DO YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?
by Michael D’Aleo
Michael D’Aleo will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Great Lakes Regional AWSNA Conference hosted by Toronto Waldorf School in late March, as well as at the 16th annual Gateways Early Childhood Conference in April. Since he will be such a prominent guest to the school, we invited him to write a feature article for the TWS eNews outlining the central message of his upcoming talks.
Being present to all that is unexpected: this is what it means to be living.
The day had been a very busy one at school. As often happens at the end of the week, I was simply intending to stop by the store and pick up a few items for dinner and get home so I could finish my school work. Having efficiently found the items I needed, I walked quickly to the front of the store only to be met with a line of closed checkout lanes. Only two cashiers were on duty and both of them were busy with customers with large orders. Additionally, there were other people silently waiting in the lines behind the customers checking out. There was no choosing the faster lane; here was only slowness. This was going to take longer than I had planned. Initially frustrated, I settled in for the long haul. Ignoring the gossip magazines after an initial cursory glance, my attention fell on the busy cashiers and customers unloading their carts - slowly. As I accepted the present situation, I became interested in the movements of the people around me. Their gestures, facial expressions and general silence were the only living presence in the otherwise sterile store. Like characters in a scripted play that had been rehearsed one too many times, I noted that neither the cashiers, the customers nor myself were really paying attention to what was happening. All were simply acting their part. Suddenly, in an instant, the sounds, colors, motions, gestures, subtle facial expressions began to speak. Every detail began to express a greater conversation that was taking place, even drowning out the incessant beep of the scanner. In that moment the living quality of existence was suddenly expressing itself. But was I the only one who had noticed? As I looked again at the deliberate motions of the cashier scanning the items, it reminded me of the state I too had embodied just a moment ago. I had unconsciously given myself a gift – what I call “the gift of presence” - I had come back to my senses. Read more
Looking Ahead
Grade 8 Project Presentations
Wednesday, March 31 & Thursday, April 1 6:30 - 9 pm
Grade 8 invites you to two evenings of presentations where you will hear, see, taste and touch some of their wonderful work. Students, teachers, parents and grandparents are all invited. Topics are: Falconry, Pottery, The Chinese Civil War, Costumes, Anxiety Disorders, and many more!
Making Sense of the World: Gateways Early Childhood Conference
April 16 & 17
What key capacities need to be developed in the early years so that, as adults, our children will be able to create a world that makes sense: one that is sustainable, culturally rich and full of meaningful opportunities? Gateways features Michael D’Aleo as keynote speaker, 25 workshops, and, as usual, promises an inspiring weekend for parents and educators of young children.
March Break AND Summer Camp at TWS
We are offering an Early Childhood camp for 4 – 7 year olds for both weeks of March Break and we will be offering a Waldorf French Camp for 7 12 year olds for the second week! We will also be offering 2 weeks of this same French camp at the beginning of July, along with a full summer of Early Childhood Camp. Send your questions or express your interest to camp@torontowaldorfschool.com or call 905-881-6137 and ask for voicemail 702.
High School Announces Advisors for class of 2013-14
The TWS High School faculty is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Pickering and Helene Gross as class advisors for the upcoming Grade Nine students.
Bob and Helene have been co-advisors for two classes in succession, bringing much warmth and wisdom to the parents and students.
For those of you who don’t know them, in the years that Helene has worked at TWS she has fulfilled many roles. She has been a class teacher and a High School math teacher as well as Faculty Chair, High School Chair and a member of the Board of Directors. Similarly, Bob has been a High School teacher of sciences and music as well as Faculty Chair, High School Chair and a member of the Board of Directors.
They both enjoy working with teenagers and are looking forward to getting to know the Grade 9 parents and students over the next four years. Congratulations Bob & Helene!
Save the Date for Community Meetings
Board Update
As a follow-up to the letter sent to parents by email on December 17th, I wanted to update you that we have decided to move our Community Consultations from February to April. The purpose of these meetings is to present a variety of possible options for the next steps in our strategic and financial plans. In the process of conducting the analysis, we have decided that dates in April will allow us to be better prepared.
Please save these dates: Friday, April 23rd, 7:30pm – 10:00pm and Saturday, April 24th 9:00am – 12:00pm.
We will be asking people to register for these meetings, and will be providing pre-reading. More information will follow closer to the time.
In the meantime if you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of us on the Board.
Regards, Bill Harlow, Board Chair
Important links:
Student Health and Illness Update * Head Lice Policy * Lower School Grooming Code * High School Dress Code
TWS Coffee Shop
At the beginning of the school year it was brought to the Grade 11 class’s attention that the Café Downstairs had closed. We have taken it upon ourselves to open TWS Coffee Shop, which provides students and staff healthy and nutritious snacks as well as hot and cold beverages.
All proceeds will go towards the Grade 11 class fund for our Grade 12 year-end trip.
TWS Coffee Shops hours are as follows:
Monday – Friday,
8 - 9:30 am
10:30 – 10:55 am
12:30 – 1 pm
3:30 – 4 pm
Hope to see you there!
With much thanks,
the Grade 11 class
