Waldorf School of Orange County
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 |
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News for our families and friends
January 14, 2016
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"Today was one of those days when I said to myself, 'this is why I am a Waldorf teacher!'
This week we began our block on the measurement of weight and volume. I asked the children to tell me what the word weight means. Xavier, one of my students, replied, 'it's a little tricky to define.' The class decided that weight is how light or how heavy something is. Giovanni, another student, wanted to add the role of gravity in the definition. I was so impressed!
It was a fortunate situation that the work crew who had been re-wiring the phones and Internet for the school had left a huge wooden spool outside of the classroom. I searched the campus for a perfect piece of wood and thanks to class parent Peter Norgaard, one was located. The spool and wood were situated in the back of the class, but I did not tell the children what we would be doing with it.
As soon as we started discussing ways to measure weight, the children knew we were going to create a balance scale. For the next 45 minutes of main lesson and all of our next lesson, we experimented with the scale. Using a digital scale, I quickly wrote down the weight of all the children. At first, I chose which children would sit on the beam to create a balance, but then I told them that they would have to determine who would create the balance. It really got fun when we had two or three children on opposing sides. I joined in a couple times. It was such a wonderful morning!"
-- Miss Lorri, Grade 3
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NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 and MONDAY, JANUARY 18
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Friday, January 15 is an in-service day, reserved for parent conferences. Monday, January 18, we observe Martin Luther King Jr. day. School resumes at the regular time on Tuesday, January 19.
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MEET MEMBERS OF OUR WSOC BOARD, COLLEGE AND ADMIN TEAM!
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We are starting a bi-monthly Morning Gathering at The Company of Angels. It's hosted by a College member, Board member and a member of the Administrative staff. Coffee, tea, and pastries will be available, and our parent community is encouraged to drop in and ask questions, discuss issues, and just get to know the people serving our school in these three realms.
We hope you will join us for this first gathering!
Wednesday, January 20
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
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MANDATORY FIRST GRADE READINESS MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20
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Are you a parent of a child who will be assessed for first grade readiness this month?
If your child turns six years old by May 31, 2016, this meeting is a must!
Our annual "What is First Grade Readiness?" meeting, led by WSOC Resource Teacher Deb Waring and the Early Childhood faculty, will explain the Waldorf process for determining whether your child is developmentally ready for first grade, and how to best support him or her.
We respectfully ask that at least one parent of each eligible family attends this important meeting.
Thank you in advance.
*If you already have a child in the grades and have attended a previous first grade readiness meeting, it is not necessary to attend a second time!
Wednesday, January 20
6:30 p.m.
Kindergarten Classroom
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PARENT VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
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The Parent Association  would like to recognize the wonderful volunteer spirit of Peter Norgaard, our January Parent Volunteer of the Month.
Peter Norgaard is the father of Emily in Grade 3. He is the quintessential Jack-of-all-Trades, and has mastered several! If there is a project that needs to be done, it is highly likely that someone will say, "you should ask Peter!" Whether it is providing us with 24/7 support for all of our school IT needs, baking delicious cookies or creating beautiful wood signs for the campus, Peter can, and will, get it done. Always thoughtful, always willing to roll up his sleeves, always creative and fun to work with. The school community wouldn't be the same without him.
Many thanks from the Parent Association to Peter Norgaard for all that he does!
If you know an outstanding parent volunteer that you would like to see recognized, please let the Parent Association know by submitting their name in the Parent Volunteer of the Month nomination box located in the front office. Students are also welcome to nominate parent volunteers! Also, the Parent Association Leadership (Olivia Slutsky, Lorri Whitney, and Rachel Hulan) is not eligible, although we truly appreciate the nominations we have received.
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| | For more information about the work of Susan Johnson, M.D., F.A.A.P, click here |
What Affects Your Child's Learning and Well-Being? with Susan Johnson, MD, FAAP. In this two-part lecture series, you will learn about Dr. Johnson's integration of anthroposophical and allopathic disciplines, the potentially negative impacts of premature academic instruction on a still-developing child, and how Waldorf Education addresses learning differences. Do not miss the opportunity to listen to this highly esteemed behavioral and developmental pediatrician! Click here for flyer and details.
LECTURE
Friday, February 5
7- 8:30 p.m.
Meadows Hall
WORKSHOP
Saturday, February 6
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Meadows Hall
RSVP to Alyssa Hamilton. Thank you!
Health Through Singing
"Every human being has a singing voice. Our work is to unveil, take away hindrances, and free the voice." -- Mrs. Valborg Werbeck Svardstrom
Christiaan Boele invites you to come and experience an evening of song, laughter and the tonal arts through the work of Mrs. Svardstrom's School of Uncovering the Voice. Click here for more information.
Monday, February 1
6 p.m.- 8:45 p.m.
Westside Waldorf School, Pacific Palisades
$25 at the door, family rate $65. All welcome, no experience necessary.
