logo



2350 Canyon Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Playgroup - Grade 8:  (949) 574-7775
High School:  (949) 574-7754
Company of Angels:  (949) 574-7735
The Scrip Store:  (949) 574-7739

Newsletter for our families and friends
September 18, 2014
3rd Grade Field Trip & Fun Earlier This Week, Amy's Farm, Ontario
Back-to-School Night Michaelmas Celebration
For the Whole Family
 
The ancient festival of Michaelmas is traditionally 
celebrated on September 29
BUT for the families of WSOC 
a special evening of family fun and challenge  
Friday, September 26, 5:00 PM

Do Not Be Late! The grades classrooms will be open with a particular Michaelmas challenge in each. You'll need all the time to complete them, so do be prompt!  You will be on a Scavenger Hunt taking you from the upper grades to the lower grades and even a peek into the kindergarten and Pre-K yards. During this time there will be two food trucks, along with drinks sold by our high school students.

Musical entertainment abounds with:
  • A special performance by our own high school rock band, "2 Too Spooky"
  • Throughout the evening, The Tim Brennan Jazz Quartet featuring Josh Cobian on Bass, Will Jackson on Saxaphone, Kyle Shaffer on Piano, and last but not least, Tim Brennan on Drums.
At 6:15 we will gather around the stage. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, food, and enjoy the evening. You will not want to miss the special announcement from our Board of Trustees Chair, David Burnett, so when the teachers ring the bell signaling the Scavenger Hunt is over, you'll want to jog over to that stage!   And to conclude, faculty will lead us in a Michaelmas song.

Insight on Michaelmas
The Archangel Michael, for whom this festival is named, is the guardian of humanity. He inspires in each one of us initiative, steadfastness, and courage. As we celebrate this harvest time of year, we see clearly that we reap what we have sown, thereby nourishing and enriching ourselves, our families, and our communities. 

In case you want to know whether you should bring a picnic, here is the food truck selection:
  • Eat 'Em Up Truck: Serving natural, organic, American classics and chef-inspired street food, including their famous mango salsa. Their menu can be found at RoamingHunger.com. (They were at last year's 25th Birthday Celebration.)
  • New this Year is Taco Surf, thanks to a wonderful Waldorf family, Lisa and Todd Maris. Menu includes Tacos, Burritos and Quesadillas with chicken, pork, or Baja fish. And don't forget beans and rice! Website TacoSurf.com
  • The drink selection is water, iced coffee, and fruit drinks (being offered by our high school students as a class trip fundraiser). 
From the College of Teachers
Despite temperatures in the upper 90's, the children continue to play and thrive now that the
rhythms and routines of school have reinstated themselves. Of course while teachers have 
done their best to mitigate the effects of the heat with beach day walks and water play on 
campus, in the afternoons it is challenging to remain indoors on the lower school campus. The 
dragon's breath is indeed fiery! 

The season of Michaelmas is upon us and we are being reminded to gather our courage and take up deeds which will be of benefit to all. The task of those teachers who join the College can be considered a Michaelic deed, for it is one that takes them out of their individual class focus and asks them to become aware of and carry the needs of the whole school. In a gesture of this mood, we have the pleasure of welcoming two new members to the College of Teachers: 

Brooke Trudeau - Grade 4 Class Teacher 
and 
Eden Boric - High School Earth Science Teacher and Athletic Director
Community Survey Results
The response to our 2014 Community Survey (which took place the end of last school year) was very positive. A significant number of families participated in the survey and their responses demonstrated high satisfaction with the school.  Respondents showed a strong commitment to Waldorf education and its importance in their enrollment at WSOC. The vast majority of the responses were very supportive across all categories. Although the responses to questions pertaining to the school's finances predominantly fell in the range of positive to neutral, there were some responses indicating concerns on this topic.  

In response to those concerns, 
in the interest of increasing communications, 
and in the Board's striving to hear our community members' voices ~~~
We will hold a 
Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 PM
Eurythmy Hall

 The Board of Trustees will discuss its process for setting a school budget, prioritizing expenses, implementing Tuition Adjustment, planning for the future, and will also preview budget issues for 2015-2016.  All parents are welcome to attend.

