From Space to Schools: Waldorf Alums in Action

From Space to Schools: Waldorf Alums in Action

by | Sep 27, 2024 | Alums, At Home, Curriculum, In the News, Parent Education, Parent Experience

by Dr. Jon Herzenberg, WSP School Director

As deeply caring parents who are invested and engaged in your child’s education, the question of how is your child’s school preparing them for their future and where their education will take them is natural and reasonable. As you may know, some of our WSP faculty are Waldorf graduates as are several of our board members. This past week, Sarah Gillis, the child of a previous WSP School Administrator Sue Levine, took flight aboard SpaceX and played violin in space! You may be thinking that Dr. J has lost his remaining marbles, but read on. It is true! Her beautiful message of “unity and hope and highlighting the resilience and potential of children everywhere” showcased the promise of a Waldorf education, a century old education for today. 

As school has returned to session all across California, there has been a nationwide conversation about whether or not schools should ban phones from campus. The following article,  More California Schools Are Banning Smartphones, but Kids Keep Bringing Them, discusses this and the associated challenges in doing so.  We feel fortunate to be part of a community that values a play based childhood that incorporates technology when developmentally appropriate.

Top image: Illustration by Adriana Heldiz/CalMatters; iStock

Supporting Your Student Through the Election Season

Supporting Your Student Through the Election Season

by | Sep 26, 2024 | At Home, In the News, Parent Education, Parent Experience

by Bridget Kenevan, WSP Middle and High School Counselor

As the mom of a teenage son, the topic of the current presidential race has been on my mind. In that role, I think often about how this election season, and the ways in which the messages of the current presidential campaigns might impact my son and his peers.

The upcoming election is fast approaching, and we are all, including our children, being inundated with input from multiple sources such as yard signs in our neighborhoods, the candidates speaking on television or radio, and comments overheard at school or in the community at large. This election may spark a myriad of feelings and questions for your children. As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to talk with our kids about politics, how to answer their questions, and how to support them through what might be a stressful or difficult time.

This article from KPBS offers some helpful suggestions for parents about how to talk with, and listen to their children about politics and the upcoming election.

Additionally, my door is always open if you want to talk or have any questions for me.

 

Image by kp yamu Jayanath from Pixabay.