The Denver Waldorf School

On this Fourth of July, we celebrate the becoming of America — the centuries-long work, struggle, and commitment to creating a multiracial democracy capable of delivering those unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all who call America home. Although the Fourth of July holiday may emanate from the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence, neither the holiday nor our country are frozen in time. Collectively, we are a dynamic people who have the power to fulfill some of those unfulfilled promises from our country’s founding. Over the centuries, the American story has been written and re-written by ordinary and extraordinary people who organized, protested, campaigned, and bled to create a more inclusive country. We find courage, inspiration, and strength from all those who came before us, who loved each other and this country enough to push for an America that truly promotes equality for all. Our work is not done; our nation is still evolving, still becoming, still worthy of our commitment to that American dream. On this day, we celebrate all the Fourths of July to come. // chalk drawing by Mr. Reynolds

What do we mean when we say we strive to develop the whole child? It means we learn through the head, heart, and hands. It means we not only have a rigorous academic curriculum, but we also have an emphasis on the arts and social well-being. It means that we work to build capacities within our children to foster wonder and a love of learning. So you will not only find us in our classrooms practicing math and reading and writing, but also making music, painting, moving our bodies, and creating with our hands. It means we wish to see our students grow wholly as human beings - creative, knowledgeable, balanced, and resilient - ready to contribute to the world that awaits.

We are constantly in awe of the capacities and creativity of our students - this embroidery was created in our 4th grade class 🪡. It is always such a joy to witness the pride that comes with taking home a completed handwork project. Over many class periods emerges the very satisfying experience of creating beauty in the world. Through the patient work of their hands, the visualization of colors and ideas with their minds, and the awakening of their senses- our students develop not only the satisfaction of being able to create with their own two hands, but also self-confidence, an appreciation of the process, and connection to the world all around.

Summer reading suggestions are now on the blog in case you are searching for some new ideas! There are many adventures that await with the turn of a page. This is the beauty of a new book – a chance to journey to faraway places, different times, and fresh experiences to feed those imaginations. The Library Committee and class teachers curated the lists by rising grade level - so…spread out a blanket in the shade, relax, sip a lemonade, and read! Direct link in stories 📚 https://denverwaldorf.org/k-12/summer-reading-lists/

While our classrooms have been quiet this past week, our gym has been filled with much enthusiasm and love of play during our basketball camp for middle school girls! At the heart of our sports program, we aim to reclaim youth sports for what they once were and always should have been: fun, communal, and participatory. And our sports camps are just that - inspiring each student athlete to reach their highest potential all the while developing that love for team play. This week the middle school boys will be hitting the court!

It’s almost here! This summer, we are looking forward to welcoming the 2024 AWSNA Conference to The Denver Waldorf School from June 24 - 27th and the many new connections, resources, and memories to come. The conference is a three-day event uniting educators, administrators, and parents. Come be inspired by the dynamic keynote speakers and engage in daily workshops, exclusive conference activities, and invaluable networking opportunities. We’d love to see you there! See link below for more info and registration: https://bit.ly/AWSNAconference

We present the graduating Class of 2024 from The Denver Waldorf School 🎓. We are filled with gratitude as we reflect on the time we have been able to share with this wonderful group of unique individuals. We will forever hold onto their sincerity, playfulness, strength in community, and adventurous spirits that we so enjoyed on this journey together! Shine bright, Class of 2024 🌟!

Kindergarten watercolor paintings all ready to go home for the summer🖌️. While from the outside it may just look like pretty watercolor paintings, these little bundles actually carry much more. Our wet-on-wet painting days are a time to hear stories (memorized and told by our teachers), engaging the children’s imaginations. They are a time to experience various shades of color and intensity, or to discover the magic of secondary colors coming to life. They are a time to enjoy the free flowing beauty of color, nurturing that artistic sense within each one of us! Each painting holds a story, an experience of color, a building of imagination, and an enjoyment of the process 🌈

New beginnings for our rising 3rd graders 🎻! In the 3rd grade, our students begin their practice with a string instrument of choice and learn music theory and note reading. Today, they had the opportunity to learn about the violin, viola, and cello from Ms. Fierer so they will be ready in the fall with their instrument of choice! Music is a part of our curriculum in all grades. It is taught not only for the joy it engenders, but also for its strong humanizing effects on students’ lives. We nurture the innate musicality within each of us, and together, we create harmony 🎼.

Our Class of 2024 will take the stage one last time TONIGHT at 6pm for their final performance of “Tinker Bell.” Join us to enjoy a bit of fairy magic and laughter with this wonderful class before the curtain closes on their time at DWS. We will miss their presence greatly on our stage and in our community!

