Education for the 21st Century |
|
Dear families,
The Autumn Equinox took place on Sept. 22. This equinox is the equilibrium of day and night, representing the light and darkness in our lives. The long summer nights have passed, and we are now in a season of transition. We are slowly drawing inward, bringing our light within to keep us illuminated during the winter season.
The beginning of Fall also heralds the celebration of Michaelmas on Sept. 29, with the high school students providing a series of bravery challenges for Grade 2 that ended with a chance to slay the dragon in his lair, emulating St. Michael (pictured in Ms. Hubert's Grade 3 chalkboard drawing above).
Our Fall Community Forum takes place this evening at 5:30pm. Bring a mug to enjoy a beverage with us. We look forward to seeing you there.
Baba the Storyteller is coming to our campus on Oct. 27. All are welcome! Details below.
Make Up Picture Day is Thursday, Oct. 7. Please preview your children's photos on the links sent via ParentSquare. If you decide to do a makeup photo, please contact Erica in the front office. That makeup photo will automatically be chosen as the yearbook photo, and for any ordered packages.
We have NO SCHOOL next Monday in honor of national Indigenous People's Day.
Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook to enjoy photos and excerpts of what your students are learning and participating in here at WSOC. Click here for easy Social Media links. Like our posts, comment and share! By doing so, you help to introduce our beautiful school to new friends.
P.S. Don't forget to "click to view entire message" or "unclip" at the bottom of your newsletter. If we run a bit long, the newsletter gets automatically abbreviated in your inbox.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Warmly,
Alyssa Hamilton
Communications Coordinator
|
|
When to my being’s depths I penetrate,
Expectant yearning wakes and stirs me
To find myself,
Self contemplating,
As gift of summer sun, a seed
That warming lives in autumn mood
As germinating force of soul.
-Rudolf Steiner
Calendar of the Soul Verse 27
|
|
Fall Community Forum TONIGHT at 5:30! |
|
Leadership Circle Updates |
|
Dear families,
WSOC welcomes and values diverse perspectives of the families in our school community. Healthy human relationships are essential to the well-being of the school, and we encourage and cherish the healthy expression of ideas to understand the many different viewpoints that are held in our community. Waldorf education strives for the conscious development of human relationships and that can only happen when we hear, honor, and cherish each other’s perspectives.
The current pandemic has revealed a wide range of disparate perspectives and brought questions about how the school makes decisions in responding to the difficult challenges facing our community and our world. Governance of the school is structured and implemented in a manner that cultivates collaboration and effectiveness, with three spheres of school leadership (Board of Trustees, College of Teachers, and School Administrator) leading the collaborative decision-making processes that include soliciting input from community members.
Besides considering the perspectives of all community members, however, we also understand that as an accredited Waldorf school and as a private school operating in California, we have a duty to adhere to certain rules and regulations, in this case related to public health issues. Specifically, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued Guidance for K-12 Schools that we are legally required to follow, including the legal requirement for schools to implement universal masking indoors in K-12 settings. This requirement is further detailed in Director & State Public Health Officer Tomás J. Aragón’s Requirement for Universal Masking indoors at K-12 Schools.
|
|
Board of Trustees: Fast Facts |
|
Have you ever wondered how your Board of Trustees serves in the Governance Structure of WSOC? We are happy to share! The Board of Trustees works with the College of Teachers and Administration, each of the three bodies holding a realm of the school. The Governance Structure is a reflection of Steiner's Threefold Social Order. The Board of Trustees holds WSOC's long-term strategic planning, financial policies and budget, changes to the governance structure and the fiduciary health of the school. The Board of Trustees hires and oversees your School Administrator, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school.
In 2018 as part of our accreditation process WSOC conducted a self study. The first goal out of that self study was for WSOC to have a clearly defined governance structure that is communicated to and understood by all major stakeholders. One of the results of this goal is the Leadership Circle, consisting of the College Chair, Board Chair and School Administrator. Working together across realms to have a forum for communication and partnership between the governing bodies. Another result of this goal is the Governance Matrix, a decision making matrix that reflects the decisions each realm holds on behalf of the whole.
-- James Gaor and Amy Rasmussen, Co-Chairs of the WSOC Board of Trustees
|
|
The WSOC high school student council is a group of elected representatives from each grade who work together to create events and activities for the student body. This year is going to be an exciting one for the Student Council and the high school!
We recently re-opened the canteen and added tons of new snacks to the snack cart. We have started planning Homecoming and a Spirit Week leading up to it, packed with great activities and fun outfits.
This year, our goal is to create a more unified and safe environment within the high school community, including teachers. We hope that each student feels they can voice their opinions and desires and feel heard. And what better way to do this than through friendly competitions, game nights, dances and a whole lot more? We just finished the election process and added many new ambitious students who hope to enact change in our community.
-Sophia N. and Zara G., Student Council Co-Presidents
|
|
WSOC was delighted to welcome Baba the Storyteller back to our campus on Sept. 23. Young students chanted his well-known refrain of "Jaliyaa" while older students greeted him in a cheerful stampede, heralding his arrival. Baba has been a professional artist since 1994 and is one of the few recognized U.S. born practitioners of the ancient West African storytelling craft known as Jaliyaa. He has received numerous awards over the years for his work as a folklorist, traditional harpist, storyteller, community activist and volunteer. Baba has presented in thousands of schools and other institutions all across the world. He is currently touring internationally and working as a Master Teaching Artist with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, designing curricula which fuse the arts with classroom instruction.
"I remember Baba coming to our class and telling stories and playing his kora when we were little," said a Grade 7 student. "His stories always have good lessons, he's super funny and it's so fun to sing with him."
Longtime WSOC parent and community member Liz Shier-Burnett added: "Baba is one of the most incredible and treasured people on our planet. His huge heart and profound wisdom comes across so clearly and deeply to anyone that is fortunate enough to hear him sharing his gifts of story and music. I have been honored to be present a few of the times he was on our campus, and the excitement and joy coming from the children was electric - not to mention all of the adults."
|
|
Safety First During Pick Up |
|
Have you purchased Scrip this year? If not, you are missing out on the simplest form of "passive" fundraising. Scrip is an annual fundraising program for the Waldorf School of Orange County that every family participates in. The program raises over $70,000 annually for our school with funds earmarked to your child’s class fund.
Here’s how it works:
- The school buys Gift Cards at a discount.
-
Families purchase these Gift Cards (Scrip) at face value.
- The difference between the cost and the face value is the school’s profit - an average of 5%.
-
Each family has a minimum annual commitment to earn $275 of profit (not sales) per year. If you don’t reach your family minimum by July 31st at the end of the school year, you will be invoiced for the balance.
Here’s how you can participate
-
Sign up for Shop with Scrip using PrestoPay. This enables you to place your orders online and have instant access to e-cards and reloadable gift cards.
- All orders for physical cards placed by Monday at noon will be available for pickup in the school store (The Company of Angels) on Wednesday.
- We stock a limited number of physical cards for popular local merchants (e.g. Mother’s Market; Fermentation Farm) as well as a variety of frequently purchased gift cards in the Company of Angels.
"The school's Scrip gift card program is a great way to meet the $275 obligation each family has to the school. Although there are hundreds of vendors to choose from, we tend to focus on the few that we frequent often (such as groceries). I just started using the Scrip app this school year, and found it remarkably easy. We were at a shop last week and before we made a purchase, I checked the app and sure enough, the vendor was listed as part of the program, so I bought the e-card and used it to make our store purchase. We got on the spot credit to our Scrip account, all while supporting the school."
- Luis Alarcon, Waldorf parent of a Grade 2 and Grade 7 student
"Using Scrip is so much easier with Shopwithscrip.com because the large majority are e-cards. You don't even have to leave your house," says Pam Lusk, Scrip Coordinator. "If you have any questions, please stop by and see me at Company of Angels, or call (949) 574-7775 ext. 204. I'm always happy to help!"
Want to make it even easier? Download the RaiseRight App right on your phone! It's simple!
|
|
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
James Mesevage
|
|
James Mesevage teaches math at WSOC in grades 9-12. He comes to WSOC with Waldorf High School math teaching experience from Green Meadow, Baltimore and Sacramento Waldorf Schools. He earned his B.A. in Music from Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, his M.A. in Mathematics and Mathematics Education from Columbia University, and his Certificate in Waldorf Education from Sunbridge Institute. Mr. Mesevage is expected to complete his Doctorate in Education from Columbia University in 2022.
