Looks like late fall/early winter is finally getting a toehold after a scorching few weeks here at WSOC that led to some musical chairs in the grades classrooms as we all tried to stay cool. Thank you to the high school for accommodating our students and giving our middle schoolers a fun, surprise high school preview! 

Please check out our our new blog; the topic is Jack Petrash and the many benefits of Waldorf education in our 21st century world.

We have officially rolled out our Annual Giving campaign, let's get to $100K in 100 days! Donate now and get a chance to win a coveted WSOC festival parking space. And not to brag (ahem...), but our Administrative staff is the first department to achieve 100% participation. Go Team Admin!

Now is the perfect time to RSVP for the high school walk through the grades (parents only) and the high school open house. Our Grade 8 students will experience their own special day in the high school on Thursday, November 9th (no RSVP necessary). 

Middle school basketball practice starts the week of Nov. 6th. Make sure to turn in your Physician Clearance form and  Assumption of Risk form (Assumption of Risk for Grades 7 & 8 only) to Hugh Brennan or contact him with any questions.

Scroll down for some beautiful on campus moments and upcoming community events: Grandparents and Special Friends Day, an evening of music and eurythmy with faculty. and much more. 

Special note: we are collecting greens for Winter Festival starting Monday, November 27th. More reminders will be forthcoming. Sign ups (in the front office) for Twinkle Star Cafe for Pre-K through Grade 3 "customers" begin that same day. Kids get to dine sans parents and get served yummy cafe items by Grade 4. Spaces fill quickly, so make sure to sign up.

Our Thanksgiving break takes place November 20-24. 

Winter Festival is Saturday, December 2.

Alyssa Hamilton

WSOC Communications Coordinator

[email protected] 

 

MYTH	FACT
My donation is not that important or needed because WSOC has sufficient income from tuition and fees to cover the school's annual operating expenses.	Tuition and fees cover only a portion of the annual operating expenses of the school. The Annual Giving fund is the primary means to help bridge the gap. Like fellow independent schools, WSOC relies solely upon tuition revenues and philanthropic gifts to meet our operating and capital expenses.

 

MYTH	FACT
My participation does not make a difference because I don't have the means to make a large donation.	Although some can't give as much as others, every donation counts and makes a positive impact toward achieving our $100,000 goal.  You can make your tax-deductible gift as a one-time donation or can distribute it into multiple payments over the remainder of the school year.

 

MYTH	FACT
Donations to Annual Giving are put in the school's reserve fund and are meant to cover a "rainy day."	The funds raised through Annual Giving go into the school's operating account and are invested right back into our school to pay for things like: Recruitment, training and retention of outstanding teachers; Classroom supplies, transportation and trips; and Start-up money for new programs.

 

WSOC's Annual Giving Campaign goes on now through January 31, 2018.  Make your tax-deductible donation by November 8, 2017 to be entered into a raffle to win a Festival Parking Spot good for Grandparents Day, Winter Festival and May Faire!  See Raffle Rules for details. 

 

Raffle Rules:

• The Reserved Festival Parking space is valid for Grandparents Day, Winter Festival, and May Faire only. 
• Winner  need not be present to win.
• Drawing will take place at the Company of Angels on November 10, 2017 at 8:45 a.m.  The Annual Giving gift or pledge must be received by WSOC no later than November 8, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. In-person, mailed, and online entries are all eligible, as long as they are received by the deadline. WSOC cannot be held responsible for undelivered or late mail. Online entries received after 11:59 p.m. on November 8, 2017 are not eligible.
• For every 50 families that donate, WSOC will add another festival parking spot. Limit one parking spot per household.  
• All WSOC employees and spouses are not eligible to win. 

Martinmas originated in France in honor of St. Martin, who was known as friend of the children and patron of the poor in the fourth century. Legend has it that he shared his cloak with a beggar by cutting it in half, so the beggar would be saved from the cold night. Our students harvest marigolds to create a dye to immerse silk capes in honor of the kindness of St. Martin.

Ms. Catherine's Pre K dying silk capes

The festival spread from France through Germany, the rest of Europe, and Scandinavia, and it is somewhat like American Thanksgiving - a feast of sharing and gratefulness. Because it is held in November, in this part of the world it occurs as autumn is ending and winter is coming on, marking a time of full barns and completed harvest in preparation for winter.

As our children venture out into the twilight with their lanterns aloft and singing songs after hearing a story told beside a crackling fire, they get to experience the sacredness of bringing light into the dark stillness of winter. 

Pre Kindergarten Lantern Walk

Wednesday, November 8

5:30pm

The final score was Parents:15, Students and alumni: 30. It was a great experience for our school community!

As part of their housing block, Grade 3 constructed a Sukkot, a temporary building commemorating the time when the Israelites were in the wilderness after being enslaved in Egypt. They used "fragile" buildings or "booths" for 40 years. Sukkots also were traditionally used during the harvest season for the Hebrew farmer to stay in while he or she worked in the fields. Class parents the Gavrilovs helped Ms. Emahiser and the students create this splendid shelter, which was enjoyed by many students after its construction.

As a part of their  Business Math  course, 12 ^th grade students created small businesses on campus that offered treats for sale to the students. These were for-profit businesses and each student, in addition to their business math curriculum, created a living document in spreadsheet form that attempted to codify their experiences obtaining inventory, creating enticing snacks, ascertaining and meeting market demand as well as calculating and adjusting for profits. Additionally, students explored the social value of donating a percentage of their profits to the sports program fundraising efforts.

Support WSOC every time you shop on smile.amazon.com!

Russ Bermejo