Changes to Extended Care: Effective November 2020
As a licensed daycare provider, the state mandates many of our policies and procedures for our Early Childhood programs. During 2020, as we have all learned to navigate best practices for safety during a time of the pandemic, those mandates have increased significantly.
In reviewing the state changes, as well as the number of families contracted (which is significantly lower this year than in previous), we have made the decision to only offer Extended Care to our two Kindergarten programs from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. We are not currently offering Extended Care to our Daisy Garden Nursery students or to students in the Grades program. We understand how crucial the Extended Care program can be to some of our families and after much thought and discussion, we feel this is the option that allows us to continue to offer an extended day to those for whom it is necessary. This change will be put into effect on November 2nd.
While we are continuing to accept drop-ins, we must be informed of any drop-ins no later than 3 pm on the previous day. We will continue to review enrollment numbers, the state mandates surrounding COVID-19 safety, and the need of our families as the year progresses. If we determine we are able to extend our program beyond the current parameters of a Kinder-only, 1-4 offering, we will let the community know promptly.
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding during these changed circumstances. We will continue to strive to meet our community in their needs while creating a program that is sustainable for our school. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Early Childhood Lantern Festival
My lantern, my lantern
Shining near and far: Shining like the sun;
Shining like the moon; Shining like a silver star
My lantern, my lantern
5:00 – 6:00 PM on Saturday, November 14th @ St. Matthews Community Park
We are excited to celebrate the changing of the seasons with a special off-campus event. This year our lantern walk will be held at St. Matthews Community Park. The park is located close to school at 310 Ten Pin Lane and accessible near Chick-fil-a and the shopping centers off Shelbyville Road. Proceed past the Bowling Alley and ball parks, driving all the way to the end of Ten Pin Lane. Park in the last lot near the entrance to the walking path. There is plenty of parking and space to gather for all classes. We will be walking along a paved wooded path approximately ½ mile long. We will meet at the entrance to the walking path.
All classes please park and gather at your child’s designated classroom area. Each class will gather with their class teacher; Daisy Garden by the Orange Lantern, Red Rose by the Red Lantern and Marigold Kindergarten by the Yellow Lantern. Teachers will welcome the children and light lanterns (we will be using real candles; children are asked to stay with their parents at all times). We will sing and begin walking shortly afterwards. Immediate family members are welcome to participate in the lantern walk with their own lantern. Please stay with your family group and maintain appropriate social distancing while walking. Classes will be staggered during the walk. At the conclusion of the lantern walk, families will depart to their cars and return home.
Just a reminder to dress warmly for the weather and use the restroom before attending.
All families will need to follow the Governor’s mask mandate for public spaces (6 years and older).
We strongly encourage conducting a health screening at home and respectfully not attending if anyone is feeling ill.
Please plan on keeping a mood of reverence as you return home. Thank you.
Auditory Screenings at WSL on Friday, November 20th
The University of Louisville will be sending representatives from the Audiology Department on Friday, November 20th to conduct auditory screenings
Our practice is to screen all first graders and any newly enrolled students in grades 2-8. There is no charge for this screening.
If your child does not fall into one of these two categories but you are interested in having them receive an Auditory Screening at WSL, you can sign them up to be screened. The cost is $7 per student – it can be billed to your TADS account.
If your child does fall into one of these categories but you would like to opt them out of the screening, you may do that well.
Please contact Mr. Neill in the office to make either arrangement (office@waldorflouisville.com)
Picture orders are due Wednesday, November 18th.
There is a basket in the office where you can drop off your order forms.
If you have any questions about orders or payments, please contact Nicole directly.
Nicole Aldridge, NZA Photography
(502) 387-0449
Rising 1st Grade 2021-22
If your child will turn 6 by May 1st, 2021 they will be assessed to rise to 1st grade in the 2021-22 school year. More information will be sent to you soon. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Evy or Ms. Kristin.
Foundation Studies at WSL
Rob Lanier, 7th/8th Grade Lead Teacher is offering an opportunity for a Foundations Study this year.
If you are thinking about Waldorf Training, this foundational work is an important prerequisite. If you are interested in learning more about anthroposophy and Rudolf Steiner, this is a great place to begin. If you want to know something about what makes WSL different from other schools this course of study would be very helpful.
We will meet alternating Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 7:30 pm via ZOOM.
We will begin with Steiner’s book Theosophy. This book was first published in 1910. The version we will read was translated from the German in 1961. The introduction was written in 1994.
There is the reading of about 30+ pages between meetings (a calendar of which is included below), plus keeping your own journal of notes, drawings, and musings.
Look for a comfy place at home that will help you to embrace the pleasures of new ideas that inspire and challenge.
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September 24th pgs. vii - 19
the Foreward, Prefaces, and Introduction, Who was Rudolph Steiner and How can there be such a thing as Spiritual Science?
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October 8th pgs. 21 - 62
Lots of Bodies! Chapter 1: The Essential Nature of the Human Being
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October 22nd pgs. 63 - 92
Chapter 2: Destiny and the Reincarnation of the Spirit. Why are we here?
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November 12th pgs. 93 - 130
Chapter 3, part I: The Three Worlds, If that’s true then what about death?
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Meeting 5 pgs. 131 -174
Chapter 3, part II: The Three Worlds, You can’t sleep when you’re dead!
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Meeting 6 pgs. 175 - 196
Chapter 4: The Path to Knowledge, The Long and Winding Road...
If you are a WSL community member you are automatic members of PA!
Did you know we have a Facebook group for family and friends of WSL?
It’s a great way to share and keep updated about what’s happening in our community.
NOVEMBER Parent Association Zoom Meeting
Wondering how to plug-in at WSL?
Look No Further!
Join us at Warwick Park from 8:30 – 10 AM
First Tuesday of every month
Come when you’re able and stay as long as you’d like. Bring your own coffee and chair. This is an informal community gathering but can evolve into brainstorming for PA.
Upcoming meetings days: November 3, December 1
Winter Faire Task Force Meeting
Tuesday, November 3rd @ 7pm
Meeting ID: 883 6928 0867
Passcode: 223121
Winter Faire is being planned for the first week in December and while this Faire will likely be quite different due to COVID, we are planning to have an Angel Room where kids can shop for family and friends holiday gifts. Everything will be $1 or less and the room will be stocked with simple, handmade donations from parents.
The request is for each parent to donate 10 items. Usually, these are simple and handmade. Some ideas are:
– bookmarks
– friendship bracelets
– painted shells
– painted rocks
– simple ornaments
– wands
– gems or jewels
– knitted or crocheted crafts
– felted critters or acorns
– glittery pine cones
– handmade jump ropes
Starting after Thanksgiving break there will be a large box where donations can be placed. The dropbox location is TBD, but likely accessible to drop off from your vehicle. We hope each family will contribute and that your child will enjoy shopping there! This magical event is made possible through parent donations — Please let your Class Parent know that they can count on you to contribute 10 items for the Angel Room.
Parent Association Mentorship
I have three young roosters looking for a new home. Two are five months and not yet crowing, and mostly Rhode Island Reds. The third is a year, mature, crowing, and a barnyard mix. If interested, contact Mike Eger (484-716-3202 or mike.eger@waldorflouisville.com).
