Summer News 2010

WALDORF SCHOOL of Lexington

Summer News ‘10 Life Begins at Forty: Let’s Celebrate!

Polish your party shoes and arrange a sleepover for the kids! The school is having a Gala Benefit on March 12, 2011, to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The evening will include a cocktail reception and sit-down dinner, a silent auction, and an exciting live auction, and a surprise or two.

Planning for this event is well underway and we are eager for the support of everyone in the community to make it a hit. What can you do to help?

First, mark the date on your calendar! Your presence will fill the event with warmth and a spirit of celebration. Plan a table with friends or fellow parents in your child’s class. Help spread the word to alumni, alumni parents, and alumni faculty you may know for this special celebration.

Second, think of something large or small you can donate to the auction that reflects your talents and passions. Here are some ideas…

• Are you accomplished in arts & crafts? Consider making a Waldorf doll, a felted playscape or wall-hanging, a knitted

baby outfit, a piece of furniture or jewelry, etc.

• Do you have a vacation home? Consider donating a week.

• Do you have a special expertise you could share? Consider giving a pickling and canning workshop, IT support, sewing a set of custom curtains, leading a fly-fishing adventure, painting a mural in a child’s room, or catering a cocktail party.

• Do you have a connection to a business or organization that might donate something of value to our auction? Consider whether you are willing to solicit them.

You’ll hear lots more about this event in the months to come. If you have any questions or input, please contact any one of us.

We look forward to planning and celebrating with you!

Until September, The Gala Team: Christine Alaimo, Carol Damm, Amy Durlach, Deb Goldman, Elizabeth Green, Julie Hannon, Laurel Kayne, Elizabeth Stubbs, Kerstin Zanger

40th CELEBRATIONS: SAVE THE DATE March 12, 2011, 7 p.m. GALA AUCTION Oakley Country Club, Watertown, MA Sept. 25, 12 p.m.

PCA Picnic

Nov. 21, 7-8:30 p.m. Alumni Panel Dec. 4, 10-4 40th Annual Holiday Fair Apr. 8, 2011 , 7 p.m. Mendenhall Concert

In this Edition: Building Improvements & Paul Menz

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Profiles: Alumnus Oliver Lubin ‘93 Class Teacher Leslie Svilokos

School Director Search Annual Fund Final Results

Interview: Chris Alaimo & Shannon Ames of the PCA

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Early Childhood & Great Meadows News

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New Horizons: Farewells & Welcomes

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Class of 2006 Reunion Class of 2010 Graduation Board of Trustee News

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Upcoming Events this Fall

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Edited by Holly Kania Contributions by Holly Kania, Laurel Kayne.

Elizabeth Stubbs.

Summer News is a publication of the Waldorf School of Lexington. Reproduction of content without express permission of the school is prohibited. Copyright July, 2010.

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Paul Menz

Building Improvements While students and teachers are on summer vacation, building manager Paul Menz is in his busiest season, upgrading, repairing, buffing and polishing the campus buildings for another school year. Paul is assisted in this work by three former students Ben Busiek (‘04), Mike Valenti (‘97) and Josh Ellis.

Andrew Freeburg is also assisting.

This summer sees major work, much of it related to waterproofing the Adams building, and repairing water damage from last spring’s torrential rains.

1. - Roof replacement on rear addition of Adams building 2. - Re-pointing of mortar joints where needed and water seal- ing the entire building 3. - Install new floor in the Orchestra room 4. - Electrical system upgrade to Adams building 2nd floor 5. - Kindergarten garden facelift 6. - Repair water-damaged walls in classrooms Many of you may wonder, “who is this Paul Menz, the oneman contracting army who keeps our old-school building in working order?” We are happy to share these helpful insights: • Frequently carries a jumbo size go-cup from Dunkin’ Donuts • Passionate about hiking in the White Mountains • Daughter Emma (Class of 2001) is an alum of our school, and a graduate of the Rivers School and Suffolk University • Wife Gerry was a co-founder of Great Meadows summer program, and worked at our school as a kindergarten assistant.

