Education for the 21st Century
Dear families,

In a typical year, we would be sharing images of Winter Festival and other on-campus seasonal celebrations that are Waldorf traditions. We miss these events so very much, and look forward to the day when we can enjoy them together again. Until we can be together on campus (and after- keep following us!), we highly recommend you 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! Not only does it help us feel more connected, it enables more people find out about our beautiful school and learn what sets us apart, and why Waldorf works!

Giving Tuesday was a success beyond our wildest dreams. We set a modest 24-hour goal of $10K, and as of this writing we have nearly doubled that! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your participation and generosity in giving back to our school in this significant way. In case you missed your opportunity, it's not too late! Click here.

Please scroll down for our Leadership Circle messages, upcoming Admissions events, Company of Angels news and more!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Warmly,

Alyssa Hamilton
Communications Coordinator
A Message from WSOC's Leadership Circle
Dear WSOC Families,

Thanksgiving morning I needed to run to the grocery store for a last-minute item needed for our 2pm family dinner out in the back yard. As I walked to the store’s front door, I heard music, and had the thought “That sounds like live music.” When I came out of the store, I heard the music again and looked over at the corner of the driveway from the main street into the parking lot, and saw a man playing an accordion and singing. I walked over and saw the tray in front of him with money in it and a sign that said, “Can you help with food and rent for my family and three children?” 

He stopped playing and we talked a little. I learned that he has three children under the age of six years, and he’s been out of work for many months. He was using his musical talent to keep a roof over his family and feed his children. I happened to have a bag of food in my trunk, canned goods that I had bought back in March when I was sure the sky was falling and swept items indiscriminately into my shopping cart, items that my wife and I haven’t eaten. I drove my car over and gave him the bag and placed a small bill in his tray.
On the way home I heard on the radio that 50 million Americans are experiencing what the news person called “food insecurity” right now. I could hardly believe that number…I still struggle to...and I also thought about the euphemism being used for our many neighbors who are hungry each day. 

I tell you this story on our return from Thanksgiving break to remind myself and all us of how blessed and fortunate we are in our WSOC community. We have many individual and collective challenges – and some are very serious, yes. We have inconveniences and disagreements over the best course of action in meeting our current situation…and this is all human and understandable. If we can but enlarge our perspective, hear the music playing on the corner, and see the human being in all our brothers and sisters, we touch the heart of our Waldorf education, the social impulse to bring about a healthy future for every human being, everywhere on earth.

We will continue together through this pandemic to maintain our open campus and our open hearts.
To all of you our best wishes for the school weeks ahead leading up to Winter break!

In Gratitude,

Andrea Hubert, Chair, College of Teachers
Douglas Garrett, School Administrator (at the pen)
Maureen McDermott, Chair, Board of Trustees
At right: Stained glass image, hanging in the window of Grade 7, created by class teacher Yvette Fabian.

"It is painted with stained glass paints for the stained glass effect. Other class teachers often do advent calendars in celebration of the season in varying mediums. This particular image just spoke to me. In some religions the eternal light (the flame the angel is holding) represents the light shining through even in the darkest of times."
Wednesday, 12/2, Jewelry Designer Eric Silva at Company of Angels
Wednesday, 12/2 6:00p, Jack Petrash 6pm online event
Tue 12/8, 1:15p - 2:15p • Coffee Chat with College & Admin online event
Tue 12/8, 6:30p - 9:00p • WSOC Adult Education Program (Grades)
Tue 12/8, 7:30p - 9:00p • Foundation Studies
Wed 12/9, 9:00a - 10:00a • Coffee Chat with College & Admin online event
Wed 12/9, 6:30p - 7:30p • Grade 12 Parent Meeting
Thu 12/10, 8:30a - 10:00a • Room Rep Zoom Meeting
Thu 12/10, 11:00a - 12:00p • Meet the Admissions Director online event
Fri 12/11, 5:00p - 9:00p • WSOC Adult Education Program (Grades)
Fri 12/11, 7:00p - 9:00p • Foundation Studies
Sat 12/12, 8:00a - 4:30p • WSOC Adult Education Program (Grades)
Sat 12/12, 8:30a - 4:30p • Foundation Studies
Mon 12/14, 9:00a - 11:00a • EC Winter Spiral
Mon 12/14, 6:00p - 8:30p • Board Meeting
Wed 12/16 7:00p Faith Collins online event
Thu 12/17 • Grade 9 Early Registration Deadline
Thu 12/17 • Playgroup/Bridge Session 1 ends
Fri 12/18 Early School Dismissal (see website calendar)
Mon 12/21 - Mon 1/4 • Winter Break
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Update:
WSOC Screens Documentary "Gather"
WSOC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group continues to meet regularly and plan with the faculty the many ways in which WSOC can enrich our curriculum. Most recently, the documentary Gather was screened in Grade 6 and Grade 8 and will also soon be screened in the high school. The documentary explores the global value of indigenous land stewardship, the ongoing racism and genocide faced by our Native populations, and how supporting food sovereignty can help heal our nation and the world. Ms. Lorri's Grade 8 class was asked to reflect on what they learned from the film. Here are a few excerpts:

