Education for the 21st Century |
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Dear Families,
There are lots of wonderful things on the horizon for WSOC families! We are excited for fun on-campus Halloween activities with the students, and we are so pleased to welcome back our Grandparents and Special Friends Day tradition on 11/18 (details below), a Parent Enrichment event with MFT Nola Casserly and another on athletics in the Waldorf grades, a special Parent Tour in the high school and more.
Stay tuned for more information about our annual Winter Festival on Dec. 3- we are already collecting crafting supplies and seeking volunteer elves to create the magical crafts for the Elves Workshop- see Community News for details.
Happy Monday everyone!
Warmly,
Alyssa Hamilton
Communications Coordinator
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Halloween reminder for Oct. 31:
Early Childhood- no costumes, please
Grades 1-3: No masks, no weapons, no fake blood
All: No masks/hoods, no gore
Please bring suitable footwear/change of clothes if needed for Games classes and outdoor activity
Thank you!
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Leadership Message:
College of Teachers & Board of Trustees
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In the initial class parent meetings this year, we spent some of your time introducing representatives from the College of Teachers and the Board of Trustees, who briefly explained the leadership roles that those two groups perform. Together, with the Administration, the College and the Board are the primary bodies responsible for the healthy functioning of the school.
The College of Teachers is made up of qualified faculty members (and one administrator) based on experience in Waldorf education and a commitment to the school, the pedagogy and personal inner development. The number of College members fluctuates in response to the needs of the school and the strengths of individual faculty members. There are currently 14 College members: co-chairs Tom Corcoran and Sara Rodelo, and Catherine Averett, Jenell Carlson, Kim Eijpen, Ingrid Feck, Gina Garrison, Pavel Hanustiak, Brad Holm, Andrea Huburt, Kevin McDuff, Brooke Natzke, Holly Richards, and Lorri Valenzuela-Mier.
It is the mission of this committed group of educators to provide leadership through consensus decisions to fulfill the mission of the school, including pedagogical policy, oversight of teacher development, curriculum programming, enrollment decisions, parent education, and hiring and release of teaching staff. In addition, the College and Board of Trustees work together in a number of areas to steward the school's resources.
The Board of Trustees is made up of committed community members with knowledge and skills relevant to the work of the Board. They volunteer their time and energy toward the mission of providing financial stability and the physical well-being of the school and to protect its legal interests. Currently, 13 voting members make up the WSOC Board: co-chairs James Gaor and Amy Rasmussen, and members Teresa Alarcon, Megan Brown, Johann Clapp, Belinda De La Libertad, Gina Garrison, Gina Illes, Kristina Martinez, Kevin McDuff, Nancy Mitchell, Margaret O'Brien, and Sara Rodelo.
Through their selfless devotion to the school, these dedicated individuals (and those that came before them) bring energy and action to the vision of the school. I am so grateful for their leadership and commitment and am grateful to be working with both of these groups.
Warmly,
Kevin McDuff
School Administrator
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Click image to RSVP. Thank you! |
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Click image to RSVP. Thank you! |
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Click image to learn more and to register! |
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We've missed you! We are so pleased to be offering our Grandparents and Special Friends Day in person once again, after a two-year hiatus. On the Friday before the Thanksgiving holiday, we open our doors to our grandparents and special friends for this special event. Our students invite relatives, including grandparents, extended family, and close family friends who are significant in their lives, to see their school. The event includes classroom visits, coffee and light snacks, and a beautiful program of verse, song and movement from students in grades 1-12. There are a small number of parking passes available for those with limited mobility. Please contact Erica at the front desk to reserve one if needed.
Click image to register for you and your guests! Spots fill quickly, register today!
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Click image or scan QR code to order! |
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Alumni Spotlight: Elena Turner
(WSOC Class of 2018) at Reed College
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Originally published September 22, 2022 in Reed College Magazine
Tourism, Power, and Indigeneity in Yucatán, México
Meet anthropology major Elena Carmen Turner.
