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December 2nd- High School Parent Liaison Meeting
December 5th- Board Meeting
December 9th-
Governance Committee Meeting
December 10th -
Building Committee Meeting
December 13th- High School Liaison Parent Coffee
December 17th-
Finance Committee Meeting
December 19th- Winter Assembly
December 23-Jan 4- Winter Break NO SCHOOL
**Please visit our
website
for up-to-date information on events. Some dates and times may change throughout the month.**
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Our beloved Winter Faire is right around the corner, on Saturday, December 7!
This will be our seventh annual Celebrate the Season of Light Festival. As many of you know, it is an enchanting event that brilliantly radiates the spirit of the winter season in San Diego. Filled to the brim with live music, crafts and activities, delicious international food and amazing vendors, it is not to be missed. Mark your calendars!
More information available on our
website!
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The Festival Plays from Oberufer
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These unique plays are part of a trilogy of three ethnic German plays that originated in the middle ages. Since the plays were collected and passed to Rudolf Steiner and others, they have become part of the rhythmic schedule of festivals and celebrations, often being performed as The Christmas Plays. The Paradise Play (appropriate only for Grades 3 and up) presents the story of the creation of Adam and Eve and the expulsion from Paradise; The Shepherd’s Play tells the Christmas story through the hearts of simple shepherds.
The plays are about the renewal of light in the depth of winter, the light of the world, and the spiritual light within.
These plays have been presented as a gift to the community.
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Early Childhood Advent Spiral
Saturday December 14
At the time of the longest night, we find joyful celebrations of returning light and lengthening days on Winter Solstice. Spiral of Lights festival symbolizes how our inner light must shine ever brighter against the cold, the hurry of the holidays, and the dormant earth. In this reverent and beautiful ceremony of light, children are led by an angel along a spiral path of evergreens.
Reaching the center candle, the children light their apple candles and set them along the spiral path, slowly bringing light into the darkened hall.
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Winter Concert
Friday December 20
This annual vocal concert in December, just before winter break, brings the community together to share holiday songs. Traditional and celebratory music from all cultures and countries are performed by the school’s Lower School Chorus and various grades, accompanied by the High school orchestra.
This gathering ushers in the Holidays in a joyful, inclusive event.
This is a community event.
Dismissal will be at the end of the concert, or, approximately 12:30 pm, for everyone. Aftercare students must bring their lunches (no hot lunch program).
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More details to follow on ParentSquare.
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Current parents are ALWAYS welcomed to join all or part of the monthly
"A Day at the Waldorf School" tour, which takes place just once-a-month. It's a great view into what your own child is doing in class, and a peek into the future when you visit the classes above your child's age group. Cap it off by interacting with our High School students, which is a great confirmation of the benefits of Waldorf education and how well prepared the older students are for college, and for life!
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We have an amazing community at WSSD, we are so grateful for every donation we receive. This month we would like to give special thanks to:
- Our school photographer, Jackie Imray, donated 10% of her profits back to WSSD!
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Starting in third grade, woodwork begins with a cornerstone of woodbuilding - the box. The children will work with variations of this basic form throughout the grades with such projects as birdhouses, tool boxes, pencil boxes and so on. But the box they create in the beginning will carry with them through the end, on their journey through the grades and perform the essential function of organizing their projects, a personal storage system for which each student can be accountable. In the cultivation of strong will forces, it is crucial that the children experience the practical application of their hard work in action and in this the box plays a key role.
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Students in Waldorf schools are exposed to Handwork throughout the curriculum, beginning in Early Childhood and continuing on through High School. In Grade One, children begin to learn to knit with needles they have made themselves. A longstanding tradition here at WSSD is for the older, Grade Five students to help teach this skill to the younger, Grade One students.
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The
Grades World Language Department
celebrated
the 2nd Annual Celebration of the Dead.
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Dia De los Muertos
A multi-day celebration of the dead that goes back thousands of years in South American cultures. The holiday focuses on family and friends coming together to honor and remember their ancestors and loved ones who have died. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebrating the continuation of life and our connection to one another.
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La Toussaint
et le Jour des Morts.
The transition period from autumn to winter was thought in ancient times to include the return of the souls of the departed to the warmth and light they remembered from their former lives.
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Dia de los Muertos in the High School
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The High School celebrated El Día de los Muertos. It is a Native tradition to honor the departed with colorful decorations, an altar, music, and food.
It’s a tradition to put a picture of our beloved ones that passed away in the altar, and something that they really liked as well. It could be food, drinks, dessert, and other items that were precious to them.
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The Seniors spent a sweet afternoon carving pumpkins with their Grade 1 buddies!
These opportunities for students of different ages to come together in a productive, mutually beneficial way, is just one of the many examples of how the social fabric of our community is nourished and strengthened.
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Senior Signed to George Mason U
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Senior Marin Hull participated in the College National Letter of Intent Announcement and Signing Day on Wednesday, November 13, at Petco Park.
