Celebrating the Holidays with Orcas Island’s Early Childhood Programs
— by Mariah Miller –
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Orcas Island is home to four diverse Early Childhood Education programs. Each school is unique in how it prepares for, and celebrates, the holiday season with our island’s infant through preschool-aged children.
Salmonberry School held its annual Spiral Walk on Sunday, December 14th at Odd Fellows Hall. The Spiral Walk has been held on Orcas for over 30 years since its beginnings at Dolphin Bay Waldorf School. Each child chooses a candle, and is guided by a beautiful angel to the center of an evergreen spiral, while the audience softly sings a special song to the child. At the center of the labyrinth they light their candle, and place it along the spiral, while choosing a golden star to make a wish on. The walk celebrates the Advent/Solstice season. Salmonberry School musicians accompany the singing and walk. Donations are collected for the Food Bank at the event.
Back at school, Salmonberry School students celebrate the season by talking about and sharing acts of kindness. Much of their celebration revolves around stories, and this year they read the Elves and the Shoemaker before beginning a Secret Elf program themselves. Children made little gifts and cards for classmates and secretly left them for each other. The students celebrated St. Lucia Day on December 12th, and Hannukah during the week of December 15th. Multi-cultural stories and traditions share the message of kindness and humanity of the season at Salmonberry.
Orcas Montessori School also shares stories and gift-making during December, while keeping the holiday theme integrated and low-key. Children make ornaments for parents, and for the school’s holiday tree at Rosario. They love making paper chains, which decorate the classroom. “The annual Wreath Sale is one of the school’s largest fundraisers and the community support is so appreciated,” says Director Teresa Chocano.
The children list decorating their Christmas tree, visiting the Santa Ship, reading a special story before bed, seeing “A Christmas Carol” at the Orcas Center, and special treats as their favorite things about the season.
On to Kaleidoscope where things were in full swing for the holiday season! The 50+ children that attend Kaleidoscope have been enjoying a full array of festivities this month. Director Amber Paulsen says The Gingerbread Man story has been a big part of their program this year. After reading many versions of the story, from different cultures, the children put on a special performance on December 12th. Santa comes to visit on December 19th.
Literature and stories are a big part of the holiday focus at Kaleidoscope. The program is open every day except December 24, 25 and January 1st, so they try to keep the atmosphere festive for the children throughout the season. Hannukah and fiesta-type activities are planned. Everyone enjoys making gifts for family and creating special wrapping paper. The day I visited, Greg White had come to teach soap felting. This was a lot of fun for the preschoolers and involved lots of soap, water, and colorful wool.
Kaleidoscope is the drop-off point for Giving Tree gifts, and Food Bank stockings. It’s a true clearing house for community giving and holiday spirit. Amber shared that all of the staff and children are hoping for snow for Christmas next week!
Orcas Island Children’s House was preparing for their Holiday Family Potluck when I visited on Tuesday. While they keep their holiday celebrations low-key, this particular day was very lively. Preschoolers were entrusted with helping their teachers Mary, Carol and Jenny prepare candy bags to decorate gingerbread houses at the potluck. They were diligently counting out three of each type of candy, while wearing the requisite rubber gloves for food-handling. Children were happy to help, and the excitement of the festivities made for lively conversation and fun exchanges.
OICH classrooms were decorated with children’s artwork. Recently they made salt-dough ornaments. As the children come from diverse backgrounds, some do not celebrate Christmas. Projects center around helping others, making gifts, and the change of seasons from fall to winter. Some of the things OICH children enjoy about the holidays are decorating Christmas trees, baking cookies, and making gifts.
All around Orcas Island, children are excited about this season. Whether they celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or something else, the simple messages of peace, joy and giving to others is alive and well in their hearts. And it is truly contagious – I know my heart grew at least two sizes after my time visiting our Early Childhood Programs this week!
As a parent of a child in pre-school and in child care, I think a huge thank you is due to each and every one of the dedicated staff members of these programs. Each of these teachers/staff is building a critical foundation for our kids. We don’t say it enough, but THANK YOU!
Thanks for a wonderful article, Mariah. As a retired elementary teacher myself, I know how important these preschool programs are to later student success. And thanks to all of you who graciously teach and help at these different venues. While society doesn’t reward you financially with what you deserve, know that your contribution is invaluable.