Making a Difference.

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks. ~William Shakespeare

Sanderling School’s 2009 Silent Auction was a success - $15,000 was raised to support school programs! Under the canopy of a beautiful, southern California evening, the school yard was transformed into a casual enclave where twinkle lights sparkled in the trees; soft music tickled ears; tasty treats flavored palettes; and amazing items tempted eyes. A magical evening…not only for the event itself; but, the reaffirmation of the strength and commitment of our community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated items, time & effort to create and support this event. You truly did a wonderful thing. You, by way of your generosity, have made a difference in our children’s lives.

" Come Join Me...Come Join Me, Please..."

Spring was officially welcomed on Saturday, May 2nd at our beloved May Faire festival.

Traditionally, this festival marks what is considered the first day of summer in Celtic lands, and also is connected to the Roman Flora, the goddess of spring. There are select places in the world where young maidens rise early on May Day (May 1st) and wash their faces in the morning dew. Thus, ensuring a beautiful complexion for the rest of the year!

Our children celebrated with festivities of a different kind. The traditional May Pole, with colorful ribbons hanging, provided the means for skipping, dancing and singing - while, flower crowns adorned sun-kissed heads and bell & ribbon bracelets created a sound with every step.

Embry Rucker captured a beautiful story of the day. Please check out the following URL
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderlingwaldorf/. Thanks Embry for the amazing photos!

Spring is in the Air.

Miss Megumi’s Nursery/Kindergarten class adjourned for spring break on Friday, April 3rd. Anticipation of holidays to be shared & travels to be embarked upon filled the children’s chatter. One common thread united them all, each child headed into spring with a hand-made stoneware pot filled with seeding “Easter grass” – a symbol of the season’s emerging life. Multi-talented mom, Deanna Gunn led the children in the tactile craft of creating pinch pots, which then were fired and filled with dirt and wheat berry seeds. Happy Spring!

New "Digs" for the Nursery/Kindergarten!

The nursery/kindergarten play yard welcomed a new sand area last week. Installation was enjoyed by a gathering of onlookers eager to participate! No sand hill to small to scale & no log to awkward to carry…Lisa Pool, Lisa Hochman, Chuck El-Ghoury, Maxine Garcia & “Grandpa Garcia” were the envy of the post-school crowd as the benefactors oversaw the construction of their new space. A heartfelt thank you to the construction crew!

Adventure Club

Inspired by 2008 Audubon Medal recipient, Richard Louv, several Sanderling families created ADVENTURE CLUB. Meeting on Saturday mornings at various locations county-wide, the club’s mission is to combat Louv’s “nature-deficit disorder” - a newly coined phenomenon centering on the disconnection between children and nature. With modern children spending less time outdoors, Louv claims behavioral problems are sure to follow. So if you’re interested in combating fears of nature and the lure of the screen, check out ADVENTURE CLUB on Saturdays…it looks like a great time for all, as witnessed in last week’s snaps from the San Elijo Lagoon.

For more information on ADVENTURE CLUB contact Lindsy Richards at lindsyrichards //@// mac.com...and if time permits, check out Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods hailed by the Boston Globe as “an absolute must-read.”

St. Michael slays Dragon!

The 2nd/3rd graders gave a stellar performance of St Michael and the Dragon. It is a story of bravery for the children to take into their hearts as we descend upon the darkness of winter.

Strength and Courage!

The St. Michaelmas celebration was an afternoon of fun and games that challenged the strength and courage in all of us!

Beach Clean Up Day

Our lovely Ms. Jenn organized a family day of picking up trash at Dog Beach in Del Mar. I believe we collected 200lbs of garbage. Most of it consisted of plastics, go figure.

At Sanderling we do not have any plastics in the classrooms, all materials used are natural and non toxic. Waldorf Schools are inherently eco in so many ways; far ahead of the curve in this respect.

FYI: Magical Child and Environgentle in Encinitas carry really nice glass containers with lids and Klean Kanteens!

Environmentalism 101

Dad setting the example of how to care for Mother Earth

Jasper doing his part

Rose Ceremony

The Rose Ceremony is a right of passage for the first graders. Families from the whole school gather to witness the former first graders give a rose to each of the new students. It is a 'passing of the torch' and a symbol of readiness/openness for the journey into the world of academics.

After receiving the rose they crossed over the balance beam to shake hands with their new teacher, Ms. Melanie. Then after her beautiful story about a butterfly, the families formed an archway that twisted and turned all the way to the classroom door. Ms. Melanie and her new students walked through the passage and into their first day of the first grade.

Arches of love to the first graders

Jack and the Bean Stalk

Since January, Ms. Megumi and the children have been making Marionettes for a Jack and the Bean Stalk puppet show. Every Tuesday they gathered after school to hand sew puppets and choreograph the show. We have been anxiously waiting to see the results because they kept it all under wraps from us parents.

Today we finally saw the performance, and it was amazing! I can't believe what they created. The puppets and the kids were magnificent!

How fortunate they are to have such an experience. Thank you Megumi, you are saint!

Sun Downer

It is tradition for the families of Sanderling to gather at Moonlight Beach for an evening picnic the last week of school. Another school year comes to an end; where does the time go?

Drift Wood Ships

This was our final wood shop project of the year. I like this one because it's so easy and eco! Surprisingly it wasn't so easy finding seven flat/wide pieces of drift wood. (I think I went to most the beaches in Encinitas.)

The children made a hole for the mast with a hand drill then sawed the dowels. They punched holes in the sail cloth and threaded the dowels through. Viola! A new toy for the bath tub!

Wood Shop

This week we made walking blocks out of redwood and rope. The kids sanded the blocks and waxed them. Then they cut the rope, threaded it through the holes, and tied double knots.

They get such a kick out of clomping around on these things, and I get a kick out of seeing them feel so proud of their work.

The importance of hand work is a hallmark of Waldorf Education. Dexterous hands make productive and artistic humans. Learning a craft such as wood working can open up creative possibilities of all kinds.

May Faire 08

The May Faire is my most beloved Waldorf festival of the year. It is like stepping back in time for a day. Families gather around the May Pole to watch each class perform a song and dance. It is a living Norman Rockwell painting! The pure innocence and beauty of it all makes me weep every time.

Crowns of Knitted Yarn and Flowers

May Fairy

Hair braiding, Fishing, Panning for Treasures, and Face Painting at May Faire

Watching the children enjoy traditional faire activities reminds me how it is the simple things that they love and need most. This is what memories are made of.