June 2016 Heartbeat

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IN THIS ISSUE...

The Magic of Honeybees

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High School Highlight

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Faculty/Staff Farewells

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Upcoming Events Alumni Corner Class of 2016

Students and bees get acquainted during hive move-in day.

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Photo|Dionne Kane

The Magic of Honeybees: Observing Our Hive The following article begins with the work of PWS parent Lauren Johnson, using excerpts from her Waldorf teacher training research paper. The second half of the article is written by alumni parent Brian Lacy, PWS Beekeeper.

Edited by Kelly Hogan.

“Every human being should show the greatest of interest in [honey bees], because much more than you can imagine, our lives depend upon beekeeping.” (Rudolf Steiner)

Steiner was clear about the importance of living nature study in Waldorf schools in his 191 lecture to teachers: “...without being familiar... with nature and without a relationship to spiritual life, people today cannot become part of social life.” Honeybees engender love, a sense of wholeness and a connection to the healing forces in the world.

An initial appreciation of the honeybee may begin with observing her in nature as she forages among the flowers, or tasting the fruits of her labor from a jar of honey. The initial interest may endure through repeated experiences of a fleeting nature, or that interest can deepen through a study of the life cycle of the bee and the hive. A still deeper

interest can form when a person sees the honey bee as more than an organism living in nature, but as a symbol of our deeper humanity and a link to our spiritual origins.

Humanity’s relationship with bees is evident in all the ancient cultures studied in the Waldorf grade school pedagogical journey.

Opportunities to incorporate bees into subjects for all ages abounds, from the mathematical qualities of the six-sided cells in the honeycomb, to the spiral formation of a bee swarm; nutrition, nature studies, Ancient India & Egypt and botany all have an abundance of avenues to pursue through the study of the bee and hive... not to mention candle-making with the wax and honey for bread day! [continued on Page 2] “If I can clearly see the world around me, The creatures of the earth and of the sky, Then I can see as well what other people need.

If I can hear the sounds and songs and voices, In the world around me, Then I can hear as well what all words mean.

For if I can know the outer world, I can also know the world within.”

(Dorothy Harrer)

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Bees, continued PWS is now home to several thousand bees!

It’s commonly known that bees are essential to healthy plants and abundant food. What is far less known is how bees really live. Now at PWS, it’s as easy as stopping by the Library to watch in wonder.

Earlier this spring Urban Bees and Gardens’ bee educator Brian Lacy moved the bees from a small cardboard box into our observation hive and then installed the hive in the Library. Grades 3 and 4 (and a gathering Beekeeper Brian Lacy and Grade 3 students assemble of onlookers!) attended the beehive. the event.

After much appreciated work by Kelly Hogan, Ms Nelson’s Grade 3 students, Ian Terrell, Brendan Eiswerth and Brian Lacy (https:// UrbanBeesandGardens.org) the beauty and magic of honeybees are now on full display in our Library for all to enjoy during regular Library hours (including summer hours Wednesdays 1-5pm and Fridays 8am-noon).

Special thanks is also due to Arianna Hartstrom, who chose our school to be the recipient of the hive; The Bee Cause (http:// www.thebeecause.org), a national organization that made and shipped the hive; and Whole Foods Whole Kids grant, for funding the work of bringing bees into schools.

A full copy of Lauren Johnson’s research paper (which includes many resources, activities, recipes and songs!), is available in the Library.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT

Olympic Style Saber Fencing

BY TONY RENZEMA, GRADE 11

During their “Parzival” main lesson block, the 11th Grade had the opportunity to translate their literary study of medieval chivalry into concrete activity. Movement teacher Valerie Pufahl brought in a local expert with a strong connection within this class to give them a lesson in the basics.

When we were asked if any of us had ever fenced before, every helmet-clad head turned to our sheepishly grinning, nationally ranked, A-level fencer friend Eva Hinds. She stood curriculum

J UNE 2016 Grade 11 gathers around coach Charles Randall, learning some basics of saber fencing.

