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Your Bi-Monthly News & Updates
February 11, 2016

Click for Sea of Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello families!

 

We are continuing to streamline and personalize our newsletter. It's coming alive. Is the format working for you? Are you getting the information you need? Please feel free to email me anytime. I welcome your constructive feedback!

Warmly,
Alyssa Hamilton
WSOC Communications Coordinator
Don't forget, no school February 15-19th for Conference Week!
Save the Date!
 
Re-registration is March 7-11, 2016.
 
Look for more details in our next newsletter on March 3!
Grade 8 Projects Feb. 26-27

Come support our hard-working Grade 8 students as they present their projects Friday, February 26 (5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) and Saturday, February 27                (10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) in Eurythmy Hall. You will have the opportunity to learn about each student's year-long study and practical endeavor. The 8th Grade Project is a curriculum event not to be missed; it's truly a crowning achievement of the Waldorf experience.
 
This year's impressive presentations range from Live Cultures and Chocolate to Engineering a Go-Kart and Swordsmithing. When you attend, we ask that you remain for the entire grouping in between the scheduled breaks.
 
Click here for a complete schedule.Thank you in advance for your support!
Move-a-Thon tomorrow, Friday for Grades 1-8
 
Pledge packets were due today, but we are still accepting donations! Thank you to all of our students who reached out to family and friends!
 
Reminders:
  • Students should wear clothing fit for athletic movement, including athletic shoes.
  • Students are to bring a water bottle with their name on it, or that can be easily identified by them.
  • It's due to be warm.  Sunscreen and a hat recommended.
  • Lunch will occur at 12:10, including hot lunch.
  • Students will receive their commemorative team T-shirt on Friday, then it's theirs to keep.
  • 2:50 pick-up for Grades 1 - 12 students.  
For last minute pledges, click here!
We will be taking donations through tomorrow. Thank you!

Sports Camp for Grades 6 and up Feb. 15-19

 

Need something fun for the kids next week? WSOC high school senior Calvin Hubert is hosting a fabulous sports camp on campus for Grades 6 and up on Feb. 15-19. Calvin will offer your child a healthy blend of sports, games and exercises. And, your participation will help Calvin with his senior research project. Click here for flyer.
From clay to cloth: Grade 6 brings handwork to life




Beginning in September 2015, Grade 6 has been hard at work transforming various materials into an animal of their choice. Led by Miss Angie and Miss Rocio,
they began by shaping the animals in clay, continued by sketching them with colored pencils, and finally went on to create a pattern which would become the blueprint for their three-dimensional animal.


The results, painstakingly rendered with needle and thread, were a great source of pride for the students.  
Morning Gatherings with the Board, College, and Administrative Staff

Please join us for our final two Morning Gatherings with Board, College, and Administration members. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get to know members of these three vital components of our school.

Thursday, March 17th 8:45 a.m.-10 a.m. 
Thursday, May 19th 8:45 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Both get-togethers take place outside of Company of Angels. We hope to see you then!
 
007 in Monte Carlo
WSOC Gala & Auction 2016

We are beyond excited for this year's Gala! Here's how you can help make it another wildly successful event:
  • Plan to attend!
  • Think of inviting friends, family, and colleagues to the event
  • Plan to encourage friends, family and colleagues to shop the on-line silent auction
  • Brainstorm the donation you will procure (each family is encouraged to generate at least one donation)
  • If you already know what your item is, or have it, bring it in!  In kindness to our volunteers, the deadline is April 22. 
Building on the success of the past three years, it is feasible for the success of the silent auction to reach new heights.  But that can only happen with the help of YOU, the community.  We're bringing it to you early in hopes you will accept our invitation to help. 
  
These documents are here and in the office for your convenience.

1) Support the WSOC Gala:This is the letter to take while asking for donations (or to send to someone you know).
 
2)  WSOC Auction Donation Form:  Turn this in with your donation.

3)  Ideas for Successful Auction Items:  In case you need to spark an idea, but please do not feel limited by what's on this list.  Classes or groups are welcome to pool their resources for group items and more FUN.
 
4)  Event Sponsorship Opportunities:  This is for our overachievers!  Do you know someone who would consider being an event sponsor, such as your employer?  Or do you know of a business who would like to reach our audience by advertising in the program? 

