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 Remember - early dismissal on Wednesday, November 26, the day before Thanksgiving:
* High school & grade school: classes end at 12:30 pm
* Kindergarten and preschool: classes end at the regular time
* NO After-School Care for grade school, Briar Rose and Kinderhaus
We wish you a happy Thanksgiving holiday!
GRADY, BRIAR ROSE
Next issue: December 12
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A L L S C H O O L N E W S
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Kind Kids Or A Clean House?
Twenty-seven years ago I was sitting in the waiting room of my obstetrician's office, perusing the standard selection magazines on the table beside me. I came across a cartoon depicting a somber group gathered around a gravesite, saying their goodbyes to the departed. One woman was turned to another whispering and the caption read, "She sure kept a clean house." My initial reaction was to chuckle (I have been known to make the bed before a child is completely out of it) but then I paused to think more about this. As I stood (sat, actually) on the cusp of parenthood, what did I want to be remembered for? What would - what do - I want my families and friends to say about me at the end of my life? Perhaps it was hormones, but with great clarity I thought, "I want to be a good mom and raise nice kids."
The aspiration to bring kind and compassionate children into the world is not unique to me, and I am guessing is widely held in our community and in the larger world. Yet according to a recent study from Harvard University, "the message parents mean to send children about the value of empathy is being drowned out by the message we actually send: that we value achievement and happiness above all else." The Making Caring Common project surveyed 10,000 middle school and high school students about what was more important to them, "achieving at a high level, happiness, or caring for others." Only 20% identified caring for others as their top priority. (The Executive Summary of the report is available here.)
The authors of the study identify the disconnect between what we (parents and educators) say and what we do - we may claim to value compassion and empathy as goals of education, but our children get a very different message. It was startling to read that while 96% of parents say they want to raise ethical, caring children, and cite the development of moral character as "very important, if not essential," 80% of students reported that their parents are "more concerned about achievement or happiness than caring for others." Equally alarming, the same number reported that their teachers prioritize student achievement over caring.
The real irony here is that children who are kind and have empathy for others are happier and more successful. According to child psychologist and author Michele Borba, "Studies show that kids' ability to feel for others affects their health, wealth and authentic happiness as well as their emotional, social, cognitive development and performance. Empathy activates conscience and moral reasoning, improves happiness, curbs bullying and aggression, enhances kindness and peer inclusiveness, reduces prejudice and racism, promotes heroism and moral courage and boosts relationship satisfaction. Empathy is a key ingredient of resilience, the foundation to trust, the benchmark of humanity and core to everything that makes a society civilized."
Wow. Reading that, I have to reflect honestly on my own parenting, and whether I am walking my talk with my children. Does our conversation at the dinner table involve sharing ways in which we demonstrated compassion during the course of the day, or do we talk about the results of an exam or progress on an assignment at school? Is our free time as a family spent engaged in helping others, or pursuing our own happiness? Do I model empathy and caring for my children in my actions as well as my words? And how do I define "success," and thus help them develop their own understanding of this societal mantra?
These are big issues for parents and for schools. Simply talking about compassion is not enough. Our children are smart - they see the incongruity between well-intentioned words and actual behaviors. Our task is to really take up the work of teaching our children to care about other people and to express this caring through actions. Make the time to engage in conversations and activities that expand our circles of concern and kindness - and let the house get messy.
Warmly,
Tracy
P.S. Speaking of kindness toward others - please see the article about our seniors' Civic Activism projects in the High School News section.
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You Can Fill Our Boots!
Our boots are half full! And we're very optimistic that we will fill them up soon with your help.
We have reached beyond the half-way point of our goal of $135,000 for the annual fund. 72% of our faculty and staff and 26% of our families have made their pledges and gifts. We want to reach 100% by December 31 and put the Annual Fund to bed for a long winter's nap.
Can we count you in today?
Your participation today will fill our boots quickly! Thank you for all you do; we are most grateful.