Hometown: Costa Mesa, California
Thesis adviser: Alejandra Roche Recinos [anthropology]
Thesis: “Reconfigurations of Indigeneity and Tourism in Yucatán, México”
What it’s about: Indigeneity is used in tourism to conjure fantasies of the landscapes and culture of Mexico that appeal to tourists, and tourism in general relies on the movement of foreign bodies and creates power imbalances between tourists and those on the other side of the tourists’ gaze. My thesis focuses on an ecotourist destination that relocates agency in the local community through its work. I argue that Indigenous communities in Mexico are using the channels provided by tourism to co-opt and rewrite narratives of Indigeneity to serve their own ends within the broader contexts of state intervention and the tourism economy.
What it’s really about: A really cool ecotourist destination in Yucatán, Mexico, managed by a cooperative of Indigenous women.
In high school: I was earnest, gregarious, and sanguine.
Influential class: Prof. LaShandra Sullivan introduced me to anthropology and fundamentally changed how I see the world. I learned that affective and bodily knowledges tell us more than intellectual, mental knowledge, and that we are all always in relation with each other, across physical and temporal boundaries.
Concept that blew my mind: Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of dialogism, which asserts that every act of language is always positioned in relation to an audience, whether imagined or real. This means that everything we say is always already in dialogue; no act of language is ever isolated or independent from the contexts that surround and foreground it.
Cool stuff: I worked in the Reed canyon, made amazing friends—human, plant, and animal—and learned a lot about ecological restoration techniques and native plants.
How Reed changed me: I’m more gullible now, which is a way of saying that I’ve learned to entertain multiple simultaneous truths rather than seek out a singular end-all, be-all answer.
What’s next: Working year-round at a summer camp in California that empowers LGBT+ and BIPOC youth through outdoor education.
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Fall Career Speaker Series
in the High School
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Personal trainer Matt Olaya met with high school juniors and seniors, sharing stories about his college experience, life and career. He listed several elements he incorporates into personalized exercise programs: balance, coordination, agility, natural body weight, flexibility , strength, and cardiovascular endurance.
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Ben Bohr, Senior Manager, Product Management and WW Associate Development for Amazon (and son of WSOC teacher Christiane Bohr), recently visited campus for our high school speaker series. Throughout a career that spans several functions (operations/supply chain, finance, and statistics), he says, "I've pursued the thrill of tough problems that not only require organized thinking and rigorous
analytical skills, but also collaboration across several teams and aligning stakeholders." He encourage students to ask themselves "what really excites you?" and to be confident in your ability to learn new things.
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How did the series begin?
"Two students approached me on the high school bonding trip and expressed a wish to meet people in fields that they are interested in. It was practically impossible to align time outside of school to meet with the students because of their extracurricular commitments. So, Friday at lunchtime became our 'window of opportunity,'" says physics teacher Ed Feck.
It's an opportunity to raise student awareness of career options by having actual people in those careers visit with them, share their personal experiences and answer student’s questions, he notes, adding that it "helps students make more informed choices of next steps that are more aligned with what they learned in their Waldorf curriculum."
How are the speakers chosen?
"I utilize personal contacts and recommendations and then I want them close to the students age (trying to have people with less than 10 years since college graduation). Students that chose to come are receptive and enjoy having a different experience in their day. Some of requested contact information for future follow-up."
The high school has four more additional speakers booked and then if there is interest they will consider more, he says.
"One thing I treasure about teaching at WSOC is the never-ending challenge of improving what we bring to the students. The wisdom we gather from this first step will guide us forward," he adds.