She signed her National Letter of Intent for George Mason University to be a member of their Division 1 Rowing team.
We are so proud of her hard work and determination!
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Hunter Ottman, WSSD Class of 2016.
Hunter was here at the Waldorf School from Early Childhood
through High School graduation. For college, he chose UC Davis and is working on his BS in Landscape Architecture, with a Minor in Geographical Information Systems. Hunter is the Vice-Chair of the Environmental Policy and Planning Commission (Associated Students, UC Davis). He is also interning at Smart Landscape, via the Learning by Leading program offered by UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden.
Hunter was a lively and energetic youngster who learned to harness his drive and passion, becoming a model high school student. He excelled in academics, particularly in math and science, and is also a gifted artist. Hunter says he misses his Waldorf years, but "I feel their impression on me and on the decision I make every single day."
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Maxine Calle, WSSD Class of 2016.
Maxine is a senior at Reed College majoring in mathematics. She has received commendation for outstanding academic achievement every year of her undergraduate studies and spent the last two summers engaged in mathematics research. Maxine has published her research findings as an individual author and been invited to speak at multiple conferences, most recently the 2019 Joint Mathematics Meetings.
In addition to academics, Maxine currently leads two student groups on campus: the aerial acrobatics club and STEMGeMs, the student-led organization for gender minorities in STEM fields. Maxine is currently completing her senior thesis and applying to selective graduate schools. She intends to pursue a PhD in mathematics.
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Some things to Note:
Many of you have expressed a sincere desire to attend PA meetings, but are just not able for a variety of reasons. So understandable. Here are a few reminders:
- Meeting notes are posted monthly in ParentSquare and are searchable the whole school year.
- Meeting notes, agendas, and other PA documents are also available in WSSD’s website Parent Portal, organized by date.
- Reviewing meeting notes is a good way to stay informed if you can’t attend meetings in person.
- You may contact me anytime with questions, comments, or a topic for discussion—I will bring your item to a PA meeting on your behalf, if you wish.
Thank you so kindly for your participation. Please comment here, message, or text me directly if you have any thoughts, ideas, concerns--I want to hear from you.
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Upcoming Meeting Dates & Times:
PA Meetings are held in the Music Room, Time of day will vary to accommodate parents with less flexible daytime schedules.
P
arent Association (PA) Meetings and Parent Enrichment Presentations (PEPs)
- No PA meetings or PEPs in December.
- The next PA meeting is Wednesday, 1/29/20, 8:30am, Music Room.
- This worthy article is for your review & reflection; and for future discussions: http://www.waldorftoday.com/2019/09/the-future-of-waldorf-education-beyond-100/
- Mark your calendar for PA meetings in the coming year:
- Wednesday, 1/29/20, 8:30am, Music Room
- Tuesday, 2/25/20, 2pm, Music Room
- Wednesday, 3/25/20, 6pm, Music Room
- Wednesday, 4/29/20, 8:30am, Music Room
- Tuesday, 5/26/20, 2pm, Music Room
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2019-2020 Annual Giving Month recap
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Thank you everyone that participated in our Annual Giving Month Campaign! We were able to reach
83% participation and $92K! Wow! Annual Giving donations are accepted all year long, we just like to dedicate a month to promote it and get as close to 100% as we can. Also if you are able to donate by Dec 30, 2019 you will receive a tax donation letter for next year! Thank you again!
Liza Ferraro your WSSD Development Events Coordinator
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News from The Snake and Lily
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Need Scrip? While the Snake and Lily is temporarily closed for cleaning and repairs following our small fire event,
scrip is still available! Best is to place your orders online and pick them up at morning drop off or afternoon pick up. We will also have it available if you prefer to just order in person during drop off and pick up times. If you have any questions, please email
snakeandlily@waldorfsandiego.org or
lferraro@waldorfsandiego.org. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!
And be sure to remember to use scrip for your upcoming holiday shopping and gifts!
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Waldorf families and friends are invited to San Diego's weekly contra dance. Contra is a traditional 'barn dance' style dance, nearly always to live music: old-time reels, Irish jigs, other traditional tunes. Instruments you'll hear include fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, keyboard, accordion, and percussion. No partner necessary. All ages, genders and orientations welcome. Weekly dance times and more information are on our website:
https://sandiegocontra.org/
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Our goal is to create a WSSD Business Directory to encourage support for our local businesses and professionals that are a part of our community.
All businesses listed will have a WSSD family connection. This is an opportunity to expand, increase and grow your business and a great way to support our community. Think of our community any time you shop, use professional services or dine out!
Our Directory is officially up on our website, under the Community Page!
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Are you interested in sharing your Waldorf Story? It's very casual and relaxed and takes about 10-15 minutes. They can even be recorded over the phone!
In Huge Gratitude,
Liza Ferraro & Julie Joinson
619-280-8016 x 205
Take a listen to a couple interviews from our community!
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Shop to Support Us
Select "
The Waldorf School of San Diego
" as your charity of choice and a percentage of eligible purchases goes to the school.
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