Education for the 21st Century
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A healthy social life is found only when, in the mirror of each soul, the whole community finds its reflection, and when, in the whole community, the virtue of each one is living
. --
Rudolf Steiner
Dear families,
Spring is almost upon us! We have a host of wonderful events coming up, including Tea with the 12th Grade today, March 2, a Curriculum Evening this Wed. March 4 (exploring Grades 6-8), and another Parent Enrichment event later this month. We also have a middle school choir performance and High School Spring Concert to look forward to this month.
On February 26 we welcomed 150 guests to our screening of Screenagers: NEXT CHAPTER and hosted a panel with WSOC seniors, faculty, alumni and our school counselor. It was a very successful evening, and we look forward to sharing more events with experts who are highly educated on the topics of Technology and Media. See the newsletter for more information and upcoming events.
Re-Registration is next week, March 9 - March 13. We thank you in advance for registering in the time period requested so that we may plan effectively for the coming year! Details below.
Please scroll down to learn more about what's been happening on campus, and check out the calendar to starting planning for all of the wonderful events coming up. Enjoy!
Warmly,
Alyssa Hamilton
WSOC Communications Coordinator
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Mon 3/2, 3:00p - 4:00p • Tea with the 12th Grade
Tue 3/3, 8:45a - 10:00a • Room Representative Meeting
Tue 3/3, 12:00p • The ABCs of Tuition Adjustment for WSOC webinar
Tue 3/3, 6:30p - 9:00p • Foundation Studies
Wed 3/4, 5:30p - 7:30p • Curriculum Evening Grades 6-8
Thu 3/5 7:00p - 8:00p • Grade 6 parent meeting
Fri 3/6, 7:45a - 8:30a • Bagel Friday at WSOC
Sun 3/8 • Spring Forward! Daylight Savings time begins
Mon 3/9, 6:00p - 8:00p • Grade 5 parent meeting
Mon 3/9 - Fri 3/13 • Re-Registration Week
Tue 3/10, 6:30p - 8:00p • Grade 1 parent meeting
Fri 3/13 • Track and Field Grades 7 and 8 (San Diego)
Fri 3/13, 7:45a - 8:30a • Bagel Friday at WSOC
Sun 3/15 • Tuition Adjustment Application Deadline for School Year Ending 2021
Tue 3/17, 6:30p - 8:00p • Grade 9 parent meeting
Fri 3/20, 7:45a - 8:30a • Bagel Friday at WSOC
Fri 3/20, 5:00p - 9:00p • WSOC Adult Education Program (Grades)
Fri 3/20, 7:00p - 9:00p • Foundation Studies
Sat 3/21, 8:00a - 4:30p • WSOC Adult Education Program (Grades)
Sat 3/21, 8:30a - 4:30p • Foundation Studies
Mon 3/23, 5:00p - 8:00p • HS Mock College Admission Night for Grades 10-11 only; RSVP required
Tue 3/24, 6:30p - 9:00p • Foundation Studies
Wed 3/25, 6:30p - 8:00p • Grade 12 parent meeting
Thu 3/26, 6:00p - 7:30p • Grade 3 Play
Fri 3/27, 7:00p - 8:30p • High School Spring Concert at WSOC
Sat 3/28, 9:00a • Reminder: Check Lost and Found behind front office: all items will be donated to charity at the end of each month
Sun 3/29, 2:45p - 3:45p • Grades 5-8 Middle School Choir Recital at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
Tue 3/31, 6:30p - 8:00p • Grade 11 parent meeting
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From the Admissions Office:
Re-Registration Week Mar. 9 - 13 2020
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Re-registration for the 2020-2021 school year will begin on Monday, March 9 and end on Friday, March 13. You will receive an email from TADS and will be asked to sign in to your account, pay registration fees and sign your tuition agreement for the 2020-2021 school year.
We greatly appreciate your participation in meeting this deadline. The knowledge that we will begin in September with a confirmed number of students allows us to budget effectively and to be ready to bring your children this rich, full curriculum.
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WSOC offers Curriculum Nights to share with parents the many experiential gifts their children receive in Waldorf Education. We will explore grades 6-8 on Wednesday, March 4 at 5:30pm. The night will include eurythmy for the upper grades/ middle school, geometric drawing with our Grade 6 teacher, a chemistry experience with our Grade 7 teacher, and a mini English/ language lesson with our middle school resource teacher Thomas Corcoran. If you have ever thought, "Why can't I go to school here myself?" - this event is for you!
Wed., March 4
5:30 - 7:30pm
Eurythmy Hall
GRADES 6-8 curriculum will be explored, all parents welcome to attend!
Babysitting available by Grade 8, on campus
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A Haven for the Kingdom of Childhood
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WSOC's Playgroup Program has been growing in popularity since its inception.
C
urrently, our program is filled to capacity; a testament to its beauty and effectiveness. Serving children from ages 18 months to three years, Playgroup is where many lasting family friendships are formed and where the tenets of Waldorf education are introduced. The majority of our families go on to our Early Childhood program after the Bridge program.