Complete results of the survey are available here.
An analysis of strengths and weaknesses highlighted by the survey responses are available here. 
Introducing "KnitaPurlooza"
Knitting and Crocheting

"Cast-On" Event at Back-to-School Night, September 26
Join the community of parents and students as we knit 1,000 squares for charity as part of our first annual KnitaPurlooza.  This year the squares will be donated to a very worthy organization called Knit-A-Square who turns our squares into knitted blankets for orphans in Africa.

Recently knitting has become very popular among young adults and celebrities, but it has been a part of Waldorf curriculum for over 90 years.  KnitaPurlooza is a community event that will allow WSOC parents, students in grades 1 - 12, and teachers to use a skill cultivated in our curriculum to give back to the world.  Every family is invited to "cast on" at our Back-to-School Night event, and work into the winter until we have knit 1,000 squares (or more).  

Don't know how to knit?  No worries, a crew will teach you on Sept. 26 and classes will be offered throughout the duration of the event, which runs through January 23.  With huge thanks to our friends at Michaels, we even have knitting supplies for you.

There will be much more on this unique event to come.  If you're a knitter, bring your needles on September 26.  If you're not a knitter, just bring your aptitude to learn a new skill and a smile!  

Thank you to our friends at 
High School Bonding Trip

On the first day of school, 58 students and the high school faculty headed down to San Mateo campground.  They spent the afternoon enjoying lunch and hiking down to the beach.  The evening was filled with group activities, discussions, and camaraderie.  Many of the trip activities were led by the seniors. It was a great time for the students to discuss challenges and expectations for the upcoming year.  Each class was able to pass down some words of wisdom to the class below.  The new students were welcomed and given a feel of the culture of their new school.  The next day was spent at San Onofre State Beach, enjoying the surf and sand.  The trip was a great way for the students and faculty to harmoniously get together, returning with a much stronger sense of community in their hearts as they head into this new school year.


 

P.S.  One student sadly missed the trip due to illness, and we welcomed one more student this week.  So the total high school student body has reached 60!  It's feeling full and energetic on the quad!



Parent Association Corner
Sunflower
Welcome back parents! We look forward to another fun year of community building and support for WSOC. We remind you that as parents you are automatically a part of the Parent Association. Your volunteerism is key to the success of our school and we appreciate all that you do!!!

The mission of the Parent Association (PA) is to support and sustain the enrichment of the Waldorf experience for families through a paradigm of education (Head), volunteerism (Heart), and fundraising & outreach (Hands).

The PA is led by the Executive Leadership Council - a handful of parents
who meet each month to develop and support volunteerism of parent-led
service action groups, fundraising committees, and room representatives.

During the 2014/2015 school year the Executive Leadership Council will focus on three main goals:
1) Fostering volunteerism and leadership among the parent body
2) Improving our visibility, connectivity, and engagement with the
entire WSOC community
3) Increasing capacity to lead and sustain parent-led events and activities

At registration you were asked to identify at least two areas of volunteer interest. If you have not been contacted by your service action group/committee leader yet, or you would like to help in a particular area but are not sure who to contact, please email us at parentassociation@waldorfschool.com and we will connect you!  We need all hands on deck to make it a successful year so please don't be shy.

We thank you in advance for your support this year and look forward to working with each of you!

Rachel Hulan, Room Rep Coordinator and Volunteer Leadership Co-Chair
Victoria Imsirovic, Parent Education Chair
Kristen Krofina, Volunteer Leadership Co-Chair
Jamie Stahl, Representative to the Board of Trustees
Brooke Tomblin, Outreach Chair
Two Simple Ways to Help 7th Grade


Recycling Program
Recycling with the Class of 2020 is now underway.  Help us re-earth... re-planet... re-purpose AND raise funds for the 8th grade trip next year.  

How can you help? 
1)  Look for the BLUE recycling bins located on campus in one of four areas: behind the front office; in the lower grades courtyard; in the upper grades courtyard; or in the high school quad.  Deposits of plastic bottles or aluminum cans of any size are welcome. No need to rinse them out or compress the recycling.  Sorry, no glass. 

2)  Every Friday at morning drop-off, hand your recycling to the 7th grade crew near the flagpole.  