There are many easy ways to make a gift. Online, by mail using this form or stop by the office and fill out a form. Pledges can be made today and paid by June 1.
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Before You Shop 'Til You Drop This Holiday Season...
We've added yet another company that will donate to SWS when you shop. While doing your holiday shopping (gifts and food) be sure to check out these SWS supporters first!
NEW!! Fred Meyer - Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to SWS here. You can search for us by our name or by our non-profit number: 91226. You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today. If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store. PCC Natural Markets - Simply purchase a PCC Scrip Card from the school office for $10. The $10 are applied to your first purchase and then you simply reload the card at the checkstand. Find a convenient PCC location here.
Safeway - Go to escrip.com/safeway and follow the instructions to sign up to support SWS. Then shop, pay by cash or debit and support our students!
AmazonSmile - When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Waldorf School Association Of Seattle - aka SWS. Visit AmazonSmile here, select Waldorf School Association Of Seattle as your charity when you register, and support us every time you shop.
Please contact Muffie Signalness at development@seattlewaldorf.org or 206-258-4003 with any questions.
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Shepherds' Play - December 18, 5 pm & 7:30 pm 
Save Thursday, December 18 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.
Find the flyer here.
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Financial Aid Information Night - Save the Date!
Wednesday, December 10, 7 pm, Huckleberry Hall, grade school campus
Do you have a student who will move from Kindergarten to 1st grade or from 8th to 9th grade next year but are thinking the tuition costs may be prohibitive? Are you considering bringing a sibling to SWS but aren't sure what the additional tuition will mean for your family long term? Have your family's financial circumstances changed this past year?
If any of the above ring true, please join us on Wednesday, December 10 at 7pm in Huckleberry Hall to learn more about the school's financial assistance program and application process. Tracy Bennett, Head of School, and Marlinda Siegfried, Financial Aid Manager, will present an overview of the philosophy guiding our financial aid allocation, the steps and materials needed to complete the application, and key deadlines for 2015. We encourage all families who may need assistance with tuition next year to explore this option for your family.
Upcoming Open House - Wednesday, November 19
Many of you remember learning about Seattle Waldorf School from a friend whose children already attended. Perhaps they invited you to a festival or an open house so that you could learn more about our wonderful school. Now you have the opportunity to show off our beautifully remodeled and expanded classroom building to your friends and family by inviting them to our Early Childhood & Grade School Open House on November 19 at 6:30 pm. Download a flyer here to email to your friends or post in your neighborhood.
Sibling Applications Due December 2, 2014
Families with siblings who plan to enter SWS next fall are invited to complete an online application here. To receive priority consideration, sibling applications must be submitted by the sibling application deadline of Tuesday, December 2. |
High School Visit Day
What a treat it was to welcome 64 eighth graders from Bright Water, Three Cedars, Madrona, Whidbey Island, and Seattle Waldorf to our high school last week! We started the day together in Morning Circle; 160 individuals reciting Morning Verse in unison is a beautiful sound. After the high schoolers headed off to Morning Lesson, our visitors experienced Science and World Drumming mini-lessons and guided bus tours of Magnuson Park. (Ms. Bennett was so good at her tour guide duties, she briefly considered buying us a Duck Boat.) After a hearty morning snack with the entire student body, Mr. Busse led all of the eighth graders in large group games at Arena Sports. All of the regional Waldorf students brought such enthusiasm, energy, and joy to the high school campus, and we are thrilled to build our Class of 2019 from this remarkable group of students!  MORE PHOTOS ON SMUGMUG HERE.
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P A R E N T A S S O C I A T I O N
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Parent Association Meeting - All Are Invited!
Monday, November 17, 6:30 pm, grade school music room
Our agenda includes Winter Faire, a Parent Association page on the SWS website, setting up a clothing and raingear exchange and looking ahead to our three meetings of 2015. Come to find out what is going on, stay to share your ideas.
