“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Happy Holidays!
We hope you all have a very happy holiday season and we send a wish for the warmth and comfort of family life over these Winter days. We are deeply grateful for all of our community members: children, parents, caregivers, teachers, and staff. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!
A Christmas Carol
This week the 7th and 8th Grade class performed the play, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The story unfolded with a beautiful presentation that included singing and dancing. Congratulations to the class and to Senora Marcela!
Annual Giving
At the heart of the Waldorf School of Santa Barbara are our students. Our classrooms are more than places of learning; they are carefully held spaces where curiosity is protected, creativity is nurtured, and each child is truly seen.
Annual Giving is one of the most meaningful ways parents support this work. Your gift directly strengthens our classrooms—ensuring teachers have the resources, time, and support they need to meet each child with intention and care. From the carefully prepared lessons and the thoughtfully held Waldorf curriculum to diverse and healthy classrooms, these gifts quietly shape the daily experiences of our children.
We send our deepest gratitude to those who have already given. We have a very generous donor who is willing to match any donations received on Zeffy between today and December 31, 2025.
When we give together, we affirm a shared commitment: to our teachers, to one another, and to the values that brought us to Waldorf education. Every contribution, at every level, matters. It is the collective generosity of our parent community that allows our school to remain strong, vibrant, and deeply rooted in human connection.
Thank you for being part of this circle of care—and for helping our classrooms continue to flourish.
AWNSA Principles for Waldorf Schools
As an associate school of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), we are in the process of completing a self-study this year. We will be reviewing and reflecting on three of the principles put forward by AWSNA. We will submit the self-study in April and then receive a visit from our AWSNA support team later in the Spring. We will be working with Principles 3, 5, and 7:
1. THE IMAGE OF THE HUMAN BEING AS A SPIRITUAL BEING INFORMS EVERY ASPECT OF THE INSTITUTE.
2. WALDORF INSTITUTES FOSTER SOCIAL RENEWAL BY CULTIVATING HUMAN CAPACITIES IN SERVICE TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY.
3. AN ANTHROPOSOPHICAL UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT GUIDES THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
4. WALDORF INSTITUTES SUPPORT FREEDOM IN TEACHING WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE INSTITUTE’S SHARED AGREEMENTS.
5. THE CONSCIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS FOSTERS INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH.
6. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT IS AN ONGOING ACTIVITY.
7. INSTITUTE LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE ARE GUIDED BY COLLABORATION AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.
8. WALDORF INSTITUTES HONOR AND EMBRACE HUMAN DIVERSITY AND DIGNITY.
Kindergarten Cookbook
Our kindergarten teachers created a beautiful cookbook, Nourish to Flourish. There is a sample in the office and copies can be ordered if you would like to purchase one.
