Class 5 Attends Greek Olympics at Lexington Waldorf School

Having been a parent at the Waldorf School of Cape Cod for four plus years now, I have heard many stories of just how wonderful the tradition of the Greek Olympics are.

This year, as a Class Five parent (Lily Connors) I had the honor of experiencing first hand this fun filled event.

As the ceremonies began, each school demonstrated their Olympic presentation. It is my biased opinion, that ours by far, exceeded all others.  

What will remain in my memory is the last event, the quarter mile race, where Gareth Vos was cheered on by his classmates to capture first place. His classmates gathered around him as he collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.  What a proud moment for these children as they represented WSCC.

It is a gift to watch these children grow and develop together and complete the milestones of childhood as a group. They demonstrated true teamwork and support of each other.  

Although Waldorf does not emphasize winning or losing, it was refreshing to see all the children doing and giving their best in what was truly a memorable event for all.

Lastly, I would like to thank Ms.Joan Baugh for her twenty (20 ) years of dedication to the children and to this event. The students performed with grace and excitement and I firmly believe that this was due to the support and leadership they received from this fine teacher.  Joan...you will be missed.

~Laura Connors
Class 1 & 5 Parent
 

Waldorf Student Swims 30 Mile Relay to Benefit Dyslexia Non-Profit "NoticeAbility"

The Kids Swim For Dyslexia Open Water Relay in Galveston Bay, October 2016. Many of these swimmers will make up the team attempting for the 30 mile Galveston Coast.

Chip Blair (Class 5) and his team will swim a total of 30 miles on May 20th in Galveston, Texas. Chip has taken part in relay swims before, a 6-mile relay in Galveston and on Martha's Vineyard, to bring awareness about dyslexia and raise funds for NoticeAbility, a non-profit organization that designs and delivers proprietary curricula to students with dyslexia. 

"Cape Cod Chip" has been training hard for this relay - it is the longest and toughest swim he has done to date. He, along with his brother, Warren (Class 8) and cousin, Kyra Brimdyr (Waldorf School of Cape Cod Class of 2015) made wish bracelets to raise money for this important cause. Donations are also accepted through Crowdrise, under the event "Kerry Swims for Dyslexia." Below you will find the press release from organizer Kerry Yonushonis, with links to the NoticeAbility website and Facebook. 

Their collective goal is to use this swim as a platform to highlight their grit, resiliency, and drive that comes with learning differences. While many people think of dyslexia as a negative, these students are aware of the many positive and unique neurological advantages, as well as strong coping skills that come with this learning difference.

We congratulate Chip on this outstanding accomplishment, and wish him and his team good weather and good swimming in Galveston this month!

Waldorf School Student Named a Winner in Peace Poem Contest

Waldorf School of Cape Cod eighth grade student and Falmouth resident, Maija O’Hara, was named a winner in the Voices of Peace 2017 Poetry Contest. Earlier this month, winners were chosen in this 22nd annual contest sponsored by Cape Cod Veterans of Peace.

Along with all the contest winners, Maija will read her winning poem at a public gathering at the South Congregational Church, 565 Main Street, Centerville, at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017. Winners also receive an awards certificate and a copy of the published book of all winning poems.

Poetry is an important part of the middle school curriculum at the Waldorf School of Cape Cod. Eighth grade teacher, Ted Curtin, inspired all his students to write Peace Poems for the Cape Cod Veterans of Peace poetry contest. The peace poems were one of many poems written by his students this year which are all posted in the middle school hallway at the Waldorf School.

Dreaming of Peace
by Maija O’Hara
Forever men have looked down on him
With disdain for the color of his skin.
He believed one day he would join our troops
In the hope for a better life to begin.

The scars on his dark open face
Outshone by his sparkling eyes
Lit up for a moment by a rare smile
Before the war, the last one seen in a while.

He wears the mark of a Naval soldier
Been overseas for too many fights
Complete in a world of shrapnel and bombs
Soldiers lost in a world of white.

He’s seen men at the their absolute worst,
Planes spiraling down from flight
Witness to the ends of the best
Still, past the darkness, he believes in the light.

For the others who share his story,
Whose children grew up without a father
He shines before them in all the glory
Pleading that they accept one another.

Looking out over harbored seas,
He resents not ever going back
To right the wars and tell his children,
“Hate cannot drive out hate, 
only love can do that.”