She is the proprietor of “Artwear” on 185 Mass Ave in East Arlington • Can be seen driving a big, green pickup truck with “Waldorf School” on the sides • Works the dismissal line rain or shine • Signs emails with a smiley face • Knows where all the Holiday Fair supplies are stored

Alumni News: Oliver Lubin ‘93 Oliver Lubin (’93) is the Chief Creative Officer and co-founder at thredUP.com, a new online kids clothing swap platform. thredUP helps busy parents exchange boxes of outgrown children’s clothing for great gear that fits – all online, from the convenience of home. The service connects thousands of parents across the country, coordinates trades and manages quality control. By swapping instead of shopping, thredUP encourages families to be a little greener, cutting down on waste and consumption.

In just a few short months live, thredUP has passed the 11,000 member mark and helped parents save an estimated $200,000 in children’s clothing. “The initial feedback has been tremendous,” says Oliver. “Members seem to love the intuitive interface and overall thredUP experience.”

The fee-free clothing exchange (participants simply pay for shipping and handling) also leverages social networking. Users can register through Facebook, exchanging clothing with childhood friends and college roomates, as well as unknown participants on the site. The innovative service has drawn the attention of publications from Parenting to the Wall Street Journal.

Oliver was previously the Marketing Technology Director at Foley Hoag LLP. He has worked in marketing and technology consulting for the past six years and holds a degree in Computer Science from Boston College, where he sang in the a cappella group “The Bostonians.” He says music often helps him “dislodge creative ideas that have gotten stuck or need a little persuasion.” thredUp provides mailers to make exchanging clothing extra-easy for its users.

Have alumni news to share?

Email it to Holly Kania at h.kania@thewaldorfschool.org

Oliver describes how Waldorf education has contributed to his career trajectory this way: There’s something about the freedom of comprehension that Waldorf encourages that’s become one of my biggest assets, unbounded by the confines of “how things are usually done.” I’m constantly finding myself in situations where that kind of creative thinking is unique. Waldorf also taught me to observe rather than assume -- to have intellectual patience. With thredUP those skills have allowed me to take on an industry I knew nothing about: “gently worn” children’s clothing. Waldorf certainly set an amazing foundation for approaching the world with curiosity for anything it seems to throw at me. visit thredUp’s website at http://www.thredup.com

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Introducing: First Grade Teacher Leslie Svilokos Class teacher Leslie Svilokos had a challenging week: she and her husband spent a weekend in East Cambridge moving some belongings into their new apartment when thunderstorms hit the area and flash flooding threatened to submerge their car and UHaul trailer -- contents and all. Soggy and tired, they returned home to the Berkshires only to find their well had run dry. Yet Leslie relates the tales of high and low waters with evident good humor and a melodic laugh.

Musicality and a sense of humor are just two of the qualities the experienced Class Teacher offers this year’s incoming first grade students. A professional cellist, Leslie brings ensemble skills to her work, creating harmony amongst the different moods and shifting rhythms of a class dynamic: “I like big classes,” she says.

“I have a pretty good sense of humor, and I can definitely build on the energy in the classroom.”

Leslie’s deep experience is apparent. The Class of 2018 will be her third Waldorf elementary class. Beginning a new class journey is enriched by her work with prior classes (her first students from Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School have just finished their freshman year in college, she reports proudly), and also by her experience raising her son, who begins college this fall.

Leslie’s husband Al Piccin, son Luca, and golden retriever Bacci, bring a wonderful mix of gifts to Lexington. Relocating to the Boston area is a homecoming for Al, a professional musician who has grown children living in Newton, Watertown, and on the Cape. His work life was centered in Boston, performing at toptier venues from the Schubert and Colonial theaters to the Wang Center. Al embraced life in the Berkshires, but “can’t wait to get back to the city, the culture and long-time friends.”

