January 12, 2024
IMPORTANT DATES
January
1/13: Foundation Studies, 10am-3pm
1/15: MLK Day (NO SCHOOL)
1/16: PA Meeting, 6:00pm (CWS Music Room)
1/17: Ski Trip - High School
1/19: Community Singing, 8:30am (Community Room)
1/26: Community Singing, 8:30am (Community Room)
Ski Trip - Grades 5-8
1/29: Admissions Visit Day (No Preschool or NatureTots)
State of the School, 6:00-7:30pm (CWS Gym)
February
2/2: Community Singing, 8:30am (Community Room)
2/3: Open House
Pre-K - 8th Grade, 10am-1pm
High School, 11am-2pm
2/7: Parent Education Event: Building Life Skills with Amie Duncan,
CWS Parent and Clinical Psychologist, 6:30pm-8pm
2/9: Community Singing, 8:30am (Community Room)
Get Your Spring Benefit Tickets 10% OFF During Our Early Bird Special - NOW through January 31st ONLY!
Saturday, March 23
6pm, CWS Gym
The CWS Spring Benefit is the school's biggest fundraiser of the year -- it's also a PARTAY that you don't want to miss!
And right now, event tickets + GOLDEN TICKETS (these tickets get you a chance to win the LIVE auction item of your choice, often valued at thousands of dollars!) are 10% off!
This year's event is a Work Out theme, so dig out those leotards and leg warmers or get thrifting for that perfect vintage track suit. (More outfit inspiration to come!) Natalie Jones from Q102 will be behind the microphone and DJ booth to make sure our party muscles get a good workout. So, come drink, eat, bid, win, and dance the night away!
Please Review the Final Calendar for 2024-25
The calendar committee has approved the final version of next year's school calendar. Please refer to this most recent version for the 2024-25 school year.
Our Next Open House Is February 3rd!
Please help us promote our next Open House, which is coming up on February 3rd by sharing this info with anyone you know who might be interested!
If you'd like to volunteer to give tours during Open House, contact Karen Crick at krick@cinciwaldorf.org, or sign up to bring food here!
Craft Guild Announcement!
The Craft Guild will be taking time for rest and renewal during the month of January. Enjoy this break before we reconvene to brainstorm our project to support the CWS Spring Benefit silent auction!
New CWS ATHLETICS CALENDAR!
Check for upcoming sport events you can attend to support your Waldof Wolves!
Check it out HERE!
Join Us for Grandfriends Day!
Friday, February 16th
We are so excited to welcome our Grandfriends to CWS and show them some love on Friday, Feb. 16th! The schedule will be as follows:
Preschool & Kindergarten Grandfriends Day *Friday students only.
11:30 - 12:30
11:30-12pm: Classroom/Play Yard Visits
11:45-12:30pm: Photo Opportunity (Front Entryway)
Grades 1-8 Grandfriends Day
2:00 - 3:15pm
2-2:15pm: Welcome & Program (CWS Gym)
2:15-2:45: Classroom Visits for Grades 1-8
2:30-3:15: Photo Opportunity (Front Entryway)
Grandfriends visiting children in Preschool and Kindergarten who have siblings in grades 1-8 are welcome to grab lunch together off campus and return in time for the 2pm grades presentation. (Suggestions for nearby restaurants include Madison Place, National Exemplar, Dilly Deli, Frisch's, Chipotle, Mac's Pizza, etc.)
This is a lower school only event. Find more info and RSVP here.
State of the School - Jan. 29th, 6:00 - 7:30pm
It is that time of year again when we invite parents to come to the annual State of the School presentation.
What is State of the School?
We're glad that you asked! State of the School is a time for our parents to hear from Board Members and Administrative Faculty on the business and happenings of our amazing school. You will hear about the work of our Board, how we are progressing with our Strategic Plan, how we are doing financially, and so much more. Even though this all could sound pretty dry and boring, attendees of past State of the School presentations tend to find them very inspiring and heartwarming.
Please plan to join us on Monday, January 29th from 6:00-7:30 pm. This is an adult only event. Babes in arms always welcome. All parents/guardians at CWS are invited to attend.
Announcement: Erin Spinney will be the 1st Grade teacher for the 2024-2025 school year!
The CWS College is pleased to announce that Ms. Erin Spinney will be the next First Grade teacher at the Cincinnati Waldorf School. You most likely know of Ms. Spinney since she has been teaching at our school since 2022 and is currently the Eighth Grade teacher at CWS. Erin found the Cincinnati Waldorf School while pursuing her Master’s Degree in Middle Grades Education from Northern Kentucky University.
