It’s the last day of April and we’re already looking at May, our last month of the 2024-2025 school year. Classes have taken field trips to the Phoenix Zoo, Hole-in-the-Rock near Papago Park, and The Heard Museum. In-depth class studies are culminating by inviting special guests in to share experiences. For example, PreK welcomed a . . . Read More
I always appreciate being part of the Seed on Earth Day. Although we placed an extra focus on the Earth, many of the activities and conversations that happened on Earth Day this year are things we do and talk about on a regular basis. Many of the classes had picnics outside, utilizing their reusable Earth-friendly . . . Read More
On Saturday we gathered on the Seed playground under overcast skies for our annual picnic. There was plenty of shade under our glorious trees where picnickers could sit and eat together. It was a calm and peaceful event that included face painting, wand making, a group collage project, and a delightful musical component. The . . . Read More
Over the last 25 years since we moved to this location, the Seed facility was cared for by Bill Glover. Serving as our Business and Facilities Manager, he kept an eagle eye on the property and building. Having been in the construction business for decades, he had a unique skill set that served the Seed . . . Read More
Since the Seed began in 1977, we’ve taken our role as planetary stewards seriously. Each year as we approach Earth Day, we focus on one theme to learn more about and expand awareness of it in our community. In years past we’ve drawn attention to the problems with using single use plastic bags in lunches, . . . Read More
Earlier this week toward the end of recess, one of the 3rd/4th graders approached the building with a metal pan in hand. Upon looking closer, I noticed a perfect robin’s egg, nestled in a soft bed of fresh green grass. Evidently the egg was found on the ground somewhere, dropped from its nest. As different . . . Read More
I’m not a worrier, but I do notice a level of worry expressed by many people I come in contact with these days. I consider myself generally a hopeful person, although at times it’s a challenge to remain steadfast in my commitment to hope. I immerse myself in nature as much as possible and surround . . . Read More
One of the best additions to the school since the APA has been revitalized is the multi-cultural bulletin board in the hallway. Each month a different culture is featured, bringing awareness of different populations, many of which are a part of the Seed. This month’s is focused on Ramadan, which began at sundown on February . . . Read More
When the school began in 1977, in the garage of our family home, we established a set of values upon which the school would operate. They were based upon the description of a school about which my spiritual teacher would read to us. Basically, it was a place where all involved would be respected and . . . Read More
This is a bit of a sequel to last week’s blog, “Love Day.” The day after the valentine celebration at school (celebrated on the 12th because school was closed for conferences on the 14th), my great-granddaughter dumped out her personally decorated box of kindergarten valentines on our bathroom floor. It was an assortment of commercially . . . Read More
This high energy day is always a favorite among school days. Usually it’s on the 14th of February, but this year we celebrated today, since we have parent/teacher conferences tomorrow. Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day. Children (and staff) showed up in various shades of red and pink, some looking like human valentines. I love the enthusiasm . . . Read More
In December, our social-emotional teacher, Mindy, introduced Safe Space school-wide. While most classes already had a place where children could go to calm down and/or regroup, we thought it was important to establish a consistent safe space in all areas of the school that children inhabit. We held staff development meetings to prepare staff for . . . Read More
On Monday we celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s an annual reminder to continue the practices he stood for that are a part of our everyday lives at the Seed. Non-violence, compassion for others and ourselves, peaceful resolution of differences, standing up for ourselves and each other, being an advocate for those . . . Read More
Until yesterday morning, when I showed up for school, I didn’t know what backflow was. It was the 100th day of school, and the kindergartener arriving with me was more than excited about the upcoming day of celebrating the number 100. Before arriving, all I knew was the school had no water. I quickly learned . . . Read More
Unlike previous years, when we’d head to the coast for a few beach days, I spent the entire winter break here in the valley. The weather was exceptionally pleasant, and it was an invitation to be outside as much as possible. I spent time in my garden, delighting in this year’s banner crop of carrots, . . . Read More
Last night we extinguished the 700 luminarias we assembled this week. Each paper bag held a candle and two cups of playground sand. At various times different crews made up of staff and parent volunteers set up the bags, hung lights, charged the solar spotlights, and created installations for last night’s Celebration of the Winter . . . Read More
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 . . . Read More
I’ve had several requests for more stories about my Bhutan trip. Here’s one that was quite meaningful: Long before I took my recent trip to Bhutan, I wanted to go to Taktsang, otherwise known as Tiger’s Nest. Resembling something out of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, there was something about the place, constructed high on . . . Read More
On Wednesday we’ll gather as a community to celebrate the Seed and everything about it for which we are grateful. It’s an event that has been part of the Seed history for a long time. In past years we used to spend days preparing a feast for our families to enjoy. Classes would make green . . . Read More
I love starting my week by joining the kindergarten class for journal writing. Even after all my years of teaching, I still get excited to see five-year-olds beginning to grasp the letter/sound connection. This year’s class is full of budding readers and writers, and every week there seems to be another breakthrough. On Monday, in . . . Read More
I’ve returned from my trip to Bhutan and am still in the midst of processing the experience. To say it was extraordinary is an understatement. I’m not ready to fully write about it, which I’ll do soon, but I do want to share one story that is related to my main takeaway from the trip. . . . Read More
This morning when I walked I was greeted by a sky laced with orange wispy clouds. I’ve anticipated this day for months. In early spring I heard about a two-week trip to Bhutan organized by a group from California. I was eager to go on the trip and applied. Initially I was not selected. I . . . Read More
I grew up on a dead end street. For over 70 years, the red and white house at the end of Olive Avenue was home to my parents and, in the early decades, my three siblings and me. I am the oldest, and our ages span nine years. Growing up in the 1950s in rural . . . Read More
Normally, at this time of year, we’ve already planted most of our classroom gardens. Not this year. With temperatures consistently still above 100, very few seeds have been placed in the soil. A few that have more shade than others, and a small irrigation system installed, have been planted and are bravely poking up skyward. . . . Read More