"This film was very touching and helps us to realize what has actually happened to to the original inhabitants of the United States: The Native Americans.The movie talks about how connected these Native tribes were to nature, and how the Europeans ruined much of their culture. Gather is overall very moving, but very sad."
- Maya V.

"My favorite part was set in Arizona where there were two stories: one with a chef who cooked traditional Native foods and another with an older woman who was a traditional gatherer. When they met together, they both had things to share with each other and everyone else around them, and could pass down the wisdom and knowledge of their people to others."- Linden A.

"I learned that the government tried to kill all of the buffalo to cause the Native Americans (of the Great Plains) to leave or starve. My favorite part was when the Native girl on the buffalo ranch proved (in her science experiment) that buffalo meat was better for the environment and for people's health than cattle."
- Lauren C.
Upcoming Admissions Events: Click to Register
TONIGHT!
Admissions Application Deadlines
Coffee Chats with College of Teachers Members and Our Administrator
The next Coffee Chat is coming up Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Wed. Dec. 9. See calendar for times and details. No need to pre-register; just join the call at the time you choose!

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 813 8923 5519
Passcode: 288423
WSOC Admin Team Welcomes
Maureen McDermott
We are thrilled to welcome Maureen McDermott into the role of WSOC Registrar/Admissions Assistant. Maureen has served on our Board for several years and brings a wealth of experience, working in the field of enrollment, to our staff. We are blessed to have her join the Admin Team!
High School Wildcat Weekly
On Friday, Nov. 20, WSOC Grade 8 students visited the high school and enjoyed a day of immersion in the high school experience, from grades 9-12. Our high school students welcomed the 8th graders with open arms and hearts, and everyone had a wonderful time!
Company of Angels
Season’s greetings from The Angels!

Eric Silva, jeweler extraordinaire, was at Company of Angels today, Dec. 2. If you missed his showing today, click to view his Instagram and see what he has available!

Company of Angels is here for you during this holiday season - Monday thru Friday 8:00am-3:30pm.

Store Giveaway!
Come shop in the store through Friday this week and add your name for a drawing! The prize is an absolutely beautiful charcuterie board hand made by our Practical Arts teacher, Matan (pictured bottom left).

Extended shopping days
Saturday, December 12 from 9am-1pm
Saturday, December 19th from 11am-3pm

Holiday gift wrapping is complementary.

Hope to see each and every community member this season...shop local...shop small!

Regards, 
The Angels
SCRIP News
This is the perfect opportunity to support the school with your holiday shopping. We are here to help you get started. Don't forget, we have lots of options for holiday grocery shopping as well.

Thank you, and feel free to reach out with any questions! 

Scrip Coordinator
Register Now for Early Years Programs:
Nursery, Playgroup and Bridge!
A few spaces are still available in Playgroup and Bridge! Click here to register.

To learn more about our Early Years program, click here!
Community News & Announcements
Job Opening: School Assistant

WSOC School Assistant sought for the 2020-2021 school year. Candidate must be mature, dependable and have experience working with children. Familiarity with Waldorf Education is an asset. We have rigorous Covid-19 protocols which candidate will be responsible to help maintain. Position includes some child supervision and some cleaning/spray sanitizing. This is a part-time hourly position (10-15 hours per week) for grades 1-8 when school is in session. Successful candidates must have T.B and Federal Background Livescan clearance before beginning work.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Jarvis.
Holiday Greens Available

If you missed out on ordering holiday greens or just need more, there are limited quantities of holiday greens items still available to purchase. If anyone is interested to please contact Peter Norgaard, peter@csg2000.com, text/call 949-933-1105 for details.
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