Gratitude Towards the Whole World
Dear Members of The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara Community,
The founder of Waldorf schools, Rudolph Steiner, wrote: "An atmosphere of gratitude should grow naturally in children through merely witnessing the gratitude the adults feel as they receive what is freely given by others, and in how they express this gratitude. Out of this an all-embracing gratitude will develop [in the children] towards the whole world. The cultivation of gratitude is of paramount importance."
Cultivating this "gratitude towards the whole world" is a big part of the work here at WSSB. A remark by Henry David Thoreau -- who as he grew older became increasingly convinced that we find only what we are prepared to find -- complements Steiner’s insight. "A man," said Thoreau, "sees only what concerns him." At WSSB giving thanks -- for our food at mealtime, for the changes of the seasons, for the earth, for each other -- is a primary concern.
Recently, we extended our thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. via a socially-distanced school assembly wherein the Seventh/Eighth Graders shared the "I Have a Dream" speech and the Sixth Graders sang "We Shall Overcome." It was a moving delight.
In other news, the Sixth Grade continues their history block exploring the "Dark Ages" after the fall of the Roman Empire. And from Ms. Barbara we received this update regarding the preschool class:
"The children are happy to be back. It’s wonderful seeing them play so well together. Our circle/story time has centered around the Winter season of rain and snow: King Winter, Jack Frost, and the North Wind. We also enjoy the moss garden that is the decorative centerpiece of our table. Sprouts and baby mushrooms are springing up on it. Polished stones and shells are set in nooks and crannies; and two felt gnomes are keeping watch. We also have been doing some sewing (with teacher guidance) to create a special blanket. And we are working on little felt gnomes (which will be made slowly, and eventually find their way into your home)."
Finally, we want to again extend our thanks to you for spreading the word about this unique and worthy education. Word-of-mouth advertising for WSSB is proving very effective this year! Carry on this helpful campaign!
Important Update
* For new students the priority application due date for enrollment for the 2021-22 school year is February 1st, 2021. If you are submitting an application for an unenrolled younger sibling, we encourage you to submit the application by this date.
The returning student registration fee is due Feb. 25th, 2021. Paying this will reserve your student’s space for next year. The returning student registration packets will be issued at the end of January.
* The Annual Fund link:
https://waldorfsantabarbara.org/annual-giving-fund
In gratitude,
The WSSB Admin Team
PS -- The poem of the day is by Barry Spacks:
Looking at a Lizard
My only purpose this moment
is looking at a lizard.
Does he know he's not alone?
He breathes with tiny push-ups,
his skin all hairline caverns
soaking up the sun.
I doubt, alive, I'm liable to get
closer to timelessness than this,
looking at a little lizard breathing.