This past Sunday, amid a torrential downpour and high winds, the 11th grade (along with some magical helpers) fed 50 people a seven-course dinner and raised some serious funds for the Food Justice Initiative. What started as a dream and seed project in their tenth grade Research Methods Class is slowly but surely becoming a reality. Food Truck here we come!
The 11th grade had been preparing for this event throughout their Cooking Arts class for six weeks. From ingredient sourcing and menu design to the art of serving and working under pressure, the process of designing and executing the event provided countless learning opportunities for all involved.
On Sunday morning, three students joined me at the Mountain View Farmers Market to pick up all the vegetables (they also enjoyed some warming beverages and pastries at Red Rock Café, a treat to make up for the early wake-up hour.)
The students were joined by the rest of the class at noon to prepare all the food for the meal. They worked hard to get everything prepped (in our VERY makeshift kitchen) and finished everything in under three hours. By 4:20, all the guests were seated and jamming along to the sounds of faculty member Rich Armstrong and his collaborator Kimberlye Gold with special guest (and faculty member) Christopher Otte. They were joined by members of WSP’s own Soul Providers, a parent/faculty/alumni band reunited for the first time since the pandemic.
Overall, the dinner was a success. Students cooked food, plated food, served food and explained the story behind each dish. Many of the ingredients were from Live Earth Farms (the very same farm at which this class worked and stayed in third Grade with Mrs. Budrys Senior!) The hard work, collaboration, and dedication that the students showed the community inspired many attendees to generously support the Food Justice Initiative. A soon-to-exist Chicken Coop and Coffee Trike were fully funded.
by Dylan L. | Waldorf Chronicles Editor, Class of 2023
Reprint from The Waldorf Chronicles, High School Newspaper
How will people change and grow in the wake of the pandemic?
We don’t yet know the answer – and, in some respects, we don’t even know the right questions to ask.
The pandemic continues to dramatically affect our lives, including our relationships with other people in our communities, our families, our homes and our peers. Our seniors, Class of 2022 created the opportunity to develop a theme that brought a strong sense of community which WSP has always taken pride in. The theme, “Togetherness” has brought many smiles, laughter and joy to be back as a whole to celebrate the new school year.
For some, losing face-to-face contact with people and being thrown into much closer contact than usual can feel stressful and may be worrying, frightening or even unbearable. However, our high school retreat was well planned with signature activities that brought all new high school students, returning students, faculty and staff together to engage and be with each other for a meaningful social time.
For over a year, the pandemic has taught us how to come together virtually, and during that time, we have lost the sense of community and belonging that’s inherently cultivated through in-person, face-to-face interactions. With encouraging news of COVID-19 vaccines and a good sense of how WSP had brought us all back on campus since last October, we now have an idea of what the future of school can be. This year’s high school retreat had taught us that creating opportunity for people to spend time together and rebuild community — not just in the school, but in every aspect of our daily lives — will be more important than ever.
We all belong to a variety of different communities — physical and virtual — but ultimately, we eventually need to come together again in person. As we shift to a hybrid future of whatever it may be, we see a set of nested problems: How can we rebuild our lives that sparks innovation, connection and community? How do we ensure those connections extend beyond our peers? It starts by connecting people at the human scale, a few people at a time. And at WSP high school, we seem to know how to thread around this carefully and mindfully with space and care for each other in coming together.
At this live online event, we will showcase our high school program and student life, and you will have the opportunity to hear from our amazing high school faculty members as well as current students and Waldorf alumni.
As parents reflect on the questions of what the world needs and how to support their student’s intellectual, social, and emotional well-being, we invite you to witness our high school community. We cultivate diverse voices and perspectives that develop relational capacities that students need to interact effectively in today’s world. That’s why we place emphasis on group collaboration across every aspect of our high school. And, what’s more, we believe that developing students’ compassion and empathy are equally important and foundational for shaping graduates with the creativity and skills to work towards a greater good.
Our high school students are very clear that life is not multiple choice. There’s not one absolute way to learn and live. That’s why we encourage Waldorf students to break out of academic silos and explore diverse approaches. With close guidance and coaching from their teachers, students work together, stretching every facet of their minds. They analyze, synthesize, and create new ways of looking at and understanding our world. They come away with the knowledge that “truth” can be colored by context, and the confidence to navigate the unknown. In everything we do, our students are encouraged to ask, “where are the connections and how can we make it better?” These are just a few highlights that our high school students explore at WSP.
This event is appropriate for adults and students in 6th grade and up looking towards high school.
We hope to see you there!
Any photos depicting students or adults without face masks were taken prior to March 15, 2020.
Coming to one of our campus tours or open houses is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Waldorf Education and experience our school. They include an overview of the Waldorf philosophy and curriculum, detailed information about our school, a walk through some of the classrooms, and time to speak directly with members of the faculty and students. All events end with a Q & A session.
We offer two ways to catch a glimpse into the unique Waldorf approach to education which our our high school and middle school students experience: Wednesday Tours and Saturday Open Houses. Both provide opportunities to meet faculty and current students, view student work, tour our campus, and participate in question & answer sessions. Each provides a slightly different window into our school, and we encourage you to come to both for a full picture of what we offer.
Our Saturday High School Open Houses provide an opportunity for prospective students and parents to experience for themselves the unique, Waldorf approach to learning. Demonstration lessons by members of our high school faculty allow you to enjoy the deeply engaging nature of each discipline as brought to life by experts who are passionate about their fields.
Please click here to reserve your spot today! This is a fully-scheduled event, so please plan to come for the entire program.
Coming to one of our campus tours or open houses is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Waldorf Education and experience our school. They include an overview of the Waldorf philosophy and curriculum, detailed information about our school, a walk through some of the classrooms, and time to speak directly with members of the faculty and students. All events end with a Q & A session.
We offer two ways to catch a glimpse into the unique Waldorf approach to education which our our high school and middle school students experience: Wednesday Tours and Saturday Open Houses. Both provide opportunities to meet faculty and current students, view student work, tour our campus, and participate in question & answer sessions. Each provides a slightly different window into our school, and we encourage you to come to both for a full picture of what we offer.
As our tours take place when classes are in session, they provide prospective high school and middle school students and parents a rare opportunity to visit and observe active classes. There is no better way to experience the spirit students and teachers bring to their work than to see them in action during the school day. We invite you to come take a look.
Please click here to reserve your spot today! This is a fully-scheduled event, so please plan to come for the entire program.
