Falling in Love Outward
Dear WSSB Community,
Last Thursday we enjoyed our May Faire. On the field under the sun the children danced and sang around the maypole, holding the pole's colorful ribbons. Parents and caretakers, friends and family, watched while sitting on the grass. The mountains in the distance were green; the foothills yellow with mustard plant. And the 7th and 8th Graders danced with that poignant blend of embarrassment and gladness.
Dancing around the maypole is one of the ways human beings hallow being here. The mysterious fact of life is felt. Everyone, for a few moments at least, falls in love outward. And this is what we humans need—to fall in love outward. For what we love, we wish to serve.
***
News from around campus...
The 8th Graders recently did presentations on their rich and inspiring mentorships; and the 3rd Grade recently had a feast in the garden with Ms. Liz (a feast which drew on the garden's bounty). We also share news from Ms. Hagen, our Strings Teacher:
“The 7th/8th Grade Class and Honor Ensemble participated in The Music In the Parks Band and Orchestra Competition on May 4th. Schools from all over competed in different categories based on the type of ensemble and size of the school.
The WSSB Honor Ensemble placed 1st in their division and received the 2nd highest score for a string ensemble overall. The WSSB 7th/8th Ensemble placed 3rd. (The 2nd place winner was a junior high in Las Vegas with 750 students.)
Our 19 students demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication and were competitive against junior high schools with 2,000 students who have strings every day as part of their regular class schedule.
Both our ensembles received an “Excellent” rating.
After the performance students spent the day at Magic Mountain.
It was great fun, and I'm very proud of them.
Ms. Hagen”
***
Related to the above, we wish to celebrate Melanie Mora of the 6th Grade (pictured above holding her violin). Melanie is the only 6th Grader in the accoladed WSSB Honor Ensemble.
Also: we wish to celebrate 6th Grade's Penelope Katsapis (pictured here). Penelope won first place in the 100 Meter at the Santa Barbara Youth Track Meet recently.
Congratulations, Melanie and Penelope!
With gratitude,
The Admin Team
PS The Poem of the Day is from Rumi:
Come to the orchard in Spring.
There is light and wine and sweethearts
in the pomegranate flowers...