Dear families,

Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Please consider joining in on one of many online or in-person volunteer opportunities to celebrate the life of this famed civil rights activist and humanitarian. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities. Honor his legacy with a day of service by finding a volunteer opportunity here:

https://americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day

We are so pleased to announce the return of our annual Gala this April 22, 2023 on Earth Day! Save the date! Our theme is Starry Night, (an homage to the Van Gogh masterpiece).

High school families are cordially invited to attend WSOC's Burns Supper on Jan. 27. The evening features a celebration of the life and works of poet Robert Burns and original poetry by our Grade 10 students.

Scroll down to learn more about WSOC's upcoming events, student and community spotlights and more!

Dear families,

We’re thrilled to be able to confirm that the school’s annual Gala will be returning this spring. A Save-the-Date announcement is included in this newsletter. Hint: April 22.

The return of what had been an annual event before being interrupted by the pandemic promises to be an incredible evening of music, cocktails, dinner, dancing and an exciting live auction. You’ll be hearing more details in the coming weeks.

We are pleased to announce that the school has engaged Marissa Chery as the Gala Project Manager for this year’s event. Marissa is the mother of Grade 11 student Alex. She has an extensive background in special event production and event fundraising and will be managing a team of volunteers to create what is sure to be an amazing event.

We’d also like to offer our deepest gratitude to parent and Board member Johann Clapp for donating use of the FAO Schwarz Courtyard in Irvine for the event. It is a wonderful space for an evening event under the stars and we are so appreciative of the generous offer.

Please mark April 22 on your calendars and look for more details soon.

Kevin McDuff

School Administrator

Click flyer to register for Our Kids & Food!

Over the years, Sidecar Doughnuts has landed on countless “Best of” lists, starred in TV shows like Cooking Channel’s Unique Sweets and Food Networks’s Best Thing I Ever Ate, and raised significant funds for local non-profits. They have shared their out-of-this-world delectable doughnuts at many a school fundraiser and birthday party. We caught up with owners and longtime WSOC family Chi-Lin and Sumter Pendergrast to get a few insights into the Sidecar doughnut phenomenon.

There are many days where people are lined up around the block to buy your doughnuts. What sets Sidecar apart from other doughnut shops?

Sumter: Commitment to freshness and high-quality ingredients, friendly customer service, and quality in the design of each shop.

Chi-Lin: Also, I think it starts from the inside and goes out... like a drop in the water. Perhaps the doughnuts and the experience of going to the shops are a conduit for partaking in something much bigger... something that touches the heart, through the belly. There’s a feel-good energy when you visit a Sidecar shop and eat a Sidecar doughnut.

You opened your flagship store on 17th St. in Costa Mesa in 2013. Now, almost 10 years later, your brand has grown to seven locations, from San Diego to LA County. What’s next for Sidecar?

We plan on continuing to expand our footprint in Southern California and maybe venturing out of state in the near future.

Your family has been woven into the fabric of WSOC for a long time; you now have Waldorf high school graduates and Waldorf students in the early grades. What initially drew you to WSOC, and what continues to inspire you?

Sumter: Intentionality in the curriculum. Belief that the student is not just a mind, alone, but also a spiritual being. Strong Community. Excellent teachers.

Chi-Lin: The ability to educate a child in a way that supports the development of his/her own unique and individual gifts requires a profound level of depth and intention that I’ve witnessed in our children’s Waldorf education. Strong community: Being assigned the same set of families together for eight years develops a really unique bond. It’s been incredible to witness the beautiful way we show up for each other as a community. This develops an unsaid connection, an ‘I got your back, and your child’s back too!’ We all grow up together. The friendships I’ve developed with some of the parents from Olive and Ailee’s classes are some of my most treasured friendships. We basically raised our kids together. And now we get to do the same with Willa (Grade 5) and Eleanor’s (Grade 1) classes too!

Read more here!

Jack Bryant's Toy Making Workshop

Before our winter break, several WSOC parents participated in an eight-week toy making workshop with Practical Arts teacher Jack Byrant. Each parent chose different projects, from dollhouses and bird house planter boxes (donated as a fundraiser for the Elves Workshop) to musical instruments and a mermaid's cave.

"We feel so fortunate to have Jack in our community, so that we may learn these wonderful skills. Several of us parents made beautiful woodwork projects in his fun class. I will be the first to sign up if he offers another workshop!" - Jzin Teng, WSOC parent

HS Spirit Week

WSOC's high school students enjoyed a robust Spirit Week before the break (dress up days and contests included Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Cold Front, Santa vs. Elves and Holiday Pajama Day). Students also celebrated WSOC's annual Las Posadas (a traditional religious celebration in Mexico and parts of the U.S.), where high school families prepare delicious Mexican fare and alumni students are invited to share the festivities and a basketball game with students and alumni versus faculty.

High School Alumni, from multiple years, joined us for Las Posadas in the High School.

Zhanna G., WSOC Alumni Parent

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Mon 1/16 • NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Mon 1/16, 9:00a - 10:00a • Parent Study Group with Early Years Teacher Holly Richards (Parent-Infant through Grade 1 parents welcome)

Wed 1/18, 6:30p - 8:00p • First Grade Readiness meeting

Fri 1/20, 3:15p - 5:15p • High School Soccer HOME GAME vs. CC Downey

Fri 1/20, 5:00p - 9:00p • WSOC Adult Education Program Grades

Fri 1/20, 7:00p - 9:00p • WSOC Adult Education Program Foundation Studies

Sat 1/21, 8:30a - 4:40p • WSOC Adult Education Program

Sat 1/21, 8:30a - 4:40p • WSOC Adult Education Program

Mon 1/23 • High School Application Deadline - outside applicants

Mon 1/23, 9:00a - 10:00a • Parent Study Group with Early Years Teacher Holly Richards (Parent-Infant through Grade 1 parents welcome)

Mon 1/23, 6:00p - 8:30p • Board Meeting

Tue 1/24, 2:30p - 4:30p • High School Soccer away vs. Fairmont SJC

Tue 1/24, 7:30p - 9:00p • Adult Education

Wed 1/25, 7:00p - 8:30p • Parent Council with Kevin McDuff

Fri 1/27, 11:00a - 12:30p • Lunar New Year and Cultural Assembly

Fri 1/27, 3:00p - 5:00p • High School Soccer away vs. Magnolia Charter

Fri 1/27, 5:30p - 8:00p • 10th Grade Poetry Reading and Burns Supper

February Little Aftercare Sign Ups

February Big Aftercare Sign Ups

Big Aftercare will be hosting Academic Chess starting on January 27th, continuing each Friday through St. Patrick's Day. Seven classes, all for one fee! 

1:30 - 2:30PM (1st-3rd Grade) 

3:15 - 4:15 PM (4th and 5th Grade) 

Register with the link below.

https://chesswizards.com/register 

Waldorf Practical Arts Training with WSOC Practical Arts teacher Jack Bryant, Mona Lewis and Dr. Terra Malmstrom

Open to anyone interested in Waldorf Education and the Waldorf crafts curriculum. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance that is recognized as professional development and counts towards Waldorf handwork/woodwork teacher certification.

When: Monday, February 20 - Saturday, February 25, 9am - 4:30pm PST.

What will you learn? Jack Bryant: how to make a one-stringed musical instrument known as a “strum stick”, and stone carving. Mona Lewis: tailoring: machine sewing a shirt. For the Anthroposophic Study portion, Waldorf High School master teacher Dr. Terra Malmstrom will guide us through a study of Elan Liebner’s new book “Steiner’s lectures to the first Waldorf Teachers (Summary)”.

Cost: The regular tuition is $650 for six full days of instruction. WSOC faculty and parents will receive a 50% discount. Note "WSOC Faculty" or "WSOC Parent" at check out and pay accordingly. There will an additional materials fee.

On Campus Childcare: Available by request. Additional fees apply.

Questions: email jbryant@waldorfschool.com or click here to learn more and register today!