Newsletter for our families and friends
April 16, 2015
Mustard Flowers

8th Grade Projects - This Friday and Saturday

Come support the 8th Grade and learn about each of these students' year-long study and practical endeavor. The 8th Grade Project is a curriculum event not to be missed.  It's truly a highlight each year.  Even if you are unable to make the full block of time listed below, you can come for a shorter period of time just to experience it.  Please see the flyer (attached below) for the schedule of students and topics.  We ask that you remain for the entire grouping in between the scheduled breaks.

Friday, April 17
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday, April 18
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm


See attached  flyer for more details.


May Faire Information for Parents May Pole

Please remember that the May Faire is a curriculum event.

All students are expected to participate.

 

Before the event

Decor: We need the support of all families in providing donations. Every family is expected to bring one of the  following:

1. 2 bunches of flowers (preferably sunflowers or daisies) - Dropped off  April 29 - May 1  behind the front office

2. Ferns, branches or vines from your yard - Dropped off April 30 - May 1

3. 2 bunches of Wax flowers - Dropped off April 30-May 1

4. Ribbon - pastel colors - Dropped off anytime

5. $10-$20  - Given to Room Rep. by April 27.  Money will be used to buy flowers wholesale and other materials needed for decorating. 

 On the day of the event - Saturday, May 2

Arrival:  Students arrive in their classrooms by 9:15 a.m. with their floral hair garlands ready.

Dress:  Students (and family members, if they wish) should wear white, pastels, or beige.

Bring:  Blankets, chairs, and sunscreen, plus snacks and water for little ones during performance. After the  Maypole dancing the booths open, including:  food & drink, games, crafts, and small preview of the Gala Silent Auction.

Parking:  The festival is open to the larger community. Parking will be available at Fairview Park or Estancia HS, both off Placentia.  

Free Admission Wristbands for WSOC Families:  Every family will receive 2 free entry wristbands.  Wristband and tickets for meals (and for some of the games & crafts) can be purchased at Company of Angels two weeks before May Faire.

Crafts:  Booths will be open 11:00 a.m.- 1 :45 p.m. Tickets are $1.00 each. Please purchase your tickets at the ticket booth or before the event.

Photographers:  Only 2 photographers per class will be allowed to take  pictures.  Each Room Rep will distribute the Photographer badge.

 

Please only take cut flowers with you after May Faire.  All other items will be reused or planted around campus.

 

Tips for Getting May Faire Flowers/Decor

 1.  Make your vendor requests now!

  • Face-to-face visits, as opposed to phone calls, elicit a more generous response.           
  • Please give the vendor a copy of the attached letter so they are aware that we are a small, non-profit school and their donation will not only be much appreciated, it may also be tax deductible.  
  • Bring pictures of past May Faire events (yearbooks are great for this)--this allows the vendor to see what beautiful work we are able to do with the donations

2. Go to grocery stores--they often have the biggest volume of flowers, and many put "pull dates" on them, which means that the flowers are thrown out on that day no matter how fresh they still might look.

Note:  Please do not request flowers from the Trader Joes at Brookhurst and Hamilton - they get inundated with requests!

 

3. Make sure that you get the name and business card (if possible) of the flower person with whom you will be getting the donations--this way he/she will feel accountable, and you can bring in the names to Erica Ruvalcaba  in the office so we can send them a thank you note.

The College is pleased to announce that Julia Bartles Emahiser will be taking the first grade class of 2027

 

Julia Bartles Emahiser has enjoyed a career as a professional musician (cellist) and educator for nearly three decades.  Since 2010 Ms. Emahiser has devoted herself to Waldorf education, taking over and graduating a seventh/eighth grade class at Linden Waldorf School in Nashville, Tennessee.  She is now poised to complete her certification at Antioch University, New England in July, 2015 which includes specialized studies in Transdisciplinary Healing Education.


 

Ms. Emahiser was born in New York City (Rudolf Steiner School) and raised in Stuttgart, Germany; she is a graduate of the original Waldorf School (Freie Waldorfschule Uhlandshoehe).  Julia's parents were musicians and anthroposophists; Alfred H. Bartles was a composer, cellist and jazz pianist, and Martha Bartles is a pianist and accompanist who has performed internationally with the Eurythmeum (Stuttgart) and continues to teach at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.


 

Julia received her formal musical training at Indiana University (BA) and Ohio University-Akron (MA). She has thrived in the eclectic music environment in Nashville, including as a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University, regional chamber ensembles and orchestras, recordings, national tours and Broadway shows.


 

Julia's family relocated to San Diego in 2014. Their children Nathan (8th) and Irene (6th) have attended Linden Waldorf School since early childhood.  Julia's husband, Steve, a marketing and video professional (and retired professional drummer), was raised in Santa Barbara and finally made the case for life in Southern California...and Julia is very happy about it!


