Remember that Friday, December 20 is the last day of school before our winter break.

SAWYER, GRADE 2

Next issue: January 10

A L L S C H O O L N E W S

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Preparing for Life

In the last 48 hours more than a dozen people have sent me a link to Preparing for Life, a new video on Waldorf education. I have watched it nearly as many times. I am not a YouTube junkie, and generally forgo watching the most comical/heart-wrenching/choose your adjective video that goes viral. And I am certainly not one to take up the "you have to watch this" mantra. Until now.

Our colleagues at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula have produced a stunningly beautiful and compelling articulation of the value of Waldorf education. Featuring commentary from teachers across grade levels, Silicon Valley executives, university professors, Waldorf graduates, and others, this 17-minute film captures in music, words and images the essence of a child's Waldorf journey. Simply put, it prepares him or her for life.

A few notable comments and questions you will hear:

It reminds me of what childhood used to be.
What do you wish for your child in 20 years?
To know the world is to know the self - and to know the self is to know the world.
Waldorf education focuses on building capacities, rather than just skills.
You see the child, and there is your curriculum.
I look for resilience, creativity and adaptability in employees.
But can you think, collaborate and communicate?

Without apology or humility, I would ask - almost beg - you to set aside time this weekend, perhaps with a cup of hot tea, and allow yourself to be lifted up by this artistic work. It will leave you appreciative and proud of our collective commitment to providing an extraordinarily unique experience for children at Seattle Waldorf School. A parent in the video sums it up by saying, "In the long run what you want is a healthy, happy 35 year-old. No one is really going to remember what your 4th grader got in math."

You have to watch this. And enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,
Tracy

Shepherds' Play - December 19, 5 pm & 7:30 pm

Save Thursday, December 19 for this annual SWS tradition, a gift from the faculty to the community. The play is a classic written in the Middle Ages, and each year our faculty make a point of adding new special twists that will be sure to delight our community. It is always a secret who plays what role, and we hope you will join us for one of the two shows in Huckleberry Hall at the grade school campus.

Winter Faire - A Big Thank you

Winter Faire was a lovely community event where the "community" really came from working together! Thank you to the planning committee, to the craft and food leads, to the performers who played music and sang, to the people who helped park cars and staff the crafts, to everyone who helped sell punch cards, counted revenue, set up, cleaned up, composted, baked things, worked in the kitchen, sold baked goods or donated items to the Community Table. A special thank you to the "big kids" who came to make sure the "littler kids" could continue to enjoy the tradition of Winter Faire as they had earlier. Thank you to everyone who saw something that needed doing, and stepped up to help!

We would like to give a special shout-out to our food vendors who donated or sold us their delicious food at a substantial discount. When you patronize their business, please take a moment to express your appreciation to: View Ridge PCC, Olivia Superfree, Tall Grass Bakery, Caffe Appassionato, Kozue Japanese Sushi, Goodies Mediterranean Market.

Thank you to everyone for the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season in a meaningful way with our children and each other!

THANK YOU FOR PHOTOS FROM TATIANA AVAEVA AND ANDREW ENFIELD. MORE IMAGES ARE ON SMUGMUG HERE.
FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT SMUGMUG, CONTACT TATIANA.

With Deepest Gratitude From The SWS Advancement Team

A very heartfelt thank you to our entire community for your support of our advancement work to strengthen admission outreach, shape our marketing strategy and create a more successful fundraising program this year. Many parents have represented SWS as Admissions Ambassadors and Advancement Representatives to the larger community, and it is working! Thank you so very much for sharing your time and talents with us.

The new year will bring yet more opportunities to raise awareness and increase support for SWS - we are grateful for your help.

As a quick update on the Annual Fund - we have surpassed the halfway point to our goal of $125,000 and have 31% participation of our families - thank you!

Your participation is key to our success and ask that every family contribute at a level that is comfortable for them. Click here to make a gift before the end of this calendar year. Thank you!

Tracy, Meg, Brenda, Gabi and Muffie

Would You Like To Put Your Spanish To Good Use?

