Salmonberry School | Celebrating light and community

||| FROM PAUL FREEDMAN for SALMONBERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL |||

In this season of shortening days, light becomes precious. Children are rising for school before the sun, and often returning home in darkness as well. In addition to making space for the traditional American seasonal holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Salmonberry Community School utilizes nature’s rhythms to call attention to the universal celebration of light.

Last week, in the context of their extended multi-disciplinary study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Nepal, and Tibet, Salmonberry’s 5th-7th graders gathered families together to honor Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. Here, in an event with ancient roots in the epic tale, The Ramayana, students created beautiful geometric designs called Ringoli. The Rangoli edged theclassroom and were punctuated with hand-crafted sesame oil candles, called diyas. Visiting family members were guided on a beautiful journey of light that ended with a meal of dal bhat and traditional almond cookies, along with a student-led re-telling of The Ramayana story.

“As we learn about world cultures, it becomes clear that all cultures celebrate seasonal changes. It is part of the way we help children to learn a sense of global connectedness and kinship with all people. Celebrations of light are a common bond.”

Later this month, on November 11, Salmonberry will gather with the larger Orcas community in a lantern walk. This ritualized event celebrating kindness, generosity and community during times of darkness will begin at the Stage on the Green in Eastsound at 4:30 PM.

Ahead of this event, Salmonberry will host a lantern-making workshop on Saturday, November 8, from 9:00-12:00 led by Salmonberry teacher, Tabitha Rose Marks. Warming foods will be offered to all. Songs will be shared, and lanterns lit. As darkness falls, attendees will walk with their lanterns along North Beach Rd to Salmonberry School, where campfires and warm drinks will greet the celebrants. The annual lantern walk provides an opportunity and example of how we can help each other through difficult times. The flames offer both light and warmth of spirit.

Finally, on the winter solstice, December 21, Salmonberry invites the whole Orcas community to join at Parish Hall for the annual Orcas Island Spiral Walk. The ancient tradition of the Spiral Walk welcomes visitors to mindfully walk the spiral of cedar boughs and one-by-one light the candles that gradually illuminate the room.

Salmonberry’s Herbalism teacher, Lily Ostle said, “It is deeply human to connect to the earth and her seasons. The Winter
Solstice is the longest night of the year, and an opportunity to spiral inward for connection and light. Celebrating the return of the light reminds us that even in this darkest corner of the year, we exist within cycles. Spring will come, and the wisdom of the earth is within us.”

Salmonberry Community School looks forward to welcoming friends, old and new, to this season of light, in this, its 25th year. Stay tuned for further announcements through the Chamber of Commerce emails and through social media posts.