"I really appreciate the speakers making time out of their busy schedules to personally visit and meet with the students. Their round-trip commutes have ranged from 30 minutes to 2 hours. They truly care about the next generation and are willing to share their experiences and perspective"
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Early childhood enjoyed a busy, beautiful morning in the Kindergarten play yard. |
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Grade 2 is gearing up with Ms.Angie to create their knitted gnomes! |
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Mandala creation in Grade 5 as part of their Ancient India block. The word “mandala” means “circle” in Sanskrit. Traditionally, a mandala is a geometric design or pattern that represents the cosmos or duties in various heavenly worlds. |
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SHOP LOCAL * SHOP SMALL * SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL STORE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. Many Thanks! Nona and the Angels |
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Mon 10/17 - Fri 10/21 • Grade 9 Geology Trip
Mon 10/17 - Fri 10/21 • Fall Nursery parent conferences
Mon 10/17, 8:00a - 3:15p • Grade 5 Field Trip
Mon 10/17, 9:00a - 10:00a • Parent Study Group with Early Years Teacher Holly Richards (Parent-Infant through Grade 1 parents welcome)
Mon 10/17, 6:00p - 8:30p • Board Meeting (in person)
Wed 10/19, 6:00p - 7:30p • Ms. Catherine Parent Evening
Wed 10/19, 6:00p - 7:30p • Ms. Margaret Parent Evening
Wed 10/19, 6:30p - 8:00p • Middle School Parent Meeting
Mon 10/24, 9:00a - 10:00a • Parent Study Group with Early Years Teacher Holly Richards (Parent-Infant through Grade 1 parents welcome)
Tue 10/25, 6:30p - 7:30p • Grade 5 Parent Evening
Tue 10/25, 6:30p - 7:30p • Parent Enrichment: Grades Athletics and the Waldorf Curriculum (Meadows Hall)
Wed 10/26, 7:00p - 8:30p • Parent Council with Kevin McDuff, School Administrator
Fri 10/28, 5:00p - 9:00p • WSOC Adult Education Program Grades
Fri 10/28, 5:00p - 10:30p • Grade 7 and 8 Dance
Fri 10/28, 7:00p - 9:00p • WSOC Adult Education Program Foundation Studies
Sat 10/29, 8:30a - 4:45p • WSOC Adult Education Program
Mon 10/31, 9:00a - 10:00a • Parent Study Group with Early Years Teacher Holly Richards (Parent-Infant through Grade 1 parents welcome)
Mon 10/31, 10:30a - 11:30a • Halloween High School Concert for Grades
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Elves Workshop Volunteer Opportunities for Winter Festival
Drop Off Supplies or Craft! (for more on Winter Festival, click here)
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Hark! Knitters, crocheters, painters, wood workers, tinkerers, toymakers, sewing mavens and all other crafty and artsy elves:
We need your elfin talents to bring magic to our 2022 Winter Festival Elves’ Workshop. What are you good at making? We need your masterpiece donations (20 pieces) by November 18, 2022, right after Thanksgiving.
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Alternatively, if you prefer to work on prepared craft kits with materials and instructions, We will be setting up some craft kits at the Company of Angels. You may pick them up and secretly work on them when the little ones are asleep. Kits have to be returned to the Company of Angels by November 18, 2002.
Examples of past crafts kits for inspiration:
Please contact us to let us know what you would like to make:
Thank you very much for bringing magic and joyful memories to the children!
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WSOC High Schooler Rowers Support "Row for a Cure" |
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WSOC Grade 10 students Linden Acevedo and Paige Ranney had their first rowing event of the season, "Row for the Cure," in San Diego. Linden’s boat placed first and Paige’s came in second place. Great job Linden and Paige, and for a very deserving cause!
Row for the Cure supports community health organizations that assist local cancer patients and their families with programs such as peer-to-peer counseling, financial assistance, patient navigation and transportation; rowing organizations which empower cancer survivors through rehabilitation and exercise programs while providing camaraderie; and support and socialization and cutting-edge cancer research, conducted by Susan G. Komen, that will lead to new, more effective treatment, ultimately toward reducing cancer-related deaths and finding a cure.
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Click to enjoy this inspiring and informative Waldorf education video! |
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First graders at the Pasadena Waldorf School are learning numbers through the Seneca Nation folklore story of Crow -- a young man who, while grieving the death of his parents, runs away from his people to find himself transported to the land of Grandfather Mountain.
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Shrek the Musical at Arts and Learning: Come See WSOC Students Past and Present Perform! |
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Come enjoy another super fun Arts and Learning performance, which will include current WSOC students & alumni: Aiden Rivas, Simon Khan and Logan Burnett! |
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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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