Photo|Grace Evans

next to her coach, Charles Randall of PDX Fencing, who proudly explained to the class the level Eva had achieved over her middle/ high school career. This was followed by a brief demonstration by the two of them, their swords ringing out with a rapid-fire parry and repost drill. This ended with a statement by coach Charles: “We do this for 30 minutes a day.”

This rather humbling introduction rapidly segued into a footwork drill, and we slowly built up our foundation, and soon we were gliding across the gym floor.

We lunged, we parried, and over the course of two Tuesdays, we “Ready? Fence!” Photo|Grace Evans learned some of the technicalities of saber fencing, all the while with mounting respect for our elite classmate.

On the third and final day under the instruction of Charles and Eva, the class split into two groups and donned our white jackets for a tournament. Out of our tournament, two semi-finalists emerged, one of whom was quickly defeated by the champ. With proper bragging rights bestowed, it was time to reflect. Some said they liked the new experience, while others enjoyed the competition and getting to hit each other with swords. But everyone learned something new, coming to an understanding of fencing and the finesse, focus, and accuracy it requires of the fencer.

From four meters away, a fencer may not seem so much like a medieval knight ready to joust, but the moral values of chivalry and respect, and all of the ancient rituals of the joust have carried over into saber fencing.

Thank you on behalf of the 11th Grade to Charles Randall for teaching us how to fence and for letting us use all of the equipment provided by PDX Fencing. Special thanks to Eva for pursuing this opportunity and for patiently helping us through this fun experience.

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Faculty/Staff Farewells, Appreciations & Updates From Ms. Mass: KATHLEEN TAYLOR began to assist in the grades at Portland Waldorf School sixteen years ago. She then began with her first class the year the school moved into our current building, getting her introduction to class teaching by installing her own classroom floor. Since then, Kathleen has given so much to the school: Photo|Jesse Michener shepherding her students, serving on the College of Teachers and the Board of Trustees, acting as the school’s AWSNA representative, starting the high school yearbook and stepping in whenever and wherever needed in countless ways.

I met Kathleen when she was with her first group of seventh graders and her uprightness, strength and clarity were visible from our very first meeting. The surly adolescents, dressed in black, lightened and softened when she entered the room and seemed to breathe easier in her presence. The love, warmth and trust that flowed from her flowed back from her students and it was visible that they knew that she saw the best in them.

I admired her greatly and was totally intimidated by her. At that time, she was Grades Chair, a member of the College and served on (what seemed to me) every committee at the school. She was so competent and capable.

I was fortunate to be invited on the eighth grade trip with that class, where all of my thoughts were confirmed. Kathleen could do anything. I watched her lead and inspire her class through backpacking, kayaking and white water rafting. On that trip, I also found a great friend. I felt what her students felt: her honesty, warmth and uprightness.

Many have felt what a great support Kathleen is as a colleague and a friend. She has been a valuable part of the school community and she will be greatly missed. As I look to next year and feel her absence, I enjoy imagining her walking on the mesas of New Mexico and exploring the terrain of her next adventure.

Let us send her off with our love and well wishes on her journey.

From Ms. Jamie & Ms. Mariama: SADIE LIFTON will be moving forward into a new position next fall as the lead handwork teacher at Swallowtail Waldorf School. Sadie started at PWS as a Lily Kindergartener and graduated from the High School in 2007.

As a friend and colleague, Sadie is sensitive, thoughtful, creative, and always striving toward self-improvement. She has a deep and genuine love for the process of Waldorf education and she has used her many talents (organization, problem solving, and an excellent sense for naturally soothing aesthetics) to create a comforting and orderly aftercare environment.

Thanks to her unquestionable enthusiasm for handwork, Sadie always works on new handwork skills of her own as well as imagining new projects that can meet the needs of the students. Most wonderfully, because Sadie is dedicated to understanding child development, she is always seeks practical ways to provide students with any extra support they may require.