Son Luca, an alumnus of Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School, recently graduated from Monument Mountain Regional High School. He began his education at our own nursery school (where Leslie participated in Foundation Studies and began her path to teacher training). Speaking four languages and playing the viola, Luca intends to study adolescent psychology and film at the University of Vermont, where he will also join the orchestra.

Leslie enters her thirtieth year of teaching, having taught at NEC for many years before becoming a Waldorf teacher. As she looks forward to leading a new class of students and their families at our school, she muses: “If children sense that you know them, and that you are not judging them for who they are, they will give you back respect tenfold. If the classroom has that atmosphere, there is so much that can be accomplished.”

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Music speaks what cannot be expressed, Soothes the mind

and gives it rest, Heals the Heart

and makes It whole, Flows from Heaven

to the Soul. ~ Anonymous

School Director Search Update The hiring committee for a School Director is continuing to receive and review resumes throughout the summer, with a goal of filling the position by the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year. We are fortunate to have Joe O’Regan step in as Interim School Director for this year. Joe will act as Governance Council Chair and will be the contact person for parents with schoolwide questions, or concerns they have been unable to resolve in dialogue with their children’s teachers. The School Director acts as school spokesperson and holds in mind the broader perspective of issues and concerns that resonate across the whole school.

Interim School Director Joe O’Regan

Fantastic Year for Annual Giving We are pleased to report that with your enthusiastic support, the “Cultivating our Future” Annual Giving Campaign succeeded in raising $165,963 to support the school’s future. The generosity of two matching challenges inspired new and existing donors to scale new heights in participation and giving. Our families, faculty, staff, board, alumni and friends together donated over $120,000, qualifying for an additional $45,000 in matching funds from an anonymous benefactor: the first match of $25,000 was earned for reaching the 80% participation mark, while the second challenge matched all funds donated above $100,000 dollar for dollar.

At the end of the drive, 92% of school families had particiapted Annual Giving this year. A particularly moving gift came from the members of the graduating Class of 2010 and their families, who donated unspent dollars in their Class Fund to Annual Giving.

Additional development successes were seen throughout the school:

$10,592 raised by Holiday Fair

$ 6,721 raised by the Mendenhall Concert

(benefits music scholarships)

Over $1,200 raised by the Barnes & Noble

Concert, plus numerous book donations from generous parents (benefits the

Elementary Library) We were delighted to meet and greet you with our own brand of Development Committee hospitality at the Torin Finser lecture, the Holiday Fair Shoppers’ Evening, and the end-of-school picnic.

It was great to meet so many of you throughout the year. Thank you for helping our school prosper.

Cultivating our Future

Sincerely, Tom Digby, Chair Miguel Canizares, Elisa Elkin-Cleary, Carol Damm, Keith Hartt, Laurel Kayne, Joe O’Regan

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Candid thoughts: PCA volunteers Chris Alaimo & Shannon Ames Both women have been parents at the school since their children were in Morning Glories Parent-Tot Class. Ames, an Arlinton resident, is mother to Teddy (in Shining Stars kindergarten) and Isabel (in First Grade.) She steps down as PCA co-chair this summer in order to make time for her new role as a member of the Board of Trustees. Continuing on as PCA Chair, Alaimo lives in Lexington and is mom to Louis Savarino, a second grader.

Summer News: How did each of you become involved with the now oneyear-old Parent Community Association?

Shannon: When I joined, it was in its true infancy. The PCA represented the first time I had been able to meet anyone who was not another parenttot program parent. It really gave me a whole window in to the rest of the school.

Chris: You know I think I saw a listing in the bulletin and showed up for a meeting. I kept intending to go--then once I went, I just kept going!

Summer News: What does the PCA add to the school environment?

Shannon: All volunteering is important, but volunteering for the PCA brings it out of the classroom and benefits the school as a whole.

Chris: Being involved in your class is great, but it helps just your class.

