September

~ For the golden corn and the apples on the trees, For the butter and the honey for our tea, For fruits and nuts and berries that grow beside the way, For birds and bees and flowers, we give our thanks today. Blessings on our meal and our family~

photo from here

    Autumn is a time for gratitude, harvest and reverence. Autumn is filled with many celebrations, both big and small. September 29th is the day that we celebrate Michaelmas in the Waldorf School. Often there is a depiction of a knight doing battle with a dragon. This image of Michael doing battle with the dragon represents strength and courage over darkness.

    September is the month of abundance, yet it is also the month that the light changes and trees begin to change. It is the threshold of winter. In the Early Childhood classroom every day is a celebration and we put great thought into having gratitude and reverence in everything we do. We sit down for meals together, we sing a blessing before we eat and we stay at the table until everyone is finished.

   Bread day has a special feeling to it unlike any of the other days. The children wash their hands, put on aprons and help to kneed and shape the dough. They watch it rise and smell it baking. When a child receive her roll at snack time her eyes light up as she hold her still warm bread. At that moment the children know that their work truly matters.

  And so with this understanding, this  love of work we greet the abundance that is September. We take the shining light and hold it in our hearts as we walk towards the winter.

Rhythm

Rhythm is a very important part of the Waldorf curriculum. Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly rhythms all help to form the curriculum. Each day and lesson must contain a balance between concentration and rest, movement and book work, listening and active participation as well as watching and doing. The yearly rhythm also comes through in the celebration of festivals.

“Rhythm is the magic word for parents and educators of young children. Young children thrive on a simple, flexible rhythm that carries them through their day, through each week, and through the slowly unfolding years of their lives. Rhythm lays a strong foundation, not only in our children’s lives but also our own” ~ Sharifa Oppenheimer

Bluebell Weekly Rhythm

	MONDAY “rice day”	TUESDAY “soup day”	WEDNESDAY “millet day”	THURSDAY “oatmeal day”	FRIDAY “bread day”
8:00- 8:25	Drop off
8:30am	The Day Begins	The Day Begins	The Day Begins	The Day Begins	The Day Begins
8:30- 9:30	Work and Play Painting	Work and Play Veggie Chopping	Work and Play Drawing	Work and Play Grain Grinding	Work and Play Bread Making
9:30	Clean Up Time	Clean Up Time	Clean Up Time	Clean Up Time	Clean Up Time
9:45	Circle	Circle	Eurythmy	Circle	Circle
10- 10:30	Snack	Snack	Snack	Snack	Snack
10:30- 11:30	Outside Play Walk	Outside Play	Outside Play Walk	Outside Play	Outside Play Walk
12pm	Story	Story	Story	Story	Story
12:30pm	Pick Up or  Lunch and Rest Program	Pick Up or  Lunch and Rest Program	Pick Up or  Lunch and Rest Program	Pick Up or  Lunch and Rest Program	Pick Up or  Lunch and Rest Program

Welcome

Welcome to the new school year dear families!
 
This is where you can find our monthly classroom updates, information about upcoming festivals as well as a glimpse into the classroom.

The school year is fast approaching, our first sweet and short day is Wednesday August 27th. There is so much to look forward to and much to do in these last few busy days of summer!

Please make sure you read the parent handbook and any other information sent by the office. Also please make sure to check the school calender for all upcoming dates.

May the rest of your summer be filled with joy and laughter.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Little