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Gear Swap

October 21, 2022 @ 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
denver waldorf school gear swap

Join us for the DWS Winter Gear Swap

Rather than buying things brand new, extend the life of the earth’s resources by reusing and recycling items that other families are ready to pass on! Hosted by the Denver Waldorf School Parent Council, the Gear Swap is your opportunity to sort through your belongings — rain boots, ski goggles, bike helmets, and even bathing suits — to give, sell or exchange with other families. We will join together, have fun, and save our gear and outerwear of all sorts from ending up in the landfill.

Date: Friday, October 21, 2022

Time: 3:45-4:45pm

Location: DWS Playground (weather permitting)

Bring a blanket or table to display your items.

How — The Gear Swap will be Organized by Grade

  • The Swap will be organized by grade. We are hoping this will help you locate an item by size (for example, if you are looking for a size 6 ski jacket for your child, you would go to the 1st Grade sign).
  • Please bring a blanket to display your goods. If you plan on displaying items in multiple grades, please bring a blanket for each grade. You do not need to stay with your gear- feel free to socialize, meander, and shop!
  • PLEASE NOTE: Anything not swapped (any leftover items) must be taken home. At the end of the Swap or when you are leaving, please gather your blanket and any items that haven’t been chosen and take them home with you. We will follow up with suggestions for sustainable donation options.
  • There will be locations for unspecified/ adult sized items including toys, games, sporting goods, camping gear, and adult active wear and gear.

Who — EVERYONE!

  • Join us! This will be a fun, community building event to find needed, useful items in a sustainable and cost effective way! You do not need to bring any gear to join in the swapping fun!
  • Please pick up your child from school as usual and then head over to the playground and field for the Swap. Children are welcome to play and shop with their parents. Please note: staff and administration may be present but parents will be responsible for supervising their children.
  • Please do not bring swapped gear on the playground to avoid losing or breaking things.
  • We ask that parents keep track of items children have swapped so things are not lost, forgotten, or abandoned.

Why a Gear Swap is Activism

Why is a gear swap activism? Because racial justice is climate justice and climate justice is racial justice. Climate change disproportionately impacts BIPOC communities around the world — communities that generally contribute less to greenhouse gas emissions and lack the resources that wealthy, predominantly white communities have to adapt to climate change. And did you know that a majority of Goodwill donations end up in the landfill? Rather than buying things brand new, extend the life of the earth’s resources by reusing and recycling items that other families are ready to pass on. This is a great way to actively involve your children in becoming part of the conversation that climate justice and racial justice are inextricably linked. Take action and join us on Friday 10/21!

About The Denver Waldorf School Parent Council

The DWS Parent Council is a College-mandated committee which cultivates community and provides parents with access to the greater school community and governing bodies through the information and communication shared by Parent Council Representatives and the planning of class-specific and school-wide activities. Parent Council generates enthusiastic parent participation in the life of the school by creating opportunities for parents to enrich their own lives.

Sign Up to Help Set Up

If you would like to be a part of of the Gear Swap by helping to set up, help people find things, or clean up at the end, please sign up on the Sign Up Genius below. Thank you!

Sign Up to Help

What to Bring

Please bring a basket or canvas bag to collect your goods while shopping!

  • Halloween costumes
  • Outerwear of any sort (ski pants, rain jacket, coats)
  • Long underwear
  • Boots- ski, snow, rain, hiking, etc.
  • Water shoes
  • Googles- ski and swim
  • Helmets- bike or snow
  • Athletic gear- shin guards, cleats, football pads
  • Swimsuits
  • Wetsuits
  • Skis
  • Snowboards
  • Scooters, bikes, trikes
  • Rollerblades, roller skates, skateboards
  • Booster seats/ car seats
  • Strollers
  • Camping gear- sleeping pads, stoves, tents, lanterns
  • Sports equipment- tennis rackets, golf clubs, lacrosse sticks, balls
  • Board games

