Dear families,

Spring Break is almost here, the rain is slowly fading out and we are seeing a lot of energy on campus. We have had so many amazing activities this month, including 8th Grade and Senior Projects, Norooz ceremonies, and getting ready for our 2023 Gala on April 22. And, don't forget to register for Summer Camp! Spaces are limited

Scroll down for details, and don't forget to "unclip" your newsletter at the bottom so you don't miss anything!

Coming up on March 30 is another must-see annual event: the Grade 11 Monologues! The Monologues are often described as a rite of passage: a three week creative writing and performance block challenging students to develop a character, find that character’s voice, and ultimately bring them to life on stage in a solo performance piece. 

Coming up March 31: Grades 7 and 8 Track & Field on our home turf. Come cheer on our students!

Happy almost Spring Break, everyone. We hope your time away is fruitful, joyful and restorative!

Warmly,

Alyssa Hamilton

WSOC Communications Coordinator

Dear Community,

As we watched the recent 8th Grade Projects over the course of two evenings and one morning, my wife and I remembered our experience seeing our son present his 8th Grade Project a decade ago. As we look back now, it was clearly the moment when he declared his place in the world. He spoke confidently about the topic, “Comparative Study of US and Canadian Political Systems.” Ten years later, he is a JD candidate at Georgetown Law and Executive Articles Editor for the Georgetown Law Journal with an abiding interest in public policy.

Some of the 8th graders thought that the subject matter of their project might lead to a career or a life-long passion and others felt it was an interest that they dived into but that they would move on from to other interests. Still, in each student, we had the privilege of seeing them dive deeply into a topic and display their learning, their personalities, and their gifts to the community.

I know my son struggled with just the challenge of approaching a possible mentor and asking for support. That seemed to be a challenge that many of our 8th graders faced as well, and each came through the process not only knowing more about their subject, but also knowing more about themselves and about their ability to take responsibility, to ask for and rely on the help of others, and to stand before their community to present their work.

I write this before the Senior Projects are presented by the Grade 12’s (the past weekend as you read this), another opportunity to view the remarkable interests and talents of our students. Hopefully, you had the chance to attend either or both of these special student presentations. If not, you’ll have another opportunity when the Grade 11 Monologues are presented on the evening of March 30. The Monologues derive from the students building a fictional character, challenging them to look at the world from a different perspective, and then performing an in-character monologue on stage. I hope to see you there!

Kevin McDuff

WSOC Admiinistrator

Thanks to your enthusiastic support and incredibly robust Gala ticket sales, we have an announcement: WE HAVE OUTGROWN OUR VENUE at the FAO Schwarz Courtyard! We are so grateful to the Clapp family for the opportunity to use their company's event space, and equally grateful for the abundance of ticket sales that created the need for something a bit roomier!

Our new Gala location is the spacious and elegant Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. Aside from changing our start time to 5:30pm, nothing else will change: activities, tables etc. will all remain the same. Our Gala will be held in the Oasis Court within the new venue. 

Thank you for participating in our first in-person Gala in three years! We are so excited to host you all and enjoy an evening with dinner, dancing, live auction bidding and lots of fun. We encourage you to purchase your tickets now, as this is an evening you will not want to miss.

Deadline to purchase tickets is April 14. Click image to get your tickets today!



Marissa Chery, Project Manager

gala@waldorfschool.com

The Monologues are often described as a rite of passage: the best and the worst class in Eleventh Grade! It is a three week creative writing and performance block challenging students to develop a character, find that character’s voice, and ultimately bring them to life on stage in a solo performance piece. No small feat! Students often tackle emotions that define our shared human experience while maintaining a sense of humor for life’s unavoidable curve balls. Ultimately they discover a connection with the character they have created. Most importantly, they discover more about themselves and each other.

This is an evening you do not want to miss! We have 16 student performances, five of which are learning English as a second language. I am extremely proud of them for being brave and joining in on the fun! Hope to see you Thursday evening at 6:30pm.

For Grades 7 and up!

-Gina Garrison, Drama Teacher

The 8th Grade Projects, which took place Mar. 17-19 - with topics ranging from stunt work to bread making to animation - were a resounding success, with packed audiences during each of the three days.

"What an accomplishment. I am so proud!" said Ms. Natzke, Grade 8 class teacher. "Each of the 8th grade students worked so hard, held a high standard for one another and brought tremendous enjoyment to the audience!"

The senior capstone project is designed by the student and a faculty partner to address any particular field of interest. The parameters are simple enough; choose a topic of great interest, not easily answerable, to which they could respond with some contribution that helps a community outside of the class, and pushes the conversation forward. Students learn valuable research skills, investigating journals and other sources, writing a series of précis, and a comprehensive literature review. Then, independently, they pursue answers, acting as interlocutors in the conversation by interviewing, volunteering, creating and writing...exploring the ways in which their communities might benefit from their participation. What attendees saw on Saturday was the culmination of a year's worth of exploration condensed into 10 minute presentations - a tall order! But perhaps more importantly, you saw the deep commitment to the rigorous critical thinking, curiosity, imagination, and wonder this extraordinary high school curriculum generates. As they walk into the world, the students are poised to consider the ways they might spread their interests through a wider version of the social project they have been practicing these past four years, making a difference in their communities and within themselves.