Our many students who have been taught and cared for by Ms. Sadie will continue to Photo|Grace Evans carry the skills, warmth and caring she has given them into their future. We wish her a joy-filled farewell as she embarks in her next chapter of life a Waldorf teacher.

From Ms. Cyndia: Our dear MS. LAURA joined our school when her eldest daughter was in the Lily Kindergarten, and she has been a part of our school for many years, for which we are very grateful.

We are sad that she will not be returning to the Lily Kindergarten next year, and will miss her warm, caring nature and ready sense of humor. We wish her and her Photo|Dionne Kane family all the best in their new adventures!

[continued on Page 4] administration

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Faculty/Staff, continued From Ms. Emily: JULIA LEON, or Miss Julia, as we know her in Rose Kindergarten, is a domestic goddess. Her calm, collected efficiency has kept classrooms running smoothly Photo|Meghan Hof during the years she has dedicated to early childhood at PWS. Julia is a greatly loved presence. Her gentle sweetness and nurturing demeanor have made her an excellent caregiver and model for young children, and more so, a complete delight to work with. Her consistency and care have been my greatest support as I stepped into not only a new classroom, but a new community with my family. I think of Julia as a jewel collector - her jewels are the amazing and valuable experiences that she has gathered. Now her life calls her toward new adventures. Although we are sad to see her go, I know that she will bring her love and beauty to so many more people. There are great things in store for this amazing woman, and I wish her the very best on her journey.

From Mr. John: JOHN “JUPE” SCHIAVO joined PWS in August 2013 as the Finance Assistant in the Business Office. Initially hired to assist with accounts payable and provide back-up to the Business Manager, Jupe steadily assumed other duties and responsibilities, eventually becoming Bike Team with Capt. Jupe the focal point for most transactional accounting activity in the school.

Jupe is an avid soccer player and cyclist and recently initiated PWS’s participation in a local corporate challenge for bicycle commuting mileage. Jupe is leaving PWS to join his wife, Katie, in homeschooling their two children, Dylan and Molly. Jupe’s quiet consistency and reliable productivity will be missed by all.

From Mrs. Pomeroy: This year, the community of students and teachers in the High School had the great good fortune to have a modern day renaissance man in our midst. ISAAC WEISS will be moving on to other endeavors, but he has left an enduring aesthetic mark on our High School. Having just earned an MFA in drawing and painting, Isaac came administration

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with a wealth of teaching experience (all ages, toddlers through adults) and enthusiasm for teaching at PWHS. His own skill at rendering and drawing from observation inspired our students as he challenged them to push forward in their own work. His unique work with recyclable materials in his cardboard and paper mache sculptures inspired all of us.

Every day he showed up with curiosity and interest in the students and what he could learn from Waldorf Education. We learned a lot from him. All the best in your next adventures, and we will miss you, Mr. Weiss!

From Mrs. McCarter: SILVIA SETTLE-SANTANA generously took up the interim teaching of high school Spanish in January when the previous teacher departed unexpectedly. With her warmth and background in social work, she has helped the students feel comfortable exploring a second language and she has inspired their interest in modern issues facing Latinos by bringing in Spanish speaking guests from non-profit organizations that work with immigrant families. We can’t thank her enough for the great work she has done this semester!

JAVIERA DIAZ has volunteered her time

as an assistant in the High School Spanish classes this semester. She has brought a strong understanding of Spanish grammar and made it possible for students to receive more individualized attention. We wish her well as she continues her adventures!

From Ms. Wendy: Many of you have been inquiring about MS. SONIA and whether she will be returning to work at PWS next year.

She has agreed that we can share that we are still in conversation about this possibility.

It’s difficult to speak in detail about all of the factors that play into her return because some of it is personal and some of it has to do with the school’s employment needs. But we want you to know that we are hoping, as much as you are, that she will be able to return to PWS in some capacity in the future. Please reach out to Wendy Rea if you have more questions about this. And, please send warm and loving thoughts to Ms. Sonia!

