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I hope you're wearing green! Click pic for festive Irish melody
Your Bi-Monthly News & Updates
March 17, 2016
Kindergarteners with their bountiful homegrown grass baskets
Hello Waldorf Families!

Please scroll down to check our photos from 7th & 8th grade Track & Field day, upcoming Parent Education opportunities, knitting nights, high school happenings, crafting for the Gala auction, and much more.

Thank you everyone for completing your re-enrollment, and we look forward to another incredible year together.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Spring Break!

Alyssa Hamilton
WSOC Communications Coordinator

Countdown to Spring- March 20th!
  
Felted eggs by Miss Terri's Kindergarten class
                                                                                                           

Grade11 takes a bow after powerful Monologue performances
11th Grade Monologues
 
In Grade 11, existential questions begin to arise. It is the "Parzival year" with its theme of the quest and inner journey. Students, alive with idealism, learn to live with open-ended questions and begin the long path towards answers that may not be what they expect. They feel the call to find their own path in life, and some may wish to make serious changes. They need real opportunities to accomplish tasks and take responsibility for important work. The monologues create the space for each student to stand alone with grace and poise to tell a personal story. 

Thank you to all who packed our Eurythmy Hall for the 11th Grade Monologues on Saturday, March 5. Students grappled with "The Ordering of our Obsessions," this year's theme.

"The monologues were a wonderful way to get an insight into the minds of 16 and 17-year-olds, said 11th grade parent Manisha Bhalla, parent of Jaskrit. "Although the characters were fictitious, all the students played them so well that one starts believing them to be real. I had no idea that my daughter could act so well!"

Scenes from Grades 7-8 Track & Field

 

 

WSOC led 7 & 8th grade Track & Field this year with a grand total of 36 medals! Nine other Waldorf schools participated: San Diego, Ocean Charter, Journey, Pasadena, Sanderling, Westside, Santa Barbara, Highland Hall and City School. Kenan Wondercheck, Grade 7, collected seven medals and Jillian Tubbs, also Grade 7, garnered a total of 6 gold medals! Participants competed in the following categories: high jump, long jump, 50, 100, 200 and 400 meter dash, hammer, shotput, javelin, relay race, 60 meter hurdles, discus, and mile run. Our Waldorf schools had a wonderful time together and kept a spirit of friendly competition. 
 
We want to extend a special thanks to Mr. Brad for organizing and running the event, Ms. B. for serving as announcer and sports commentator, Barry Khan for clearing everything off the field before torrents of rain hit us, and all of the 7th and 8th grade parents who took photos and contributed food and valuable time to help make this event a success.

 

Steve Emahiser had kindly shared his fabulous photos with us on Flickr .

 
Foundation Studies Fall 2016: Sign up now!

Have you ever said, I wish I was the one going through Waldorf Education! Or perhaps you would like to learn more about why Waldorf teachers bring subjects to their  students in a particular way. With Foundation Studies, you can! Waldorf School of Orange County's two-year program enables participants to experience many of the subjects their child learns, including a study of great literary works such as Parzival, form drawing, wet-on-wet watercolor, projective geometry and more. Additionally, courses include Child Development and the Basics of Waldorf Education, a Biography Workshop, and other fundamentals of Waldorf Education.
 
The program, which began in 2009, is directed by Chris Bennett, who joined the faculty of WSOC in September 2009 and is the former director of Kula Makua Adult Waldorf Education in Honolulu, and was an instructor at the London Waldorf Teacher Training Seminar (UK) for many years before that. Faculty members from WSOC support the program, as do several guest teachers from the wider Anthroposophical movement.
 
This two-year, part-time study is offered from September, 2016 to June, 2018. Tuition is $2,500 per year. Monthly payment option is available (September-June). Please click here for brochure and registering instructions.
Mark your calendars for Senior Projects on April 16

The senior projects are a very different experience and have a completely different impetus than the 8th grade projects.  Whereas the 8th grade project is focused on learning a particular skill (hands on work) the senior project is focused on doing college level research and drawing conclusions (academic discovery).  The majority of time is spent on writing a research paper.  Students use current, peer reviewed, empirical articles and compose a literature review to integrate into their work. They explore different methods of research such as observations, writing open-ended questionnaires, conducting interviews and coding responses. Ultimately they summarize their findings and draw conclusions of their own.
  
Students have done research on such diverse topics as drones, technology and the elderly, global warming, understanding the psychology of volunteerism and how to motivate children to exercise.
  
We invite you to come and hear students present their experiences and empirical research findings.  This is a wonderful opportunity to catch a glimpse of the maturing minds of our high school students.