As a former naturalist and environmental educator, she was intrigued by Waldorf pedagogy and the integrative and holistic approach that honors the students as unique and creative individuals. After her experience with public schools, Erin began to research more about Waldorf education. When she realized that the main principles of her own career and educational journey - human relationships, social change through education, collaboration, access and diversity in the community, and honoring the holistic needs of one’s being - were also strong points of focus in the Waldorf community, she believed teaching at the Cincinnati Waldorf School was her calling.
Erin enjoys hiking with her family, exploring new places, dancing (at the gym and in the rain), perusing bookstores, sipping coffee on her back deck, eating blueberries off the bush, and all the little things life has to offer.
More Fun Facts:
Erin previously taught at the Cincinnati Nature Center for five years as a preschool teacher and outdoor educator/naturalist to school groups.
Her youngest daughter attends preschool at the Cincinnati Waldorf School.
Erin was a former gymnastics coach, takes pride that she can still do a tumbling series, and loves to do AcroYoga today.
Erin plans to travel to Europe this summer with her son before he leaves for St. Olaf College in the fall.
We are excited for Erin and for the upcoming First Grade class.
Sincerely,
The CWS College
Adam Petersen | Susan Gray | Colleen St. John |
Bari Mairose | Caroline Harwood | Connie Davis |
Sonya Warren | Edith Fay | Sarak Kimball |
Libby Rupp | Tori Manship | Tatum Davis |
Lydia Kelley | Luke Schelly |
Don't Miss the Next Parent Education Event!
Wednesday, February 7
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Building Life Skills with Amie Duncan,
CWS Parent and Clinical Psychologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
This workshop will focus on how to make a doable plan to target life skills at home and in the community to increase independence. Great for parents of children in the upper grades and high school.
A Remembrance of Bill Cordray by Lydia Kelley
Bill Cordray was a class teacher at the Cincinnati Waldorf School from the mid-80s until 2017. Our community was deeply saddened to hear of his passing over the holidays. Lydia Kelley shares her memories of Bill in a moving piece on the CWS blog.
After School AIKIDO Has Begun!
Aikido for children 9 years and older will be available at the Waldorf main campus on Wednesdays from 3pm - 4pm. The first class is free so that every child may try a class if desired. Aikido will be offered from January 10th until mid May.
When: 1/10/24 - mid May 2024
Who: 9 years and up
Where: CWS Gym
What to where: Normal street clothes as worn to school or sweatpants.
To sign up, email Wade at wadewickus@mac.com. Put in the subject line 'aikido'.
What is Aikido? In this class I will be breaking groups up by age and teaching the basic understanding of how to fall so you will not get hurt, how to improve your balance and physical strength, improve your personal power, and understand the value of listening with attention. We will learn the martial art of Aikido, self defense, strength & flexibility, balance, and the philosophy of Aikido's harmony principles.
Adult classes: Wednesdays from 6pm - 7pm
About Wade, 4th degree black belt in Aikido
Wade has been studying Aikido for 30 years and has had dojo’s (schools) in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Lexington and is working on a location in Cincinnati. He taught last year at CWS and saw 5 students receive their yellow belts in Aikido with a certificate.
SKY Teens and SKY Kids!
SKY Teens: Jan 12-15
The SKY Teens programs helps students discover greater self-confidence, resilience, and a set of tools that will carry them through all of life’s ups and downs through meditation, breathing techniques, and interactive processes.
SKY Kids: Feb 16-19
The SKY Kids program gives children the tools they need to thrive and meet life's challenges with a smile through breathing techniques, games, yoga, creative projects, problem-solving strategies, interactive processes and service projects.
Great Wolf Deal Ends 1/20 - Book Now!
If you're looking for something fun to do over the February Break, this could be it! Great Wolf Lodge is once again offering a discount to CWS families on the Tuesday and Wednesday of our February Break.
GWL will also give us a FREE night to auction at our Spring Benefit if 20 or more families book this deal. Last year's families had a blast, so consider booking your stay today!
Additional details: Each standard room comes with (6) Water Park passes and can sleep up to 6. You may show up as early as 10am to begin using the water park. You may pre register at the front desk upon arrival. If your room is ready, you can go ahead and get checked in. If it is not ready yet, you can still collect your wristbands to go have fun in the water park. Check out is at 11am, and you can utilize the water park until close that day once checked out of your hotel room!
Order Your Veggies from Rose Hill Farm!
Peppery arugula, ruby red napa, and Christmas radicchio ... these stunning greens and more lovely, nutritious vegetables available from Rose Hill Farm!
Order your veggies and pick up in front of the school on Wednesdays from 2:45-3:15. Please note that you must walk up to get your order — orders will not be delivered via the car line.
Place your order online by EOD Monday 1/15 to pick up on Wednesday 1/17. Select "Pick up at CWS" during check-out.
Thank You to the Following Sponsors!
Supporting CWS at the Cedar Level:
