Community Hub

We are pleased to share our Annual Report with the community—a look back at the 2022-23 fiscal year with updates from the current school year as well. Inside, you will find a welcome from Head of School Emily Bayer-Pacht, a report from the Board of Trustees, financial information, pedagogical values, an enrollment and marketing update. and a look at fundraising and community building. We hope you enjoy the photos by parents Jen Zahorchak and Amanda Herzberger.

As we prepare for the State of the School meeting this coming Wednesday, we invite your questions! Please submit any questions here and we will answer them at our meeting.

As always we invite your thoughtful consideration, feedback, and engagement. Emily Bayer-Pacht and Board President Amanda Herzberger invite you to stay for coffee after drop off at Turtle Lane on Wednesday, March 20. We’ll celebrate the first day of spring together!

Welcome All-School Meeting
Wednesday, September 13, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Join us for an introduction by our Head of School, Pedagogical and Administrative team, and the Board of Trustees. Learn more about opportunities to volunteer and support the teachers with our Parent Community Council, and bring questions. 

Fall Harvest Festival
Friday, October 6, 3:00 to 6:30 pm
At our first family festival of the school year, we invite parents, friends, and grandparents to join us! We will have fun, seasonal activities for children, performances, and music. We will share a blessing and a potluck dinner, and close with singing.

Forest of Magic & Mystery
Wednesday, October 24 from 4:00-6:00 pm
Small bands of travelers leave every 10 minutes for a magical walk along the forest path to meet a host of kindly characters. This event will need support from parent volunteers. Small suggested donation. 

Lantern Walk
Thursday, November 9 at sunset
This quiet and simple festival is held around Veteran’s Day to honor the courage and love of veterans. We hear a story, sing songs, and as dusk falls, they carry their handmade lanterns and walk through the woods, creating a magical pathway. Families and friends are invited.

Winter Fair
Friday and Saturday, December 1-2
On the first weekend of December, our school hosts a winter fair with activities for children, performances, storytelling, a food truck, and a fabulous artisan market. Warm your toes and hands around one of the many fires and celebrate the light during the darkest time of the year. Parents help with the different components of the fair. More details here. 

Curriculum Nights
Upper School: Wednesday, January 17
Early Childhood & Lower School: Tuesday, January 30
Join us for these wonderful windows into our student’s daily experience! Our teachers will offer presentations and sample lessons, lead us in discussions, and have student work on display. Pedagogical Coordinator, Abigail Diehl-Noble, will talk through updates to our curriculum and we’ll have time for your questions.

Day of Giving
Tuesday, March 26
Join us on this special day, to shower our school with support and love. If LCWS has touched your family we invite your donation to ensure this education and school community continues to thrive. On the Day of Giving, we will call, text, and email our incredible community to ask for a donation. Each year, we hope every member of our school community will make a gift in whatever capacity is right for your family. 

All School Meeting
Wednesday, March 13
At our Annual All School Meeting you will hear details about our programs, priorities, initiatives, and updates from our Head of School, Board President, and Administrative and Pedagogical leaders. We welcome all parents and community members. 

Mayfest
Saturday, May 4
Our Mayfest is a fun-filled day for families and one of our biggest outreach events! Enjoy pony rides, maypole dancing, face painting, great kid-friendly food, and flower crown making.  

Family Concert
Thursday, May 16 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm
We invite families to hear the music from our benefit concert. Admission is by donation and supports the Joshua Moore Scholarship Fund. 

Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Friday, May 17
We love to host our students’ grandparents and special friends! Typically less than half of our students bring a special friend, so this should not be a point of stress if you don’t have family in town! Please click here to get your family and friends on our mailing list, and email Lindsay Francescutti if you have more questions. 

Spring Benefit
Saturday, May 18 from 5:00 to 10:00 pm
The Spring Benefit is the highlight of our social calendar! It features an impressive musical performance by the school’s adult and student choir and orchestra, delicious food and drinks, and a fabulous, huge auction. Parents are involved in many ways at this event. In addition to attending and enjoying the party, parents sing in the choir, donate goods and services to the auction, serve on committees to collect donations for the auction, decorate, and help with planning and hosting the event. There are many ways to be involved and we welcome your participation! 

All School Picnic at Shelburne Beach
Wednesday, June 12 from noon to 5:00 pm
Our last day of school is a half day, and we invite everyone to gather at the beach for a celebratory gathering before we head off on summer break.

LCWS offers after school sports for students in sixth grade through high school. The 2023-24 season will include Cross Country, Rowing, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, and Sports Club. All students are welcome no matter their skill or experience level. We encourage families to create a schedule that is manageable for the student-athlete so they can commit fully and gain all of the valuable experiences that come with being part of a team. Find the full season offerings and more details here. Reach out to Tyler Macdonald if you have any questions.

If you missed Shari Carlson’s talk this week, you can watch the recording here:

Shari talked about how we work to strengthen resilience in our Early Childhood program, and how parents can help their children develop this capacity. Thank you to everyone who joined in our conversation, and Shari welcomes any further conversation and questions! You can email her at scarlton@lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org.

Our school recognizes MLK Jr. Day tomorrow, and we encourage our community to be engaged in reflection and conversation around the work and legacy of Dr. King. Ms. Hopkinson shared some wonderful resources provided by the organization Learning for Justice that we hope you might find inspirational. You can find those here.