I spent Monday morning wandering Silver Strand Beach, just south of Coronado, California. It had been almost two years since I’d walked that shoreline, and I was more than happy to be there. It wasn’t an ordinary Monday by any means—it was my 70th birthday. To be honest, it feels unbelievable to have reached this . . . Read More
Generally, I avoid writing about individuals with staff or students. I don’t want to give the appearance of showing favoritism in our tightly-knit community. We’re a team, and everyone counts. This week, however, we have a unique situation involving one of our staff members, and I couldn’t help myself. Today is the last day for . . . Read More
Our summer program is off to a glorious beginning. We’ve welcomed back many of our current students, as well as families we haven’t seen since March 2020. Additionally, we have a number of students who only attend our summer program who are here for another six weeks of immersion in the Seed experience. Many of . . . Read More
If there’s anything the 2020-2021 school year has given us, it’s an overabundance of opportunities to be innovative. After missing their graduation a year ago, we wanted to make sure our 3rd-5th graders had a memorable ceremony. Although some of the mitigations for COVID-19 have eased up a bit, we still have to follow . . . Read More
On Monday morning, as we were starting another week by conducting health checks on the curb, the father of one of our virtual preschoolers arrived. “I’m here to pick up the submarine.” The request caught my attention, as it’s not a typical pickup of materials. Usually materials picked up for students still learning at home . . . Read More
Last week we were out walking in the neighborhood one evening and passed a father and his daughter in the process of setting up their holiday lights. We could tell they were a team. We commented how beautiful their lights were, and the dad said, “She’s in charge. It’s all her idea.” It was clear . . . Read More
We did it. We reopened the Seed. On Tuesday morning we were greeted by appreciative families dropping off their precious children. Some of the kids were apprehensive about not only having their hair checked for lice as they do every first day of school, but also having their temperature taken. Having to say goodbye to . . . Read More
The warmer weather has inspired me to find a new route for my morning walks. Through a bit of exploring, I’ve discovered some sleepy, lesser traveled streets near South Mountain that even provide a bit of shade. At the point where I turn around, a sailboat is parked. It’s been there awhile, and seems like . . . Read More
Two weeks ago I wrote about our efforts as a staff to do what’s best for kids. I keep thinking about this topic, and a related one—children’s mental health. Daily I see articles about this subject, and have concerns that, amidst the focus on academic learning time lost, the mental health piece is not being addressed . . . Read More
When I was a kid, May 1st was a day of connection. We’d make little baskets and fill them with lilacs, popcorn, and candy, then deliver them to friends’ front doors. It was a sweet way to remember close friends. It’s not a practice we see around here. And with social distancing in place, as . . . Read More
Earth Day has historically been one of the most important days of the year at Awakening Seed. It’s an embodiment of the Seed’s mission statement: “Awakening Seed is an innovative, compassionate learning community that inspires global citizens by fostering curiosity, celebrating uniqueness, and promoting social justice.” This year, more than any other year, it was . . . Read More
As we enter our second month of days at home instead of the Seed, it’s beginning to sink in that we may be at this longer than we originally anticipated. The novelty has begun to wear off, and the list of things we are missing from our old life grows longer each day. Granted, most . . . Read More
On Tuesday morning I was over at the Seed taking photos for our upcoming yearbook project. Evidence of spring was everywhere. Bill has been hard at work keeping weeds at bay, and the freshly mown grass looks incredibly healthy. A few class gardens are bursting with produce, including kale, chard, and spinach. Sunflowers are blooming . . . Read More
Preparations for our celebration of gratitude started last week as each class brainstormed ideas of what they could for another classroom. In the K-1 class they began with the question: What is it to be thankful? Children said, “It’s when you love people.” “It’s when you say thank you for all that people do for . . . Read More
The Seed carnival started in the 1980s as an alternative to trick-or-treating. It has evolved over the years into a huge community event, attended by current and alumni families, as well as neighbors and other local friends. It’s become a much anticipated first return to the Seed after families leave to move on to other . . . Read More
Early Tuesday morning I sat in the dentist chair, looking out large windows into the overcast skies looming over the valley. I noticed a heron perched on top of the building in front of me. It was a color study in grey. Monday was the autumn equinox, and our shifting weather matched the change of . . . Read More
I walked into the K-1 this just as a duck was having her feet trimmed. In preparation for their upcoming production of Crocodile Beat by Gail Jorgensen, one of the ducks was with her teacher, having a costume fitting. On the table behind them was a pile of handmade costumes and props, including a crocodile . . . Read More
During playground duty I noticed our peach tree was loaded with fruit. Its branches were heavy with ripening fuzzy peaches. The birds had already discovered several and helped themselves to a sweet meal. I picked a few that were starting to soften and handed them over to one of the teachers for her class to . . . Read More
You may have noticed the collection of stars posted on our office bulletin board. Beneath the stars is a growing pile of toys, pillows, basketballs, and children’s pajamas. Tucked under the table is a brand new child’s bike. So many gifts are arriving that we’ve opened up an additional table space to hold the incoming . . . Read More
On Friday morning, as the hustle and bustle of carnival setup was transpiring, I received news that my longtime mentor and friend, Ralph Peterson, passed on from this world. It was fitting that he left us on the same day as the carnival. Ralph and his wife Georgia attended many Seed carnivals over the years. . . . Read More
It was a plane that derailed my plans for this week’s blog. I fully intended to describe the many wonderful food experiences happening around the Seed as part of our school-wide nutrition study. I was going to write about the incredible smells, the scent of pizza, beans, and pesto that permeated the hallway. I aimed . . . Read More
In the past week we’ve experienced more transitions at the Seed than at any other time of the year. Last Wednesday we held graduation for our oldest students. It was a time of celebration, and a time of letting go. As a community we brought closure with families that have been a part of the Seed . . . Read More
Baby birds are everywhere these days. Little ducklings swim in the canal where I walk in the mornings. Our backyard garden regularly hosts quail families, as the parent birds tutor their young in the fine art of foraging. Just last week I witnessed several tiny balls of fuzz attached to legs scurrying across our back . . . Read More
The Seed was infested with ants when we returned from spring break. Not the kind of ants the PreK class is studying, human ants. During our week off, Bill ordered fourteen tons of sand to be delivered. The pile loomed by the swings and sand circle, inviting possibility. Mobilization of the work force was in . . . Read More