 

Julia is excited to begin teaching first grade, and is proud of her new association with the Waldorf School of Orange County.  

Congratulations Grade 7 & 8 Orchestra!

The Waldorf School of Orange County's (WSOC) 7th and 8th grade string orchestra took home top honors March 27th at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association District Festival at Garden Grove High. Debora Wondercheck, conductor, said the WSOC 30-piece orchestra received a  Superior Rating.  It was a special honor since only bands and orchestras receiving Superior ratings at the district level qualify to participate in regional competition. "This is a real thrill for us," Wondercheck said.  "The students did a stellar job of incorporating the input they received throughout this past semester into their performances. I am truly proud of them all".


 

Musicians in the Festival are required to play three pieces of music.  They were judged on dynamics, rhythm, blend, balance, phrasing, intonation, articulation, technique and interpretation.  Each band or orchestra was also scored on its sight reading ability by three professional adjudicators. The scores of all three judges combined leads to overall score of the group. Waldorf's rating of Superior is truly difficult to achieve and we are so proud of our students!  

Order Your Yearbook Now!

Please fill out the attached order form and return to the front or high school office, or email/scan it to eruvalcaba @waldorfschool.com.

Click here for order form.

Happening in the High School

 

 

Boy's Basketball Wildcats Logo

Congratulations to the High School Boy's Basketball team. Today they won the league championship game against Carson, 22 to 21.  Way to go Wildcats!

 

Engineering Scholar Award

Congratuations to Zora M. Grade 9!  She has been awarded a full scholarship to participate in Michigan Technological University's Engineering Scholars Summer Youth Program in Houghton, Michigan for one week this summer.  


 

  





 

9th Grade Farm Week, Tanaka Farm

The 9th graders spent a delightful week practicing farming at Tanaka Farms and learning about the technologies that have evolved this practice over time. The week consisted of exploring the vast diversity of agriculture, examining unique characteristics, transplanting lettuce sprouts, harvesting strawberries, studying the economics of the industry, and building a holistic relationship with the Earth. 


 



 




 

 

10th Grade Mexicali, Mexico Field Trip

The 10th graders spent 5 days living with host families and attending CETYS Preparatoria in Mexicali. The students enjoyed being in class, being immersed in Spanish, spending social time with the host families and new friends around town, and going on a campus tour of CETYS Universidad and a field trip to a bread factory. This amazing experience exposes the 10th graders to a different school setting and a different culture and perspective. Thank you to CETYS, the host families, and the WSOC families for providing this special experience for the students.
 

  

11th Grade Practicum Week

Our 11th graders each participated in a week-long practicum, working with or shadowing a host in a field of the student's interest. Here are the areas in which the students worked:

 -  With physician John LaLonde at Newport Medical and Wellness
 -  With physical therapist Rachna LaLonde at Newport Medical and Wellness
 -  Learning about retail work Jennifer Bloch at Heritage Mercantile
 -  In the graphic design department at Urban Decay (courtesy of Wende Zomnir)
 -  At a stem cell research center owned by UCI
 -  With Anthony Lazzara in trading/financial advising
 -  At Rip Curl in Huntington Beach, learning about retail
 -  With an interior designer
 -  At No Limit Fitness boot camp
 -  Working in hospital employee recruitment
 -  Working with students aged 2-13 at Love to Learn Autistic Center
 -  Observing at Think Physical Therapy
 -  Working with AutoCAD and other design/engineering software at Bud Long Associates

The students, many of whom chose areas they are considering as careers, reported finding the process informative and interesting. A number of students felt they gained a valuable perspective about aspects of their chosen jobs that they had not really considered before, and several said the experience affirmed their desire to follow the chosen career path. 

Our sincere gratitude goes to the WSOC community members mentioned above who generously hosted a student; your willingness to participate allows this worthy program to succeed, and is a gift to the students.

12th Grade Senior Trip, Costa Rica 

From March 21 to April 1 the twelfth graders went on their senior trip to Costa Rica. First they went to La Fortuna at the base of Arenal volcano, where they had lots of adventures, such as swimming under waterfalls, going on a night hike to see nocturnal animals, soaking in hot springs, feeding rescued animals, and zip lining through the canopy. They were lucky to have the opportunity in La Fortuna to volunteer at a safe house for abused children, called San Bosco de la Fortuna, or "Hogarcito." The twelfth graders got to play with the beautiful children, bring the orphanage lots of supplies, hold adorable babies, and help them clean up their play yard. The women running the Hogarcito are an inspiration - it was very apparent  just how well loved cared-for the children are.  It was an experience the students will never forget. After five days in La Fortuna the gang drove down to Mal Pais at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula for some beach time, including snorkeling and surfing. Overall it was a great trip and many of seniors can't wait for another chance to visit Costa Rica.

