 |
|
WSOC October 2017 Newsletter
We recently wrapped up our wonderful schoolwide Michaelmas festivities in Fairview Park last Friday, September 29. Students in Grades 1-8 tested their bravery, strength, mental fortitude and more with games and challenges set up by our WSOC high school students.
Our woodwork teacher, Mr. Matan, crafted a sword to tame the Michaelmas dragon, and invited many others to help shape it. Challenges in the park included a human knot contest, solving riddles, and a Michael's Closet contest to see who could create the best costume. As always, the event culminated with the dragon being confronted and tamed to represent conquering our fears and shining light into the darkness of winter.
Back to School Night was a great success, with delicious food trucks and a gorgeous assortment of student work on display from Early Childhood to high school.
This month we have much to look forward to, including a financial planning workshop for college and a Parent Education evening with Jack Petrash. Later this month you will receive a survey on media use; thank you in advance for participating!
Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming
Walk Through the High School on Friday, November 10th and High School Open House on Saturday, November 11th. You can RSVP for those events
here. Also you will soon receive a link to our WSOC blog, currently in progress and ready for your reading pleasure in the near future.
Don't forget, next Monday, October 9th, is an In-Service Day and there is no school.
Happy Monday, all!
Alyssa Hamilton
WSOC Communications Coordinator
|
| Annual Giving kicks off October 24th |
|
Everyone associated with WSOC understands the importance of the comprehensive educational program WSOC provides to ensure an incredible Waldorf Education and experience for the whole child. This extraordinary educational experience is directly tied to the philanthropic support we receive from our school community. Each year our school's goal is for 100% participation from our entire school community with gifts to our Annual Giving Campaign.
Your Annual Giving support helps to build a bridge between the school's income and expenses that allows WSOC to thrive. We encourage our parents and families, staff, faculty, Board of Trustees, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, and other supporters in our community to make a meaningful gift so that WSOC can continue providing the best curriculum, materials, and training to ensure an incredible Waldorf Education and experience for the whole child.
This year's Annual Giving Campaign kicks off on October 24th. WSOC thanks you in advance for your tax deductible donation. We look forward to growing in community together!
|
|
Thank you again to all parents who responded to our annual Community Survey in
June 2017. The results reflect the significantly positive relationships that parents have with the school and show that our parent community is steadfastly devoted to our Waldorf community. The survey also highlights the areas where parents have concerns and where there are opportunities for improvement.
You can view the survey results here .
We would also like to list and highlight the items of change prioritized by the Board and the COT that directly address parental concerns expressed in the survey:
- Parent Education Committee - there will be a focus this year on the challenges of media in our environment.
- Tuition Adjustment Program - we will host an informative open forum discussion about TA (one in the morning and one in the evening to capture all audiences).
- Diversity - The COT has created a Diversity Task Force for an in-depth look at diversity at our school.
- Playground Safety - The faculty created a Safety Team to focus on supervision during recess and follow up on the handling of injuries.
We will also highlight in the newsletter, throughout the year, additional educational highlights in response to the survey results.
With gratitude,
David Kruse
WSOC Board member
|
| Parent Education and Upcoming Events |
|
Tuesday, October 10
7pm
For Grades 7-11
Meadows Hall
Wednesday, October 11
7pm
Eurythmy Hall
The Magic of the Media and the Vanishing Act of Initiative with Jaimen McMillan
Monday, October 23
7:30pm
Eurythmy Hall
Details to come!
|
| Early Childhood Upcoming Events |
|
Wednesday, October 25
7pm
Kindergarten classroom
Saturday, October 28
10am
Kindergarten classroom
|
High School Bonding Trip, Fall 2017
The high school bonding trip is an opportunity to welcome new students to the high school, and to reconnect with friends and colleagues after a long summer apart. Taken out of the context of a high school classroom, the students are presented with the freedom to learn about each other, and work together as a community to plan and execute a fun and educational trip. The activities on the bonding trip are evenly divided between recreational, group, and community service.
This year, the students tie-dyed tote bags to fill with supplies and donate to the homeless. Along with hikes, beach outings, group games, and sing-alongs at the campfire at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, one of the prominent highlights of the trip is the performance of skits by the student work groups and the faculty. These skits are either planned or improvised, and besides getting lots of laughs, create a feeling of camaraderie and acquaint new students with their professors as friends and family, not just teachers. The trip is a cherished rite of passage and an experience that truly brings together the
student body in preparation for the adventures and challenges that await them in the coming year.