Winter Faire - Saturday, December 6, 9:30 am - 2 pm
All are invited to this joyful festive community event at our grade school campus. Revel in the company of friends, live music, yummy food and the happy experience of creating a gift by hand.  Give An Hour (Or Two) Of Your TimeMake plans to sign up with a friend to help staff Winter Faire! Look for an email with the link to the signup wiki early next week to sign up for the job and time that works best for you. Volunteers like you create the magic that is Winter Faire for our children. Musicians Wanted
Consider signing up for a 15-minute performance at Winter Faire. Student, parent and faculty/staff musicians welcome! Questions? Contact Joanne Montague.Do You Like To Knit, Paint, Bake, Create? Like last year, we will offer you the opportunity to participate in the Community Crafts table. The goal for the Community Crafts table is to offer a way for parents to contribute to the school in a joyful way and to fulfill their desire to create beautiful things. You, too, are invited to share your creations to be sold by our volunteers at Winter Faire! All proceeds go to the Parent Association and will be earmarked to support improvements to outdoor learning, play, and community areas. This is a great opportunity for all the wonderful craft work created by our community to be acknowledged! Contact Margaret Leonard to participate and with any questions.
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H I G H S C H O O L N E W S
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Grade 12 - College Applications
The class of 2015 is immersed in the college application process. Ten students will have applications submitted before Thanksgiving, four of those through Early Decision programs. After I met with the class yesterday afternoon, three more students hustled into my office to talk about their plans. The weeks between the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks will be busy ones for our seniors, infused with extra doses of excitement and anticipation. In this busy time, I'm reminded of the extraordinary opportunity we have to help these young people meet the world with grace and purpose. Karin Swanson, College Counselor
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Grade 12 - Clothing Drive & More Civic Activism
Grade 12 students are currently taking a Civic Activism class led by Dr. Susan Saunders. For this class, each student has chosen an issue that they are passionate about with the goal of making a difference in the community. The projects so far include a toy drive, a book drive, a food drive, a blood drive and clothing drive. We look forward to updating you on the various efforts on our website here - check back often for news on how you can participate. Today we would like to share this call to action with you. Dear Students, Faculty, and Families of the Seattle Waldorf community:
Donating is one of the easiest forms of giving. We all have unused clothes sitting in the back of our closets that could benefit someone in need. In Seattle on any given night, there are over 3,000 people living without shelter. As little as a two degree drop in body temperature can result in reduced heart rate, loss of coordination, confusion, and many other health issues. This lowers the ability for adults to work effectively and for children to succeed in school. Body temperature can be easily improved by wearing adequate clothing.
Julian and I will be holding a clothing drive from November 14 to November 21. The clothes will be donated to St. Francis House, an organization dedicated to serving both the homeless and people in need. All types of clothing, both used and new, are welcomed and all donations are appreciated. Waterproof clothing is especially needed as winter arrives. There will be donation bins placed in both the high school and the grade school buildings. Thank you all very much for supporting our cause.
Robert, grade 12 - What can I donate? Coats, boots, shoes, pants, hats, gloves, shirts, socks, underwear, backpacks, sleeping bags, blankets, and any other warm item
- Where can I donate? In the Commons of the high school (map) and the grade school lobby (map)
- When can I donate? 8 am - 4 pm
PHOTO BY MARY CAIRNS
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G R A D E S C H O O L N E W S
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To Park Or Not To Park At Pickup Time
It's time for pick up and you are trying to figure out what will get you in and out most quickly... You - and perhaps 100 other drivers - weigh your options and think, 'maybe I will get lucky today!' On many days the result is a very long line of cars waiting on 100th Street. We would like to remind you of the advantages of parking in the church parking lot: no annoying wait in line, an opportunity to clear your thoughts as you walk down the hill, an opportunity for your child to tell you about the adventures of the day as you walk up the hill, the certainty of knowing how much time to plan for. Thank you for helping us ease traffic in our parking lot and on 100th Street by parking in the large lot of the Maple Leaf Lutheran Church!
