Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
Date: 2011-05-14
End Time: 6:00 p.m.

For more information on Michaelmas, please read last year’s great post from Donna Brooks, Water’s Edge School’s Early Childhood teacher:

http://blog.watersedgewaldorf.org/?p=340

Michaelmas is the feast of St. Michael. St. Michael is known as the conqueror of the powers of darkness. The celebration of Michaelmas commemorates the archangel Michael, and the archetype Michael represents. There is the theme of good versus evil in the heritage of this story.

 The Feast of St. Michael commemorates the deed of the Archangel Michael as described in Revelations 12: 7-9. “…there was a war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; …and the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, …was cast into the earth.” The Michaelic archetype is of overcoming or transforming evil that is faced through intelligence, courage and strength.

 Michael has been the champion of both Christian and Jew. He is a well-known figure in icon paintings – usually shown with a shield and lance, or fiery sword, gazing outwards while subduing the dragon underfoot. The date of Michaelmas, September 29, comes very near the perfect balance point of daylight and darkness in the year on the autumnal equinox. It can be a calling to us to strive for more of a balance of the forces of darkness and light as we discover new inner resources which can help us to grow towards life and light.

 Michael beckons us to find the spirit to come alive through the dying year. The flashing meteor showers are said to be the sword he wields for us; each falling meteor is made of iron – the iron we need to strengthen the resolution of the heart. The seed-thoughts of the summer can be harvested now as deeds – to find their place in the world among people, to generate a life of their own that goes on into the future.

 Waldorf education echoes the essence of Michaelmas. Each and every one of us has gifts to bring to the world. Michaelmas is a reminder of the process of human becoming as we strive toward our full human potential. For children, Michaelmas and these themes of courage are manifested in activities of the will.  The child’s will and imagination are nurtured by activities of the season (picking apples, harvest work, grinding grain, planting bulbs, etc.) and tales which tell of courage, strength and bravery…of facing fears. The imagery of shields, swords, dragons, and kites is associated with Michaelmas. The knight who takes up his shield and sword to “tame” the dragon. Kites flying that rise higher toward the heavens representing our own strivings toward our higher selves…our human spirit soaring. The cross that makes up the kite’s structure becomes transformed into a sword. These deeds and stories carry with them the universal “truths” this festival represents.

 During these days that we contemplate and celebrate Michaelmas, enjoy  these words of a song about Michaelmas by C.A. Lindenberg sung at this time of year:

 Michaelmas, Michaelmas the time to show both courage and form.

Look well around ~ Inside you must wake.

Trees may shake ~ I shall stand the storm!

Compiled by Donna Brooks

Resources: Festivals, Family and Food by Carey and Large, All Year Round by  Druitt, Fynes-Clinton and  Rowling & Michaelmas: The Festival of Human Becoming by S. Spitalny.

Water’s Edge Community Garage Sale

Friday, June 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

150 W. Bonner Rd., Wauconda

 Come shop at our sale and support Waldorf education.  A percentage of the profits from each vendor will be donated to support the school!

Something for Everyone!

• Furniture and Housewares. 
• Toys including quality wooden toys — wooden rocking horse, wooden horse barn, pirate ship and more.
• Instruments – Vintage Harmony 12-string guitar, Violin. 
  Clothes -lots of childrens and adults too.
•  Assortment of vintage and collectible items.
• Lots and lots of books, childrens, antique, nonfiction, fiction, academic, parenting and more
• Refreshments will be available.

Hope to see you there!

(click to view larger)

Please join all of us at Water’s Edge Waldorf School in congratulating our newest graduates.  8th-graders Nikala Purcell and Tessa Wallis-Deering received their diplomas today in a beautiful and emotional ceremony.

(Photos by Amy Howard)

Thursday, June 4, 7 p.m., “Where Do the Children Play?” Screening at Water’s Edge. Please RSVP.  Our last screening of this thought-provoking documentary.  If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to attend.

Friday, June 5, Last Day of school, Graduation & Potluck/Picnic  The school community is invited to our eighth grade graduation, noon, Friday. The end of the year picnic will follow at 12:30. Check your mailbox for the potluck schedule.
Eighth-grade graduation

Other things to keep in mind:

 Softball Schedule
Come cheer on the adult softball team at 7:45 this Friday, 6:45 p.m., June 12.
The team plays at the softball fields on Main St., across from the library.

Community Garage Sale
Thinking about having a garage sale this summer? We are considering hosting a community garage sale at the school with a percentage of profits going to the school as a fundraiser. Currently trying to gauge participation. Please contact Claudia if you think you might like to participate — CLWords@aol.com

You are invited to view a PBS documentary that examines the imortance of unstructured outdoor play and the growing concern that more and more children are growing up without it.  Why is this so important?  Join us and find out.  Discussion will follow the film.  There is no cost for this event. 

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP at 847.526.1372.

Time: Thursday, June 4th 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Water’s Edge School
150 West Bonner Road
Wauconda, IL 60084

May 30, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. 5th-8th grade class play, The Miracle Worker, Matthews Middle School, Island Lake

Monday, June 1, Fees due

Thursday, June 4, 7 p.m., Where Do the Children Play Screening at Water’s Edge. Please RSVP to 847-526-1372.

Friday, June 5, Last Day of school, Potluck/Picnic

Also, Preschool/Kindergarten class – please remember that (despite what one of the calendars from the beginning of the year says) classes continue to June 5th, on the same schedule as the rest of the school.  Kindergarten parents should also be aware that Kindergarten Graduation is on June 3rd.  Please direct any questions to Donna Brooks.

Did you stop by for Bagel Breakfast this morning?  If not, you missed some great food and music!  Be sure to catch the last one for the year, next Thursday morning at dropoff.

The Water’s Edge Waldorf School Weblog will continue with it’s regularly scheduled programming through next week.  During the summer, check back weekly as we hope to still get one or two posts in each week throughout the summer.  If you have any great summer stories or pictures to share, please send them along to either watersedgeschool@sbcglobal.net or amy@rayndragon.com.

May 22, Friday, Teacher In-Service, No school

May 25, Monday, Memorial Day, no school - don’t forget to join us at the Memorial Day Parade! Lineup begins at 9am at the Wauconda High School.  The parade begins at 10am.

May 26, Tuesday, 7 p.m., 4th Grade Class Play at Federated Church of Wauconda

May 30, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. 5th-8th grade class play, The Miracle Worker, Matthews Middle School, Island Lake

Monday, June 1, Fees due – have you checked your parent mailbox lately?  Let’s get everything ready for school next fall!

Friday, June 5, Last Day of school, Potluck/Picnic

The end of the school year is coming.  Don’t forget to start setting up play dates for the summer!