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Dear All,
Last weekend I learned that a dear friend on the East coast will undergo open-heart surgery on Monday as the result of a freak infection that weakened two pulmonary valves. During the past few days I have imagined what he must be thinking as next week approaches, and how frightening the uncertainty of all this must be. As is often the case with life-threatening situations, the issue of not knowing what comes next, or whether there will be a positive outcome, bubbles up – which raises for me the question of “Is there anything at all we can know for sure?”
This has been percolating in my head as I moved through conversations and meetings this week, and listened to queries from parents, board members, teachers and others wrestling with questions for which there may not be clear answers.
- From a kindergarten parent looking ahead to first grade, “What happens if the teacher doesn’t stay with the class through eighth grade?”
- From a trustee in our discussion of taking on additional debt to move the high school, “What happens if interest rates soar?”
- From a grade school parent sharing concerns about her child’s learning challenges, “What happens if she has dyslexia and we don’t know that?”
- From a teacher in discussion about the school’s administrative structure and planning for the future, “What happens when Nettie and Tracy aren’t here?”
Pema Chodron wrote an exquisite book, Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change, which explores what she calls the “fundamental ambiguity of being human.” She writes, “As human beings we share a tendency to scramble for certainty whenever we realize that everything around us is in flux. In difficult times the stress of trying to find solid ground – something predictable and safe to stand on – seems to intensify. But in truth, the very nature of our existence is forever in flux.” She goes on to suggest that rather than be disheartened by the uncertainty of life, what if we accepted it – in her words, “decided to sit down and enjoy the ride?” As adults we might be able to do that – but for our children we often yearn for what is safe, secure and predictable.
All this led me to think more deeply about what, in this world of unknowns, can we offer you and your children for sure. What promises can we provide, what unequivocal statements can we make, in our work at SWS? I would offer that:
- Your child will be surrounded and nurtured by a loving and caring community.
- Your child will move into the world with exceeding confidence.
- Your child will learn to think “out of the box,” becoming a flexible problem solver who can face any challenge.
- Your child will develop not only intellectual capacities, but practical skills such using a hammer, reading a trail map, knitting a hat, and cooking a nutritious meal.
- Your child will develop a true love of learning that he or she will carry with them throughout their life.
- Your child will experience beauty and embrace with reverence the world and people around them.
This gives me great comfort and joy, in a life seemingly filled with unanswerable questions and anxious ambiguities. Filling our children’s hearts with love, their bodies with confidence, and their minds with a passion for learning will serve them well as they navigate their life journey.
Hoping you find warmth in friends and family this weekend!
Tracy
P.S. Don’t miss Winter Faire tomorrow at the grade school from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm and the high schoolMusical Concert Evening on Wednesday next week, at 6:00 pm at the high school.
Dear Parents,
This morning we filled Huckleberry Hall with more than 90 grandparents and special friends – good thing our building is larger! It was a wonderful celebration of our new spaces, our wonderful students, and the transforming experiences that happen in our classrooms each day. Monday saw two dozen visitor to the high school for a similar morning of learning and sharing. The last few weeks have been filled with lantern walks and a campus work party; in the days ahead we look forward to Winter Faire, advent spirals and the Shepherds’ Play, as we move into this lovely season of reflection and giving thanks.
This fall our faculty and staff engaged in a study of gratitude, one of three fundamental human virtues Steiner calls us to consider in our work with children. His writings are plentiful and deep, and I often feel fortunate to leave with a nugget of understanding from my forays into his lectures. A “takeway” for me from my reading this fall was the notion of “universal gratitude toward the world.” Steiner wrote that while of paramount importance, this gratitude “need not always be in one’s consciousness, it may simply live in the background of one’s feeling life.” He offers that we can experience this thankfulness upon entering a beautiful meadow of flowers, or catching the sunrise at dawn. I had a conversation with a parent yesterday in which she shared that just taking time to feel and express her gratitude to those around has literally changed her life. I think this is a glimpse into what Steiner envisioned.