Ms. Lemberg, our grade school Spanish teacher, is interested in identifying parents who have some knowledge of the Spanish language or culture and would be interested in being involved at the grade school. A range of abilities is welcome - from having an interest/some background up to being fully fluent or bilingual/bicultural. You could become involved in one of the following ways:

Come to class on days when there is a particular cultural celebration or complicated craft to provide assistance.
Be willing to talk to a class about a particular country or aspect of culture, to teach a song, dance, craft, etc.
Be willing to assist with tutoring children who may need additional help in Spanish.

Interested parents may identify themselves and their area of interest, expertise, or availability to Kassie Goforth at kassiegoforth@hotmail.com, who will compile a list for Ms. Lemberg.

Financial Aid

Thank you to those who came to Financial Aid information Night last Monday, December 10. If you were not able to join us and have questions about the financial aid process, please call or email Marlinda Siegfried, Financial Aid Manager (206-258-4004, msiegfried@seattlewaldorf.org). Deadlines for financial aid applications are in early February.

P A R E N T A S S O C I A T I O N

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Mark Your Calendar - Dates For Affinity Group Around Learning Challenges

First Monday of the month, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm, Garden House meeting room
All are welcome to join Cindy Scobee, grade 8 and 4 parent, and Tracy Bennett for a discussion of language learning challenges, for example dyslexia. Please email topics that are of interest to you to Cindy Scobee at foofafy@gmail.com. Note: The January meeting takes place on January 6, our first day back from break!

Thank You!
A big thank you and high fives all around for the twenty SWS families who came out for the W

HOLE (Waldorf Helpers of the Outdoor Learning Environment) Fall Work Party! We were lucky enough to have a sunny, crisp afternoon on Sunday, November 24. The work party was a big success - we now have dozens of new native plantings in the Daffodil play yard, freshly mulched and weeded. Please come and admire the young sword ferns, salal, beaked hazelnut, indian plums, red flowering currants and more! Our sixth graders will watch over these plantings over the course of the school year as they learn about native and invasive plants in the restoration garden. Sarah Garton

H I G H S C H O O L N E W S

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Last Wednesday's High School Music Concert

Grade 12 - Civil Activism

For their recent study of Civil Activism each grade 12 student chose an issue to work on, and we are grateful to be able to share one of them with you here.

As part of my senior Civil Activism class, I have worked to bring a documentary, titled The Invisible War (2012), to our Seattle Waldorf high school student body. This film, directed by Kirby Bryan Dick, deals with the incredibly pressing issue of sexual assault in the military. I believe that a screening will not only spark discussion on such an important matter, but it will also have a lasting impact on a group of young individuals that are just beginning to understand what they want to stand up for and against. The high school administration has graciously allowed me to hold this screening in January.

I stumbled across this film a few months ago and never imagined the impact it would have. Not only did The Invisible War inspire me to combat this issue, it also affected individuals in our government. The film reached a number of senators, and it was even seen by the secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel. But most importantly, it stretched across our country and roused the angry voices of thousands of civilians. The documentary focuses on particular victims' stories, yet it also details the shortcomings of the Pentagon in combating the rising number of assaults.

I had never imagined that one of the greatest enemies of our military actually resided within the institution itself. In the fiscal year of 2012, the Pentagon reported that 26,000 cases of unwanted sexual contact occurred within the ranks.

Of those thousands of incidents, less than 1 percent of sexual assault cases in the military went to trial. That chilling percentage is due, in part, to the way these cases are handled. The Pentagon has implemented sexual assault response teams and strict policies over the years, yet the number of victims has continued to rise.

This Monday, Congress addressed this issue by including particular reforms dealing with sexual assault in the National Defense Authorization Act. These reforms, including criminalizing retaliation against sexual assault victims, forbidding commanders from changing sexual assault jury verdicts, and dishonorably discharging anyone who has been convicted as a sex offender, are the first steps towards lowering the number of victims. Although these measures will not fix everything, they show a willingness in our government to make this issue a priority.

The Invisible War presents this issue in a clear and earnest light. I want to share my appreciation for the high school administration and faculty, in particular Todd Lengacher and Dr. Saunders, for not only providing the funds necessary to host a screening, but also for being willing to create an outlet for our students to grapple with an issue that is integral to today. Molly, grade 12 student

GRADE 12, PHOTO THANKS TO MARY CAIRNS

Grade 11 - Food Systems and Principles & Practice of Permaculture
Permaculture, sometimes described as "10,000 year-old cutting-edge technology," is a whole-systems design approach to resilient human settlements. Led by Anouk Tompot, SWS science teacher, and Jenny Pell, guest teacher and certified permaculturist, grade 11 students are studying soil science,

genetic engineering of seeds, food policy, patterns in nature and biomimicry, as well as perennial agroforestry. They are learning how food systems work in urban, suburban and rural landscapes, how to scale jump projects, and how Seattle is providing national and global leadership in food justice and food security solutions.

The class visited the Beacon Food Forest on Monday to learn about this inspiring project in which seven acres of public land were turned into an edible park, free for all!

G R A D E S C H O O L N E W S

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Relief Drive For Victims Of Typhoon Haiyan
Please support this effort with donations of toiletries, hygiene products, first aid kits and non-perishable food. Parents Jon and Ayesha Labonite (grade 4, Rosemary and Parent-Tot) have arranged to take these to a local organization to be shipped to the Philippines for victims of Typhoon Haiya. There will be a box in the grade school lobby from now through the start of Winter Break (December 20).

CANCELLED - Strings Technique Class For Cello Next Week
Please note that there will be no class next week Wednesday, December 18.

Lost and Found - Will Be Donated On Friday, December 20
All of the coats, sweaters, shoes, water bottles, hats, etc. are now on display in the lobby. Everything that is left behind when school is out for the break will be donated on Friday, December 20.

After-School Care - Pre-Registration Now Open for January
Please click here to sign up for After-School Care with the advance registration discount. You will be able to select the days for which you want to pre-register. As a reminder, advance registration is a flat rate of $16.20 for the entire afternoon (until 5:30 pm). The deadline for registration is Thursday, December 19.

Hot Lunch - Order For Next Year...

Dates for January through June are up for our lunch program with Takashi Ogasawara (Bento Box) on Tuesdays and Taco Del Mar on Thursdays. Both vendors are local, family-owned businesses, offering whole foods made from scratch for our children. Please note: Orders are due on the Thursday before the delivery week. If you don't know the drill, click here to find all you need to know about the grade school hot lunches.

Grade 8 - "...I Will Catch You"
In preparation for their Winter Spiral, grade 8 students each wrote a poem, that they read for everyone during the spiral walk. We are pleased to be able to share one of the poems here.

In darkness resides a fear of loneliness

but in loneliness resides a fear

greater still:

A fear of reaching out into the

Unknown,

a fear of not knowing what will

be placed in your hand.

A fear of vulnerability and

the gesture of an out reached palm into the

darkness.

But in the darkest time of the year

we must be brave,

we must have courage,

and we must trust that when we leap

someone will catch us.

We all know that the light of the candle is

coming

and whether it comes in darkness and fear

or in strength or in friendship

is up to us. It's your choice. But just know

that if you reach your hand out into

the darkness I will hold your

hand and if you leap I will

catch you.

Ruby

GRADE 8, PHOTO THANKS TO MARY CAIRNS

Grade 7 - Mechanics & Woodworking

The grade 7 science curriculum includes the study of principles of mechanics, and the students a

re now putting their understanding of mechanics to the test in Woodworking class - each student is building a mechanical toy of their own design. As a first step, each student drew a sketch of their idea, indicating which parts should move, in what direction, what levers should be applied and where. After discussing the feasibility of their design and any needed adjustments with Mr. Kline, the students began converting their drawings into three-dimensional, smoothly sanded shapes that will be connected to become an articulated toy. We look forward to showing you some of these creations in action in a future issue of the Connection.

Grade 5 - Adding Perspective

Painting lessons until grade 5 mostly focus on the control of color and water; now in grade 5 students are learning to add perspective to their paintings. The sample work below challenged the students to show that the pyramid has four sides and that the road disappears into the distance.

PAINTINGS BY GILLIAN AND SEBASTIAN

E A R L Y C H I L D H O O D N E W S

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Rosemary - Horses In Woodland Park

Please do not share this with your little ones!
On one of their outings in Woodland Park this week the Rosemary students discovered the joys of playing with horse reins. Teacher Deborah had one set of reins in her pocket, just in case. A circle around a tree was cleared of leaves - a perfect race track for a horse and "rider!" Soon there was a great demand for additional reins, which were quickly created by the teachers, and there was much joyful galloping around the tree.