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Grade School Parking For Grandparents On Wednesday, November 26
Due to the high volume of extra cars expected for the morning of Grandparents Day, we would like to reserve the school lot for grandparents. You may of course drop off your students and/or grandparents by driving through the circle; however, we ask that all others please park at the church and reserve the school lot for our guests that morning. Thank you so much for taking the walk through the woods from the large church parking lot, and thanks so much for your understanding!
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You Can Help Make Our Grandparent's Day Very Special - Bakers And Volunteers Still Needed
Help is still needed with baking breads and muffins for Wednesday, November 26, Grandparents Day. Please let us know ASAP if you are able to provide a loaf of your yummy holiday bread, or one or two dozen muffins. All foods will need to be delivered to the school by 5 pm on Tuesday.  Help is also needed Wednesday morning at 6 am (I know, right!!) to set up tables and chairs in Huckleberry Hall, and then for clean-up on Wednesday at 11:45 pm. Although not the most fun, the folks helping with these jobs are our heroes! If you can help in any way, please let us know as soon as possible at development@seattlewaldorf.org. Thank you! Muffie Signalness
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 Spanish Update
We had a lovely Dia de los Muertos celebration in Spanish classes this year, with discussions, songs, and crafts in every grade. It was wonderful to hear from the children who participated in events outside of school as well, and to see the excitement and enthusiasm it added to their participation in Spanish class - thank you very much for taking the time to attend these events. I would like to share information about another opportunity to experience a taste of Mexico, appropriate for students from kindergarten through grade 5. Less than a mile from the grade school at the Northwest Puppet Center, the following show is being performed through November 23. I highly encourage you to check it out! Maestra Lemberg The Green Bird: A Mexican TaleOregon Shadow Theatre brings a magical Mexican folktale to the stage with brilliantly colored shadow puppets and exuberant live music. Join Luisa on a quest to save her friend who has been transformed into a green bird by a magician. On her journey, Luisa encounters the revolutionary hero, Pancho Villa, an Aztec eagle and dancing skeletons at the festivities of the Day of the Dead. Will Luisa save her friend? Find out in this fantastic shadow show! Tickets are available here.
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Grade 3 - Class Play
Grade 3 students are preparing to share the story of Moses in song, dance and verse during the week of Thanksgiving.
 PHOTO BY MARY CAIRNS
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E A R L Y C H I L D H O O D N E W S
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Lavender - Woodland Wonders The Lavenders are enjoying these last crisp sunny days of autumn in Woodland Park. Often we are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a young shy coyote, who gazes at us intently to see if we are friend or foe, before dashing up the hill and off and away. Mary Lentz, Lavender teacher
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C O M M U N I T Y A N N O U N C E M E N T S
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This section provided as a free service to the SWS community.
What Are Our Community Members Up To? Congratulations to grade 8 violinist Dalma for being selected among nearly 1600 applicants to participate in the Washington Music Educators Association Junior All-State Orchestra on February 14, 2015 in Spokane, WA. These exceptional student musicians will rehearse together under the direction of outstanding music educators and present a final concert that afternoon. Many professional musicians and thousands of others whose career paths took them in other directions have great memories of participating in this inspiring musical event, and claim that it was a life changing experience for them. Well-known Washingtonians who have participated in past years' WMEA All-State groups include The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist David Horsey, 2008 National Teacher of the Year Andrea Peterson, and jazz saxophonist Kenny G.
Celia Lowe and her daughter Camilla are currently spending six months in Munich, Germany. Celia has a fellowship at the Rachel Carson Center of Munich University to work on a book on how Indonesia responded to the Avian Influenza outbreak in the mid-2000s. Camilla is learning German and has joined the second grade at the Rudolf Steiner Schule Schwabing where they have welcomed her with open arms. They are both looking forward to returning to Seattle at the new year. Molly Knight Forde, our middle school choir teacher (and SWS alumni parent), is also a classical pianist. You can hear her perform at her CD release concert on Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 pm at the Greenlake SDA Church. Tickets are $20.00 at the door, CD included. The CD entitled "French" features famous french composers of the 18th and 20th century and compares the influence each had on the other. Find more information about the concert here.
