Walden School

Alumni families, did you see the summer alumni newsletter in your inbox yesterday? ☀️ Please keep us posted on what you’ve been up to. We love to keep in touch and celebrate your journey!

A few weeks ago, we were excited to welcome our middle school alumni back for our second alumni vs. faculty basketball game! 🏀 Members of the Class of 2022 Stubby Squids and the Class of 2023 Flame Skimmers came out to challenge their Walden teachers in a spirited match, cheered on by their families, former classmates, and current Walden students. It was a slam dunk of a morning, filled with reconnections and complete with Bagels and Chatter on the yard. 💚

Installing solar panels on the roof? ✅
Getting the North Yard ready for our new play structure? ✅
Packing up classrooms, repairing, building, and maintaining a myriad of campus areas? ✅

We’re not even two weeks into the summer, and our facilities team is already hard at work, ensuring our campus is updated and enhanced for student learning when we return in the fall. Please join us in giving a huge shoutout to Nellie, Val, Paolo, and Jordan, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our campus in tip-top shape! 🙌🏽🤩💚

🌟 Just ten days left to contribute to the 2023-2024 Walden Fund! Whether you’re making your first gift or considering an increase, your support impacts every aspect of our mission. From our child-centered programs to professional development for our faculty, financial assistance for our diverse community of learners, and campus upgrades—your generosity makes it all possible.

A heartfelt thank you to all our donors this year! Your support and generosity make a true difference. We couldn’t do it without you! 💚🌻

www.waldenschool.net/giving

Happy Juneteenth! Today, we commemorate the day when freedom finally reached the last enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This day marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and serves as a powerful reminder of our ongoing journey towards true freedom and justice for all. Let’s honor this day with deep reflection and continue to take bold action together towards a more equitable future, today and every day. 💚🖤❤️

Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Class of 2018 Sun Bears back to campus for a senior reunion. It was wonderful to catch up, hear their high school stories and post-graduation plans, and reminisce together while watching a slideshow of their Walden years! 💚✨ We wish them all the best of luck and success as they embark on the next chapter of their journey. And always remember,

Yesterday, we proudly graduated the Class of 2024. 💚On a beautiful day, the Orcas and their families, friends, and teachers gathered in the Toby Hayward Community Room where each student shared a beautifully crafted speech, reflecting on the life experiences, perspectives, and wisdom gained during their time at Walden. We were also treated to fantastic musical performances by each of the graduates. After heartfelt remarks from Head of School Terra Toscano, Walden alum Quyen Mullin, and 6th-grade lead teacher Ella Moran, we celebrated with our first-ever graduation luncheon on campus, followed by a family gathering where everyone reminisced with childhood pictures and meaningful remarks.

Congratulations and best of luck in your next chapter, Orcas! The day was a beautiful reflection of the wonderful humans you have grown into: articulate, reflective, forthright, insightful, resilient, academically capable, globally aware, and passionate learners and citizens. Remember that your true colors are beautiful and that you can always come home to Walden. 🎓🤩

Congratulations, Orcas! You did it! Today, we celebrate the incredible Class of 2024. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts and reflections as we honor your wit, humor, resilience, compassion, creativity, and leadership that have enriched our community. We are so proud of you and excited to see how your story unfolds. 🎉 🎓💚

A few weeks ago, the Walden Dance program hosted the second annual “Wonder Dance Experience.” Designed to give interested students an opportunity to perform in a professional studio, participating students had the unique chance to showcase their talents at the beautiful Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena. Walden students dazzled their parents, caregivers, and friends with stellar performances, demonstrating their budding confidence, engaging stage presence, and creative dance moves. Dancing is a creative discipline that requires a lot of dedication, and we want to celebrate all of the participating students, as well as our exceptional Dance Specialist, Trevor, for coordinating such a wonderful show! 🙌🏾