April 16, High School classrooms. 1-3 p.m. Refreshments served!

A safe place to land: Grade 3 creates cozy clay homes

 

"The third grade curriculum is designed to support and help the child to pass through a
Grade 3 students construct adobe dwellings as part of their housing block
challenging transition in life: the nine-year change. Around the age of nine, the child's consciousness is making a gradual change -- from a somewhat unconscious feeling of unity with the surrounding world of nature and humanity -- into a more conscious sense of self as a separate individual. This separation is necessary for children to become individuals. The entire curriculum of Grade 3 helps the child to build confidence with this growing individuality. The study of shelters and dwellings helps the child find protection in the outer world, which in turn helps them to feel protected in their inner world with a sense of security.
  
This week the children began constructing an adobe village with red clay. Each separate structure was made by groups of 3 to 4 students. The village is nearly complete, with some details still being added. The entire class now has a strong foundation to embark on their individual shelter building project."

--Miss Lorri, Grade 3
Grade 5 celebrates nature with Gourd Shakeres and WSOC parent alum and teacher Guillermo Martinez

"The 5th Grade class ventured to former WSOC parent and teacher, Guillermo Martinez's home recently to handcraft Gourd Shakeres. Students and parents alike were lured by the running creek behind Guillermo's home, where the gourds were soaking, ready to be scrubbed clean of their outer coating.
 
 
From the moment each person selected his/her own uniquely-shaped gourd, there was barely a moment during the 4-1/2 hour visit without contented scrubbing, inscribing and beading happening. 
 
   
Guillermo's daughter and WSOC alum, Todo, assisted students along the way. Our children can now place their beautiful and diligently crafted Shakere in a place of honor. We deeply appreciated the healing breath
of nature and the generous wisdom of a master artist's complete presence!"

 
 
--Miss Brooke, Grade 5 
Grade 10 Mexicali Exchange Program
Grade 10 with their new exchange student friends in Mexico, at CETYS Universidad, a college preparatory school in Mexicali. Before the trip, "the students worked hard in class and at home to prepare themselves with the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to make the most of this exciting experience," says high school Spanish teacher Emmi Kohout. Students have been visiting museums, taking classes on campus and attending sporting events with their new friends.

  
 Do you know what time it is?

 

Time to buy your Gala tickets! Plan ahead and reserve a table with close friends, or roll the dice and make new ones! This Monday, you officially received your mission for May 21. Take advantage of the Early Bird ticket prices! Learn more here! You can also start bidding on our fabulous silent auction items.

 

Also- WE NEED DONATIONS! Here's how to ask for one, the form to fill out, and some helpful suggestions. If you have a great idea that's not on there, like a James Bond-esque skydiving adventure, go for it! These documents also are in the main office.

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
Parent Education
An Evening with Dr. Peter Selg
April 19, 2016
7 p.m., Meadows Hall

Dr. Peter Selg is director of the Ita Vegman Institute for Basic Research into Anthroposophy (Arlesheim, Switzerland) and professor of medicine at the Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences (Germany). He lectures extensively and is the author of numorous books, including The Essence of Waldorf Education (2011). In this book, "Waldorf Education is not a theory but a living reality, and Selg brings this reality to life before us through the biography of the first Waldorf school. Thus, we learn to see it in a new way -- in its essence, as a healing model of what education might become if the primary relationship, the inner core of a school, is the free relationship between teacher and student." 
 
More details of his lecture will be available in the next newsletter. We hope you will join us for an illuminating evening with Dr. Selg!
 
 
 
Highland Hall Welcomes Jack Petrash!
Teacher, educational expert and author
 
Friday, April 8, "Navigating the Terrain of Childhood," and Saturday, April 9, "A Workshop for Dads: Covering Home- What Baseball Can Teach You About Parenting." For flyer and details, click here.
  
So you're not going to Tahiti over Spring Break...fret not-
a Knit-a-Purlooza event is coming next Monday p.m.!
 
Time to CAST ON, fair knitters, and spin this yarn into golden warmth for our nation's residents in need. Our goal is three squares per family.
 
You are cordially invited to our knit and brew night at Barley Forge on March 21st from 6 pm- 9 pm.

 
 
Our all-school talent show and cast-off will wrap up Knit-a-Purlooza on Friday, April 8 after school. Don't miss our kids (and maybe some adults?) as they take breaks from knitting squares to take the stage and share improvised songs, comedy routines, dance moves and much more!
 