What NOT to Bring

  • Non-active wear: t-shirts, jeans, dresses, leggings, shorts, skirts, non-athletic shoes
  • NO plastic toys such as legos, Barbie, Playmobile, video games, handheld devices
  • Anything broken, stained, ripped, or missing pieces/ parts

Details

  • Date: October 21, 2022
  • Time:
    3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
  • Event Category:
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Our classrooms certainly extend beyond the walls of our school. Earth Day and every day, we spend time outdoors. Whether it’s a nature walk in the park, or twice daily recess outside, or a festival celebration, or an overnight camping trip - we breath the fresh air, soak in the season, and connect to the world around us.  We foster a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world we share. Stewardship of the Earth is an integral part of our curriculum and culture- believing that our work and commitment to environmental sustainability and social renewal can make a difference, together. 🌎❤️
Yes, a middle school dance does exist where social dancing is the norm, nobody is on their phones, and joy is greater than judgment. Some might think having middle schoolers do the cha-cha, foxtrot, waltz, and twist are old fashioned. But there is an intention to our dance curriculum. 

If you’ve ever had a chance to witness a Waldorf middle school dance, you notice that there is just something different about our dances. Often rotating partners, our students comfortably dance the night away! It’s not about going with a date or corsages - it’s about providing a wonderful social outlet as they navigate the middle school years. Through their practice, they learn how to move together with a partner - developing respect for one another, confidence in movement, and a healthy appreciation of each person’s best efforts- all the while having fun with friends. A big thank you to The Schoolboys (a band comprised mostly of DWS alumni parents!) for keeping us going all evening!
Our 4th grade class took the stage this week, bringing to life four stories from the wisdom of the First Nations, including the tale “How Music Came to the World.” They began their performance joining their voices together in round, singing “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant Us Peace) - a reminder of the healing power of music and its ability to connect us all. 

The Waldorf class play is an element of our curriculum that weaves together many aspects of our learning. The 4th grade has been studying Colorado history and geography, and as part of that, focusing on stories from the First Nations people who have long called this place home. Through song, tradition, and embodiment of story - our students cultivate a deep connection to the curriculum while also creating something meaningful as a community. It’s on this stage that courage, collaboration, and connection to the world around us can come alive through our shared humanity.
Our 1st grade tree has almost come full circle - from the autumn leaves to the spring petals falling to the fresh leaf buds of wonder 🌿. As we step into this final season after spring break, the energy in our halls is palpable! Just like Ms. Nelly’s evolving chalkboard, the beauty and curiosity in our learning continue to grow. We’re looking forward to all that is to come this season together.
In our Waldorf classrooms, math lives within us - mind, body, and imagination too. 

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In middle school, practical math skills are first built through business math - giving their classroom practice real-world application. Geometry emerges through observation and beauty. 

Even in our upper grades, while students move into more abstract work, math is never disconnected. Through hands-on projects, real-life puzzles, problem-solving, and artistic thinking, students learn more than just how to solve - they learn how to think. 

Math is more than just numbers on a page in our K-12 curriculum - it is something we experience.
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After studying the biographies of Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, our students were tasked with choosing an invention or work of art to recreate - bringing their hands and hearts into a time where art, science, and human potential were rediscovered. 

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We often hear “I wish I could go to The Denver Waldorf School” from parents, grandparents, and prospective families in reaction to the unfolding, beautiful education in front of them. Well, now is your chance to donate in support of this education AND have your very own experience within it! As part of our spring fundraiser’s silent auction, our wonderful teachers have given us some wonderful offerings that you can be a part of, including an Intro to Knitting with Ms. Wolf, Chalk Drawing with Ms. Nelly, Ceramics with our resident ceramicist Annie Graziano, and more! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Join us in celebrating the joy of lifelong discovery, where curiosity stays alive and creativity continues to grow well into adulthood! You can sign up for these experiences via the auction link in stories, and continue bidding through April 13 on other fantastic items still up for grabs too!

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The Denver Waldorf School

2100 S. Pennsylvania St.
Denver, CO 80210
p) 303-777-0531
f) 303-744-1216
[email protected]

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