For large donations, please contact: Class of 2020 parent volunteer, Susan Janechek (ask Erica at the front desk for her contact info).
Garage Sale Merchandise Wanted
The Class of 2020 is giving us an excellent reason to get a jump on our Spring Cleaning. They are hosting a garage sale in the parking lot of Newport Medical & Wellness (thank you WSOC Family, the LaLonde's).  

The Sale is Saturday, Oct 4
8:00 am - noon
Newport Medical & Wellness Parking Lot
2216 Newport Blvd
Costa Mesa, Ca 92627

They have been gathering merchandise for months and invite you to participate in their fundraiser by donating unwanted items from your home.

Bring your things October 3 at drop-off.  They'll have a big U-Haul on campus.

Feel free to shop their garage sale too, or tell your friends! 
Upcoming Events and
Class Parent Meetings
Thursday, September 18

Grade 1 Parent Evening

7 pm


 Monday, September 22 

HS Take-Out Dinner Fundraiser

Dinners distributed 3:00 - 4:00 pm in parking lot.  

Pre-order required.


 

Monday, September 22 - 24

Grade 7 & 8 Overnight Field Trip

Ropes Course

Return at 3 pm Sept. 24


 

Tuesday, September 23

Grade 6 Parent Evening

7 pm


 

Tuesday, September 23

Grade 5 Parent Evening

7 pm

 

Wednesday, September 24

Grade 4 Field Trip

 

Wednesday, September 24

Grade 9 Parent Evening

Linden Room

7:30 pm (optional study group at 7:00 pm)

 

Friday, September 26

Back-To-School-Night

 "The Back Stage" (on the grass behind the Middle School Classrooms)

5 pm

 

Sunday, September 28 - October 3

CETYS Students Visiting High School

 

Monday, September 29

Michaelmas Celebration

For students during regular school day

More information to come

 

Tuesday, September 30

Grade 10 & CETYS Students Field Trip

The Bodies & Titanic

 

Wednesday, October 1

Walk Through the Grades

9:00 am

Reservations required

 

Friday, October 3

Grade 3 Field Trip

 

Tuesday, October 7

Red Cross Blood Drive

Meadows Hall

 

Monday, October 13

School Closed for Columbus Day

 

Wednesday, October 15

Early Childhood Information Evening

7:00 pm

 

Wednesday, October 15

PSAT Testing

11th Grade

 

Wednesday, October 15

High School Talent Show Audtions

4:00 pm

 

Friday & Saturday, October 17-18

Grade 4 Field Trip

 

Saturday, October 18

Morning in the Kindergarten

10:00 am

Reservations required

College of Teachers
Catherine Averett
Chris Bennett.
Christiane Bohr
Eden Boric
Jenell Carlson
Barbara Cubanski
Kurt Faerber
Brad Holm
Andrea Hubert (Co-Chair)
Masami Inoue
Lisa Masterson (Co-Chair)
Angie Meier
Kimberley Telfer-Radzat
Robin Thiess
Brooke Trudeau
Deborah Waring
Board of Trustees
Russ Bermejo
David Burnett (Chair)
Chris DeRosa
Joe DeMichele
Lisa Masterson
Colin Severn
Jaime Stahl
Carol Sudbeck
David Tabone
Robin Theiss
Abril Turner
Wende Zomnir

Administrative Rotation:
Nancy Mitchell
Denise Ogawa
Kim Sava
Linda Timmons

Parent Association Leadership Chairs
Rachel Hulan
Volunteer Leadership Co-Chair

Kristen Krofina
Volunteer Leadership Co-Chair

Victoria Imsirovic
Parent Education Chair

Jamie Stahl
BOT Representative

Brooke Tomblin
Outreach Chair
May We Borrow Your River Rocks?
Needed: MANY round river rocks - 1 lb and smaller for our Michaelmas celebration with Grades 1 - 12 on Monday, September 29. Please drop off by the large double gates (outside the trash area) in the parking lot. We can return them but won't be able to tell which belong to whom!  So if you are kind enough to loan us a rock you cannot do without, please label it.

