Rooted and Rising

The College of Teachers is delighted to announce that Kimberly Telfer-Radzat will be joining WSOC as our new First Grade Teacher.



Kimberly is an experienced Waldorf educator who brings a tremendous depth of wisdom, warmth, and knowledge to our campus, and we are thrilled to welcome her back to the WSOC community.

Kimberly first joined WSOC in 2001 as a resource teacher supporting students requiring educational assistance. In 2007, she began the eight-year journey with the Class of 2016. During a sabbatical year, Kimberly helped undertake the important work of opening a Waldorf charter school. Sycamore Creek Community Charter School opened in 2019, where Kimberly continued teaching for the past seven years.

Her educational background is extensive and deeply rooted in both Waldorf and traditional educational practices. Kimberly earned her B.A. from UC San Diego and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Social Context from UC Irvine. She also completed her Waldorf Remedial Certification through Rudolf Steiner College, earned her California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through UC Irvine, and completed an Educational Therapist certification through UC Riverside.

Kimberly is also a longtime WSOC parent. Her two daughters completed their education here through 12th grade, giving her a deep and personal connection to our school community.

Outside of school, Kimberly enjoys gardening, foraging, sewing, reading, working puzzles, and traveling to Orcas Island with her husband.



We warmly welcome Kimberly back to WSOC and look forward to the journey ahead.

Dear WSOC Community,

Our hearts are full.

Because of the extraordinary generosity, joyful spirit, and deep love woven throughout this community, Bloom: A Night in Full Flower became a truly unforgettable celebration — and together, we raised a record-breaking $177,411 in support of Waldorf School Orange County.

Of that total, an inspiring $50,850 was raised during the evening to enrich and reimagine our outdoor learning environments — including enhancements to our nursery yard, expanded garden spaces, and new raised garden beds for our students to nurture and enjoy. As shared during the event, nature is among our children’s greatest teachers, and these gifts will help cultivate spaces where wonder, imagination, connection, and meaningful learning can continue to take root and flourish.

Perhaps even more inspiring than the fundraising itself was the incredible turnout from every corner of our community. Faculty, staff, alumni, grandparents, current families, friends of the school, and supporters gathered together in joyful celebration of WSOC. The energy in the room was vibrant, heartfelt, and deeply reflective of what makes this community so special.

With immense gratitude, we would like to recognize our incredible Gala Committee members and volunteers whose dedication, creativity, and countless hours of work brought Bloom to life.

• Ana Dahlman Riotto,
• Christine Ianni,
• Eli Piazzi,
• Erin Nichols,
• Gaby Hass,
• Hali Mason,
• Julia Banda,
• Megan Besancon,
• Sharon Diaz,
• Sumera Wacker,
• Tracie Barba, and
• Yvonne Lopez.

It truly takes a village to create an evening like Bloom, and your care and generosity were felt in every thoughtful detail.

To all of the individuals, families, and businesses who donated to our silent and live auctions: thank you for sharing your talents, experiences, products, services, and creativity with our community. Your generosity helped make the evening both meaningful and magical, and your support directly impacts the students and programs of WSOC.

And finally — thank you to every person who attended, bid, donated, danced, celebrated, volunteered, or simply showed up in support of our school. Bloom was a beautiful reflection of what is possible when a community comes together with shared purpose and love for our children.

May the spirit of Bloom continue to flourish in our hearts and throughout our community in the year ahead.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Catherine Crahan

Development Director

WSOC 5th graders joined students from Pasadena Waldorf School, Maple Village Waldorf School, Sanderling Waldorf School, Highland Hall Waldorf School, and other Southern California Waldorf schools for this year’s Pentathlon at beautiful Coronado Beach. Rooted in the traditions of Ancient Greece, the Pentathlon celebrates balance, courage, grace, and good sportsmanship as students participated in events such as discus, wrestling, javelin, and long jump. The day was filled with perseverance, camaraderie, and joyful competition in a stunning coastal setting!

Our WSOC senior class delivered a wonderful performance of Murder on the Orient Express, bringing mystery, humor, and suspense to the stage with remarkable talent and energy. From the expressive acting to the elegant staging and costumes, the production showcased the creativity, collaboration, and dedication of our students and faculty. Bravo to the cast and crew for an unforgettable evening of theater!

Parson’s Field was filled with music, flowers, and joyful celebration during this year’s May Faire Festival! Families and friends enjoyed watching our students weave the Maypole, lively musical performances, handmade floral crowns, games, artisan vendor booths, and so much more. Thank you to everyone who helped create such a vibrant and memorable day for our community.