--Lily L., grade 10
|
|
Grade 7 enjoys a day of sea, sand and sun in Huntington Beach
|
Welcome fall...October arrives bringing with it a wash of wonderful color, fragrant, cool breezes, and a bounty of seasonal pleasures from apple-cider pressing to pumpkin carving. I don't know about you BUT I love this time of the year! We have a full stock of beeswax candles to light up your home now that the sun is setting earlier and earlier.
The store is slowly but surely building its stock back up after our wonderful summ
er break...that seems so long ago. Here is a list of our new items we have just received:
SANANDI --
Handcrafted herbal products for your wellbeing. Made with 100%
USDA Organic and Demeter Biodynamic ingredients at their farm
in the mountains out
side of Mexico City.
DOTERRA -- Our first delivery of the school year. With the weather changing be sure
to stock up. See the info below fo
r An Essenti
al Oils class!
NEW JEWELRY VENDORS --
Delusions of Grandeur & Koz
akh
NEW CARD VENDORS -- Mary Bridges - Revel & Co. - Notes & Queries
After much discussion and thought... we will be closing down o
ur TWICE UPON A TIME shed.
Over the past couple years we have had a hand full of volunteers who have hung, swept, cleared, tossed and taken items to Goodwill to keep this operation going but it is just too much up keep and so we must close. Thank you all for your support.
Please take a couple minutes out of your busy schedule and come into the store - I am sure you will find just that special something to brighten your day or a loved one's.
We are seeking Angel Volunteers to work Tuesdays 1-3:15pm, Wednesdays 8:30-noon, and every other Friday 1-3:15pm
. Volunteers receive a 15% discount.
Follow the Company of Angels on Instagram @thecompanyofangels and like us on Facebook!
Warm Wishes,
Nona
Fall in Love
with
Essentials Oils
Class
At this class, we'll be learning how to safely and effectively use essential oils to keep our families healthy this fall and during cold/flu season.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
9:30 - 10:30am
Company of Angels Garden
Can't make the class, but want to learn more about essential oils? Please contact WSOC Parent
Cat Bogda .
|
If you haven't already, stop by Company of Angels and get signed up for Presto Pay with Pam! Here's a tutorial to get you inspired!
|
|
October 3 Adult Education
Makeup Picture Day
October 9 IN SERVICE DAY, no school
October 10 College Financial Planning with Dave Coen for Grades 7-11
October 11 Walk Through the Grades
Grade 2 parent evening
Ms. Arieta kindergarten parent evening
Parent Education: Back to the Future with Jack Petrash
October 14 Playgroup parent meeting
October 17 Adult Education
October 18 Ms. Catherine parent evening
Grade 9 parent evening
October 21 Adult Education
October 23 Grade 11 Practicum
Grade 12 Idyllwyld trip
Parent Education: The Magic of the Media and the Vanishing Act of Initiative With Jaimen McMillan
October 25 Early Childhood Information Evening
October 28 Morning in the Kindergarten
October 31 Halloween, certain costumes allowed (see newsletter for details)
|
|
Thank you to our Festival of Children volunteers!
|
|
We are so appreciative to our Festival of Children volunteers for giving up a portion of their weekend to be ambassadors for WSOC! Thank you to the following WSOC community members:
|
|
|
WSOC's high school orchestra performed at Festival of Children on Sunday, September 24th
|
Tara Cannon for organizing and volunteering
Teresa Alarcon
Kathy Christian
Niko Everett
Jacqueline Fede
Laura Fortino-Zeni
Robin Rizzuto
Teresa Shoda
Lillian Zien
We couldn't have done it without you!
|
|
WSOC senior receives National Merit Scholar Letter of Commendation
We are so very proud to congratulate WSOC senior Isabel Linhares for receiving a National Merit Scholar Letter of Commendation for outstanding performance on the preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in 2016.
|
|
|
|
Student art on display at Costa Mesa City Hall
All through the month of October, WSOC student art from 6th, 7th, and 9th grade will be exhibited at Costa Mesa City Hall. Come check it out!
|
|
|
|
Are you ready for the Big One?
In the event of a natural disaster, are you prepared? If not, you need to be! WSOC's Grade 8 has you covered.