Many thanks to the Oregon Forest Research Institute for $1400 of grant money! The money was used to pay for buses for Grades 2, 5, and 6 to learn Botany, Forest Ecology, and how to have fun at Mt. Talbert Nature Preserve, Latourelle Falls, and Oxbow Park.

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upcoming events|JUNE Farewell Assembly JUNE 10 | 11AM High School Graduation JUNE 11 | 2PM 8th Grade Promotion JUNE 12 | 1PM Last Day of School: Walk-a-thon | Early Dismissal (12pm) | Community Picnic JUNE 17 For more information about these or other school events, please visit www.portlandwaldorf.org or contact our office.

Alumni Corner

Class of 2006, Families & Teachers: save the date!

Congratulations, Graduates!

Please join us in offering congratulations to those among our alumni who are graduating from other institutions of learning this year!

Samantha Lloyd-Knauf ‘08, UC Berkeley Italian, Art History Patrick Romero ‘10, Portland State University Mathematics, Computer Science Whitman Craig ‘11, Evergreen State College Liberal Arts Katrina Dimick ‘11, Portland State University Anthropology, Spanish, cum laude Taylor Holland ‘11, Northeastern University International Affairs, History, Economics, Global Social Entrepreneurship Lily Tsou ‘11, Portland State University Psychology Claire Johnson ‘12, Bryn Mawr College Geology Sarah Reams ‘12, University of Portland Business Administration, Accounting, Mathematics, maxima cum laude Sophia Rice ‘12, Ursinus College Peace & Social Justice, Politics, Spanish Wolky Samboy-Hillyer ‘12, U. of Puget Sound Science, Technology & Society; Environmental Policy & Decision Making Mayu Uchiyama ‘12, University of Redlands Vocal Performance, Art We don’t want to leave anyone out! If you know (or are) a PWS grad doing wonderful things in the world, please get in touch with us! We’d love to hear from you.

alumni

Keep in Touch

Send us stories, poems, photos or watercolor renderings of what you’ve been up to: email: alumni@portlandwaldorf.org snail mail: Portland Waldorf School Attn: Alumni 2300 SE Harrison Street Milwaukie, OR 97222-5727 social media: www.facebook.com/portlandwaldorfschool Instagram @portlandwaldorfschool PAGE 5

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Congratulations, Class of 2016!

In a short time the students in the class of 2016 will graduate from PWS into the world of young adulthood. In an important sense, they are not just finishing high school, they are completing an education based on what we might call scientific humanism— an approach to human development and purpose that is meant to enhance the young person’s ability to find and Photo|Cici Xiao pursue a course of freedom in their life.

The Class of 2016 is that marvelous thing—a close-knit group of sixteen distinctive individuals. Warm hearted but also good humored, they recognize and honor each other’s abilities and also acknowledge lovingly their respective foibles. In planning for their lives after high school, they have followed the promptings of their own and their shared uniqueness. Most of them intend to continue their formal education after graduation, and they have largely chosen pathways for doing this that fit well with their abilities, their aspirations, and their resources.

Of the seventeen members of the class (including one student who left after Junior year but has worked with our college counseling program), sixteen applied to college. Of those sixteen, thirteen were accepted to the school they consider to be their first choice (additionally, one student is on the waiting list at their first choice). Those Photo|Jesse Michener first choices include Willamette University, Clackamas Community College, Oberlin College, Pacific University, Haverford College, the University of Portland, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, DigiPen Institute of Technology, London Metropolitan University, Portland Community College, and Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo—a list whose variety reflects the considered choices these students made in the first place, as well as their success in pursuing these goals. seasonal

BY CHRISTOPHER ZINN, CLASS SPONSOR

At least one of our seniors has decided to work for a year and perhaps take a couple of classes in community college or begin an apprenticeship, and another may decide to follow a similar path. A couple of students have decided not to attend their first choice school, in one case out of financial considerations, and in another, because he has decided instead to enlist in the United States Navy. Yet another student is still waiting to make a final decision about where to attend college next year.