PCA gives parents a way to use their skills to give back to the school.

The PCA provides opportunities beyond those available through class volunteering.

Shannon: PCA also allows parents to be inspired by a perceived need, like a desire to celebrate our incredible diversity, or a passion for adult education. At the same time, one of our purposes is to put a buffer between enthusiastic parents and an overworked staff and board.

Chris: PCA presents a great opportunity for volunteer efforts to find an outlet, and for the school to present needs to be filled. There isn’t always a match, but the idea is to bring some ideas to fruition.

Summer News: Is this impulse – matching volunteer skills with school needs – one of the things that lead you to develop the new volunteer intake form in the Parent Pages section of the website?

Chris: Exactly. Now parents can let us know their interests and skills… people can volunteer more easily and centrally for various PCA and nonPCA needs, things big and small.

Summer News: What are your meetings like?

Shannon: Informal and engaged. Our meetings tend to morph because people often get excited and energy builds in new directions.

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To reach the PCA: Voice mail: 781.863.1062 ext 565 Email: pca@thewaldorfschool.org Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7 p.m.

PCA (con’t.)

Chris: We have several committees, and each committee gives a report on what they are doing each month. I’ve been amazed at the interest in other committees’ work. Right down to the treasurer’s report, people really engage.

Summer News: What were some of your accomplishments in this first year?

Chris: The international potluck was more of a hit than we ever imagined – it drew way more than the 16 people who signed up.

Shannon: I walked in thinking there would be 25 people there, and there were at least 100.

Chris: I was impressed by how many people came with the whole family and made an afternoon out of it. People brought the most wonderful dishes representing their cuisine. It was truly beautiful.

Shannon: We also hosted a reception for new nursery and kindergarten parents, to make them feel welcome and part of the community, and to support Admissions.

Summer News: And then the PCA has taken on revamping the Adult Lending Library, which was in crates for the past two years.

Shannon: Julie Hannon is in charge of it. She’s been getting books, doing inventory, working out a new lending system.

Chris: Andy Freeburg built and designed a cabinet for the hallway outside Homespun. The new location allows many more volumes than Homespun ever had, and it’s convenient—right across from the Café.

Summer News: Any final thoughts you would like our readers to know about the PCA?

We are looking for volunteers to help with the PCA back-to-school potluck picnic on Sept. 25.

If you can help out with grilling, organizing or publicity for this low-key event, please email Chris Alaimo at chrisalaimo@yahoo.com

Shannon: Yes: Being part of the PCA is not a burden! It’s a great way to learn about the institution and get a deeper understanding of what’s going on. It’s not like having a part-time job, which is what some people fear. It’s energizing!

Chris: Right now, our membership draws strongly from Early Childhood families. But we would love to see more people from across the school. I often hear “I want to get involved but I still can’t do Mondays.” Don’t let the meeting time be a hurdle. We can leverage whatever time parents have to give.

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Early Childhood News It’s been a busy summer in the Adams Building for our Early Childhood teachers: Waldorf Park has continued to meet on Mondays in July, while “Storytime,” an hour-long program of puppetry, singing, snacks and free play has been offered on Wednesday mornings in July. A few other bits of news: • Registration is open and on-going for all Parent-Child classes, from Roses to Morning Glories. Simply visit the Parent-Child section on the website for information and an online application.

• The Kindergarten garden (to the right of the Adams Building, adjacent to the side parking lot) is receiving a facelift. Woodworking teacher Andrew Freeburg is toiling away in the midsummer heat, rebuilding the fencing and gate, and generally sprucing up the play area.

Great Meadows News

Counselors Julia van Daam, Mariah Ward, and Katie Sheena with colorful campers.