ROSEMARY KINDERGARTEN, PHOTO THANKS TO MARY CAIRNS

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This section provided as a free service to the SWS community.

What Are Our Community Members Up To?

Petition By SWS Senior
Grade 12 student Maddy is trying to ban gas powered leaf-blowers as her senior project. Currently, she is working on a petition to take with her when she meets with City Council-member Tom Rasmussen. So far, she has 176 signatures but is hoping for 1,000 signatures. Maddy invites you to click here to read the petition, sign it and forward the link to everyone you think may be in support.

Virtual Tour Of Rudolf Steiner Books Store & Children's Shop

DoloresRose Dauenhauer, one of the founders of SWS, now runs the Rudolf Steiner Books Store & Children's Shop, located on the corner of Lake City Way and NE 98th Street, near the grade school campus. She is pleased to share the newly set-up virtual tour of the store. Click here for the tour.

Rosemary, grade 2, and Eleanor, grade 5, will be performing in the 17th annual holiday production of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, A Story Ballet! This is a perfect holiday outing for all ages! The dates and times are Saturday, December 14 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 15 at 2 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children under 12 years. The performances are held at Shorecrest Performing Arts Center located at 15343 25th Ave. NE in Shoreline. Parking is free! Click here to purchase tickets. Click here to go to Dance Fremont (and click on the image of the poster) to find more information about this production.

Mike Kline, grade 7 class teacher, is exhibiting his paintings on the 2nd floor of the Space Building, at 600 N. 36th St. in Fremont, through the month of December. (This is the building across the street from the big Lenin statue.)

Lectures, Workshops, Concerts, Festivals, Classes Etc.

The Incarnation Of The Logos

Friday, January 3, 7:30 pm, Huckleberry Hall, Seattle Waldorf School

The Seattle Branch of the Anthroposophical Society invites you to this one-man play, performed by Glen Williamson, presenting the story of Jesus' birth, childhood and youth, as you have never heard it before. Harmonizing the conflicting accounts of Matthew and Luke, this saga weaves the threads of many traditions into an intimate and also cosmic drama. Click here to watch a short introduction. Click here for more information. Cost is $15 - $25. Contact: Lawrence Houston, 206-526-1373 or tppoems@comcast.net.

Mystery Dramas: The Wildest Dramas Ever Written!

Tuesday, January 14, 7 - 8:30 pm, Location TBD

The Seattle Branch of the Anthroposophical Society hosts this event with Barbara Renold who directed and produced four plays written about 100 yrs ago by Rudolf Steiner. During this lively evening of talk and experience she will describe scenes and characters which show the intense and complicated soul and spiritual tapestry behind our every day lives. The evening includes an excerpt performed by two members of our community. Cost is $10 - $15. Contact: Pam Engler, 206-526-5984 or pengler@nwlink.com. Click here for more information. Click here to learn more about a Friday/Saturday workshop in Portland, OR on 1/24-25 offered by Barbara.

Mindful Parenting Workshop
Saturday, January 25, 2014, 9 am - 4:30 pm, Talaris Conference Center, 4000 NE 41st St, Seattle
This workshop with Myla & Jon Kabat-Zinn is for parents, grandparents, and parents-to-be, as well as anyone working with or caring for children. Parenting with mindfulness can enhance the well-being of children and parents alike, and bring greater empathy, acceptance and respect for each child's unique being into family life. Mindfulness is a way of being, not a technique. It involves opening to things as they are in the present moment and cultivating openhearted acceptance and clear seeing, letting life itself become our mindfulness teacher. To do so takes strong intention, ongoing cultivation, and creativity. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn is the world-leading scientist, researcher and meditation teacher who brought mindfulness to mainstream society. His internationally best-selling books include Wherever You Go, There You Are, as well as Full Catastrophe Living and Everyday Blessings, co-authored with his wife, Myla. Click here to learn more about this workshop and to register. Click here to see other events sponsored by the Center for Child and Family Well-Being at UW, Seattle.

The Red Quilt Project
January 26, February 9, March 30, April 27, May 18, June 8, 6 - 9 pm, music room, grade school campus
A series of monthly meetings that combine quilting, storytelling and group process. You will be guided in the creation of a keepsake quilt. Honor a rite of passage. Explore the stages of a woman's life cycle and create beauty from the fabric of our lives. Brought to you by Lucianne Hackbert, PhD, grade 5 and 3 parent. Registration and more info: tendingtothesoul/red-quilt-project

Family Dances
Seattle Family Dance is hosting dances at the Phinney Neighborhood Center from 3 - 5 pm on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Click here to see more details. Questions? Contact Clare, SWS parent at clare@seattlerolfer.org.