As part of our exciting North Yard renovation project, the 6th grade Orcas engaged in architectural ideation sessions with Walden parent trustee and architect Meredith M. to develop models and blueprints of the new reflection zone. This area will complement the new play structure, providing a calm and peaceful space for relaxation, conversations, or conflict resolution. 🌿🌱 Yesterday, the class presented their ideas to the school leadership and facilities teams. We were blown away by their thoughtful concepts, based on what they believed kids needed. These ideas will now guide the development of the space. Scroll to see their models as well as the renderings of the play structure. We can’t wait for these two new additions to the yard to offer our students new opportunities for physical activity and mindfulness! 💚🤩

Last night, Walden families gathered on picnic blankets on the North Yard for the annual FEAST (Families Eating and Storytelling Together). We were thrilled to bring our community together once again for an evening of inspiring stories and bonding. Hosted by the Walden Equity Committee, FEAST embodies our Walden Story Song lyrics: “everybody has a story, everybody has a tale; if we put our stories together, then we can never fail.” True to this powerful sentiment, this year’s theme, “Growth Over Time,” reflected on our collective journey through life stories and personal narratives shared by Walden students and parents. Thank you to everyone who attended and shared their stories this evening! 💚

🌟 Thank you 🌟, Walden community, for joining us in celebrating Empowered Through Play! It was a delightful evening brimming with engaging conversations, delectable food and drinks, fun games, and a beautiful alumni performance. Your enthusiasm and generosity made all the difference as you bid, laughed, danced, and rallied to bring us closer to our goal of funding a new play structure for the North Yard.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a part in making this event a memorable and impactful one. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our school community. Thank you! 💚💐

Bid like there is no tomorrow—because there isn’t! This is it! 💥 Bid now at www.waldenschool.net/empoweredthroughplay on a multitude of items from entertainment and sporting tickets to kids’ classes, dining certificates, and unique experiences. The auction closes at noon today. Thank you for your support! Together, we are making a difference for Walden’s students, faculty, and programs. 💚

Let the bidding frenzy continue! Explore a world of endless fun for your kids with our Empowered Through Play online auction. From riding lessons to sport camp to karate classes to unforgettable summer camp experiences—there’s no shortage of excitement! 🎨 ⚽️ 🐴 💦 🎸 There’s something for every young adventurer—don’t miss out! www.waldenschool.net/empoweredthroughplay

🎉Exciting news! 🎉 We’ve just added a fresh batch of captivating items to our auction! Whether you’re a sport enthusiast, an artist, a connoisseur, or simply curious, come explore what’s new and make your bids before they’re gone! Don’t miss out—visit www.waldenschool.net/empoweredthroughplay to see what treasures await!

At Walden, our vibrant community thrives on a multitude of factors, with our exceptional faculty and staff high up on that list! 💚 During the Empowered Through Play auction, you have the opportunity to bid on and purchase unique experiences for your child (or yourself!) to connect with our faculty and staff members outside of school on various outings and adventures. Whether it’s a movie night, hike, lunch outing, barn day, trying out the role of a teacher for a day, or even the sought-after late-night on campus with Terra, this year’s auction offers numerous ways for you and your child to bond with Walden’s incredible team over fun activities! ➡️ Head on over to www.waldenschool.net/empoweredthroughplay to check out all the opportunities and place your bids. 💥

1st through 5th grade students recently embarked on an exciting collaborative fantasy map project using ink and watercolor. For thousands of years, cultures throughout the world have designed maps as tools for navigation as well as for art. Recently, in their art classes, Walden students explored Geofiction, an art form that builds off of this mapmaking tradition to depict whimsical maps of imaginary places, often in service of a larger narrative. Creating these mythical worlds allowed Walden students to showcase their abundant creativity and imagination. Their maps are now on display at in Pasadena, and we warmly invite you all to stop by and show your support for Walden artists, view these maps of epic and original worlds, and show your support for this small but mighty local book store.

Once there, be sure to point out your child or student’s artwork for a 20% discount on your purchase and a coupon for your next visit!

