Community Update
September 27, 2019
Scenes from our first Michaelmas play and festival, held at Cedar Springs in 1989.
Dear Cedar Springs Families,

It seems fitting that the weather took a sudden turn towards cooler and darker as we hosted our 30th Michaelmas festival, a celebration of courage and inner light during the darker times of the year, here at Cedar Springs. This year, our 2nd grade class, with support from 1st, 4th and 6th grade students, performed our Michaelmas play, carrying this tradition in to its 30th year.

This day is made even more special because it is our school's birthday. This year, we celebrate 30 years of bringing Waldorf education to El Dorado County. What an accomplishment!

Read below to learn more about why we celebrate Michaelmas as well as important information for the upcoming week.
Why do we celebrate Michaelmas?
Chalkboard drawing by 1st Grade teacher Robin Schulz
September 29, midway between the northern hemisphere's summer and winter solstices, the ancient festival of Michaelmas is celebrated. As summer's warmth fades, and the cool crispness of autumn falls upon us, mother nature's fruits and vegetables ripen for harvesting. Her gifts help sustain us through the dark cold days of winter and remind us to summon our own gifts and inner strength to help balance our internal light with the darkness of the season.
Stories of good versus evil or light versus dark are often told to illuminate the balance of light and dark that we all must strive towards mastering. One favorite Michaelmas story is that of St. George taming the dragon with the sword of justice and courage given to him by the Archangel St. Michael. St. George is an earthly representation of Michael. The dragon, eating up livestock and children in a village, is much like our own greedy, envious, darker side.

A celebration of strength and courage, of facing dragons both internal and external. Michaelmas is a great time to ponder our own inner dragons and to cultivate the courage and strength necessary for self development.
Hot Lunch Starts Monday
Our hot lunch offerings are provided by upper grades classes as a fundraiser. This year, hot lunch will be offered Mon-Fri at a cost of $4 per lunch. Payments for lunch may be made with cash or through family FACTS accounts only. No IOUs will be accepted.
Hot lunch offerings for the year:
Monday: Baked Potato (offered by the 7th Grade)
Tuesday: Cheese Pizza (offered by the 6th Grade)
Wednesday: Bean & Cheese Burrito (offered by the 7th Grade)
Thursday: Curried Lentils & Rice (offered by the 5th Grade)
Friday: Taco Mountain (offered by the 8th Grade)
Thank you to all the hardworking volunteers who make this convenient service possible!
Picture Day is Tuesday
iClick Smiles will be on campus Tuesday, October 1st to photograph our Grades students. Early Childhood children will have class group photos taken at a later date.
7th Grade Rummage Sale
Saturday, October 12th
8:00-3:00pm
The 7th Grade is gratefully accepting donations for their rummage sale. We are looking for gently used, salable items such as: furniture, books, camping and sporting gear, kitchen items, rain/snow gear, baby clothing (size 12 month and under), etc. Donations can be dropped off on Friday, October 11th, or email Paula ThompSon (classof2021@cedarspringswaldorf.org) if you need to arrange an earlier drop-off.
Thank you for supporting the Class of 2021!
Parent Education Opportunities
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Upcoming Events
September 30 ---Hot Lunch Begins
October 1 ---Grades Picture Day
October 5 ---Early Childhood Meeting at 9am
October 8 ---Fourth Grade Parent Night at 6:30pm
October 9 ---Sixth Grade Parent Meeting at 6:30pm
October 11 ---Parent Guild Meeting
October 12 ---Seventh Grade Rummage Sale
October 16 ---Picture Makeup Day
October 26 ---Pumpkin Path
Inspiring our students to reach their highest potential as free-thinking, creative human beings who have a life-long love of learning, Cedar Springs offers Waldorf education to families and their children, infants through Eighth grade . - CSWS Mission Statement
Have you been inspired by what you've seen and read here? If so, consider making a financial contribution to our non-profit school to support Waldorf Education in El Dorado County. Our students thank you!