July 2024
Dear Students and Parents,
Please read below for back-to-school information.
SOCCER
We are happy to announce that soccer coach Kosta Koufis, Class of 2015, will return this year, assisted by his brother, Dimitri, Class of 2018. Both are exceptional soccer players, coaches, and human beings. Look for a letter from Coach Koufis later in the summer about the soccer season. We have 6 games scheduled already, and we plan for a full season of 10-12 games.
CALENDAR
Current calendar information for 2024-2025 is posted on our online calendar, here, or click on the “Calendar” tab in the upper right corner of our home page, berkshirewaldorf.com. Check your email and the website calendar for up-to-date information throughout the year.
INFORMATION
Back-to-school information, including this letter, may be found under the “Current Families” tab in the upper left corner of our home page, berkshirewaldorf.com, or at this link.
Student Book List. Required books for the coming year. Please obtain your books before the opening of school! New York State residents only: Please note that most of these books will be provided via the Questar program if you request them. Follow this link to get started.
School Supply List. Required items for the start of school and every day after that. Students may keep supplies in their lockers or cubbies at the school so they are available when needed.
Student & Parent Handbook. This document contains lots of information for all members of our school community. If 2024-2025 is your first year at our school, please read to ensure a smooth transition.
Transportation. Students who ride the BRTA to and from Great Barrington (the route number is 21) and other towns, may find the schedule here. Please note that the morning route was not available last year due to ongoing cuts, and it is likely that it will not be reinstated by fall.
STUDENT INFORMATION FORMS
Please complete all the required information in your TADS portal.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES AND EVENTS
Thurs., Aug. 29, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. School Cleaning. Join our community as we prepare our school building for the fall. This is a great opportunity to meet new families and help us prepare for the year ahead. We provide cleaning supplies, but feel free to bring your favorites.
Friday, Aug. 30, 6 p.m. Back-to-school pot-luck supper at the school to welcome new families and get reacquainted. Please plan for at least one member of each family to attend and bring a dish to share. Please park on Main Street and walk to the school—our lot is small and will not hold us all!
Wed., Sept. 4. Opening Assembly and first day of school. Academic half day. Students should arrive at school no later than 8:15 a.m. in assembly dress—see the Handbook for details. Opening Assembly starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts about 30 minutes. Parents invited! Please note: This is a school day and students will have a first seminar class; they should be prepared for this with required books and school supplies. Students will have time at school to change out of assembly dress before heading to Camp Hi-Rock.
Wed., Sept. 4 through Fri., Sept. 6. Orientation at Camp Hi-Rock. We will leave for Camp Hi-Rock at 1 p.m. on September 4, following a lunch break after morning classes. Packing list, required camp form, and other information regarding Orientation is posted online. Please note: There is a $200 per student fee for Orientation. Please review the Hi-Rock information page and packing list here.
Sun., Sept. 15 through Fri., Sept. 20. Senior Class trip to Hermit Island, Maine, to study tide-pool zoology. Information available soon.
Please note: Enrollment contracts for 2024-2025 should already be set up and signed within the TADS system. All contracts have been sent via email through TADS. Please contact Patrick White, Business Manager, business@berkshirewaldorf.com, with any questions about your contract.
Please recall that we are in session Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The school building will be open by 8 a.m. each day.
As opening day approaches, please watch for another letter with more information about the fall, including weekly and seminar schedules. Please call or email if you have questions about this letter or anything else, and enjoy the rest of the summer.
Sincerely,
Stephen Sagarin, PhD
Executive Director & Faculty Chair