In less than a week we’ll be gathering for one of the Seed’s most significant events, the Celebration of the Winter Solstice. I love what the evening has evolved into since its beginnings in the early 80s. Seeking to hold a celebration with a universal appeal, we decided to focus on the solstice and the shift in light at this time of year. For decades the event was held in an indoor space with each class preparing a dance that expressed a section of the book we selected. It was a festive, energetic, and inspiring event with lots of work leading up to it.
When Covid hit, we had to cancel the event. When it was time to bring it back in December 2021, we decided for a new iteration, a night of luminarias outdoors with a unifying theme, where everyone could gather safely and experience the Seed playground from a different perspective. We loved it so much that we decided to continue celebrating the solstice this way.
This year’s theme is “Destinations of Light.” We’re highlighting places around the world where extraordinary biomes exist, many of which are being threatened by climate change. Our intention is to celebrate these places and their wildlife, honoring the extraordinary uniqueness they bring to the planet. We offer it as an evening of thoughtful reflection, taking seriously our school mission to bring light to the world.
Upon arrival, each student/family will be given a passport with a map on it. Every class will set up an installation of student art representing their biome. Once a biome is “visited,” passports will be stamped before moving on to the next one. Here are the classes, their biomes, and their locations:
Toddler 1s: Polar/Tundra at location 10
Toddler 2s: Deserts at location 1
Early 3s: Oceans at location 7
Pre3s: Freshwater at location 5
Pre4s: Rainforests at location 3
PreK: Wetlands at location 4
Kindergarten: Seasonal forests at location 8
1st/2nd: Coral Reefs at location 6
3rd/4th: Grasslands at location 9
At the final destination of the night, in Gwen’s Castle, we’ll again give families an opportunity to light a candle in someone’s honor/memory, as well as decorate a small flag to be hung in the castle. The flags will be distributed next week to each family. Our intention is for the experience to be inspiring for all, a reminder that there is hope for our world, and that the Seed is a destination of light.
Check out these links of a few solstice celebrations of the past: