The WSOC Senior Play

The comedic skills of WSOC seniors shined for their recent production of "Wild Oats."

In This Newsletter: A Roaring 20's Prom, A Winning Western Comedy Senior Play, the Spring Concert, 7th, 8th and 4th Grade Adventures, and 3rd Graders Finish Their Shelters

Healthy Enrollment for the 2024-25 School Year

Dear WSOC Community,

We are delighted to announce that our enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is strong and vibrant. Interest in our school continues to grow, with many new families applying. We will be processing applications through the end of the year and into the summer.

Our thriving campus community owes much of its growth to the positive experiences shared by our families. Most of our new applicants have come to know us through friends and acquaintances within our community.

We are especially pleased to report that our second Nursery class is full, with a wait pool developing, and our Early Childhood program has returned to pre-COVID enrollment levels. The rising first grade continues to expand and is ready to welcome more friends. Additionally, our rising 9th grade remains robust, with 58% of our current 8th grade students continuing on to high school and at least three new students joining the class.

Word of mouth remains our most powerful tool, as many families are inspired by the unique and authentic engagement they observe in the children of their neighbors, friends and family. We also want to highlight our exciting summer camp opportunities. Many new families are already enrolled in our summer camp offerings. These programs provide a wonderful introduction to the Waldorf experience and are an excellent way for new families to become acquainted with our community. We encourage you to share these opportunities with friends and neighbors who might be interested.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for Waldorf education.

Warm regards,

Brooke Natzke

Director of Admissions

Events You Shouldn't Miss!

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WSOC On-Campus Events

Senior Play

The whirlwind production was a hit with students and parents. Geology Teacher Kim Eijpen said, notably, that the seniors were so busy that they memorized lines and created the set designs in just three weeks.

"It takes a certain skill and a lot of hard work to be able to pull off some of the gags they're pulling off: some of the fight scenes and some of the jokes. It took a lot of practice," High School Coordinator and Drama Teacher Gina Garrison said to the audience.

"It's bawdy, it's irreverent, and it's funny."

Gina reads dozens of plays every year, painstakingly selecting the one that will be performed by the senior class.

"Every time I choose a play I have to look at the kids in front of me and decide what is appropriate for them. I read this play and thought they were going to have a riot with this, and they did," she said.

"It was my favorite," said Eurythmy Teacher Sylvia Hanustiakova, noting they've been practicing and perfecting their comedic talents at WSOC for 12 years.

3rd Grade Houses

Grade 3 students have been learning about what it's like to live in different parts of the world. "Wherever you live, you want to build with the different materials you have," said Grade 3 Teacher Christiane Bohr. "This was just a fun assignment where they got to build their model, whatever they wanted to build." They constructed the models at home and brought them into the classroom to share their creations.

AP Testing on WSOC Campus!

Above: Aaron Tong smiles in relief after taking the AP Calculus AB Exam on the WSOC campus.

Many WSOC students have taken AP exams in the past, but had to request permission to test at other schools. Securing an exam seat was often a taxing process.

This extra effort is indicative of the passion and perseverance of WSOC students: The zest for a challenge–not out of requirement, but out of choice.

This first year of AP testing on the WSOC campus is a meaningful step that increases convenience and student comfort during difficult testing. Yet, it is also, in many aspects, a labor of love for the WSOC faculty who devoted months of effort to make it possible.

High School Registrar and Office Coordinator Shauna Forsum proved instrumental, according to High School Chemistry and Mathematics Teacher Ingrid Feck.

Shauna's new credential as an AP Coordinator "opens up a whole new opportunity for our students," said Ingrid. "[Now] students can order whatever tests they want."

It quickly became a concerted effort by high school faculty, determined for WSOC students to have whatever opportunities they desired.

Six 11th graders, currently studying Algebra II–Accelerated, took the AP Precalculus Exam in a leap of faith and skill, in preparation for next year's exam.

"I think it was nice to do [the testing] with people I know and to be in the same room and in the same situation with people that are my friends. That was really helpful," said 11th grader Lotta Depiereaux.

While WSOC doesn't have AP classes, WSOC students pass AP exams.

"This says something about the rigor of our curriculum," said Ingrid. "Our ordinary classes are rigorous enough to prepare these students [for advanced testing]."

Faculty vs. High School Basketball Game

Students secured an 8-point victory over faculty in the 4th quarter in a battle that had spectators on the edge of their seats. The faculty took the lead in the third quarter, but the students rallied.

A Quarter for a Poem

Grade 7 had a "Pop-Up 'Fresh Poetry' Stand" where they created "freshly penned totally spontaneous mini-poems written for you on site by our 7th graders for their 'Wish, Wonder, and Surprise'" final exam created by Humanities Teacher Kristen Kuczenski. Students wrote about an assortment of topics generated by the requests of students and faculty who placed quarters in their jars. They were creative, penning poems about everything from "Purple Rain", to putting on their socks, brushing their hair, and the attributes of their siblings.

WSOC: In the Community

Prom

"At WSOC, the Prom is not just for upperclassmen, it is a dance open to grades 9-12 as well as their guests from other schools. This year's prom was held at the gorgeous Newport Beach Marina Park. The theme was 'The Roaring 20's' and many students dressed accordingly. A live jazz band played to welcome everyone as they arrived and throughout the night there was a DJ to keep everyone dancing. The blackjack table and photo booth were hopping all night long. Many thanks to the parents who organized the set up and clean up, and to the faculty who chaperoned."

Gina Garrison

High School Coordinator

Spring Concert

Grades 4-8 celebrated the culmination of an academic year of musical training at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. The concert not only showcased talents of students in the orchestra and band, but also the musical skills of WSOC Games Teacher Brad Holm, who was showcased as the soloist of "Concerto for the Triangle."

The students were well prepared and performed beautifully for a delighted audience, according to Strings Teacher Jessica Haddy.

7th Grade Big Bear Field Trip

Grade 7 ventured to Big Bear for a bonding trip that included day and night hikes, chess and board games, and a high ropes course 30 feet in the air. The class stayed under the same roof, in a large cabin on Cedar Lake and "learned how to be around each other 24 hours a day," said Teacher Sara Rodelo.

Between the nature, games, togetherness and the challenge of the high ropes course, "It was a really nice time and enjoyed by all," she said.

Grade 5 Pentathlon

Over ninety Grade 5 students from WSOC and The Journey School participated in the Pentathlon that featured javelin, discus, long jump, races, and Greek wrestling. Parent volunteers stepped up to help teachers run the event, which was held on the WSOC games field. The Journey School also provided breakfast for the hungry athletes!

"It was lovely," Grade 5 Teacher Andrea Hubert said.

Aventura de Tren

Eighth graders were able to experience the diversity and cultural beauty of Los Angeles. Students rode the rails from Orange County to Los Angeles to explore historical sites and vibrant cultures, from the Wishing Well of Olvera Street to the Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, and Chinatown. It was an immersive experience that taught students about the beautiful, deep, and lasting impact of immigrant populations.

First Overnight Trip for Grade 4

Grade 4 students are "On Top of the World" during their first overnight trip as a class.The class was initially going to visit Joshua Tree, but the plan shifted to the coast due to the already skyrocketing temperatures of the desert.

Photo courtesy of Brad Holm