In that spirit of gratitude and thanks, I’ll share a wonderful video about the role expressing gratitude plays in experiencing happiness. I encourage you to take a minute (actually 7:14) and watch it – it will bring both tears and a smile. It is a wonderful reminder of the power of gratitude, and how we can bring real happiness to others and to ourselves with by simply saying thank you.
Wishing you and your families a Thanksgiving filled with joy and gratitude!
Tracy
P.S. Be sure and take a look at the recent issue of Waldorf Today featuring Seattle Waldorf School and our grade school renovation!
From email sent on 11/27/13
Dear All,
This week was a short one, but it brought us very helpful information on internet safety as well as a lovely community gathering, complete with Italian dinner, to discuss the future of the Parent Association.
Staying safe online…
On Wednesday night we had the pleasure to listen to Lori Getz, a cyber educator from California. Earlier that day she had visited grades 6 to 12 to talk about using technology and the danger of “over sharing, over friending and over connectedness.” During the evening she shared the information she had presented for the different ages, and she took us on the same journey, but now from the parents’ perspective. Some of us were amazed to learn what is going on in cyberland – what apps are available and how fast this new generation adapts to all the possibilities out there. We had the feeling that we had jumped onto a running train! Lori did a wonderful job giving us ideas about how to address many of the issues that come up around internet use.
Lori ended her inspiring talk by mentioning the health risks of using our cell phones. I am sure every one of us in the audience did not take their phone into the bedroom that night!
Parent Association – where do we go from here?
Two dozen parents and staff gathered in Huckleberry Hall on Thursday evening to share dinner, conversation, and ideas for the renewal of the Parent Association. Led by parent Tolis Dimopoulos, the group brainstormed responses to “The Parents Association is….” and then engaged in lively discussion around the range of answers shared. Building community, providing information on school issues, and supporting our educational program were some of the notions offered.
The next meeting will be held in mid-January, please watch for more information. This will be a great opportunity to continue the dialogue about parent leadership, as well as enjoy a meal and conversation with other SWS parents.
Additional opportunities to participate in the life of our community are coming up over the next week and all are welcome:
Inspire Planning Meeting on Tuesday, November 19 at 7 pm in Huckleberry Hall at the grade school campus
Help us plan for Inspire on March 22.
WHOLE Work Party on Sunday, November 24 from 1 – 5 pm at the grade school campus
Help us plant flowers, shrubs and trees in the Daffodil play yard and around campus! Children are welcome if they are supervised by an adult. Please RSVP and if you have any questions, contact sgarton@seattlewaldorf.org
WHOLE = Waldorf Helpers of the Outdoor Learning Environment
Grandparents Day
We look forward to welcoming grandparents to the high school and the grade school during the week of Thanksgiving, on 11/25 and 11/27 respectively. If you would like to help make their visit special, email Muffie Signalness at development@seattlewaldorf.org
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Tracy and Nettie
From: End of Week Update, 11/15/13
What a week! The fact that this update is coming out a day later than planned is just one indication of how busy things were for children and adults, not to mention Halloween thrown in for good measure. While I appreciate gaining the extra hour this weekend, I think an additional day might be needed!
I thought it might be interesting to share a couple of highlights from my week, which capture why I so love and believe in our work at SWS.
- From Marisha Plotnik’s (visiting from the Rudolf Steiner School, NYC) presentation on high school math curriculum: “We don’t use a math textbook – it is like a corpse, filled with dead material. Our role is to bring the awe, wonder and beauty of math to life. When a students asks, ‘Will I ever use what we are studying?’ I answer, ‘Never.’ Our work is to develop thinking capacity, which is what makes us divinely human. Our task is to develop in students an inspiration toward conscious human activity.”
- From a conversation with an alumni parent, whose third and last child completed the grade school last year: “I am so deeply grateful for what Seattle Waldorf has given my children. Never could I have imagined what an impact this school would have on them, and on our family. It is just an amazing place in every way.”
- From an email from a high school teacher: “I want to share a comment made by a student. ‘This is the only school I’ve been where nobody cheats.’ This is interesting and quite remarkable. A culture in which students don’t cheat is very difficult to achieve and a testament to an atmosphere of learning and support for individual effort.”