Have questions or want to get involved?  Contact cgregg@waldorfschool.com

#WhichBondAreYou?
#007inMonteCarlo
The birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees...
 
Our acacia tree behind Company of Angels has burst into bloom, and is a hub of activity for our bird and bee friends.

Fun fact: Bees, beetles, butterflies and their pollinating brethren are essential in the production of nearly 75 percent of our crops, including watermelon, lemons and apples. By planting native plants, your garden will not only be attractive to adult bees that are foraging for nectar and pollen, but will also increase native habitat in your area for other wildlife, like caterpillars and birds.

For a seed of sonic inspiration, click the pic!
And...let's talk about our playground trees!
 
In preparation for the installation of our fabulous new playground, we invite the community to come to a meeting at which Richard Ramsey, landscape architect, will speak about the tree choices we will be making. This is a forum where you can share thoughts or voice concerns before we make the final decision.
 
Lower School Conference Room - March 1, 2016 - 8:45am
 
WSOC vs. giant tumbleweed pileup: Thank you Grade 4 for returning order to the chaos

Photo credit: Rebecca Schwarz

"The perfect opportunity blew into school recently in the shape of dozens of  tumbleweeds- to give Grade 4 a lesson in meeting the day with what it brings, and a chance to take pride in caring for their school grounds and lending a helping hand!" - Miss Christiane, Grade 4 class teacher

Parent Education
  
Dear parents and community members,
  
We invite you to join the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America on Wednesday, February 17, for a co-hosted webinar with the Anthroposophical Society.
  
Soul Journey
How the Waldorf Curriculum Unfolds Healthy Child Development,
Early Childhood through the Middle Years, with Elizabeth Roosevelt
  
Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Registration URL: 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4917184596877196033 
  
  
Elizabeth Roosevelt recently completed an 8-year journey as a class teacher at the Waldorf School of Atlanta, where she also served as Faculty Chair for the last three years. She is an active member of the Anthroposophical Society in America. Through anthroposophy, she finds the rejuvenating forces needed to meet any endeavor. In Waldorf teaching and school leadership, this path provides the foundation to meet others in their truest humanity so that we can indeed offer an education toward freedom. 

 
Volunteer of the Month Claudia Boden

 
The Parent Association would like to recognize the wonderful volunteer spirit of Claudia Boden, our February Parent Volunteer of the Month!
  
Claudia Boden has been active in our community since her oldest, Gram in Grade 8, first came to WSOC in Playgroup. Since then, she has taken on every volunteer role asked of her and then some. And not just for 8th grade! You can see her rolling up her sleeves helping with snacks, mending costumes, running festival booths, taking pictures and a million other things for her son Monty's Pre-K class,  her son Cash's Grade 1 class, and her son Wyatt's Grade 3 class.

And let's not forget adorable little Mavis, who will soon be following in her brothers' WSOC footsteps. We sometimes suspect Claudia must have a twin, because she seems to be able to help with all her children's classes at once. And we as a school are so grateful to her for all the lovely work she has done the last two years on the yearbook!

Claudia does all of this with a smile and a Zen spirit that is remarkable to behold. Many thanks from the Parent Association to Claudia Boden for all that she 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!
  
Knit-a-Purlooza
 
A KNITTING SIGHTING ....
Ok, we've caught people in the act. Yup, spotted them knitting
Where?  At Grade 2 Eurythmy night; at the speaker Spencer West's gathering, and at a stoplight waiting for the light to turn green (Maybe for the beginners, this one is a little too risky!)

Are you spotting any knitters? Let Liz Wenger know! She's keeping tabs.

Need any help with your squares?  Well, there's lots of it! The Tuesday morning craft group, Kim Eijpen, Miss Angie, Miss Christine, and Miss Michaela are definite experts!  
 
Thanks for all the squares!
 

 
Playgroup Evening February 22
 
Please join us for an evening together to learn the intentions behind why we do what we do in the Playgroup classroom. New Playgroup parents and others are welcome. No children, please- babes in arms ok.

7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Playgroup classroom

Questions: contact Jenell Carlson: jcarlson@waldorfschool.com. 


*We are proud to announce that Playgroup Session #2 is filled to capacity and is now waitlist only! Thanks to Miss Jenell for creating such a successful program!
Japanese students visit our high school

On February 3, 12 students in Grades 11-12 and four teachers from Kansai Soka High School in Japan visited our campus. WSOC high school students gave them a tour and shared information about Waldorf, and the Japanese students presented their research (in English, for the first time) in the fields of education, environment, peace and human rights. It was an enjoyable and educational visit for all involved!

High school basketball
 
High School Boys' Team
Photo credit: Olive Sun, Grade 8

2/11 vs. Gateway (3-4 p.m.)
2/18 Playoff Games 

  
High School Girls' Team              
TBD vs. Carson (3-4 p.m.)
2/23 vs. Arroyo (4-5 p.m.)
  
Check out our new scrip retailer!

At long last! Nordstrom $25 and $100 gift cards are now available with a 6% rebate. Come by Company of Angels to pick up your Nordstrom scrip today! Click the Nordstrom icon to learn more.

Also, we are now mid-way through the year- it's a great time to come in and check your scrip balance.

 

Thank you for using ShopWithScrip and helping to raise funds for WSOC!

 

Company of Angels News

 
MATILDA JANE SAMPLE SALE & NEW SPRING COLLECTION
When:  Wednesday, February 24th
Where:  Garden of The Company of Angel
Time:     8:30am - 1:30pm
  
HELP FOR NEW KNITTERS AND EXPERIENCED KNITTERS
Who:  Kim Eijpen - mother of Jamie in 5th Grade,
Struan in Kindergarten and
Ruby in Playgroup.
When:  Monday mornings after drop-off in the Company of Angels Garden, weather permitting or inside when rain occurs!  Kim is here to lend her knitting skills to those in need and just to provide a great opportunity to stitch and enjoy.
               
Knitting projects: hats, cowls and water bottle carriers are on the agenda. What great fun!
  
 
 
VALENTINE'S DAY


Items ideal for your loved ones are still arriving...please do come in and support your store!
  
With Gratitude,
                               
The Angels
  
Aftercare Forms Due Friday, February 26

Click here for Big Aftercare
Click here for Little Aftercare
 
Academic Chess is starting up again for Grades 1-3 on Friday, February 26, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Click here for flyer!
Grade 11 seeking practicum opportunities
 
WSOC 11th grade students are looking for a place to do their practicum. We always reach out to our community to see if anyone might be able to accommodate a student. 
  
They will all be available to do their practicums Monday through Friday, March 14 - 18, 2016. If you or anyone you know would be interested in hosting one of our students please contact ekohout@waldorfschool.com .  Click here for details.Thank you in advance for any leads!
 
WSOC full-time business manager position
 
We are bidding our beloved business manager Kim (Sava) Capristo farewell after nine years of dedicated service (and she's been a WSOC parent for 15 years!). She will be leaving her position this coming June. We wish her much success in her future endeavors! Please click here for details about the position.
Upcoming events and parent evenings at-a-glance
Click here for school calendar

Feb. 11 Move-a-Thon
Feb. 15-19 Teacher Conference Week, no school
Feb. 22 Playgroup Parent Evening
Feb. 24 Support for the Parenting Journey with Miss Barbara
Feb. 25-26 Grade 4 Pilgrim Overnight Field Trip
Feb. 26-27 Adult Education
Feb. 26-27 Grade 8 Projects
Feb. 26 High School Snow Day
March 1 Adult Education
March 1 Richard Ramsey, landscape architect, presents tree information
March 2 Grade 9 Parent Evening
March 2 Support for the Parenting Journey with Miss Barbara
College of Teachers
Catherine Averett
Christiane Bohr
Eden Boric
Jenell Carlson
Andrea Hubert
Masami Inoue
Angie Meier
Holly Richards
Robin Theiss
Deb Waring (Chair)
 
Board of Trustees
David Burnett (Chair)
Chris DeRosa
Joe DeMichele
Leslie Morrison
Colin Severn
Olivia Slutzky
Abril Turner
Deb Waring (College Rep)
Wende Zomnir
 
Adminstrative Rotation:
Carolyn Gregg
Gina Illes
Kim Capristo
Linda Timmons 
 
Parent Association Leadership Chairs
Rachel Hulan
Olivia Slutzky
Lorri Whitney
Photo credit: Rebecca Schwarz
Waldorf School of Orange County | 2350 Canyon Drive, Costa Mesa CA 92627 | 949-574-7775 | ahamilton@waldorfschool.com|  www.waldorfschool.com
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