The Board of Trustees met on Monday February 6th. The Board voted to raise the tuition by 1.5% for the 2012-13 school year for all grades. Supply fees were also raised, by $25, to cover the increased cost of books, supplies, music, etc. However, families who return the re-enrollment forms by the deadline may choose to pay only the 2011-12 level supply fee. The school benefits by receiving accurate enrollment numbers early, as this permits the Board to make early and accurate budget plans.

WHWS will offer two, three, and five-day preschool options next year, in both half-day and all-day configurations, both to provide high quality childcare to local families, and to introduce new families to our beautiful school and community. Although the preschool fees do not cover the cost of the program, the Board believes that the program provides value to current families with younger children, and that it increases enrollment over time, and thus adds to the diversity and richness of our student body and community.

The Board discussed the cultural appropriateness of a fundraising auction for the Waldorf community. Teachers shared how grateful they are to local businesses who donate to our school, and to people who bid on the donations, noting that each bid is a commitment to give to our school. The Board discussed how essential the money raised is - for the rich programs, the beautiful grounds, the wonderful teachers - and preferred to have a gala celebration and auction to significantly raising tuition. 

Parents on the Board recalled fondly how fun the auctions have been - seeing teachers in costume, celebrating the arrival of spring, sharing a child-free evening with parents we usually see fleetingly in the halls over the heads of our children. The Board hopes sincerely that every parent will attend, by purchasing a ticket or by volunteering, and that the focus of the evening is a community celebration of our precious Waldorf school. 

Susan West, on behalf of the Board

Enjoy Spring Break at Silver Star Mountain resort!  This family-friendly mountain is 6 hours from Bellingham, just outside of Vernon, B.C. It is renowned for plenty of amazing light dry powder, 115 marked alpine trails, 60 miles of groomed nordic trails, and 10 miles of meandering snowshoe trails.  Add to that a rad terrain park, a kiddie park and a crazy-fun tubing hill, and you've got guaranteed exhilaration for all.   

You'll enjoy 7 nights accommodation April 1-8 in the slope-side luxury of Snowbird Lodge.  This warm and inviting 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit, sleeps up to 6.  Lounge in the private hot tub on the deck after a day on the snow.  Take in a movie in the Lodge's plush 24-seat theater, play billiards with the family in the spacious lounge, or pump iron in the gym. All yours. The Mountain is calling!

Retail value: $2,331.00 CDN ($333.00/night)
For more information, contact:  Else Sokol:  360-393-9618

Please go to skisilverstar.com for more resort information.

$500 minimum bid.

PLACE BIDS BY EMAILING  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  OR STOPPING BY THE OFFICE. HIGH BIDS WILL BE POSTED (WITHOUT NAMES) OUTSIDE THE OFFICE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL EVERY FEW DAYS. THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO START OFF OUR AUCTION!

If you are interested in applying to volunteer for this Facilitation Group, please submit a brief letter of intent describing your relevant experience to the Board by March 1. If you would like more information about the Facilitation Group, please contact either Kathy Fraser, school Administrator, or Susan Burke, Parent Council Representative, who are serving on the Board subcommittee tasked with organizing the group. 

Math, Movement & Memory

Monday, February 20

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Free!

Discover why math is easier to learn when you skip, hop and sing. WithOlga Mellor, Fourth Grade teacher

Botany and Beeswax

Monday, February 27

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Free!