 
If you happen to visit Michaels in the near future, please give them a big thank you for our yarn and needles donations!
 
In Gratitude,
Liz Wenger 
Crafters needed: Join us to make craft donations for WSOC Annual Gala & Auction!
  
Come join Jzin Teng (CastleofCostaMesa.Com) to needle-felt/craft for our Waldorf School of Orange County 2016 Gala and Fundraiser, which is coming up on May 21!

Dates and Times:

Monday 3/28/16 10am-3pm. Potluck and craft. The large gazebo with tables at Tewinkle Park (or some intrepid soul invite us to your home!). This is the second week of spring break, children are welcome to volunteer too!

Tuesday 3/29/16 10am-1pm. The large gazebo with tables at Tewinkle Park (or some intrepid soul invite us to your home!). This is the second week of spring break, children are welcome to volunteer too!

Please bring: Please bring your felting pen, felting needles, foam pad, scissors, needle-and thread, if you have them.

Want to help? Wool and cash donations for supplies are welcomed!

Questions? Contact Jzin Teng, or email ahamilton@waldorfschool.com .
How to check your scrip balance: Please read

SCRIP NEWS:  IT'S TIME TO CHECK YOUR BALANCE FOR THIS YEAR!


Click on: Sign In

Enter: Username and Password  (If you do not know your username please contact Pam at plusk@waldorfscrip.com)

Click on Dashboard

In the middle of the page 3/4 of the way down click on Order History

The page that pops up will have your Activity for the Program Year 2015/2016

If you have any questions or need help getting started on your scrip shopping, just let us know.  
 
Thank you,
Pam Lusk
Employment Opportunities

Full-time Business Manager
 
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.

Early Childhood Assistant
 
Needed for the fall of 2016 but also for current substitution list. Beginning in the 2016 school year this will be a 27 hours and 5 days a week position. The candidate must have at least 6 but preferably 12 ECE credits; Waldorf and or EC experienced preferred.

Please submit your resume to: lmasterson@waldorfschool.com
Big and Little Aftercare Sign Ups for April due Monday,
April  4!

 

 

Big Aftercare sign up sheet here

Little Aftercare sign up sheet here
 

Thank you!

Tiesha and Michaela

Upcoming events and parent evenings at-a-glance
Click here for school calendar
 
April 4     Grade 1 Parent Evening
April 8     Adult Education
April 8     High School Blanket Day
April 8     Knit-a-Purlooza Talent Show and Cast-off
April 11   Miss Holly Parent Evening
April 12   Adult Education
April 13   Walk Through the Grades Tour (reservations required)
  
Community News
 
On March 4, Pia and Jason Rotman welcomed a new baby boy, Solomon Krishna Apollo Rotman, 6 lbs., 11 oz., into their family! Solomon joins big sisters Makale'A, Grade 8, and Solana, Pre-K.

Lily Turner (Grade 7) will be performing in Sleeping Beauty at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. This production will feature Gillian Murphy and Marcelo Gomes, principal dancers with American Ballet Theatre, in the roles of Princess Aurora and her prince. Lily will dance as a Lily Fairy Attendant and as a Garland Waltz dancer.

Performances are Saturday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m.  Ticket are $40 for adults and kids over 12, $35 for younger kids, and are available at www.thebarclay.org.  The shows are almost sold out, so act fast if you are interested!

Drum Classes for Grades 4-8
 
Experience the power of drumming while learning the traditions of Senegal, the Ivory Coast and more. The final class will conclude with our ensemble having the opportunity to perform live in the production of the Lion King Jr, presented by Debora Wondercheck, and the Arts & Learning Conservatory, April 22-24 at the theater of Segerstrom High.


Location: 2805 Catherine Way, Santa Ana, 92705
  • Saturday, April 2-  1pm-2:30pm
  • Saturday, April 9   1pm-2:30pm
  • Saturday, April 19  11am-2pm 
Tech rehearsals/shows : Segerstrom High Theater, Santa Ana
  • April 20-24
       Cost: $75 (class size is limited)
       Contact: dwondercheck@waldorfschool.com or artsandlearning.org before April 1st.
College of Teachers
Catherine Averett
Christiane Bohr
Eden Boric
Jenell Carlson
Andrea Hubert
Lisa Masterson
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

sweet spring is your time

"sweet spring is your
time is my time is our
time for springtime is lovetime
and viva sweet love
(all the merry little birds are
flying in the floating in the
very spirits singing in
are winging in the blossoming)

lovers go and lovers come
awandering awondering
but any two are perfectly
alone there's nobody else alive..."

e.e. cummings
 

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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