Office Closed - July 1-15 First Day of School (Grades/Middle School) - Tuesday, September 6th Cubby Practice for Early Childhood - Tuesday, September 6th
Calendar of the Soul
Week Eleven In this the sun's high hour it rests
With you to understand these words of wisdom:
Surrender to the beauty of the world,
Be stirred with new-enlivened feeling;
The human I can lose itself
And find itself within the cosmic I.
Flaming light,
Shine so bright,
Flaming light,
Give your might,
Make us strong and make us bold,
Turn our world to living gold.
- Marget Meyerkort
Summer Solstice is today! Many cultures around the world celebrate the return of the light, life, fertility, and the potential for a good harvest on the summer solstice. Here are some simple ways to celebrate the year’s longest day of the year with you family:
1) Make a solstice suncatcher
2) Work in the garden
3) Pause for a moment and bathe in the sun
4) Make a summer feast!
5) Begin something new
6) Read a book. Midsummer Mouse is a good one for this time of year
7) Make a bonfire
8) Set intentions and let go of anything that doesn't help you move forward
As this year comes to a close, it is a time to reflect...
It is hard to articulate how challenging both physically and mentally these Covid years are on our Faculty. We are incredibly thankful for the strength and energy each and every one of our teachers put into teaching from the heart and holding our students and their needs at the forefront amidst the chaos. THANK YOU to our Faculty.
We had an incredible amount of turnover in our Administration, but each and every new hire has brought a fresh and positive perspective. You've all worn so many different hats while trying to keep a smile on your face. THANK YOU to our Administration.
Our Board has stepped in this year in a way they have yet to have to do in many years. They took on a role that consumed countless hours, making big decisions for our community...and all as volunteers. THANK YOU to our Board.
Our Parents Association rallied to support all of the above. Their dedication helped when help was needed. THANK YOU to our PA.
Our OWS families kept our school safe, kept our students cared for and supported our teachers. Thank you to all of our volunteers for helping at events and beyond. THANK YOU to our OWS families.
And finally, our students. They are the reason we are here. They are the reason we all care. They bond us as a school family. THANK YOU to our students for challenging us, teaching us, and guiding us.
The Strategic Planning Committee has been hard at work and would love to get feedback from you. You should have received a very quick 3 question survey that will help inform their direction as they work on the plan. This is your chance to share your thoughts in a succinct and anonymous way. If you did not receive the survey please email bbazemore@olympiawaldorf.org
If you find yourself on campus over the summer you see a new addition: a community bulletin board! The structure still needs a roof, chalkboard and cork board, but the frame is in and looks beautiful. Thank you to the class of 2027 for this amazing gift! And special thanks to Charles Kennedy, Steve Carras and Cooper Carras for all your help getting the bulletin board in the ground.
We were honored to receive a visit from four OWS alumns who recently graduated from high school. They joined our assembly, shared where they went to high school and what they will be doing next.
Innana Mabwa-Childress: Avanti High School, taking a gap year then going to the University of Washington, Tacoma Favorite OWS memory:Hard to pick one but loved being outside so much and loved the gingerbread from Winter Faire
Ziya Maherali: Avanti High School, going to Western Washington University with a potential major in Psychology Favorite OWS memory:Loved the 8th grade trip to Washington DC
Karina Greenlee: Capital High School, going to Stanford University with a potential major in Public Health/Biology Favorite OWS memory:Enjoyed Michelmas, the festivals, pressing cider and all the class plays
Aden Nevy: Avanti High School Favorite OWS memory: Hanging out as a class and going inside to play games.
Community
Ready to help make business more equitable? One powerful way is to invest in small and black owned businesses. And local is even better for a lesser carbon footprint. For those of you who are already supporting, if you or someone you know is a black business owner, you might find the directories to be a great marketing opportunity. Check them out:
Our Local Yarn Shop (OLYS) is a warm and inviting retail shop where knitters, crocheters and others who enjoy handwork can find supplies, community and support. Give Back is a simple way for you to help support the Olympia Waldorf School, at no additional cost to you.
Experience feel-good shopping and when you make a purchase at OLYS you not only support a local small business but we'll donate 1% of your purchase price from eligible purchases to OWS. No added cost to you, offer excludes books and classes. When you come into the shop, or shop via phone, fill out our handy form and we take care of the rest. Let's see what we can do together!
OLYS
1912 State Ave NE
Olympia, WA 98506
360-915-6943
The Chime is sent out at 11am every Tuesday. If you have an addition to The Chime please send it to development@olympiawaldorf.org by the Friday before. Thank you!