Also notable
On Monday night more than 80 parents, faculty and guests gathered at Magnuson Park to tour Building 11 and learn more about the relocation of our high school program. For those who were not able to attend, materials presented that evening are available here. High school students will travel to the park on Friday and have an opportunity to share their ideas and feedback as well as explore the area.
On Wednesday we hosted the area Waldorf school administrators for our fall meeting. We gather three times a year to share ideas and explore areas for collaboration, including marketing, curriculum development, professional learning and regional events and festivals. (Can you name them all?!)
Coming up
Monday: High School Curriculum Night at 6:00 pm (current HS parents)
Tuesday: Parent Information Session for Middle School musical at 6:00 pm
Wednesday: Grade School Open House on Wednesday at 6:30 pm
Thursday: VIP Tour at the High School on Thursday at 8:30 am
Friday: HS student visit to Magnuson Park (leaving after Main Lesson)
And Lantern Walks galore!
Hoping the trees remain upright and lights on during this blustery weekend!
Warmly,
Tracy
From: End of Week Update, 11/2/13
Crisp, foggy mornings burning off into sunny afternoons. Bulging chestnuts and fiery red maple leaves scattered among the wood chips. Pumpkins appearing on door stoops – fall is indeed here. A native of Wisconsin and later New England, I openly admit this is my favorite time of the year, this fleeting interlude between the heat of summer and the damp, chilling days we know lie ahead.
Our students have enjoyed autumn excursions both near and far in recent weeks. Volunteer Park, Plum Forest Farm, Camano Island and Viva Farms in the Skagit Valley are just a few of the destinations. Next week will see the 11th grade head to Port Townsend for a week of boat building, sailing, and developing of navigational skills bringing to culmination their Main Lesson work in both Renaissance to Enlightenment and Astronomy.
Nearly two dozen grade school students ran in the CYO Cross Country Championship meet last Sunday at Woodland Park, and ten-plus high schoolers ended their season with a final race at Kelsey Creek Park. The high school Ultimate team is gearing up for the Fall Drizzle tournament in a week – I have to admit, the title doesn’t call to me!
Last Sunday I indulged in something I relish – reading the New York Times from start to finish. (Ok, I admit to tossing aside the sports section.) The Week in Review offered an array of rich articles, two of which I’d like to share with you. Is Music the Key to Success? explores the connection between studying music and developing the qualities of collaboration, creativity, discipline and the ability to reconcile conflicting ideas. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Yes, these are the very capacities we see emerging in our children as they move through their Waldorf journey immersed in music, fine and practical arts, Eurythmy, and more. I was particularly struck to read of the link between engaging in music and sharpening one’s ability to listen; having an ear for music took on new meaning for me.
If you have been at the grade school at 3:15 pm recently, you might have noticed a growing circle of students gathering by the swings each afternoon. Our newly launched Extended Day program begins with circle time outside and a snack, then moves inside for activities that include cooking, Japanese, circus arts, math and more. Bruce Feiler’s article Overscheduled Children: How Big a Problem? caught my eye, and it’s a valuable read for parents of children of all ages who are trying to find a balance in after-school activities. (And I plead guilty from the outset, with a 7th grade daughter who comes through the door at 7:30 pm following double-header practices of cross country and soccer, with dinner and homework yet to come.) The gist of Feiler’s piece is captured in his warning from noted psychologist Michael Thompson (author of “The Pressured Child”) that “The real problem lies with parents, especially highly successful ones who have a high degree of control over their own lives and who try to take similar control over their children’s lives. This leads them to make choices about after-school activities out of anxiety instead of interest in their child’s well-being.” Bottom line? Are you hearing giggling and laughter when you pick your children up? If the answer is yes, you’re good.
Best wishes for continued beautiful fall days!
Tracy
P.S. Don’t miss next Wednesday’s kick-off meeting for Inspire! – bring your ideas, energy and a desire to have fun to Huckleberry Hall at 7 pm.
From: End of the Week Update, 10/18/13
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