- Beka Castro, WSOC high school English teacher

Venice Shoda - Torn ACL? Just Walk it Off

ACL injuries are among the most common and severe injuries of all, especially in sports. If the average individual understood the conditions around when ACL injuries occur, the number of annual ACL injuries in the US would be dramatically decreased, keeping athletes on the field and money in the pockets of those who would otherwise have had to pay the steep price of the hospital bills that come with the injury.

ZaiJet Hpauyam - I Look into the World: Introducing the Kachin People

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has a complex political history. It is marked by significant political changes and events, including the world's longest civil war spanning over 70 years. But in 2021, after a military coup, protests erupted and eventually turned into a war called the Spring Revolution waking the tension between ethnic armed groups and People Defense Forces, leading to even more violence. The Kachin people, an ethnic group in Myanmar with a unique culture and language, still experience ongoing conflict with the central government as they demand greater autonomy and political representation. This project sheds light on the complex history and current situation in Myanmar and highlights the importance of understanding the country's diverse ethnic groups and their struggles.

Stella Christian - Healthcare: The World's Most Taxing Occupation

Working in healthcare has severe and unrecognized challenges. Long hours, immense pressures, and stressful situations cause a rise of burnout especially in the age of a pandemic. Providing support within the hospital programs, and outside through public awareness, is needed to make a meaningful impact. By interviewing those with personal experiences in the rewarding yet strenuous occupation of healthcare, we can better understand the needs of these heroes who work on our behalf every day.

Hannah Lieberman - The Better to Hear You With: Futuristic Potential in Fairy Tales

Why do human beings continue to read Fairy Tales? Although historically co-opted as exemplary text for teaching school kids lessons in civility, and to reinforce gender roles, there is something particular to the form of the fairy tale that continues, even in the digital age, to hold the hands of young children, and transcend such morals. We do not go to the fairy tale for instructions on how to live in the real world – and it does not offer them – but in its contemplation we may find our own solutions. 

Elena Roussanova -Putting the Pieces Together: Computing with Self Assembly

"How far can we push chemical self-assembly?" was among the 25 "big questions" asked by Science Magazine to commemorate their 125th anniversary. Recent explorations into design on the scale of molecules have given us everything from nanorobots to nanocomputers. This presentation aims to reveal the fascinating logic behind self-assembled structures, from the intricate and clever molecular machines that form our bodies to new advances in the fields of nanotechnology and computing.

Isabella Zeni - I Speak for the Trees: Media's Responsibility to the Environment

Media has a profound impact on public perception of challenging topics. Climate change films, in particular, present complicated narratives that can tell a story with a particular moral tale, but how those films present their arguments will determine whether or not the film can reach the skeptics and change their viewpoints. My research reveals that accurate representation of environmental change in film impacts viewers’ motivation to do something about the ecological crisis by making those stories meaningful enough to create lasting behavioral interventions.

Luke Whitney - Forget the Pills, Start with Your Plate: Nutrition's Role in Mental Health

Good nutrition is crucial for maintaining good mental health. However, low-socioeconomic areas may face challenges in accessing healthy food options, leading to an increased risk of mental health issues. Such inequity is an injustice we all must care about - food insecurity has a direct impact on mental health. By focusing on foods common to markets in these particular areas, we can create low-cost, healthy meal options with resources readily available that help individuals prioritize their nutrition despite financial constraints. And by addressing the intersection between nutrition and mental health, we can promote overall well-being for all individuals, regardless of income.

Jamie Eijpen - It's Not Me, It's You: Addressing Intergenerational Trauma Through Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care offers a new space in which we can put an end to the societal echoes of trauma and the weight of the past. Through epigenetic reversal and compassion, chiropractic care returns the body to a state of balance and nurtures an end to the echoes of past generations' trauma, leaving a brighter path for our future. 

Zara Gingold - Failing High School? Blame Architecture: Mid Century Modern Design

Mid-Century Modern architecture pioneered the late 20th century and was noted for functionality and organic simplicity. However, an architect's job is much more than creating a fascinating concept. Different colors, smells, and access to natural air and light can positively or negatively nurture and stimulate the brain; and have application in the field of education, drastically changing the course of productivity of students who suffer from mental or physical stressors. Designing one's space to benefit wellness through sensory experiences is as important in the long run as maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. 