COMING FALL 2016
40,000 HOURS OF INSPIRED FREE PLAY



Have you seen the design plans?
 www.waldorfschool.com/playground/

With over $300,000 already committed, we are now poised and ready to spring the final leg of the race and carry the torch over the finish line in WSOC Community Spirit Style!  We need $93,500 pledged by this June (so that design team knows how much money they have to work with in order to make planning decisions).  But that does not mean all the payments are needed by this June. Installments are gratefully being accepted through June 2017, allowing a family to give over time.  

  1. We have a 25-year lease.  Now is the time!
  2. The funding comes entirely from donations (not tuition).  We will still need the community's support for the operating budget, through Annual Giving, the Gala, and the Move-a-Thon.
  3. GREAT NEWS!Thanks to our outstanding community, through a successful pre-launch and the 2014 Gala bid designated for this project, we have already raised 77% of the needed funding.  It's incredible!  
  4. The final and most important stretch of the race is now at our feet.  We are counting on the community to raise $93,500 to carry this torch across the finish line.  
  5. Financial commitments needed by this June.  Accepting pledges paid in installments through June 2017.  
The Pledge happening over the next 8 weeks is important.  Please visit the website for full details.

 

We can do this, but not without you!

 

Learn More:  www.waldorfschool.com/playground/


Questions about the project:  Contact Gina Illes
Questions about funding:  Contact Denise Ogawa

 

Vaccination Audit            

 

We feel it is important to share the audit results with you so as to provide an accurate picture of the immunization status of the student population. Based on the documentation provided to us by our families the outcome of the audit showed that 26% of our students (pre-k through 12) were not vaccinated. 

 

Scrip

We are happy to announce the winners for the Presto Pay Contest in March! 
  • Congratulations to Thomas Pangrazio who now has a personal account and a business account and won $100 in Scrip.  All he had to do was sign up for Presto Pay and buy $200 worth of Scrip using Presto Pay in March (for stuff he was going to buy anyway).
  • Congratulations to Lorri Whitney who won $200 in Scrip by purchasing $500 using Presto Pay in March (for stuff she was going to buy any way).
WSOC-Family-Owned Fermentation Farm offers fabulous handcrafted foods,  classes and supplies - and it's right around the corner on Victoria and Pacific.  They generously support the Scrip program by donating the entire one-time $25 membership fee back to your family scrip account.  This program will be in effect for the rest of the school year but will evolve into another program for next year.  So if you want to become a member, AND want that $25 in your family Scrip Account, now is the time. 

Much to the delight of everyone the new expanded store hours are:

Tues, Wed & Thurs: 9am to 6pm
Fri:  9am to 3pm
Sat:: 10am to 4pm
Closed Sun & Mon




IT'S BACK!
SOUTH COAST PLAZA SCRIP 
Now available in a variety of denominations!
Upcoming Events and
Class Parent Meetings
Japanese Study Hall: 
Every Mon.
3 - 4 pm Grades  5 - 8
Meets in Grade 5 classroom

Japanese Club: 
Every Tues.
3:15 - 4:30 Grades 9 - 12
Meets in Grade 6 classroom

Middle School Soccer Practice: 
M, W, F 3:00 - 4:15pm Grades 5 & 6 
___________________

 

Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18

Grade 8 Projects

Eurythmy Hall

 

Monday, April 20

Grade 12 Parent Evening

7:00 pm

 

Tuesday, April 21

High School Blanket Day

Community Service Project

1:15 pm

 

Tuesday, April 21

Miss Kelli & Miss Arieta's Parent Evening

5:45 pm

  

Wednesday, April 22

Grade 6 Medieval Games

Journey School

 

Tuesday, April 28

Grade 6 Parent Evening

7:00 pm

 

Wednesday, April 29

Early Childhood Information Evening

 

Thursday, April 30

Vision Screening service offered for all grades

(optional)

8:30 am

Friday, May 1
Yearbook order forms are due

Saturday, May 2
May Faire

Tuesday, May 5
All High School Beach Day

Tuesday, May 5
Room Rep Meeting
Handwork Classroom
8:45 am

Wednesday, May 6
Walk Through the Grades
(Gr 3, 5, 7 & HS)
Reservations required
9:00 am

Wednesday, May 6
Grade 10 Parent Evening
7:00 pm

Friday, May 8
Grade 5 Pentathlon
Hosted by Sanderling
Coronado Island

Saturday, May 9
Senior Presentations
Meadows Hall

Monday, May 11
High School Take Out Dinner Fundrasier
Pre-order required, more info to come
WSOC parking lot
3:00 pm

Saturday, May 16
High School Arts Festival
Eurythmy Hall
4:00 - 8:00 pm

Monday, May 18
Grade 7 Parent Evening
6:45 pm

Thursday, May 21
Spring Concert

Friday, May 22
No School:  In Service

Monday, May 25
No School:  Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26 - Sunday, May31
Grade 5 & 6 Pilot Cup Tournament

Saturday, May 30
Annual Gala
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:
Gina Illes
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

Calling All Bakers!