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With the scorching temperatures this summer, the air-conditioned comfort of 703 Massachusetts Avenue has been a welcome retreat from the heat for our children. This summer, Great Meadows boasts a great group of Waldorf School of Lexington Alumni in our CIT and counselor group: Magda Bermudez (‘06), Katie Sheena (‘06), Megan Monzillo (‘09), Kate O’Regan (‘09), Mariah Carr (‘05) Rhiana Carnigan (‘05), Laura Breitenfeld (‘09). Together with the children, our staff gardens daily in the Nursery play area, which has never looked more well-tended. Limited spaces may still be available for our last two weeks of camp (August 2 and August 9), so call now.

New Horizons We wish the best for the following faculty and staff who are moving on to new pursuits this fall. We will miss them!

Karen Graham, Nursery Assistant Alice Griffin, Early Childhood Afternoon Assistant & Extended Day Teacher Carol Hand, School Nurse Dolores Kaufmann, Eurythmy Teacher Rodd Stockwell, School Doctor Paula van den Broek, Class Teacher (Sabbatical) Congratulations to Karen Graham, who graduated from Waldorf Teacher Training at Sunbridge College in early July and will lead a Nursery class at the Cape Ann Waldorf School beginning this September. Alice Griffin is expecting a baby this summer. Blessings! And Dolores Kaufmann retired after decades of service. Her effervescent spirit will be sorely missed.

We welcome these new members to our faculty/staff community: Lindy Brown will assist in the Shining Stars kindergarten. An alumni parent, Lindy’s daughter Susanna Hoffmann graduated with the Class of 2009 and is now attending Winchester High School.

Lily-Rakia Chandler will assist in the Fairy Bell nursery. Her son Rafael Gell was in Fairy Bell Nursery and moves to kindergarten this fall.

Betsy Peck, an alumni parent and former administrator at the school rejoins us, working in the Business Office as an Assistant.

Betsy’s sons Daniel and Geoffrey Rodriguez are both alumni of our schoool: Daniel works as a freelance pianist and music director in the Boston area.; Geoffrey is a rising senior at Williams College.

Betsy shares her home with Figgy, her chubby, and highly personable, cat.

Laura Wells Conti joins us as 40th Anniversary Events Coordinator. Laura is Events and PR Coordinator for Wide Horizons for Children in Waltham and a K-12 alumna of our school, attending the high school when it was located on the Lexington campus.

She is Secretary for the Board of Trustees of the Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay. Laura will provide administrative support to the volunteer committees plannning and managing our 40th Anniversary Celebrations.

Eurythmy teacher “Glorious Dolores” Kaufmann brought gifts of grace, joy, and eternal youthfulness to students and colleagues alike. The faculty honored her at a retirement lunch in June, where Dolores had the pefect gesture to share with each of her colleagues. Happy retirement, Mrs. Kaufmann!

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Class of 2006 Graduates High School Karen Weiland’s Class of 2006 graduated from high school this spring and enjoyed a parentstudent-faculty potluck reunion in June. These young people have the following plans for their next steps. The list is not exhaustive as some graduates’ plans were unknown at presstime.

Rachel Bennett—University of Vermont; Magda Bermudez—Hampshire College; Olivia Biller-Oberlin Conservatory and College; Teresa Busiek—Regis College, nursing; Dylan Callahan—Skidmore College; Karla Faber—Smith College; Karlo Haddad—Chapman University, film; Issac Hoenig—Williams College; Sophie Heselton-Clements—Elon University; Kira Jorgensen—University of St. Andrews, Scotland; Wendy Humphreys—Bryn Mawr; Sam Karp—Tulane University; Jessica Landing —University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Hanna Rajabi—Connecticut College; Catherine Ramos—Parsons School of Design; Isabel Ryan –Wheaton College; Katie Sheena—Ithaca College; Florence Van den Broek--Hendrix College, Arkansas; Stephanie Voss—NorthwesternUniversity; Noah Cooper-Hauser—American University;Taggart Wass—College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor; Olivia Zubrowski—Bennington College.

