The Wave | November 2020
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Art by Lucy Grossmith
A few thoughts...
from our Pedagogical Director

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a year of struggle. The struggle for justice with #Black Lives Matter and the refusal to allow this injustice to go on any longer, the devastating impact of wildfires and climate events, the struggle to vote under demanding circumstances, the struggle to survive in the face of Corona virus, and the struggle to believe in a better future for America. What happened to the land of freedom and possibility? Is there still hope?

Here at the Waldorf School of San Diego, we are talking more about race, about current events, and future hopes. Many of the teachers are learning more about social justice, implicit bias, and racial equity in enrichment workshops over Zoom. This is one advantage we have gained this year, the ability to attend events using technology. It does not replace the human, personal experience, but has allowed us to undertake many more educational journeys without leaving home.

The school has been transformed almost into a farm school with outside classrooms. Everyone has adapted and risen to meet the challenge even through heat, rain, and cold. Teachers and students are truly happy to see each other. The magic of learning is possible under the most unusual circumstances. For who could have known that we would be teaching in tents in 2020?

Yes, there is hope for humanity. We are adaptable and we find a way through adversity.
Just read the amazing speech below of Cori Bush, the first Black woman from Missouri to be elected to congress this past week.

Clare Knauss,
Pedagogical Director

Click here to read the speech
Upcoming Events
11/11 Veterans Day- NO SCHOOL
11/12 Virtual film showing: Zero Time to Waste.
11/14 DIWALI- Festival of lights
11/18 Annual Giving Ends
11/18 Parent Association Meeting
11/18 & 19 10th Grade Play- Macbeth
11/23-27 FALL BREAK - No School!
We celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November to recognize the achievements and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Did you know there's a Waldorf school located in
North Dakota in the heart of the
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation?

Lakota Values
They strive to honor these seven Lakota values in all school activities: 
Wisdom - Woksape
Compassion - Wowaunśila
Courage - Wo'ohitika
Generosity - Wacantognake
Respect - Waohola
Honesty - Wowicaḱe
Humility - Wowaḣwala

To explore more about the Native American culture, visit these websites:

Squash Pie
"The Gete-Okosimaan (Ancient Squash) in this recipe came from the hands of youth working in the Babaamaadiziwin Gitigaan (Journey Garden) out of Nahgahchiwanong (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) Reservation. "




Diwali: Festival of Lights
November 14

Diwali is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live. But there's one common theme no matter where people celebrate: the victory of good over evil.

In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps.

Southern India celebrates it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.

In western India the festival marks the day that Lord Vishnu, the Preserver (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world.
DIWALI IS CELEBRATED OVER FIVE DAYS.
  • DAY ONE: People clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune.
  • DAY TWO: People decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.
  • DAY THREE: On the main day of the festival, families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.
  • DAY FOUR: This is the first day of the new year, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.
  • DAY FIVE: Brothers visit their married sisters, who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.
If you'd like to join in on the festivities, these are some of the Diwali foods you should try:
Kalakand
Samosa
Aloo Bonda
Murukku. Murukku
Gulab Jamun
Sooji Halwa
Paneer Tikka
Namakpare
Onion Bhaji
Thank you everyone who donated to the High School Student's skateboard ramp fundraiser:
"We’ve officially reached our goal thank you so much to everyone who has donated!!! We will be starting the build of the half pipe this Friday!"
In our August Wave Newsletter we shared a GoFundMe for a radio show hosted by our very own Coach Anthony Thomas, we'd like to share some gratitude because it is now up and running!
Thank you to the community who supported and made this possible.
Thank you to Coach Thomas for creating the show and bringing jazz culture and music to the younger generation and more!
Dialogues of Jazz a radio show about the music, culture, stories and people of jazz. The show "is about sharing and educating the younger generation and people in general about the history, philosophy, culture and overall importance of jazz music. The program will cover all eras of this music, with a focus on 60's jazz. The show will be speaking with current musicians, scholars, historians to get their insight, hear of their struggles and stories behind why they chose to play this music, study this music and write about this music."
Click Here to listen!

If you'd like to support the show, you may find the GoFundMe Here.
Many thanks to Annie O'Neil and Daiga Atvara for your beatiful work on the Winter Faire posters!
Thank you!
The Waldorf School of San Diego earned a Niche grade of A for 2021!