Classifieds

Wet-On-Wet Painting For Adults
Do you admire the children's paintings in Waldorf Schools? Would you like to experience the joy of moving vibrant colors on wet paper? Join the wet-on-wet watercolor class with Janet Lia after you drop off for school! Art teacher at SWS for 9 years, and Waldorf teacher trainer at Sound Circle Center since 1995, Janet opened AWE Studio (Art With Everyone) in 2007 to teach all ages and skill levels drawing and painting through small group or private lessons. Only 5 minutes away from the SWS! Click here for the new 2014 classes starting on January 15, gift certificates and more. Click here for more about AWE Studio.

Energy Therapy

Experience energy and gemstone support and healing through the busy holiday season and beyond. Gift certificates are also available for the unique presents. Tatiana Avaeva, grade 4 parent, Certified Energy Therapist. Lightness of Being Energetics - Ravenna, 2207 NE 65th St, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98115; 425-749-9032; tavaeva@comcast.net.

Housing Wanted

Seattle Waldorf School will be hosting the Northwest Regional Early Childhood Conference from February 14 through 16, and is looking for housing for out of town participants. If you are able to offer a room, bed or floor space for those two nights, please contact Debora Petschek at dpetschek@seattlewaldorf.org for more information. We are especially interested in options within walking distance or an easy bus ride away from the grade school campus.

Storage Space Wanted

Have extra garage space? Need a little extra $? Friendly, responsible teacher of Anthroposophy coming to Seattle seeks small amount of storage/utility space for his carpentry/handyman tools and (modest) inventory. If you have extra space in your garage or easily accessed basement and want a little extra income please contact David Axelrod at 360-734-3751 or d.axelrod@hotmail.com.

Holiday Harp Music On CD

Every year our school acknowledges the winter season with the Advent Garden, also known as the Spiral of Light. During this celebration, we often have a harpist set the mood of the evening through their music. This year Harper Tasche played for grades 1, 2 and 3. Harper is an internationally known specialist in non-orchestral harps, whose credits include performances and presentations for the World Harp Congress, the International Society of Folk Harpers & Craftsmen, the American Harp Society, and most recently the Music-Thanatology Association International. Harper has released 12 solo recordings and 10 books of harp music, and his work has been featured in feature films as well as television, radio, and on YouTube. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Harper also holds the title "Millennium Harper of Washington State" from the international Harping for Harmony Foundation. For more information or to order copies of Harper's two holiday CD titles, please visit harpcrossing.com.

Looking To Borrow UV Light

Do you have a UV flashlight or fluorescent tube that I could borrow for a few days? I live near the grade school campus. Please contact Gabi.

Looking For Childcare? Offering Childcare?

Click here to see an online page to assist our community in exchanging this kind of information.

If you are interested in Break Care for children age 5 to grade 5, information will be posted in the Grade School News section above.

S O U N D C I R C L E C E N T E R

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Upcoming Events at Sound Circle Center

Soulful Parenting: Guiding The Soul Forces Of The 7-14 Year Old (8 Classes)
Friday evenings, once a month, from 5 pm - 9:30 pm, Bright Water School, 1501 10th Ave E
This class of exploration and inquiry into the development of the 7-14 year-old child offers a deep resource for parenting. Understanding a child's growth supports an awareness of the thinking and feeling that creates parenting responses and actions. For dates, a detailed description or to register for this workshop please click here to visit our website.

For more information and additional workshops visit soundcircle.org.

GREY, GRADE 8

Mission

We educate our students to be free human beings who impart purpose and meaning to their lives,

who meet life with courage, and respond with initiative and creativity to the needs of the world and their fellow human beings.

The Connection is generally published twice a month while school is in session. For publication dates, click here and type the word Connection in the search window.
Please email all submissions directly to: newsletter@seattlewaldorf.org.
All articles or ads for the next issue are due by noon on Tuesday during the week of publication.
Submissions Guidelines � 2010 Seattle Waldorf School.

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