Left to right, front row: Wendy Humphries, Karla Faber, Sophie Heselton-Clements, Magda Bermudez, Jessica Landing, Hannah Rajabi, Florence van den Broek. Second row: Class teacher Karen Weiland, Stephanie Voss, Selene Campion, Noah Cooper-Hauser, Olivia Biller, Katie Sheena (hugging), Isabel Ryan, Taurean Crawford, Teresa Busiek. Back row: Isaac Hoenig, Kira Jorgensen, Matthew Harvey.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2010 Graduation was a lovely affair, chock-full of music, personal stories, and heartfelt goodbyes from students, parent Matt Donahue, and class teacher Paula van den Broek. The sun may not have been shining, but graduates and families alike were glowing with pride as our newest graduates stepped from the stage for the last time. Following is a list of their schools next year: Arlington High School, Beaver Country Day School, Bedford High School, Boston College High School, Brookline High School, Concord-Carlisle High School, Lexington High School, The Newman School, Newton-North High School, St. John’s Prep, Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay, Weston High School

L-R, Front Row: Matthew Mueller, Cody Orvik, Adriana Sistig, Sepideh Ghoreishi, Chloe Goldstein, Ben Cannon. Middle: Grant Fishman, Alma Greenberg, Nikolette Cartales, Evan Jaccodine, Solomon Abrams, Peter Graves, Peter Donahue. Back: Paula van den Broek, Lydia Genard, Leah Rappaport, Lindsey Currier, Piper Montesi, Roan Callahan. Not pictured: Reid Lance, Joseph Kammerman.

Jan Connery Retires, New Team of Officers Leads Board of Trustees In June, 2009-10 Board President Jan Connery retired after many years of service to the school. An alumni parent (AP) whose son Jacob Courant graduated in the Class of 2005, Jan set the standard for dedication to our school. Over the years, we have benefitted from her wisdom, strategic guidance, and exquisite communications skills. She participated in several key Board committees, from the Communications Committee and Identity Team, to search committees, to parent initiatives like the Germinating Group and the PCA. We will miss Jan’s deeply reflective and passionate leadership, and wish her all the best in “civilian life.”

Replacing Jan at the helm of the Board of Trustees is incoming President and parent (P) Mooly Dinnar. Other newly elected Board officers are Vice-President Keith Hartt (P), and secretary Helena Niiva (F). Shannon Ames (P) is a newly elected board member.

(P) Parent

(AP) Alumni parent

(F) Faculty

Incoming Board President Mooly Dinnar, parent of Shai (8th), Gil (6th), and Ido (4th).

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Upcoming Events this Fall The 2010-11 Calendar is available online, with everything from class evenings to performance dates. Click on the calendar tab of the homepage to scroll by month.

Here are some key dates: August 16 - August 31: School office closed September 7: School Warming, Class Evenings September 10: First day of school: Elementary students

(Noon dismissal) September 13, 14: Early childhood classes begin (see

calendar for varying hours by program.)

September 15: New Parent Welcome Evening September 25: PCA Back-to-School Potluck Picnic September 25: Arlington Town Day. Come visit our booth

at this annual outdoor festival. Parents and students

are our best advertisers!

October 2: Marionette Show & Annual East Lexington Fair. The Fair is co-sponsored by our neighbors at Follen Church and Wilson Farm. A great opportunity for Waldorf students and families to offer class fundraisers.

October 24: Admissions Open House October 29: Early Childhood Halloween Walk. Shh! It’s a surprise. Don’t tell the children.

November 5: Viennese Ball. Hosted by the 8th Grade: Put on your dancing shoes and waltz to a live ensemble.

November 21: Alumni Panel & Reception. Waldorf School of Lexington graduates talk about their high school and college experiences. Open to all parents, and students in grades 7-8.

December 4: Holiday Fair and Alumni Reception December 11: Winter Holiday Sing Date change: The Mendenhall Concert has been moved back a week to Saturday, April 8, 2011. Please mark your calendars!

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