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SECOND ANNUAL KNIT-A-PURLOOZA
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Year two of our WSOC community service project Knit-a-Purlooza has officially begun. If you haven't already picked up your bag of supplies, you can stop by the front office and grab one. Completed squares can be given to Erica in the front office.
Knit-a-Purlooza is an all-school event where each family knits three squares (grandparents and alumni also are invited to join us) and each child, grades 2-12, knits one square (Grade 1 is making pompoms). The completed squares are sent to an organization that makes them into blankets and distributes them to hospitals, orphanages, senior homes and more.
Our goal this year is 1,000 squares by April 8, when we will have our annual talent show. It's a hoot and a great time!
Any questions? Contact the Parent Association at parentassociation@waldorfschool.com
Thank you for all of your loving hands knitting to warm those in need!
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Nona would like to thank you all for heartily supporting The Company of Angels this recent holiday season, and she is grateful for your continued patronage. Now's a great time to shop, as she's offering 75% off of selected items in the store!
Please keep shopping at Twice Upon a Time, new items are arriving daily.
The Company of Angels looks forward to a prosperous 2016, thanks to our Waldorf community!
Don't forget, Craft Group meets in the Company of Angels garden every Tuesday from 8:45 a.m.- 11 a.m. This is a great way to get to know other parents and learn fantastic new skills (or hone your existing expertise) with yarn, felt and much more.
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Great news! We are currently at $70,905 with a goal of $100,000 by January 31. Miss Catherine's class is in the lead with 100% participation. Grades 1 and 12 are both close to 70%! Keep up the great work everyone, and let's see if we can get more of our classes closer to the 100% mark!
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HS Boys' Basketball Team Schedule
Thursdays at Apollo Park, Downey (except where noted):
1/14 - vs. Carson (4-5pm)
1/21 - vs. Gateway (3-4pm)
1/28 - vs. Arroyo location TBD (3-4pm)
2/4 - vs. Carson (4-5pm)
2/11 - vs. Gateway (3-4pm)
2/18 - Playoff Games location TBD
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HS Girls' Basketball Team Schedule
Tuesdays at Apollo Park, Downey:
1/19 - vs.Waldorf Pasadena (4-5pm)
1/26 - vs. Carson (3-4pm)
2/2 - vs. Arroyo (4-5pm)
2/9 - vs. Pasadena Waldorf (4-5pm)
2/16 - vs. Carson (3-4pm)
2/23 - vs. Arroyo (4-5pm)
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Upcoming Events and
Class Parent Meetings
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Wednesdays
3:10 - 4:30 pm
Grade 6 Classroom
HS Boy's Basketball Practice
Monday 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Friday 1:15 - 3:15 pm
HS Girl's Basketball Practice
Friday 1:15 - 3:00 pm
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No School-Parent Conferences (In-Service Day)
No School- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed
Tuesday, January 19 Grade 5 Parent Meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 20 Morning Gathering with WSOC Board, College and Admin staff in Company of Angels 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, January 20 "What is First Grade Readiness" mandatory meeting for parents of WSOC rising first graders (turning 6 by 5/31/2016) 6:30 p.m. Friday, January 22 Miss Barbara Pre-K parent meeting 6:30 p.m.
High School Application deadline
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Catherine Averett
Christiane Bohr
Eden Boric
Jenell Carlson
Brad Holm
Andrea Hubert
Masami Inoue
Lisa Masterson
Angie Meier
Robin Thiess
Brooke Trudeau
Deb Waring (Chair)
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David Burnett (Chair)
Chris DeRosa
Joe DeMichele
Leslie Morrison
Colin Severn
Olivia Slutzky
David Tabone
Abril Turner
Deb Waring (College Rep)
Wende Zomnir
Administrative Rotation:
Carolyn Gregg
Gina Illes
Kim Sava
Linda Timmons
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Parent Association Leadership Chairs
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Rachel Hulan
Olivia Slutzky
Lorri Whitney
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MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL WITH
MR. BRAD
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Wednesday 1/20 3:10 pm- 4:30 p.m.
Fridays 1/15 & 1/22 3:10 pm-4:30 pm
Tournament Saturday, January 23 at WSOC 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Players in Grade 6, 7 and 8 -- all skill levels welcomed. Wear athletic lace-up shoes and comfortable clothes. Fill out and return this form to participate. Contact Mr. Brad with any questions: bholm@waldorfschool.com.
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This week you will receive your packets detailing how to raise money for our upcoming Move-a-Thon, which takes place Friday, February 12. Not a fan of door-to-door asks? No problem. Here is the link for friends and family to donate online. Proceeds benefit WSOC's Games, Eurythmy and other movement programs. Thank you in advance for your participation!
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February aftercare forms are due January 22!
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| Alongside the thirsty California earth we soaked up the torrents, and reveled in the boom and crack of thunder and the infinite reach of rainbows- finally a chance to welcome Winter! |
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Waldorf School of Orange County
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A member of the independent Waldorf® schools of North America.
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Fully accredited by the Schools Commission of Western Association of Schools and Colleges
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