Tell us about the WSOC mathematics initiative you are spearheading with Ms. Ingrid.
Math is a topic that many are intimidated by. We would like to grow an awareness that there is nothing to fear, that math is all around us: in nature, for example, we can recognize the shapes of certain flowers are pentagons. We can quantify statistics and explore ratios by counting colored shells on the beach. We would like to start our children young, teaching that math is something to enjoy and to be inspired by.
What would you like to tell folks who grew up disliking math and deciding they weren't good at it?
Most likely, your experience in school had very little to do with math itself. These days, there are so many engaging ways to explore mathematics: tutorials on YouTube, the works of Elie Mayor. I recently showed Grade 9 the documentary, "Donald Duck in Mathemagic Land," which is not just about math, but math in the world, as it intersects with art, music and games.
What drew you to Waldorf education?
I became interested in Anthroposophy in the mid 80s. I was living near Green Meadow Waldorf school in New York, and they held workshops and classes, including projective geometry. I attended several, and I also volunteered on their biodynamic farm.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would love to go to the Ritmann Library in Amsterdam. They have the largest collection of esoteric writers in the world, from Parcelus to Steiner.
|
|
The Wonder and Magic of Mathematics |
|
What is your “math identity?" Do you see yourself as a math person? Do you enjoy math? Or do you cringe when you see numbers? Do you see the beauty of math all around you? In school, students develop their identity as both thinkers and doers of mathematics as they build upon their prior strengths and learning experiences. We want to encourage you to allow your children to enter their journeys as mathematicians with a positive outlook - give them the time and space to enjoy the challenge and wonder of math.
This year, partnering with the high school math department, the faculty is looking to grow a strong math initiative that promotes an environment in which each student can explore and grow a positive math identity.
To support this endeavor at home, pay attention to math in your daily life. Cooking, shopping, encountering patterns in nature and architecture, and playing games all are opportunities to become aware of, and strengthen your innate sense of mathematics while having fun.
-Ingrid Feck, high school chemistry and math teacher, and James Mesevage, high school math teacher
|
|
|
|
Michaelmas
We celebrated an on-campus Michaelmas this year, with the grades and high school collaborating to share gifts, songs, challenges and more with our Grade 2 students. Our second graders, dressed in red for courage and armed with shields and lucky talismans gifted by grades students, bravely completed their challenges designed by the high school and faced down the dragon in his lair. Michaelmas celebrates the legendary courage of St. Michael the dragon slayer, who represents bravery, fortitude and facing your inner darkness.
|
|
Ms. Arieta's kindergarten class practiced will work and ingenuity with the spontaneous construction of a tipi-like structure on the bluffs across from campus. |
|
Grade 3 made mooncakes with their Mandarin teacher Luo Lau Shi in celebration of the Moon Festival, an important holiday in many Asian countries. Taking place in late September to early October, it is considered similar to a harvest festival or Thanksgiving. Families gather for a nighttime picnic, light lanterns, and admire the moon. Food created and served is often round, to emulate the moon's shape.
|
|
Science teacher Kim Eijpen's astronomy block with Grade 11. "Astronomy provides the opportunity for students in 11th grade to look into the cosmos and really begin to appreciate the immense scale of what exists beyond our planet," she says. "Students study the movement of planets, the sun and moon while considering greater questions such as life elsewhere, and what even is life anyway? We examine modern technology, the space race, GPS and how it works, finishing with a project presentation of the students' choosing - the sky's the limit! Some of this year's topics include a student who made their own telescope,'The Asteroid that Killed Dinosaurs', 'Astrobiology', 'Does the Atmosphere of Venus Contain Life?' and 'Cosmic Radiation and its Effect on DNA/Evolution.'"