Only 10% of schools across the U.S. receive an A or higher, so this is a huge accomplishment for you and your team! Waldorf School of San Diego also ranked #20 in Best High Schools for the Arts in CA.
Kindergarten
Kindergarteners made beautiful felted pumpkins and listened to a lovely Autumn tale of friendship, protection, and thoughtfulness. Here is an excerpt from the tale:

“Through the field on long, thin feet, came a spider looking for a house so neat. Across the field he sees a glow: it’s Mousie’s house! “Hello! Hello!” Just then the North Wind blew, and chilled that spider through and through. He said, “May I move in with you?”

Mouse peeped out and said, “Yes you may and through the coming winter stay.” And so they lived all snug and warm, safe through every winter storm.” -from a story written by Kathy Fraser
Grade 1 Field Trip- Damon Lane Park.
9th Grade Field Trip -Mission Trails
Dr. Aaron Hebshi led us along a short hike and we gathered under a big oak tree to gather our observations and do a few more experiments. We were investigating the differences between the leaf morphology, transpiration rate and the structure of the stems of the trees that distinguished the wetland plants from the dryland ones. 

Areli Perez's powerful activity involved the students introducing themselves to the plant beings and asking the trees and plants what they needed from us as humans rather than always looking at them to see what parts of the trees are useful for humans.
 
Deep gratitude to both our guests that day. It was beautiful to see the students just so relaxed in nature and enjoying themselves among trees and boulders. The students were respectful and complied with the mask policy quite well. It was not a very hot day so that helped also. We all felt very nourished by the day outdoors in such a special place such as Mission Trails. ~ Dr Sudha
10th Grade Field Trip- Mission Beach
At the close of the Trigonometry and Surveying Seminar with Mr. Johnson, 10th grade students along with Ms. Kokos, put their acquired mathematical and surveying skills to use at Mission Beach. The first aim was calculating the distance ships were from shore, however, they quickly sailed out of range so we shifted our attention to the buoys in the water. By measuring the distance between the telescope levels and the angles between the levels and the buoys, students calculated the distance the buoys were from shore. It was a fantastic experience! Students completed their calculations, developed ideas for better calculations, then enjoyed their morning by the water. It was a perfect way to start our Friday and close off our seminar.  
The show must go on!

The 10th Grade will be performing Macbeth by William Shakespeare- outdoors!
A first for WSSD!

November 18 & 19 6pm.

Due to Covid -19, this year's evening performances are 10th Grade families only.
WSSD Community Events
The premiere for our film Zero Time to Waste was one of the first events to get canceled in San Diego after the pandemic lockdown in March. We’ve been patiently and anxiously waiting to share it with you. Now is the time!

We were proud that the film was accepted to the prestigious San Diego International Film Festival. It was a big success, but lots of people couldn’t go.

We are going to have a (safe) Virtual Film Showing on Thursday, Nov 12th at 7pm. After the film, we are going to have a virtual Q&A session with the film makers & The Zero Waste Family.


And… so many friends asked us for Fredrika’s book in hard copy we’ve gotten it published.

We hope to see you on the 12th!
James and Fredrika
New dates for this year's 
Annual Giving Month!
START DATE
Monday Oct 19, 2020

END DATE
Wednesday Nov 18, 2020.

Annual Giving envelopes will be available from our Admin Team at Drop off & Pick up on either campus starting Monday!
Mark your calendars, Winter Faire is coming!
Quality raw honey by Home Grown in the City - from local East County beekeepers*. 

This is the same honey that has been in the Snake & Lily for years. It TASTES amazing and is super healthy.

Contact Nancy Bjork with any questions:

*Bees are primarily in citrus fields with no wheat or gluten.
The WSSD Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee will be holding quarterly open sessions for any non-members to observe the meeting and to participate in studying an article about anti-racism.

Committee Chair: Esteban del Rio
Co-Chairs: Sudha Dorairaj, Socorro Maldonado, Emilia Sumelius-Buescher, Sara Gomes
Members: Heather Scott, Candie Harper, Armida Gomez, Jessica Cohen, Suzy Bramzon, Jehanne Spriggs, Elizabeth Heald, Ian Cuevas and Andrew Holets


From the Association for Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) bulletin:
ANNOUNCING - WALDORF COMMUNITY OF COLOR AFFINITY GROUP
It is open to current and past Waldorf community members and anyone affiliated with Waldorf education in North America. They meet on the second Sunday of the month from 8-9:30pm ET and warmly welcome new participants.