"We looked into the Waldorf School of Orange County Playgroup on the recommendation of some dear friends," said Playgroup parent
Shima Soffer Behrend (pictured). "
We were elated to discover something we didn't even realize we were looking for! This is our daughter Esme's third session of Playgroup. She is truly thriving and we could not be happier here."
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Parent Enrichment:
Technology and Media Series
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Senior Night Honors Athletes For Stellar Performances in the 2019-20 Sports Season
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On February 7, senior athletes (clockwise from left) Tomas Dardis, Sydney Severn, Lily Lieberman, Gram Boden and Eddie Janecheck were recognized (during the halftime portion of our final Wildcats basketball game) for their outstanding performances in the 2019-20 WSOC Wildcats sports season in volleyball, soccer, basketball and track.
"We couldn’t be more proud of our senior athletes, who led our teams in competition and sportsmanship as we work to make our mark in CIF, and as a school who values athleticism, collaboration, academic striving, and human kindness in equal measure," said Wildcat Athletic Director Armando Castro. "We look forward to honoring our senior athletes in this way for years to come."
Congratulations to our seniors for their hard work and dedication to athletic excellence!
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On February 13, our Grade 11 students each performed an original monologue that they wrote for themselves during their three-week creative writing block. This year’s title was
Shattering Perceptions
and students tackled weighty topics that define what it means to be human, including marriage, loss, and redemption, while also maintaining a sense of humor for life’s unavoidable curveballs.
As individuals, this class of 18 students found themselves changed after deeply entering into a character unlike their own. They found new voices in themselves and a deeper appreciation for each other. While the performance is never the goal, it is always deeply satisfying to hear the applause, the laughter, and the words of praise once the performance is completed. These students overcame a remarkable challenge and I am so proud of each of them!
- Gina Garrison, HS monologues block teacher
Student Reflections on their Monologues Experience
"I definitely had doubts about the possibility of creating a piece that was good. I was skeptical that I could write and act something that others would like, and even love. Now of course, I realize I always can do better, and next time I write or act I will be better. But after the block, it demonstrated that the impossible can be done. That might be an overstatement, but it was really rewarding after my performance, thinking, 'Yeah, I just did that!' It proved that the real difficulty is starting the challenge. A quote from Steven Pressfield's
The War of Art
illustrates this beautifully:
'There's a secret that real writers know that wannabe writers don't, and the secret is this: It's not the writing that's hard. What's hard is sitting down to write. What keeps us from sitting down is Resistance.' "
-
Elijah Pangrazio
"Monologues are a rite of passage at Waldorf! The process was not the easiest thing for me, but it was a good challenge. I had great support and was pushed to go deeper to create a monologue with a message."
– Sebastian Khan
"I had to face my fears, but it was truly an experience that I will never forget. I changed as an individual and we changed as a class. I also think that the monologues happening in 11th grade is very good. The process made me discover more of who I am, which I didn't think would happen. I probably won't perform another monologue, but I'm glad I did it!"
– Brooke Wenger
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The entire High School made the trip to Snow Valley Ski resort on Friday, Feb. 14th. All students skiied, snowboarded or sledded the day away. A fabulous time was had by all and we were blessed with a beautiful day! WSOC is deeply grateful to the Brendan Mann Foundation for sponsoring this high school event!
-
Kim Eijpen, high school earth science and biology teacher
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Please Join Us For our High School Spring Concert on Friday, March 27
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The High School Spring Concert (comprised of String Orchestra, Choir and Band) represents a musical mountaintop with a spectacular aural view - a mountain which our high school students started climbing last September. They have worked hard all year long on an assortment of pieces, and now it is time that their art is shared.
Art is meant to be shared, and it allows us to be expressive. Additionally, a performance marks precisely the occasion in which a goal (which we have set) is finally met. This is no small matter; it is an important life skill, and deeply gratifying to share with an audience.
A public performance stretches us as performers: our emotions and anxiety. Yet, it also allows us a chance to grow; to be courageous. In fact, it is one of the few times in which one can witness human growth as it is actually happening
in the moment.
It is an opportunity which no one should miss!
We look forward to you joining us, to enjoy the view, at the top of the mountain.
- David Zedaker, eurythmy accompanist and pianist
Friday, March 27
7pm
Eurythmy Hall
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WSOC vs. WSOC Co-Ed High School Soccer Finishes Season in Friendly Match
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To finish off the HS soccer season, the boys and girls teams were split into two co-ed teams to compete against each other in a friendly match on February before our home crowd. It was an exciting game with great plays and opportunities for both teams. The match ended with a 1-0 win for Team Grey with the goal scored by freshman Jamie Eijpen. It was a great way to close off a very successful first CIF soccer season for both boys and girls - with 18 games played between the two teams!
- Coach Wil Eijpen
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You are Invited: Tea with the 12th Grade Today
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Come enjoy tea, scones and other treats with our high school seniors, who are eager to talk with you and answer your questions about Waldorf education in the high school. They will share their own personal journeys, their plans post-Waldorf, being prepared for college and much more. There is still some space available- RSVP
here!
