An Eco-Classroom Lesson

With “Wishes and Water,” the Waldorf School’s younger students take part in the groundbreaking of its new eco-classroom facility.Waldorf School of Orange County had a groundbreaking for their eco-classroom architecture, a unique building method utilizing recycled shipping containers that will be converted into classrooms.

At WSOC, nestled just above Fairview Park, every child acquires the skills to think critically and creatively, to master rigorous academic subjects and to enjoy a life-long love of learning - so says the Waldorf press release. 

“Our innovative education should be mirrored by innovative architecture that reflects our ability to think outside the box” shares an enthused Paul Connolly, WSOC parent and Board Chair.

My observations are that something special happens at Waldorf, as this wasn’t the average groundbreaking.  We were first delighted by the High School Chamber Orchestra and the first movement of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, every wonderful note.  That set the stage for students of all ages to participate musically, creatively, and in a common theme around the environment: grades 1 and 2 with “On the Earth, I Love to Stand,” grade 3’s “The Earth Is the Home for All Mankind” and Grades 4 through 8 with “Let Us Make a Thing of Beauty.” 

That was followed by the introduction of some pioneers, seniors who will be the first to graduate from WSOC’s new high school program, introduced four years ago.  Several seniors – pioneers - had been at the school since pre-Kindergarten, and got to feel like seniors all through their high school careers. 

That is when one of the Class of 2011 took the podium.  If you added a little Harvard crimson to the backdrop, or planted a little ivy, you would have sworn Matthew Lee was delivering the valedictorian speech at one of our finest universities. 

A gifted public speaker, at times in competition with a rooster from a neighbor’s yard, Matthew Lee looked directly into the hearts and minds of the crowd assembled for the celebration, many over 40, and offered unsolicited advice.  His message was that when times get tough, watch your composure.  I looked over my shoulder to check and see if he was talking directly to me, but I think all those over 40 had the same powerful impression.  Proof positive the education curriculum is working. 

“Wishes and Water,” grades 9-12 formed a semicircle, and shared their wish for the school with the audience.  All students wrote their wishes on a piece of rice paper, which was dissolved into watering cans.  Their wishes became part of the earth when Kindergarteners came center stage, stomping the show as some scattered seeds and some followed with watering cans, and some silly boys watered the backs of little girls’ shoes. 

Please, invite me to a bake sale at WSOC any day.  These parents and teachers have figured out how to make healthy food look and taste like the farmers made them, not a scientist.  A delicious sense of community. 

Beyond the contagious yet subtle inclusion of sustainable thinking in the everyday curriculum, and the artful weaving of an eco-conscious message throughout the whole inspiring event, the eco-classroom architecture is really quite special.  I love when a green and sustainable decision actually costs less.  Estimates are that ReUse shipping containers integrated into other features will yield a cost savings of more than 50 percent as compared to a wood-framed project.

Eighty percent of the building is made from recycled materials, with virtually no construction waste.  Containers allow flexibility – they can be stacked and movable to allow for growth or change.  The neighbors, and that rooster, will like the construction phase as noise pollution is significantly reduced by offsite fabrication.

Thank you, WSOC, for the invite, thank you for the inspiration, thank you for taking the time to educate our youth and, thank you for those delicious baked goods. 

What is on your green mind?  JimFitzEco@gmail.com

Comments

[garage sale]

This is a great blog, usually i don't post comments on blogs but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so!garage sale