A Busy Week!
Yakumo School Visit
This Thursday, we had a cultural exchange with the students of Japan's Yakumo School. One hundred students joined our Grades students, sharing Japanese crafts and outdoor activities. The visit closed with a performance from their chorus. It was a day of true joy and enrichment for the students. We hope to host them again next year!
Important Dates
Friday, February 27: Parent Association Family Dance from 5 - 7 p.m.
Friday, March 6: Parent Evening with Cynthia Hoven 6 - 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 7: Eurythmy Workshop 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11: Rising First Grade Evening at 5:00 p.m.
March 16-20: Parent-Teacher Conferences - early dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18: Board of Trustees Meeting at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25: Spring Performance from 6 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 26: Last Day of Winter Term
Friday, March 27 - Tuesday, April 7: Spring Break
Parent Evening and Eurythmy Workshop with Cynthia Hoven
Next week, Cynthia Hoven, seasoned Eurythmist and longtime Waldorf educator will be here. She is offering a parent evening from 6 - 7 pm in the Great Room, Technology and the Development of the Will. On Saturday, she is offering a Eurythmy workshop from 9 - noon. You can register for the workshop here:
Search and Rescue Helicopter
On Tuesday we were visited by the Sheriff Department's Search and Rescue helicopter. The two deputy sheriffs landed the helicopter on the field as students watched from the black top. They gave a wonderful presentation about how they came to be in the Sheriff's department and invited us to come closer and look at the helicopter. The students were very engaged and excited! We are grateful to South Coast Montessori for including us.
Sensing the Need - Getting Out Ahead of It
Podcast with Kim John Payne
In this episode, Kim highlights the importance of previewing and “getting out ahead” of difficult moments before they escalate. Whether it’s a grumpy morning with a young child or a teenager returning home with restraint collapse, acknowledging the emotional state early can shift the tone of the day. Rather than ignoring frustration or trying to immediately fix it, Kim encourages parents to calmly name what they see and reassure their child that they are present and supportive.
This approach signals safety and understanding, and it helps children feel less alone in their struggles. For teens, he suggests offering flexibility and emotional space, even letting them opt out of dinner or homework when they clearly need to decompress. Asking, “Let me know what you need,” empowers older children and shows trust. These small, anticipatory gestures build connection and trust over time and prevent many conflicts from growing larger.