A Magnificent Thing

Dear Members of The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara Community,

It is a gift for school to be in session again.

As you may know, children less than 100 miles away — because of the fires — do not have such an opportunity, as many schools (including two Waldorf schools) have burned.

Let us hold their fear and sadness in our hearts. It is humbling to imagine being a parent who has to tell her child that the child’s house and school have burned down. It is humbling to imagine being a parent who has to tell her child that she will have to join a new school community for the community she knew is now gone.

In light of the trauma of our not-so-distant neighbors, now is a good time to acknowledge thankfully the mere fact of our campus, its buildings, its trees and plants, the grass in the field, the garden, the basketball hoops, and the American goldfinches who dine on the two sweetgum trees’ seeds every year (and who are dining on those seeds now).

Please know that we are communicating with Waldorf schools to determine how we might support displaced families. We aim to help these families. We will keep you informed in the upcoming days about a possible donation drive. We also extend our love to families in the WSSB community who have been affected.

Here are some words—from Marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and activist-writer Katharine K. Wilkinson—to guide us as we start our new year amid the gift of our WSSB community and the suffering of other communities:

“Let’s move forward with love, not conquest; humility, not righteousness; generous curiosity, not hardened assumptions. It is a magnificent thing to be alive in a moment that matters so much. Let’s proceed with broken-open hearts, seeking truth, summoning courage, and focused on solutions.”

Important Dates:

  • January 20:  No School in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • January 22:  Board Meeting at 3:30 p.m.

In gratitude,

The WSSB Admin Team

PS The above picture features lambs “Mike,” “Blue,” and “Shaun” as they are being tended by the Grade 3/4 class.

PPS Thank you again to the many families and teachers who have generously donated to our Annual Giving Campaign. Our campaign continues with a goal of 100% participation. We ask you to consider giving to WSSB, if you haven’t already. No gift is too small and none too large.

Alexis Schoppe