Educational Resources:
Detroit Waldorf School Diversity Book Fair:
WSSD Admissions

We are available for any questions or inquiries regarding enrollment for the 2020/21 school year, please complete the Inquiry Form on our Tour page (Inquire Here) or email admissions@waldorfsandiego.org to connect with our Admissions team.

Check out the new Virtual Tours on our website!
News from the Snake & Lily!
Hello Friends! 
Even though we are not open for in-person shopping, we have a whole store of items you may need for gifts, crafts, home-school supplies and much more! 

Here's the best way to order for now: Please send an email to snake.lily@waldorfsandiego.org with details of what you want. We will respond with photos and prices of what we have and what may need to be back-ordered. We are in the process of building a Snake & Lily School Store website but it's not quite ready to launch.

Thank you for your patience and patronage! We miss you parents and are so happy to have your students back on campus!

Order Pick Up Instructions:
  1. WSSD Parents Order Pick Up: We can give you your orders at drop off and pick up times during the school days Monday through Friday.
  2. WSSD Employee Order Pick Up: We will deliver your orders directly to your classroom or if we happen to catch you at the beginning or end of your workday.
  3. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED PICK UP TIMES: 9AM - NOON Monday through Friday If you not a WSSD Parent or Employee and you are able to come pick up your orders between the hours of 9AM-12NOON Monday through Friday, then you do not need an appointment. Please text us when you are here and we will bring your order out to your car. 
  4. IF APPOINTMENT NEEDED FOR ORDER PICK UP: If you are unable to pick up during the open window mentioned above, we are happy to make you a Pick Up Appointment. Please email or call us to set up your appointment. 
  5. We are happy to ship orders too!

Thank you! 

The Snake & Lily Crew (Candy McGrady & Liza Ferraro). 
619-280-8016 x 202
Scrip Doctor is In! 
Are you reaching your full scrip potential?
See this quick formula below to find out:
How much do you spend on:
Groceries per month $_____
Gas per month $_____
Online shopping per month $_____
(i.e. Amazon, Target, Itunes, Uber, Home Depot, Gap...etc)

Let us say you spend per month:
$800 on Groceries from Jimbos
$500 on gas from Arco
$500 online, mostly from Amazon

$800 x 6%= $48
$500 x 1.5%= $7.5 (if you buy in increments of $250, the rebate is 2.5%)
$500 x 3%= $15
Total rebates earned: $70.50 for ONE MONTH!
Each WSSD Family has a minimum requirement of $220 rebate dollars to generate during the yearly Scrip Session, May 1- April 30. If this example above looks like a similar scenario to yours, it would only take you 3 months to reach your $220 goal!
If you spend half that much, it would only take you 6 months!

For families from 1st to 12th grade, any rebate dollars you generate over the $220 goes directly to your child's 8th & 11th grade trips!
The key is to spend a consistent amount every month buying scrip for your everyday needs...then after you get bit by the "scrip bug" you can think of scrip for gifts and a whole lot more!

Stay the course my friends, scrip can be a lot of fun and provide huge funds for the school, your class trips and even tuition credit! For more details, contact Liza Ferraro 619-318-8460 lferarro@waldorfsandiego.org

In Huge Gratitude,
Liza Ferraro
WSSD Development Events Coordinator
Recycling Fundraiser
Yep we're still recycling! Those of you that would like to help, please feel free to save all your CRV (CA Redemption Value) Glass, Cans and Bottles and drop them off at drop off in the mornings! All proceeds will go to help the future High School Service Trips. You can drop off recycling at both Altadena and Colina Campuses at the Temp Check Points. 
If you're interested in those blue stackable sorting bins for your home, please contact Liza Ferraro 619-318-8460. $50 for a set of 3. Thank you! 
NY Times Article
The New York Times explores four schools that have moved to outdoor Learning!

Now more than ever we want to support our community!


All businesses listed will have a WSSD family connection. This is an opportunity to expand, increase and grow your business and a great way to support our community. Think of our community any time you shop, use professional services or dine out!


Our Directory is officially up on our website, under the Community Page!

AWSNA is extremely excited to host a new continental Alum business directory. Support Waldorf Alums in a host of fields from finance to graphic design. Please click here and share broadly!
Support WSSD
Shop to Support Us

Support WSSD by using Amazon Smile for your shopping.
Select "The Waldorf School of San Diego" as your charity of choice and a percentage of eligible purchases goes to the school.