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Lectures, Workshops, Concerts, Festivals, Classes Etc.
Cascade Bicycle Club Opening Celebration
Saturday, November 15, 10 am - noon, Building 11, Magnuson ParkCongratulations to our high school's neighbor in Building 11, Cascade Bicycle Club, as they celebrate their new space in Magnuson Park (just north of our high school in Building 11) and the creation of the Cascade Bicycling Center. All are invited to join in the celebration. There will be someone making balloon bicycles, bike repair available, coffee and breakfast for all, and great speakers, including Mayor Murray. View the invitation here.
Heavy Baby Workshops
Saturday, November 22 and/or Saturday, December 6, 9 am - 5 pm, Fremont Community School, Seattle
Create a therapeutic and cute 2 pound or 4.5 pound Waldorf-style heavy baby for a child you love! Heavy babies can be created in a variety of sizes, styles and colors dependent upon the age and preferences of the recipient, and they are all sure to be well loved! Workshop led by doll maker, puppeteer and Waldorf teacher Aimee de Ney. Please contact Aimee at heavybabies@gmail.com or 360-485-3677 for more info.
Adult Art Classes Starting November, Wedgwood Experience the method of art that your children use to create beautiful paintings as a participant in classes for adults at AWE Studio (only 5 minutes from the SWS grade school campus) taught by Janet Lia, Waldorf art teacher with over 25 years experience, SWS alumni parent and current SWS high school faculty member. Find more information here or send an email to Janet to register.
Ooh La La Body Care Gift Class
Saturday December 6, 1 - 5 pm, Carnation
The Farm Wife Mystery School presents this Homemade for the Holiday gift class where you will make seven sumptuous body care gifts or stocking stuffers for loved ones. Lip balms make the perfect hostess, teacher, student, and co-worker gifts that are sure to be appreciated. You will make whipped body butter, herbal bath bags, sugar and spice rubs, soothing salves, felted soap and both uplifting and calming bath salts. You will receive directions and recipes as well as hands-on experience and leave class with the skills and knowledge to recreate these items at home using your own customized scents and flavors. Contact Patti Pitcher, SWS alumni parent, at pattipitch@gmail.com or 425-831-5360 for more information or to sign up. Cost: $150 for class and all supplies. With Love From The Kitchen Sunday, December 7, 1 - 5 pm, Carnation
The Farm Wife Mystery School is offering this Homemade for the Holiday gift class where you'll learn candy making and other culinary delights sure to please Uncle Joe and that niece you have no idea what to give. Learn to make boiled cider caramels, proper English toffee, the finest chocolate truffles, the lightest caramel corn, tart candied citrus peels, zingy mustard, fragrant meat rubs, and gourmet mushroom salt. You will receive directions, recipes and the skills and knowledge to recreate these items at home. This class is a combination of learning demonstrations and hands-on activities. You will go home with four completed presents ready to wrap for your loved ones. Contact Patti Pitcher, SWS alumni parent, at 425-831-5360 or pattipitch@gmail.com for more information or to sign up for the class. Cost $150 for class and all supplies. Finnish Folk Fiddling Legends In Concert
Saturday, December 13, 7:30 pm, Phinney Neighborhood Center (lower brick building)
Celebrate Santa Lucia Day by enjoying some amazing Scandinavian music by Arto and Antti Järvelä in this Seattle Folklore Society (SFS) concert, as they share with us Finnish ceremonies and dance with their fiery fiddle, guitar and vocal harmonies. Cousins Arto and Antti are musicians hailing from the famous Järvelä clan of Kaustinen - Finland's first family of folk music. With centuries of family tradition behind them, Arto and Antti are touring the US playing music from their first album together, Os Fera Liluli.Advance tickets through Brown Paper Tickets or at the membership table during prior SFS concerts. Tickets at the door if available will be $20/adults, $9/youth. For discounts and availability on the day of show, check here. Concert produced by SWS alumni parent, Cindy Scheyer.Dusty Strings Finnish Fiddle Workshop
Sunday, December 14, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, FremontFinnish folk fiddling legends, cousins Arto and Antti Järvelä, will teach the magic of Finnish folk music from the 18th century up until present day. Register through Dusty Strings here. Three Paragraph Newsletter
Enjoy links to newsletters from the Denver Center For Anthroposophic Therapies, covering a wide range of topics from "Inflammation as Transformation" to "Falling Asleep is Hard to Do-Some Useful Tips" and much more. Find the archive and/or subscribe here.
