30 June 2022
Dear Students and Parents,
I hope that you are already enjoying a good and restful summer. I also hope you are happy to turn your thoughts toward fall and our return to school. The teachers and I are looking forward to seeing you again—or meeting you for the first time—and, following the past couple of years, to a return to as close to normal a school year as possible.
As opening day approaches, please watch for another letter with more information about the fall, including weekly and seminar schedules.
We will begin the year with our traditional three-day Orientation at Camp Hi-Rock from September 7-9. Click here for more information about that.
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 at 7:45 a.m. each day. We will also continue to hold some classes in the Congregational Church.
We are happy to announce that soccer coach Kosta Koufis, Class of 2015, will return this year. Look for a letter from him later in the summer about the soccer season. We plan for a full season of 10-12 games.
We look forward to welcoming you—or welcoming you back—to a great school year in September. For now, please read below for a wealth of back-to-school information.
CALENDAR
Current calendar information for 2022-2023 is posted on our online calendar, here, or click on the “News and Events” tab in the upper right corner of our home page, then select “Calendar.” Check your email and the website calendar for up-to-date information.
INFORMATION
Back-to-school information, including this letter, may be found under the “Back to School Information” tab in the upper left corner of our home page, berkshirewaldorf.com, or at this link.
Student Book List (click here!). Required books for the coming semester. Please note that there may be additional texts, and we will notify families as soon as is reasonably possible. Please obtain these texts before the opening of school! (New York State residents only: Please note that most of these books are provided via the state textbook loan program. Follow this link to get started, and email the completed form to office@berkshirewaldorf.com for the required signature: https://www.capitalregionboces.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CRB_Textbook_Loan_Form_v4.pdf. Note that while the form lists a June 1 deadline, the program loans throughout the school year.)
- Student 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 2022-2023 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 pandemic cuts, and it is likely that it will not be reinstated by fall.
REQUIRED FORMS
All forms are now completed online via this link. Please complete prior to our return to school.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES AND EVENTS
Fri., Aug. 26, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. School Cleaning and set-up for fall. 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. (In the past, Cleaning Day has been on a Saturday; we’re trying Friday, although we know some of you will not be able to make it because of work.)
Friday, Sept. 2, 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. 7. 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. 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. 7 through Fri., Sept. 9. Orientation at Camp Hi-Rock. We will leave for Camp Hi-Rock at 1 p.m. on September 7, 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 $150 per student fee for Orientation.
Sun., Sept. 11 through Fri., Sept. 16. Senior Class trip to Hermit Island, Maine, to study tide-pool zoology. Information available online soon.
Please note: Enrollment contracts for 2022-2023 should already be set up and signed within the TADS system. All contracts have been sent via e-mail through TADS. Please contact Patrick White, Business Manager, business@berkshirewaldorf.com, with any questions about your contract.
Please call or email if you have questions about this letter or anything else, and enjoy the rest of the summer.
Sincerely,
Stephen Sagarin, Ph.D.
Executive Director & Faculty Chair
REQUIRED: Student Information Form
Please fill out this required form by August 15th, 2022.
School Handbook
Student and Parent Handbook 2022-23
2022 – 2023 Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events: Updates will continue during the course of the year.
REQUIRED: Books, Supplies, and Email
Required books 2022-2023 (Autumn semester, list updated 8/18)
All students must ensure their school email account is functioning prior to the first day of school. Please log in as soon as possible after August 17. Returning students’ school email addresses are unchanged. New students, please set up your school email account via the directions on the Setting Up Your Email Account page. Request help by emailing office@berkshirewaldorf.com.
Hi-Rock Orientation Information and Forms
Camp Hi-Rock Orientation 2022 will take place September 7-9; all students are required to attend.
REQUIRED: Camp Hi-Rock Forms 2022
Hermit Island Information and Forms for Seniors
The annual Hermit Island week-long camping trip will take place September 11-16, 2022. More information to be posted soon, in the meantime, see last year’s information below, much of which will be the same for this year.
Sports Information and Forms
We are members of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).
PAGE UPDATED 6/30/2022