Discover Vs. Defend Mode
With all the excitement and events of Autumn, our students are busy experiencing and enjoying their lessons and classes. Everyday you can observe students singing, jumping rope, knitting, carving wooden tops, sculpting 3-dimensional maps, solving math problems, and conducting chemistry experiments.
Some of you may have read the book, The Anxious Generation, by social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt. In this book, the author describes two modes of interacting with the world: discover mode and defend mode. Discover mode is a mode of behavioral activation where people are looking for opportunities and possibilities. Children in discover mode are more likely to be happier, sociable, and eager for new experiences. On the other hand, defend mode is a mode of behavioral inhibition where people are constantly on alert for potential threats. Those in defend mode are more likely to be defensive and anxious. Haidt argues that children born after 1995 are more likely to be stuck in defend mode due to the technological evolution of smartphones and social media, and the decrease of play and experiential, real world learning.
While watching our students enthusiastically engaged in their day to day activities, we can wholeheartedly recognize that they are in discover mode. They are experiencing a play based childhood where they learn through stories and hands-on experiences. All of their lessons are grounded in the teacher-student relationship and in the human and social context of their class. How grateful we are for this education!
Please note that we have pushed back the tuition assistance reapplication process to later in the month. We will send out more information in the coming weeks.
There are many opportunities on campus in the coming weeks.
Next week we will kick off our annual Food Drive. We will be collecting canned and dry goods in the coming weeks to donate to our local food bank for Thanksgiving. Please send in any donations with your child. Thank you!
We will be welcoming German Waldorf educator, Bernd Ruf, on December 5 to give a parent workshop. Our Parent Association is partnering with our local Anthroposophical study group for this educational evening.
Next, please see this note from the Fundraising Events Committee:
Dear Waldorf Families,
The FEC is partnering with Anthony’s Christmas trees, locally owned and operated since 1954, who will be donating 25% of every tree purchase back to our school. Families can pre-order their holiday Christmas tree, which will be delivered to school and first used for our Winter Faire decor and then brought back to your home. Families can pick up their tree (quality reusable tree stand included) to bring home after the event on Sunday, December 8th. There is also an option to purchase an “Angel Tree” to donate a tree for Winter Faire decor and then given to a family or member of Waldorf Faculty or Staff. All orders need to be made by Friday November 22nd. Please click on the Zeffy link below to purchase.
Thank you for supporting our school in this way!
Warmly,
The FEC Team
Here are two Castle and Grounds Committee events that all are invited to attend! They are also looking for donations of succulents and other plants to beautify the campus.
Important Dates:
November 11: Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
November 14: Knitting Offering with Ballard Sensei at 8:15 a.m.
November 18-22: Parent-Teacher Conferences. Early Dismissal Days 12:45 p.m.
November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break
December 6: Advent Spiral (details coming soon)
December 7: Winter Faire from 12 to 5 p.m.
December 9: Strings Assembly at 8:45 a.m.
December 13: Faculty Offering at 11:30 a.m. Dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
December 16 - January 3: Winter Break
Gratefully,
The WSSB Admin Team