FEMA and the Red Cross suggest we each have a 3-day survival kit in our home, office, and automobile. To help us all be prepared, Grade 8 will be selling a selection of Emergency Survival Kits.
Beginning October 9th, there will be a table set up near the flag pole showing available options. Please stop by and take a look. Don't be scared, be prepared!
Profits benefit our students' Eighth Grade Trip.
|
|
|
Steiner study group at Company of Angels
We are happy to announce that WSOC community member Rajee Rajamani is forming a Steiner study group.
The group will begin with an essay by Rudolf Steiner, "The Education of the Child in the Light of Anthroposophy." It is a relatively easy read and has a good introduction to the basic ideas of Anthroposophy and yet, like all of Steiner's writings, there is always more that one can glean even from a second or third reading.
As with all Anthroposophic study groups, there is no leader in the group, and it is built instead on the questions and contributions of everyone involved. Rajee will act as facilitator.
Whether you are a seasoned anthroposophist and longtime community member or a new parent, the study group would love to have you be a part of it!
Mondays, 11:15am-1pm
Company of Angels garden
Free
|
|
|
|
In light of recent events
In light of the recent tragedy in Las Vegas, our greater Waldorf community shared with us a very timely article about navigating the terrain of tragic news while still protecting our children's innocence. Please click
here to read the article.
Our prayers and condolences to the victims and their families on this sad day.
|
|
|
|
Whether baking is an occasional hobby or a calling, we can use your treats in the Company of Angels! Sign up once, or 10 times, whatever works for you. All proceeds benefit WSOC and make everyone happy in the process!
|
|
|
|
Help WSOC win up to $1,000 in the Costa Mesa Sanitary District's battery recycling contest
Battery collection bin is in the front office. Batteries accepted are:
Nine volt batteries must be taped on the ends for safety reasons.
For more information on the contest, click
here. For more on batteries accepted, click
here.
|
|
|
|
Seeking Festival Singers
It's that time of year already! We are seeking Festival Singers for Winter Festival and all are welcome. Rehearsals will take place in the Grade 2 classroom on Wednesdays from
4-6pm starting
October 4th (no rehearsal
Oct 11 because of parent meetings) and one rehearsal on
December 1st (Friday at
6pm).
Performance will be on
December 2nd
during Winter Festival.
Thank you Melissa Draven for leading this lovely group!
Wednesdays, starting October 4
4-6pm
Grade 2 classroom
|
|
|
|
Famous Waldorf alumna offers music composition lessons
Have you ever wanted to write a piece for recorder? Maybe a piano sonata? Or even a symphony? My name is Stephanie Ann Boyd, I'm a symphonic composer in New York City, and I went to the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor. You can find me on the list of Famous Waldorf Alumni, and my music is now being played all over the world. I teach music composition lessons via Skype and I've helped over 100 people write their first pieces. I charge $100 an hour, and have several financial scholarships for those who need them. I love to teach Waldorf students and their parents! You can read more about how I help composers at
http://stephanieannboyd.com/teaching, and you can send me an email at
[email protected] to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Halloween
On Tuesday, October 31st, we welcome children in grades 1-12 to dress up in creative costumes. Please refrain from costumes that have toys or simulated weapons, scary masks, gory make-up, and are skimpy or revealing.
Costumes should not interfere with regular schoolwork and activities (keep in mind Strings and Games classes). These are the general rules; you may receive more specific instructions from your child's teacher.
|
|
|
|
#StartWithASmile
PrestoPay tutorial for Scrip here:
AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America)
|
Volunteer Driver Form (requirements are different for overnight field trips; ask your class teacher for details)
|
|
College of Teachers
Catherine Averett
Christiane Bohr
Jenell Carlson
Francesco De Benedetto
Gina Garrison (Chair)
Andrea Hubert
Angie Meier
Brooke Natzke
Holly Peterson
Naqib Shifa
Lorri Valenzuela-Mier (Chair)
Board of Trustees
Lisa Arnquist
Megan Brown
David Burnett
Francesco De Benedetto (College Rep)
Gina Garrison (College Rep)
Gabe Frisby (Chair)
David Kruse
Leslie Morrison
Margaret O'Brien
Colin Severn
Olivia Slutzky
Adminstrative Rotation:
Jeff Barth
Teresa Alarcon
Gina Illes
Linda Timmons
WSOC Ombudsmen
Russ Bermejo
|
|
|
|
|
|