Brandon Wang - Hortisthetics: Plant-Based Anxiety Remediation

Plants are unsuspecting players in the game of aesthetics. They elevate spatial design in striking fashion and even make us better consumers of fashion. Houseplants, in particular, increase productivity, creativity, and reduce stress and anxiety. These wonders of nature we take for granted are the key to an optimal work and learning environment.

Jonah Heller - Got Injuries? Call Your Cryotherapist!

High-impact sports take a tremendous and strenuous toll on an athlete’s body, opening the door to a heightened probability of injury. Rather than relying on pain mediation through medicine, the answer could be found in cryotherapy. Through helping the body repair and strengthen itself without the use of harmful foreign substances, but rather with innate systems within the body, the groundbreaking innovation of cryotherapy offers a window to help the body heal. This project explores the benefits and drawbacks of this treatment. 

Eire McKenney - Improve Incarceration Rates: Send Dogs to Jail

Millions of dogs are neglected - relegated to shelters, and euthanized each year. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people are incarcerated in the United States. By analyzing the conditions under which both groups can thrive and contribute to society, we can create programs that are mutually beneficial and that save both dogs and people from a life of confinement and hopelessness. 

Cecilia Rodriguez - Let's Get Creative: Learning Through the Arts

Not only do arts allow us to express our creativity but they in fact are a foundation for humans to understand their existence in historical and contemporary terms. They benefit emotional expression, improve brain function and cognition, provide healthy cultural discussions, and give us a place to gather as a society. From my research I have found that co-equal (learning through the arts) teaching styles engage children and students more than traditional models, improving learning and topic retention.

Luna Diaz - Booklove: Embracing a Love of Literature in Early Childhood

The act of reading is an essential skill that leads to innumerable life experiences. Readers transport through their imaginations to worlds and experiences outside of their knowledge that allows for personal growth and development through learning and negotiating the world around them. Through my research I have found that when children aren’t exposed to positive reading experiences in their education - one that nurtures a love of reading along with research based practice - their ability to become lifelong readers, and by extension lifelong learners, is inhibited. 

Coco Poovey - Walking the Balance Beam: Finding Healing Through Ayurvedic Practice 

Many people are out of balance without knowing it. Ayurveda is a holistic method of balancing the mind, body, and spirit through understanding how our energetic and physical bodies interact. Through this understanding we are able to apply ancient healing modalities to create harmony and from that a healthy state of being.

Grade 12 Sea Life Studies Come Alive

Grade 11 Clay Sculpting is "A Dialogue with Oneself"

Says Practical Arts teacher Jack Bryant: "A self-portrait is our inner image, our private image. It is generally produced in a longer lapse of time, in a situation centered on the creative process. It springs from the inner life of the artist, who is also subject and spectator. The artist does not control the image, on the contrary, it's the creative process which allows the unconscious to speak with the language of art. The self-portrait is a profound dialog with oneself, guided by the artist’s vulnerability.”

By grade 11, the student’s ego has fully developed and they are able to perceive the ego in each of their peers. This self-reflective exercise provides the student with the opportunity to look for a facial expression that represents an inner soul mood, something the cell phone “selfie” can not portray.

Reading Buddies

Grade 2 and Grade 6 reading buddies enjoy a break in the rain to catch up on some book time.

Norooz Celebration in Ms. Terri's Class

Norooz celebration in Ms. Terri's kindergarten class.

Kindergarten Adventures

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor mud will keep Ms. Terri and Ms. Arieta's kindergarten classes from their weekly walks in Fairview Park!

Easter and spring time represent new beginnings, and we have so many beautiful items in the shop to plant the seeds of spring all around your home!

Be sure to visit us this week before we go on our two week spring break.Thank you for supporting your community store!

With Love,

Nona and The Angels

Mon 3/27 - Fri 3/31 • Spring Nursery Conferences

Mon 3/27, 9:00a - 10:00a • Parent Study Group with Early Years Teacher Holly Richards (Parent-Infant through Grade 1 parents welcome)

Tue 3/28, 9:00a - 1:00p • Grade 3 Field Trip Ecology Center

Tue 3/28, 7:30p - 9:00p • Adult Education

Wed 3/29, 9:00a - 10:30a • Walk Through the Grades

Wed 3/29, 7:00p - 8:30p • Parent Council with Kevin McDuff: Meadows Hall

Thu 3/30, 6:30p - 8:30p • Grade 11 Monologues

Fri 3/31 • Track and Field Grades 7-8

April 2023

Mon 4/3 - Fri 4/14 • SPRING BREAK

Aftercare Forms

April 2023 Little Aftercare

April 2023 Big Aftercare

May 2023 Little Aftercare

May 2023 Big Aftercare

WSOC Parents Receive 50% Discount: Practical Arts Training

Click image to sign up!

We are looking for someone who loves children, recognizes the value of open-ended play and purposeful work, models respect for others and is interested in learning more about Waldorf education. Apply by clicking image above!

PDF VERSION HERE