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Classifieds
Wanted: Costume Donations For Our After School Care
We are creating a costume treasure chest for our after school program, as we have quite the crew of playwrights, costume creators, actors, etc., who have been having tons of fun dressing up indoors on our rainy days. Any items you might have to contribute to our collection of treasures would be most appreciated. We are looking for any complete costumes that your children have outgrown, as well as pieces that can be used to build a costume: play silks, fabric, ribbon, masks, crowns, etc. Please bring items in a bag marked for Ms. Love to the grade school front office.
Violin For Sale
Three-quarter size violin, great condition. $125 or best offer. Email Nora at nelih@q.com. Electric Piano or 88-key keyboard needed for 11-year-old to practice at home. Willing to pay up to $100 for the item. Please contact Julie at 907-947-2229 or jdriscall@seattlewaldorf.org. Housing/House Sharing Wanted Looking for a two bedroom home for teacher and two daughters. Alternatively, looking for single housemate for sharing large multi-bedroom home near grade school with teacher and her two daughters. Move-in date is mid-December for either option. Please contact Julie at 907-947-2229.
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Looking For Childcare? Offering Childcare?
Browse an online page set up 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.
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S O U N D C I R C L E C E N T E R
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Sound Circle Center
Sound Circle Center is an independent, not-for-profit adult learning community, offering inspiring Waldorf teacher education programs, summer courses, and year-round workshops in professional development, leadership, parenting and Waldorf Education. The teachings of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf Education, are at the heart of our mission, and we are dedicated to the support of Waldorf Education in the Pacific Northwest and all of North America. Learn more here.
Family Foundations: A Course To Nurture Parents Of Young Children, Birth to 7
One Saturday each month, 8:15 am - 3:30 pm, through May, Seattle Waldorf School grade school campus
In this heartfelt class designed to educate and renew the parents of young children, you can experience a nourishing and informative respite from the daily challenges of parenting. This course provides a supportive conversation and experiential workshops to develop parenting skills and a deep understanding of the lively dynamics of the first seven years in a parent and child's life together. Waldorf parents will greatly appreciate the support and sharing, but the class is open to all. Pre-registration required. Please visit our website for more information.
Soulful Parenting: A Course To Nurture Parents of 7-14 Year Olds
One Saturday each month, 8:15 am - 3:30 pm, through May, Seattle Waldorf School grade school campus
Find the tools and support you need for these parenting years. 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 development supports an awareness of the thinking and feeling that creates parenting responses and actions. Through this carefully built process, parents can meet their child's world of soul and feeling while shepherding them through these unfolding phases. Pre-registration required. Read more here.
Scribing the Sacred Year: Contemplation, Consecration And Celebration
Saturdays, 12/6/14*, 1/31/15, 2/21/15*, 3/28/15, 4/18/15*, 5/23/15, Seattle Waldorf grade school campus
Community Festival: 8:15 am - 9:10 am, followed by class: 9:15 am - 11 am
*Class only: 9:15 am - 11 am
This course with Mary Oak will reflect on the soul-mood of the season and help develop a deeper sense of one's festival life. This course deepens and develops the content in the "Alchemy of the Year and the Festival Life" from SCC's Foundation Year. It is open to graduates of SCC's Foundation Year (from all years!) and others who have a comparable understanding of the festival year. Participants will create their own Book of Blessings over the course of the year. Pre-Registration required here.
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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.
  
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