|
|
Ms. Brooke's Grade 7 enjoyed a few hours at the OCC School of Sailing and Seamanship in Newport Beach on Sept. 24. Students tried their hand at knot tying and getting their vessels ocean-ready. A surprise storm prevented them from launching, but that will be something to look forward to for the next session! |
|
We are so thrilled that our CRAFT GROUP is back in session! Every Friday at 8:45am, WSOC families and community friends gather together with Practical Arts teacher Ms. Christine to create works of beauty. This Friday: Needle Felted Pumpkins! Join in the fun, no experience necessary.
|
Big Aftercare arts & crafts with Mr. Jay. Always a joy! |
|
Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook to enjoy photos and excerpts of what your students are learning and participating in here at WSOC. Click here for easy Social Media links. Like our posts, comment and share! By doing so, you help to introduce our beautiful school to new friends.
|
|
Community News & Announcements |
|
Bring us your batteries! We have a special collection bin in the front office. The contest runs all the way through March 18, 2022, so we have lots of time to collect. Let's raise money for WSOC! |
|
Calling all Early Childhood parents! If you have not been to one of these free classes, you don't know what you're missing! Try it and see. No long-term commitment necessary. Just drop in any Thursday! |
|
|
|
The first day will be Friday, October 8, and subsequently every Monday and Friday after that. Parents will be able to order pizza through choicelunch.com, but pizza will come individually boxed, delivered directly from their vendor. Please note the following:
- The deadline for late ordering/ cancellations is 9 am, the day before service.
- Full customization of A La Carte sides is now available until 9 am, the day before service.
- Emergency lunch availability is very limited to 1-2 per day and the choices vary. Should your student need an emergency lunch you will need to have an account set up with Choicelunch.
- Lunch service is available for grades 1-12.
|
|
Fri 10/1, 6:30p - 7:30p • HS Volleyball Home vs. Bethel
Sat 10/2, 8:30a - 4:30p • Adult Education Program (all)
Mon 10/4 • Newsletter
Mon 10/4, 5:30p - 7:00p • Fall Community Forum
Tue 10/5, 8:45a - 10:00a • Room Representative Meeting
Wed 10/6, 5:00p • HS Volleyball vs. Bethel
Thu 10/7 • Makeup Photo Day
Thu 10/7, 11:30a - 12:30p • Parent Enrichment for Early Years parents
Thu 10/7, 5:00p - 6:00p • HS Volleyball @ Liberty Christian
Fri 10/8, 7:00p - 8:00p • HS Volleyball Home vs. Acaciawood
Mon 10/11 • NO SCHOOL- Indigenous People's Day
Tue 10/12, 5:30p - 7:00p • Lantern Walk: Kindergarten
Wed 10/13, 9:00a - 10:30a • Walk through the Grades
Wed 10/13, 5:00p - 6:00p • HS Volleyball Home vs. Liberty Christian
Thu 10/14, 11:30a - 12:30p • Parent Enrichment for Early Years parents
Mon 10/18 - Fri 10/22 • HS Grade 9 Geology Field Trip
Mon 10/18, 6:00p - 9:00p • Board Meeting
Wed 10/20, 7:00p - 8:30p • Early Childhood information Evening
Thu 10/21, 11:30a - 12:30p • Parent Enrichment for Early Years parents
Sat 10/23, 9:00a - 10:30a • Morning in the Kindergarten
Thu 10/28, 11:30a - 12:30p • Parent Enrichment for Early Years parents
Sun 10/31 • Halloween
Adult Education (Foundation Studies- click here to learn more)
Fri 10/1, 5:00p - 9:00p • Adult Education Program Grades (Foundation Studies: 7pm-9pm)
Tue 10/5, 6:30p - 9:00p • Adult Education Program (Foundation Studies: 7:30pm - 9pm)
Fri 10/22, 5:00p - 9:00p • Adult Education Program Grades (Foundation Studies: 7pm-9pm)
Sat 10/23, 8:30a - 4:30p • Adult Education Program (all)
Tue 10/26, 6:30p - 9:00p • Adult Education Program (Foundation Studies: 7:30pm - 9pm)
PARENT HANDBOOKS
AFTERCARE
|
|
Click here for WSOC College of Teachers, Board Members and Administrative Rotation
|
|
Waldorf School of Orange County
2350 Canyon Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92627-3948
(949) 574-7775
wwww.waldorfschool.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
