the hiring committee will work hard to find a candidate who can step into the role of Admissions Director bringing a high level of knowledge, warmth, and enthusiasm to the job. We aim to find a person committed to working out of anthroposophy and excited about working integrally with our community.

 

In the meantime, members of the hiring committee will fulfill all admissions-related responsibilities that require attention. Please feel free to reach out to anyone listed below for any questions or concerns you may have regarding admissions, tuition assistance, forms, medical forms, contracts, tuition and payment schedules.

• Karen Talluto and Joe Robertson will continue to oversee Tuition Assistance.
• Lisa Bono will for the interim preside over Parent Child Admissions.
• Kaarin Von Herrlich will serve as interim Admissions Parent Volunteer for Bridge, Nursery, Kindergarten and 1st Grade and will host upcoming open houses with the support of the grades committee and faculty. 
• Howard Dulaney will manage all forms, contracts and schedules and provide any necessary administration.  He will also address any questions current families may have pertaining thereto.
• Meaghan Witri and  Samantha Barnard will provide logistical and advisory support for the above volunteers. 

We will work as a team to continue the work Karen previously spearheaded in marketing, communications, and all admissions related events.

 

We would like to thank you for your patience and support. We want to assure you that we will continue to grow and fortify our school with mindful, effective and intelligent next steps as a group, working with our hands and hearts and minds out of the impulses of anthroposophy and a deep reverence for our community and our school. 

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

May Admissions Events

Pre-School/Kindergarten Open House
Thursday, May 1st from 7-8:30 PM
Tuesday, May 13th from 7-8:30 PM
See our classrooms, meet our teachers and share in an in depth discussion about our Waldorf inspired approach to early childhood education.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


Grade School Open House
Saturday, May 3rd from 11:30 AM-1 PM
Parents are invited to share in a discussion about the New Amsterdam Grade School curriculum.  Join us to learn more about how we can meet the needs of your child as they enter into their primary school years.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


Family Pre-School & Kindergarten Sample Session
Saturday, May 3rd from 9:30-11 AM
The Sample Session is an opportunity for parents and their children over the age of two to spend time in one of our classrooms, meet our teachers and learn more about our unique approach to early childhood education.  We will share in an activity and a circle, and their will be time for questions.  Sample Sessions are limited to six families.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


All School Open House
Thursday, May 29th 7-8:30 PM
Details coming soon!


Pre-School/Kindergarten School Tour
Scheduled upon request.
Briefly observe two of our classes and then share in a discussion of your observations. 
Space is limited.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


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 will 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 our admissions office if you would like to attend one of our upcoming events and learn more about our school.

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.

April & May Admissions Events

Grade School Open House
Wednesday, April 9 from 7-8:30 PM
Parents are invited to share in a discussion about the New Amsterdam Grade School curriculum.  Join us to learn more about how we can meet the needs of your child as they enter into their primary school years.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


Pre-School/Kindergarten Open House
Thursday, May 1st from 7-8:30 PM
See our classrooms, meet our teachers and share in an in depth discussion about our Waldorf inspired approach to early childhood education.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.

Pre-School Sample Session
Saturday, May 3 from 9:30-11 AM
The Sample Session is an opportunity for parents and their children over the age of two to spend time in one of our classrooms, meet our teachers and learn more about our unique approach to early childhood education.  We will share in an activity and a circle, and their will be time for questions.  Sample Sessions are limited to six families.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


Grade School Open House
Saturday, May 3 from 11:30 AM-1 PM
Parents are invited to share in a discussion about the New Amsterdam Grade School curriculum.  Join us to learn more about how we can meet the needs of your child as they enter into their primary school years.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


Pre-School/Kindergarten Open House
Tuesday, May 13th from 7-8:30 PM
See our classrooms, meet our teachers and share in an in depth discussion about our Waldorf inspired approach to early childhood education.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


Pre-School/Kindergarten School Tour
Scheduled as Needed
Briefly observe two of our classes and then share in a discussion of your observations. 
Space is limited.  Parents only please.  RSVP admissions@newamsterdamchildhood.org.


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 will 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 Spring!