Our 8th graders have been working hard these past couple of months on their research projects. They each picked a revolutionary figure of choice to research, compile their findings on a display board, write an essay, and finally prepare an oral presentation for the community. Next week, our students will become the teachers, imparting their wisdom and findings to their class community. If you haven’t had a chance to browse their work, you should make your way to the middle school hallway to see their research on Jane Goodall, Nelson Mandela, Virginia Woolf, and many more!

Did you know the first week of May is Screen Free Week? It’s a world-wide challenge that started to inspire those experiences that re-engage us with the world all around. When you walk into our kindergartens and grades classrooms, you will notice that we don’t use computers and screens for instruction. The Waldorf approach to education has always emphasized the importance of giving room to our children’s imaginations to blossom - to be open to receive the beauty of the world we live in, to be free to grow into their unique selves, to nurture their creative spirits - and time away from screens is a significant part of this belief. If you’re looking for screen free ideas for your children this week, (a wonderful resource and collection of original audio stories) has shared a blog post of 77 things to do instead of screens - https://bit.ly/sparklestoriesscreenfreeideas
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And if you’re curious to hear more about “What’s up with Technology?” at our Waldorf school, stay tuned for an upcoming podcast episode with Kelly and Charlie on this topic!

Cheering on our middle school ultimate frisbee squad as they finish out their season today in a tournament! We have loved seeing their enthusiasm and joy of sport shine through this season. Go Spartans🌟!

What a joyful morning it was getting to celebrate our May Festival with all three kindergarten classes together with their families! Festival time is always an abundant time - filled with celebration and much connection to community and the season. We spent the morning decorating flower crowns, playing with friends in the sunshine, appreciating the music of our 2nd graders, dancing around the maypole, and sharing in a delicious feast. Our festival life always nourishes both our community spirit and our sense of the seasonal rhythms - it is a treasured part of our days together!

Music unites us at a heart level. It reminds us of our human connection to one another - having to listen to each other, play our part, and come together in harmony. This week, we are so grateful to have been able to experience music together with concerts performed by grades 3 through 12. Through singing, guitar, string, and band instruments- we made connection and community. This is just one of the many reasons that music is a part of our curriculum for all grades 🎶!

We love this time of year filled with new growth, moments of wonder, and many celebrations! Join us on Friday for our school’s spring celebration, the Festival of Life Renewed. It is meant to be inclusive for all living on our earth, celebrating the health-giving rhythms of the year and bringing attention to the efforts toward sustainably honoring our planet. Bringing together several spring traditions, we will gather and play, sing and dance as our whole school community unites in celebrating the renewal of life and the passing of winter.
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All families are invited to join the students at 2:30 pm on the school playground to watch students sing, dance the maypole, celebrate Holi, and enjoy spring activities hosted by parent council. The festival activities will continue after school until 4:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you there ☀️🌷.

It has been wonderful to hear a few of our grades raising their voices in song to begin each morning, starting our days off in unison and harmony. They are practicing for our upcoming Festival of Life Renewed on April 19th!
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The Festival of Life Renewed is our school’s spring celebration. It is meant to be inclusive for all living on our earth, celebrating the health-giving rhythms of the year and bringing attention to the efforts toward sustainably honoring our planet. Bringing together several spring traditions, we will gather and play, sing and dance as our whole school community unites in celebrating the renewal of life and the passing of winter.
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All families are invited to join the students at 2:30 pm on the school playground to watch students sing, dance the maypole, celebrate Holi, and enjoy spring activities hosted by parent council. The festival activities will continue after school until 4:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you there ☀️🌷.

The first day back from spring break and a solar eclipse?! What a day 🌑☀️🕶️! With approved glasses, cereal box viewers, and pinhole projectors, the solar eclipse was experienced in many ways by our students! What a wonderful opportunity it was to witness the marvels of our universe together.

This is our Artisan Courtyard - a place outside where our students imagine, create, and build through woodworking, stone carving, copper work and more. It is a place for us to live out our practical arts curriculum, making way for the development of grit, perseverance, and the hard work of our hands and hearts! As one of our students mentioned, we are incredibly grateful to have this outdoor space, but “it could be better” 😉 - and that’s where our DWS Gala comes in on 4/13!
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We will be fundraising to reimagine this space as a beautiful and functional place for our students to both work and relax together. We are going to have fun together raising money for our wonderful school with a live auction, silent auction, and special appeal for the Artisan Courtyard. You can still grab your ticket on our website - ticket purchase includes dinner, dessert, late night snacks, and a drink ticket. Join us for an evening of community and celebration!

https://denverwaldorf.org/deep-roots-bright-future-gala-2024/