Eclipse watching on in-service day! 🌑🌞

We hope spring break is offering you plenty of opportunities to stay active and put into action what your children are learning in PE! ⚽️ 👟🎽 Being in a PE class at Walden nurtures more than just physical strength. Our Physical Education program, skillfully guided by Whitney, focuses on building relationships among classmates, strengthening cooperative skills, supporting mental health, and boosting attention spans that carry over to other areas of learning. With a wide array of games, tasks, and activities, our PE classes are always filled with excitement and joy! Cooperation, fair play, teamwork, communication, and respect are at the forefront of all our activities and sports. 🙌🏾

As we enter spring break, we are inspired by the joy and vibrancy captured in these pictures from the 1/2 Black Phoebes‘ recent celebration of Holi! Under the guidance of class parents, students learned about the renowned Hindu festival, which symbolizes love, spring, and the triumph of good over evil. They enthusiastically embraced the tradition, playfully throwing and smearing pigment powder onto their attire and classmates. The laughter, excitement, and shared experience of creating such a colorful spectacle were palpable, and it’s evident that the class embraced the spirit of the festival of colors! 🌈🌸🌟

🎶✨ What a night at the Lanterman Auditorium! The Spring Sing delivered on its promise to "Feel the Music," showcasing a magnificent display of student creativity and spirit. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, cheered, and contributed to the vibrancy of the evening!

Huge applause to Alejandro and Trevor for their dedication and creativity in bringing the vision to life. Also, immense gratitude to all Specialty teachers, classroom teachers, and staff who played a vital role in making the event a success! Bravo to our students for singing and dancing their hearts out. And to the 6th grade Orcas, special kudos on ending our evening on a high note with your spectacular aerial performance. We hope everyone is heading into their spring break feeling uplifted by this inspiring performance! 🎶🌸✨

Here at Walden, our Spanish program takes students on a hands-on journey through the Spanish-speaking world, guided by our exceptional Spanish specialist, Marines. Through engaging activities such as art projects, music, cultural celebrations, and culinary experiences, students dive into the diverse cultures and histories of Spanish-speaking countries. By integrating vocabulary relevant to classroom topics and personal interests, we provide students with contextualized learning experiences that enhance comprehension and retention of new information while nurturing their creativity and adaptability. As students progress, they discover the origins of borrowed words across languages, expanding their cultural awareness. This holistic approach to elementary vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and basic reading and writing skills connects Walden students to the world around them, empowering them as global citizens, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners. 🌎🗺️🧭🙌🏾

This past weekend, the Walden Equity and Green committees organized an exciting Metro adventure for Walden families to explore our city! The group rode the metro to Little Tokyo, where they immersed themselves in public art and reflected on the neighborhood’s past as Bronzeville, a short-lived African American enclave that emerged during World War II when Japanese people were interned. The journey continued with a visit to the Japanese American National Museum and a picnic lunch at the Los Angeles State Historic Park before heading back home on the metro. A huge thank you to the chairs of the Green and WE committees for orchestrating this fantastic outing! 💚

Walden’s inaugural ReadFest has been an incredible celebration of reading, storytelling, and the written word! 📚🌟 Alongside the inspiring talks by our visiting guest authors, the communal joy of exploring new books at the Ponderers‘ book swap, and the collective commitment to logging reading time in the Read-a-Thon, students also took an active role in sharing their favorite reads with their peers. The South building now boasts a giant book recommendation wall adorned with their suggestions. Who’s ready to dive into a cozy reading nook and explore these captivating titles? 👀 📖

The Read-a-Thon is still open. Please continue to encourage your students to log their reading minutes and share the link with family and friends! 🌷