The Company of Angels needs help with baking for the rest of the school year.  If you are willing and able, please contact Nona McConville at nmcconville@waldorfschool.com.

Pilot Cup Soccer - Grades 5 & 6

Practice will take place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 - 4:15 pm.

The Tournament will take place Tuesday, May 26th through Sunday, May 31.  To sign up, please submit the attached form with payment to Erica in the front office.  If you have any questions, please contact Brad Holm at bholm@waldorfschool.com.
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It's Gatsby Time!
6 Weeks and Counting.
Questions.  Auction Items.  Ticket Sales...see Team Gala at the flagpole during morning drop-off this week and next.
  • Each family is asked to generate one donation item.  It is due this Friday. Need an extension, contact Alyssa in the office.   If you know what your item is, but just don't have it yet, no worries.  Please let Alyssa know for planning purposes.  It's very helpful!
  • Tickets on sale now.  Early Bird tix are $100 if purchased before May 4.  After that they are $125.  
  • Go to:  waldorfschool.com/gala/
  • If you have the opportunity to generate a sponsorship, we want to hear from you.  Contact Denise in the office.
  • Ad space must be reserved by May 11.  By May 4 if you need a little light design assistance.
  • Want to volunteer to help.  Contact galateam@waldorfschool.com
Form to accompany your item attached. 
Letter to ask for a donation.
Info on tickets, ad space, sponsorships, dinner, and the 4-hour open bar.

Vision Testing

Dear Parents,

You may be aware that the science of ophthalmology has been expanded to include vision performance skills beyond 20/20 acuity. In the last decades, ophthalmologists have come to realize that there are many additional tasks such as depth perception, eye tracking, and eye teaming which effect the way in which we see and perceive our world

Knowing this, the Care Group has searched for many years to find a group of developmental ophthalmologists who are qualified and available to offer vision screening to the students of our school. We are pleased to announce that we have vetted a team of two such doctors willing to provide this service to our community.

On Thursday, April 30, you have an opportunity to have your child screened for the nominal fee of $10.00 per student. The procedure will take place at school as children are briefly pulled from class. Parents will receive a written report of the results two to three weeks after the screening.

If you wish to have your child assessed, please fill out the attached consent form with your $10 fee and return it to Erica in the front office of the lower school by Friday, April 24.  Checks may be made out to Kauser Sharieff, OD. 

Please contact Deborah Waring, Resource Teacher, if you have any additional questions.  For more information, please see the attached flyer.

Summer Camps

Strings 
The Arts & Learning Conservancy will be offering both Beginning Strings (June 22 - June 26 - entering grade 4 and up) and Intermediate/Advanced Strings (June 29 - July 3 - Ages 10+) summer camps at WSOC. For more information, please click here.

Theater 
The Arts & Learning Conservancy will be offering Summer Theater Camp (July 6 - July 24 - Ages 9-15).  For more information, please click here.
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COA Logo

Where are our "April showers bring May flowers"?  We still have a couple weeks before the close of the month...maybe a little rain will make it's way to us.
I am hoping you all had a wonderful Spring Break...coming back renewed and ready for the eight weeks remaining before our summer vacations.  This
time of the year builds excitement for our upcoming May Faire on May 2nd filled with the May Pole, our sweet children winding themselves around this pole, the cake walk and much more.  With that said...The Company of Angels will not be out on the field this May Faire...we are taking a break BUT that does not
mean we do not have items to help you with the sun, clothing option and more.

Available for that special day - Badger Organic Sunscreen - Badger Lip Balm - Beautiful White Tunics - Parasols and Fans in delightful Colors - 

Please come in and check out our NEW Malabrigo Yarn - just GORGEOUS as well as luscious knitting needles and crochet hooks.  Kim Eijpen has
chosen some wonderful patterns which are available with using just 1 skein of yarn.

May Faire Twice Upon a Time rack is out and ready with an array of white clothing that just may work for your child.  Do stop by and shop Twice.

Last but not least... THANK YOU ALL for your clothing donations for Twice Upon a Time.  Our volunteers are busy trying to keep up with these drop offs.
With that thank you comes a PLEASE, PLEASE...we need only GENTLY WORN CLOTHING.  NO - Bras, underwear, toys, books, jewelry, dirty shoes, decorative items.  We have volunteers  helping with this process and every week it takes hours and hours of sorting items not needed.  If this request means you presort before you drop off - please do so. 

Blessings to all,
Nona
Waldorf School of Orange County
http://www.waldorfschool.com
2350 Canyon Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

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