Thank you,
The Michaelmas Committee

P.S.  The Michaelmas curriculum day is not to be confused with the Back-to-School Night Michaelmas event taking place Friday, September 26.  Information regarding the Michaelmas curriculum day for Grades 1 - 12 will be sent via email on Sept. 27.  The day is for the students, there is not much to prepare for other than water, sun hats, and sunblock.
Big Aftercare Reservations Due & Academic Chess
Reservations for October are Due Friday, Sept. 26
  • Big Aftercare Reservation forms for October are available in the front office, in Big Aftercare, or here. 
  • Please mark the day and time your student will attend aftercare and note any after school activities such as piano, art, or study hall. 
  • Please be aware that a drop in rate of $8.50 will apply for dates/times not reserved.

Academic Chess
  • Also in Big Aftercare for grades 1-3, Academic Chess begins Friday October 3, 2:30-3:30.  The program runs every Friday for 8 weeks.
  • The cost is $10 per class for a total of $80 per session. A one hour aftercare fee will be applied to your aftercare bill. 
  • A lunch time demo is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23.
  • More information about chess here.
Who Says There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch?
hot lunch
If you've never tried Choice Lunch before, you can throw that saying right out the window.  They are offering the opportunity to try the service for free with no obligation. If you enjoy it, become a regular customer and support the 8th grade in taking their big trip this spring.

See the flyer attached.  Visit choicelunch.com using code waldorfoc.

Reminder:  The Emergency Lunch service available through Choice Lunch only works if you are in their system with a credit card on file.  Even if you don't plan on ordering continually or at all, you may activate the "emergency lunch" option for the one day that everything goes wrong in the morning and your child's lunch gets left on the top of your car.  Hopefully never, but just in case.
Essential Oils Seminar at COA
Now selling DOTERRA

We are endeavoring to offer as many of these Therapeutic-grade essential oils as possible.

If we don't stock the item you need, it is available through special order.  You may also sign up to receive
email blasts from Doterra with interesting tips and suggestions for family and home use. 

We have tried in the past to sell essential oils...this time we believe we have hit the mark. If you have never tried Doterra before - please join us in the store for an educational seminar:

Wednesday, October 15

from 11:00-1:00

(A parent only event please)

P.S.  We are stocking a small supply of shampoos and essential oils (we hope you never need) for treatment of lice.
After School Art Classes with Miss Joy
  • Classes start next week, September 22
  • Classes are offered for Kindergarten - 8th Grade (different classes for different age groups, check schedule in office)
  • A few spaces remain in the September-October block
  • Ask Ms Joy about a waiting list to rotate children into full classes. Erica in the front office can provide you with Miss Joy's email address.
Hola CEYTS
On Sunday, September 28, 15 high school students from CEYTS Preparatoria in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico will be visiting and staying in the homes of our 10th graders for five days. The whole school will have a chance to meet them at Michaelmas this year! This is the first part of the 10th grade exchange program -- our WSOC students will be attending CETYS for a week in Mexicali in March!
Simplify This Monday Night 
AND Support a Good Cause
Drive-Through Take-Out Dinner Fundraiser
Supporting the High School 12th Grade Trip Fund
  • Thanks to the many WSOC supporters already on board for take-out this Monday.  Bring your ticket to the drive-through spot in the parking lot on Sept. 22 from 3 - 4 PM and dinner is done!
  • As of this moment in time, dinners are still available.  If you would like one, contact Carrie Frisby in the High School office.  
  • As simple as order, drive-through, heat, and EAT!
  • $10 for an Italian dinner, enough for one hungry adult
  • Includes fresh romaine salad with garlic croutons, penne pasta with marinara sauce and meatballs, and a homemade dessert.  Vegetarian option available.
  • The high school students thank you!!!
  • Click for complete flyer.
  • If you love this idea but missed out on this one, look for the next take-out on March 9.
Waldorf School of Orange County
http://www.waldorfschool.com
2350 Canyon Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Awsna Logo New 2013
WASC Logo
A member of the independent Waldorf® schools of North America.
Fully accredited by the Schools Commission of Western Association of Schools and Colleges
For more information about Waldorf® education, visit Why Waldorf Works


Facebook Like us on Facebook