ReadFest was a vibrant celebration of reading, writing, and storytelling, and included three special events that ignited a passion for books among our students. 📚✨ We were honored to host two fantastic guest authors, Mónica Mancillas and Nikkolas Smith, during our assemblies last week. Their captivating presentations not only provided insights into their journey as authors but also inspired us with their incredible work as writers, illustrators, and artivists. Their tips and words of encouragement inspired our Walden writers to embark on their own creative paths with confidence. Additionally, our beloved annual tradition, Popcorn & Pages, added to the week’s excitement. Led by Terra, this cozy storytime provided a delightful opportunity for students to gather over popcorn and immerse themselves in the magic of storytelling. By introducing our students to diverse authors, engaging stories, and colorful picture books, these events fostered a deeper appreciation for the written word. Through interactive storytelling experiences like this, we aim to foster our students’ appreciation for the written word and spark their natural curiosity.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all families who joined us for the ReadFest events. Your presence and support contributed to the success of these enriching experiences. As a reminder, the Read-a-Thon will continue through next weekend, offering further opportunities to engage with the joy of reading. Let’s continue to celebrate the wonders of stories together! 💚

Walden’s first book swap during ReadFest was a resounding success! 📚💥 Through the skillful coordination of the 4th-6th grade Ponderers and their teachers, coupled with the generous donations of gently loved books from families, every student had the chance to browse through titles and select a book to take home. The Toby Hayward Community Room buzzed with excitement as the Ponderers offered expert guidance to each class, ensuring everyone found just the right book. Engaging literary discussions ensued, with recommendations flowing freely, and students of all ages eagerly delving into pages. More than just a book exchange, the event evolved into a celebration of community spirit, the joy of sharing, and an eco-friendly, cost-free means of discovering new reads. As the day concluded, witnessing students absorbed in their newfound treasures on the South Yard served as a poignant reminder of the profound joy books bring to our lives. A heartfelt thank you to the Ponderers and their teachers for orchestrating such a fantastic day, and to all families who contributed books to make it possible! 💚

For Walden’s upcoming inaugural ReadFest, the 4th-6th grade Ponderers invite you to join us in spreading the love of reading by donating any books you are ready to pass along to someone else to enjoy. 📚 We welcome books of all genres and age levels, as long as they are in good condition and have appropriate subject matter for our community: positive, uplifting, and inclusive!

Please bring your donated books to the front office by this Thursday, February 22. The Book Swap will take place during the week of February 26 as part of ReadFest. We are excited about this new equitable platform to share our favorite reads and help others discover the books we love, all without any cost involved. Thank you for supporting this student-led initiative and helping us share the joy of reading with our Walden community! 💚📖

Since Walden’s founding in 1970, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all has been at the heart of our mission. Recently, the 1st/2nd grade Black Phoebes embarked on an interactive activity inspired by “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud. Students reflected on what fills their buckets and energizes them. Learning to identify what uplifts them versus what drains them is a valuable exercise in their self-regulation and social-emotional development journey. Located near the Toby Hayward Community Room in the South building, their display invites you to contribute by sharing how you restore your energy and practice self-care. Wishing you all a rejuvenating long weekend ahead, filled with moments that fill your bucket! 🌈💚🌻

Walden’s program cultivates a passion for learning from Pre-K through 6th grade. In Pre-K, we purposefully integrate child-led activities with teacher-led lessons, recognizing the value each brings to developing essential skills. Whether in the classroom or on the playground, laughter accompanies learning, and every milestone is met and celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm. Our youngest learners embody boundless curiosity and wonder, setting them firmly on the path to becoming lifelong learners and knowledge seekers. 💚💡💫🔍

Despite the recent atmospheric river washing out their watering plans, we’re excited to share news about a new project sprouting in the North Yard!

The 2/3 Crystal Jellies worked diligently to plant new life in the garden beds. With the guidance of a dedicated parent volunteer, they sourced a mix of California native and edible plant species, and carefully planted them in the garden beds. For many students, this was their first experience with gardening, as they prepared the soil, planted, and tended to each species with care.

This project beautifully aligns with their studies of the Tongva people and their deep connection to and stewardship of the environment. Like the Tongva, the class is learning to care for the land and witness the rewards of investing in natural resources to create a flourishing environment. The plants have been labeled for easy identification, so be sure to explore what’s growing during your next visit to the North Yard! 🌱🌿🌾💦