7th and 8th Grade Danced the Night Away!

The 7th and 8th Grade Dance was an achievement in many ways! The students had been practicing their dance moves for weeks and were able to celebrate their learning by hosting one of the largest dances ever held on the WSOC campus. A total of 135 students with guests from five other schools attended! 

Not only that, but WSOC students were responsible for the festivities, from setting-up and breaking-down to DJing and lighting design, everyone took part in making the “night of music, games, dancing, and laughing” a success. Seventh and 8th grade students worked incredibly hard, according to Mr. Storm. 

The Waldorf emphasis of exploring movement and other cultures, particularly through dance, not only strengthens students’ understanding of themselves, but also enhances their social skills and ability to cross cultural boundaries. 

Movement is interwoven into the Waldorf curriculum. “It is through rhythm that a balance and harmony is established between the two poles of human experience – the consciousness of the head and the will activity of the limbs. In establishing this harmony, rhythm frees the forces of the head – the intellectual forces – from their tendency to harden in abstraction, and brings order into the impulses of the will, only too liable to explode in wild activity,” according to Waldorf Education: A Family Guide. 

Photos courtesy of Joseph Fanarof

Tea with the 12th Grade

Waldorf seniors shined as they discussed the intricacies of a Waldorf education with more than 60 attendees during a one-hour Q & A. They highlighted superb teaching, deep friendships, the ability to participate in athletics and numerous clubs, and share their voices as cornerstones of their experience at WSOC.

4th Grade Production of "Maria's Birthday"

Grade 4 students dazzled with their historic play that transported the audience back to a rancho in California in 1835 when Maria Gonzalez celebrated her 10th birthday with family and friends.

The bilingual play highlighted students' grasp of Spanish as they sang, acted, and danced on a vibrant and well-designed set they created themselves!

The Company of Angels

Come into The Company of Angels and shop your holiday whether it be Ramadan, Easter or Passover. Enjoy the Spring items in store for you.

Remember the first day of Spring is coming on March 19th.

– Nona and the Angels

10th Grade Celebrated Lunar New Year in Mexicali

The people of Mexicali are as warm as the weather, according to WSOC Spanish Teacher Sandra Blanco (Señora Blanco). 

Tenth grade students were able to immerse themselves in Mexican culture thanks to a longstanding partnership between WSOC and CETYS University. 

The program, which crosses physical, educational, and cultural borders was placed on hold during the pandemic, but was rejuvenated this year, thanks to Señora Blanco’s efforts. 

For her, it’s not simply sharing Mexican culture and encouraging life-long win-win relationships between WSOC students and their Mexican siblings (as they are called in the program). It's about constructing these cultural bridges as a way to promote peace in the world as students find “the common parts that join us… the human soul.” 

Born in Mexico City but raised in Mexicali, Señora Blanco said it’s an honor to be able to share her childhood home and culture with WSOC students. 

“Hopefully with these types of trips we can create that [understanding], with our hearts, our souls, our eyes – to create and make a difference,” she said. 

Not only were students introduced to Mexican culture, they were also able to celebrate the “Year of the Wooden Dragon” at the 2024 Chinese New Year Festival at La Chinesca in Mexicali. The observance is particularly notable as a celebration of the Chinese community that actually founded Mexicali. 

Cultural immersion from the exchange program has been helping develop lasting friendships across the border for over 14 years and is a program that many WSOC students define as “life changing”. 

WSOC 6th grade students competed in the 26th Annual Medieval Games, testing their athletic prowess and mental toughness against seven other schools and 150 other students.

They engaged in archery, jousting, javelin throwing, and ended the day with a four-way tug of war, which happened in the rain this year. The grand finale was a steeplechase run with a mud pit at the end.

"Muddy fun was had by all," according Games Teacher Brad Holm.

Chaperones dressed up in costume, too, and contributed to the "medieval ambiance."