The grades 4–8 Spring Concert was a beautiful celebration of music, collaboration, and student artistry. Orchestra, band, and choir students filled the evening with inspiring performances that reflected their hard work, dedication, and joy in making music together.

WSOC Class of 2023 alum Jamie Eijpen returned to campus this week as a special guest presenter for the 7th-grade Physiology block. It is always inspiring to welcome alumni back to campus to share their knowledge, passions, and experiences with our students, and Jamie brought both enthusiasm and expertise to the classroom.

Jamie presented on kinesiology, exploring topics such as muscle and bone growth, brain health and function, and the importance of building bone density throughout life. His ability to make complex scientific concepts engaging, accessible, and relevant created a meaningful connection to the students’ current studies.

Now a rising senior at Whittier College, Jamie is also a member of the college’s soccer team. He plans to continue his education through postgraduate studies as he works toward becoming a chiropractor.



Thank you, Jamie, for generously sharing your time, insight, and passion with our students. We are grateful to see our alumni giving back to the WSOC community in such impactful ways!

We miss our alumni! Drop us a note and share what you’ve been up to—your work, your travels, your passions, and the things that bring you joy. We’d love to celebrate your journey and keep you connected to the WSOC community.

Email your update to: alumni@waldorfschool.com or message us on Instagram:

Whether you graduated Grade 8 or 12, or only spent a few years at WSOC, you are a Waldorf alum and welcome to join the alum community! Waldorf Alum Connect is open to all Waldorf alum (18+), Waldorf alum parents, and Waldorf faculty/staff, as well as alum and staff from Waldorf Teacher Training Institutes.

Click here to visit AWSNA's Waldorf Alum Connect platform.

Summer is so close we can taste it! The Company of Angels is the perfect place to find beautiful items for your summer adventures. From thoughtful gifts and seasonal treats to handcrafted treasures, every purchase supports our school community. Stop by, shop local, and discover something special while supporting WSOC.

Waldorf School Orange County thrives through the care and participation of our community. As a nonprofit, independent school, we rely on the generosity of parent volunteers whose time and energy help support the many programs and events that enrich our students’ experience. The Parent Association helps coordinate these efforts and provides meaningful ways for families to connect, contribute, and build community.

WSOC was built upon thousands of volunteer hours, and that spirit of participation continues to be an essential part of school life. We hope each family will find a way to get involved that fits both their schedule and interests. Whether you’re able to help with a small, one-time project or join a committee supporting larger initiatives throughout the year, every contribution makes a difference.

There are many opportunities to participate and share your talents within the Parent Association. To learn more about joining a committee or finding the right volunteer role for you, please contact parentassociation@waldorfschool.com.

May

Mon 5/25 • No School - All Grades

Tues 5/26, 5 pm Girls Newport Mesa Soccer Classic Game (@ Davis)

Wed 5/27, 4 pm Boys Newport Mesa Soccer Classic Game (@ Davis)

Thu 5/28, 8:45 am - 11:00 am • Parent Association | Craft Group

Fri 5/29, 5:00 pm Ms. Maria Nursery Parent Evening

Fri 5/29, 5:00 pm Girls Newport Mesa Soccer Classic Game (@CMHS)

Fri 5/29, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm • Adult Education

Fri 5/29, 5:30 pm Boys Newport Mesa Soccer Classic Game (@JHSC)

Fri 5/29, 6:00 pm Grade 2 Play

Sat 5/30, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm • Adult Education

June

Wed 6/3, 8:30 am • Room Rep Meeting

Thu 6/4, 8:45 am - 11:00 am • Parent Association | Craft Group

Fri 6/5, 8:00 am - 8:30 am • NUDAE Breakfast Friday (Class of 2031)

Fri 6/5, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm • Senior Showcase Presentations and Eurythmy Sharing

Thu 6/11 • Last Day of School for Early Childhood

Thu 6/11, 8:45 am - 11:00 am • Parent Association | Craft Group

Fri 6/12, 8:00 am - 8:30 am • NUDAE Breakfast Friday (Class of 2031)

Fri 6/12 • Last Day of School for Grades & High School. Early Dismissal: Grades: 12:40 PM, High School: 1:00 PM

Fri 6/12, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm • Grade 8 Promotion

Sat 6/13, 1:30 - 3:00 pm • Grade 12 Graduation

Mon 6/15, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm • Board Meeting