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The Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) recently launched a continent-wide alumni platform called Waldorf Alum Connect
https://alums.waldorfeducation.org/
Any adult having attended a Waldorf School for any period of time across the continent, is invited to register on the website and join the professional networking platform! Our own WSOC alumni will be able to connect with other Waldorf alumni across the globe, utilizing an interactive map, to forge professional relationships, view alumni news and events and share in a broader online community.
As we continue to remain connected with our own WSOC alumni, we are pleased to announce the addition of a WSOC Alumni Association pop-up at all our community festivals and events. We will actively invite all alumni students and families to visit the pop-up and look forward to welcoming any and all previous WSOC students and families.
Interested in supporting our alumni efforts:
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Grades 5-8 Choir To Perform March 29 in CdM
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SINGING! It’s a good thing! We are pleased to offer a special occasion event dedicated to our choirs.
This is a moment which will mean a great deal for the “choral culture” we encourage. The space offers lovely acoustics, a big parking lot, and plenty of seating.
Please join us and support our choir program. Let's give our students joyful support and encouragement in sharing their voices and themselves!
- Rusty Vail, Choir Director
Sunday, March 29
4pm
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
3233 Pacific View Drive
Corona del Mar, (near Newport Beach) on the corner of Marguerite and Pacific View
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Grades 7/8 and High School Orchestra Play for Disney Performing Arts
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On February 27, our WSOC middle and high school orchestras combined (46 total) to perform musical selections at Disneyland. This honor came after our group passed a video audition last fall that was reviewed by the professional artistic directors of the Disneyland Community Arts Partners.
We were humbled to have been selected, as schools all over the nation apply for this program and only a few, out of thousands receive it. Congratulations to our students and this accomplishment!
- Deborah Wondercheck, WSOC Director of Music
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Grade 6 Competes in So Cal Waldorf School Medieval Games
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Eight Southern California Waldorf schools gathered for the 22nd annual Medieval Games on a chilly morning in Aliso Viejo at the Journey School campus on Feb. 5. Things heated up as the competition and challenges were met by the sixth grade students. Archery, jousting, goat pull, wrestling, tug-of-war and javelin throw were all part of the busy day which ended with a steeplechase run, including a mud pit. Our students and chaperones (in medieval costumes) all performed well and had a memorable time.
- Mr. Brad, Games teacher
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Grade 5 Basks in the Snowy Sequoias
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A happy and epic bonding trip was had by all on our four-day adventure to Kings Canyon National Park to see the majestic Sequoia trees as part of our Botany curriculum in 5th grade. We skied, snowshoed and went sledding amongst the pine and fir trees of the Western Sierras. A big thank you to our community of parents who made this glorious encounter with nature possible!
-
Ms. Emahiser, Grade 5 teacher
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My students worked on creative writing for three weeks in their Wish, Wonder, Surprise block with high school English teacher Beka Castro. Their work was showcased in a beautiful evening of poetry and music. The students shared their own work, as well as the work of famous poets such as e.e. cummings and Langston Hughes.
-Ms. Lorri, Grade 7 teacher
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Community News & Announcements
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Click image to email Early Childhood teacher
Michaela Heller
for more information.
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Adult Education Opportunity at WSOC!
Have you ever said,
I wish I was the one going through Waldorf Education!
Or perhaps you would like to learn more about why Waldorf teachers bring subjects to their students in a particular way. With Foundation Studies, you can! Waldorf School of Orange County’s two-year program enables participants to experience many of the subjects their child learns, including a study of great literary works such as Parzival, form drawing, wet- on-wet watercolor, projective geometry and more. Additionally, courses include Child Development and the Basics of Waldorf Education, a Biography Workshop, and other fundamentals of Waldorf Education. Faculty members from WSOC support the program, as do several guest teachers from the wider Anthroposophical movement.
WSOC’s Adult Education program is directed by Chris Bennett, who joined the faculty of WSOC in September 2009 and is the former director of Kula Makua Adult Waldorf Education in Honolulu, and was an instructor at the London Waldorf Teacher Training Seminar (UK) for many years before that. He served as WSOC class teacher from 2009- 2017, when his class graduated 8th grade.
This is a two-year, part-time study program. A monthly payment option is available. (September-June). Please
click here
for brochure and registering instructions.
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Congratulations to Mr. Matan and his family!
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On February 14, practical arts teacher Mr. Matan and his family welcomed a baby girl, Alma Rose Tsufim.
Congratulations to Mr. Matan, wife Franziska and son Adam
on the beautiful addition to their family!
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Crucial Creativity: The Case for Cultivating Divergent Thinking in the Classroom
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From AWSNA's blog, Essentials in Education. Click
here
to subscribe.
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AmazonSmile = Easy Fundraising Opportunity
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AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as
Amazon.com
.
The difference is that when you shop on
AmazonSmile
, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
Every item available for purchase on Amazon
is also available on AmazonSmile (
smile.amazon.com
) at the same price. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages.
Just click on the icon above and choose WSOC as your charity. Each time you order, our school receives a donation. It's that simple!
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Click
here
for WSOC College of Teachers, Board Members and Administrative Rotation
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Waldorf School of Orange County
2350 Canyon Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92627-3948
(949) 574-7775
wwww.waldorfschool.com
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