The care with which our seniors have formed their post graduation plans reflects well on their maturity. Quite a few of them have expressed a desire to remain relatively close to home. All of them are understandably cautious about taking on student debt, and thus have generally sought out affordable choices that fit well with their means but also their ultimate objectives.

They have not been swayed by external accounts of what are supposed to be the “best” schools but instead have identified Photo|Grace Evans and formed relationships with schools and programs that reflect their abiding interests and their sense of community. In general, they have practiced what the American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson calls “self-trust.”

In supporting them as a school and a community, too, we commit ourselves once again to the goals and values of a Waldorf education—to enable our students to love learning and to learn for themselves. The results of this education can’t simply be measured by the number of our students who are accepted to college or who gain entrance to so-called top tier institutions which in turn are supposed to offer the best chances for “success” in our society. Instead, and rightly so, we evaluate the outcome of a Waldorf education by the way in which our students define and achieve their plans for the next steps in their lives, and find happiness and fulfillment in the pursuit of their goals. [continued on Page 7] PAGE 6

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Class of 2016, continued Post-Graduation Plans Linnea Ashkar will attend Birthingway College this summer in order to become a certified labor doula. In the Fall, she will begin study for a nursing degree at the University of the University of Portland as the recipient of Photo|Jesse Michener the Scandinavian Heritage scholarship and the Oregonian Credit Union scholarship.

Carter Averill will attend Clackamas Community College in the Fall where he will study Fitness Technology as the recipient of an Oregon Promise grant.

Stewart Baker will enlist in the United States Navy where he hopes to serve for at least four years before attending college.

Daniel Baugher plans to work for a year before attending college or beginning an apprenticeship to become an automotive technician.

Alex Braunstein will attend attend either Pacific University, where he has been offered a scholarship, or Portland Community College. He plans to study filmmaking.

Eli Burch will attend Portland Community College as the recipient of an Oregon Promise grant. He plans to study computer programming, math, and theoretical physics.

Tomasz Chaberski plans to attend Portland State University for two years to study video production and then transfer to another university.

Sydney Churchill will attend Haverford College with a full scholarship. She plans to study neuroscience.

Lewis Johnson will attend the University of Oregon.

Makena Ketchum plans to attend London South Bank University where she has been offered a scholarship to study international business.

Jonah Livermore will attend Portland Community College as the recipient of an Oregon Promise Grant. seasonal

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Emmett McCarthy has received a scholarship to attend Willamette University where he plans to major in archaeology.

Nichakorn “King” Prukpaiboon plans to attend Concordia University, where she has been offered a scholarship.

Julien Ramirez will attend Oberlin College on a full scholarship.

He plans to study computer science and also to play football.

John Paul Takacs will attend Pacific University where he has been granted a scholarship to study music and education.

Photo|Zoe van Baren

Chenxi “Cici” Xiao will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she plans to major in Environmental Management and Protection.

Gratitude Corner Our gratitude goes out this month to the generous circle of sewing fairies, led by kindergarten parent Wendy Morris, who have been hard at work creating bright new tableclothes for our graduation festivities!

Please join us in thanking Wendy, Manuela Musolf, Chrisi Eile, Louise Barczak, Jillian Nelson, Jenny Siegel, and Heidi PerryBringham.

Neither our 12th Grade Graduation nor our 8th Grade Promotion ceremonies would happen without the dedicated work of faculty, staff and a veritable army of volunteers. For these beautiful celebrations and the creation of space in which to honor our students as they continue their journeys, we thank the Graduation Committee (Michelle Averill, Mary Beaton, Sadie Lifton, Kate McGill and Katherine Pomeroy) and all the volunteers and faculty/staff who create flower arrangements, bake and decorate cakes, set up and clean up, provide refreshments, make corsages, and all the other bits and pieces that come together in the form of our most special annual events.

Know someone else who has gone above and beyond?

Send suggestions for our Gratitude Corner to Grace at grace.evans@portlandwaldorf.org.

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