Spring Happenings
Dear Members of The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara,
There has been much going on at WSSB. This newsletter highlights some of the recent happenings.
The 8th Grade recently presented the results of their months-long mentorship projects to an audience of parents and community members. This project requires that the students seek an adult mentor to lead them in learning a new skill in an area of the student’s interest. Some of the projects taken on included therapy dog training, ranching, wood working, hair styling, hunting, coding, guitar playing, copper jewelry making, oil painting, charcoal drawing, and learning how to start a non- profit and fundraise for it. Some of the reflections of the students, upon completion of their presentations, included an increase in self-confidence and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. Many skills were learned and beautiful products created. Way to go, 8th grade!
The 8th Grade Mentorship Projects and Presentations.
In Los Angeles Ms. Nelson’s 5th Grade participated in the Pentathlon, a culmination of their learning about Ancient Greece.
Mr. Kenan, Ms. Nelson, and all of us at WSSB congratulate the 5th Grade Class on their performance in this year’s Pentathlon. WSSB joined other Southern California Waldorf Schools in a recreation of the original Olympic Games. At the games competed in five events: javelin, discus, golden wrestling, long jump, and relay running. We are proud of our students. They gave their best effort, cheered each other on, and showed excellent sportsmanship. This was a salutary culmination to their study of Ancient Greece and the training they have been doing with Mr. K.
This past weekend many of our students participated in the Strings Competition in Los Angeles. It was an exciting event. Surrounded by larger orchestras in formal dress, our small, relaxed group still stood out. They played beautifully, and we are so proud of their accomplishment. Congratulations to Ms. Hagen and our Strings Orchestra for bringing home another first place win for WSSB!
Our WSSB Strings Orchestra takes home an Excellent Rating by the judges and another 1st place win in their division!
Yesterday, on May 1st, we celebrated our May Faire Festival. We also had celebrated our Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day. May Faire, a festival tradition that traces its roots from ancient European spring festivals, is one way Waldorf education connects the children to nature, honors the changing of the seasons, and creates an opportunity for true community. We had a beautiful May Faire and Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day! Thank you to all of our staff and faculty who worked to make this day a success. And thank you to all of our students who performed their dances so beautifully. And finally, thank you to all the guests (parents, special friends, and grandparents) who came and celebrated with us and who support the children and WSSB.
May Faire and Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day.
Ms. Liz, our beloved Garden Teacher, put on a Garden Luncheon today with the Grade 8 class. Each 8th Grader invited a special guest to join in the luncheon. The students helped prepare the food (much of it harvested from WSSB’s garden), serve, and clean up. This Grade 8, due to Covid, missed out on this event during Third Grade. This year Ms. Liz will host two luncheons—one for the Grade 8 class (who missed out on this cherished WSSB tradition) and one for Grade 3 (held next week).
Eight Grade Garden Party with Ms. Liz.
Important Dates:
*Friday, May 16th: Hike-a-Thon (see Parent Square Post)
*Monday, May 26th: No School for Memorial Day
*Saturday, May 31st: Spring Soiree
*Monday, June 2nd at 8:45 a.m.: Strings Assembly
*Friday, June 6th: End of Year Potluck
With gratitude,
The Admin Team
PS The Poem of the Day, “The First of May,” is by Annette Wynne:
If I could stay up late no doubt
I’d catch the buds just bursting out;
And up from every hidden root
Would jump a tiny slender shoot;
I wonder how seeds learn the way,
They always know the very day—
The pretty, happy first of May;
If I could stay up then, no doubt
I’d catch the buds just bursting out.