Week 7

Dear Urban Prairie Families,

Greetings on this lovely full moon evening! Please read on for this week’s news and upcoming events.

Warmly,

Sharla

This Weekly Admin Newsletter includes:

  • Calendar highlights

  • School News

  • Board News

  • Community Connections Update

  • Important Reminders

  • UPWS Admin Contacts

Calendar

October 26 Picture Day (except grade 4/5)

Flag Football afterschool program begins

1st UP S.E.E.D. session – 4:30-7:00 pm

October 27 4th / 5th Grade – Picture Day and Parent/Guardian Meeting

November 4 NO SCHOOL (Diwali)

November 5 NO SCHOOL (Teacher Work Day)

November 10 Color Team Potluck: Red and Orange Teams – 6:30pm

November 12 First Friday Coffee

November 19 Festival of Thanks

November 22 Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences – No School

November 23 Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences – No School

November 24 Independent Work Day – No School

November 25, 26 Thanksgiving Holiday

December 8 First Friday Coffee

December 9 Board Meeting

School News

In Person Meeting Reminders

As we plan for more in-person events, please share your vaccination status with us via this Google Form. If you have previously shared your status, please reach out to ad…@urbanprairie.org to confirm that we have your information recorded.

Warm Clothing Reminder from E.C.

As we’re enjoying this beautifully warm fall thus far, it’s a great moment to remind ourselves that the cold is coming! Please continue to pay attention to the weather to send your children in the clothes and outdoor gear that support their free, flexible, comfortable play. Refer to our Outdoor Gear Guide. Wool layering is an incredibly effective way to keep their temperature regulated and their bodies dry. You can size up so the items can last all year and possibly next year too! These kinds of underlayers are worth the investment, they last a long time, and can be worn many times before washing is needed.

Welcome

Please welcome cello instructor Everardo Sanchez to our school. Mr. Sanchez lives in Pilsen and is bilingual in Spanish and English. He has 5 years of teaching experience in private and group settings, has been Suzuki trained in books one through eight, and has a postgraduate and bachelors degree in music and is currently working on his second postgraduate degree. In his words, “music is a communal practice.” We look forward to working with him to bring music education to our students and the surrounding community. If you see him around on Tuesdays after school, please warmly welcome him to our school.

Festivals Update

Halloween in School (Friday, October 29)

Prairie Roots and Early Childhood

Instructions to come

Lower School (Grades 1-5)

Costumes: Lower school students are invited to come to school in costume. Costumes should follow guidelines shared by class teachers. Masks that cover eyes and media characters are never allowed. Costumes should be easy to move in.

Fall Fest at Simpson: Lower school students have been invited to attend Simpson’s Fall Fest. Simpson is the school just west of our building. There will be booths and treats for students.

Middle School Students (Grade 6-8)

Middle School Students are asked not to come in costume, on Friday as they will be going on expeditions on this day.

Dia de los Muertos (Monday and Tuesday, November 1 and 2)

We will celebrate Dia de los Muertos with an Ofrenda. Students are invited to bring in pictures and favorite items of loved ones who have passed. Pictures should be of people, not pets.

Pictures should be in frames and be labeled with the student’s name on the back. Pictures can be brought in October 25 – November 1.

Goat Care Volunteers Needed!

Goat care slots are filling fast! New dates will be added soon if all current shifts are filled. Sign up for a shift here: https://app.operoo.com/forms/978205/submissions/new. If you have trouble with this link the sign-up can be found in your Operoo “Form Library.” Contact sophie.ba…@urbanprairie.org with any questions.

Urban Prairie SWAG

Are you looking to boost your winter wardrobe with some Urban Prairie Waldorf School gear? Contact kim.g…@urbanprairie.org to order hoodies, t-shirts, canvas tote bags, as well as our 2020-21 UP Family Cookbook and new round bumper magnets.

Urban Prairie Community S.E.E.D. Seminars

Sign up for our 2nd annual UP S.E.E.D.(Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity) seminar. Founded in 1987 by Peggy McIntosh (author of White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack), the National S.E.E.D. Project is a peer-led development program co-facilitated at UPWS by Rob Welcher and Jenn Zielinski.

Must commit to attending at least 7 out of the 8 seminars. Tuesday evenings, 4:30-7:00 pm via zoom (1st and last session in-person), Oct 26, Nov 30, Jan 4 & 25, Mar 1 & 22, Apr 26, & May 24.  Contact Jenn Zielinski at 312-858-4562 or jenn.zi…@urbanprairie.org to RSVP.

Community Connections Corner

Greetings!

SAVE THE DATE! COLOR TEAM POTLUCKS

In just a few weeks we will have our first Color Team Potluck dinner! Red and Orange teams will kick off this event in the Early Childhood yard on Wed, Nov. 10th at 6:30pm. We’ll warm things up with a toasty fire and conversation. Invitations coming soon!

Red and Orange Teams: November 10th

Yellow and Green Teams: January 26th

Blue and Purple Teams: February 16th

Not sure what your color team is? Reach out to jenn.zi…@urbanprairie.org.

Calling all dog lovers!

Interested in leading or joining a dog walking group? A dog walking group is a great way to meet and connect with people. It’s also great for dogs as group walks can keep them mentally and physically fit. Pack/group walks also build the bond between you and your dog, so it’s a win-win! Excited yet? Please email me at anne.mc…@urbanprairie.org with your name and contact info.

If you’re interested in any of the many volunteer opportunities here at Urban Prairie please contact me at anne.mc…@urbanprairie.org.

Looking for someone’s contact to build community, connect with other families, get your children together to play? Find each other here!

https://www.urbanprairie.org/parent-guardian-resources/

Let’s be in touch!

-Anne