Live Oak Waldorf School hosted its 25th Pentathlon

The fifth grade Waldorf curriculum includes the study of early civilizations.  Ancient Greece, with its appreciation of balance and harmony, its movement toward modern thought, and its worship of fallible Gods, is a beautiful compliment for the fifth grade youth moving into adolescence. 


The original Greek Pentathlon, and the virtues formed by training for it, was seen by the Greeks as an oath of good development.  Pentathletes were considered to be among the most skilled athletes; it was an important training for Greek boys (and some Spartan girls) to achieve. 


In the mid 1980's, a teacher named Thom Schaefer started the first Pentathlon event at Live Oak Waldorf School with just one class participating.  Soon several other Waldorf schools began to travel to Meadow Vista to participate in the Pentathlon.  Today the fifth grade Pentathlon has grown to be implemented by many Waldorf schools throughout the nation.

On May 7, 2010, Live Oak Waldorf School celebrated its 25th Pentathlon, welcoming nine other schools to its very own Mount Olympus; Sacramento Waldorf School, Sierra Waldorf School, Camellia Waldorf School, Davis Waldorf School, Blue Oak Charter School, Golden Valley Charter School, John Morse Charter School, Yuba River Charter School and Cedar Springs Waldorf School.


The morning began with a grand and reverent opening ceremony, which included one student from each of the ten schools reading an Ode to the Gods.

"O Zeus, make my feet like your lightening bolt; as you cast it into space all you can hear is a whisper of silence before the fireworks of victory.
O Athena, help me put my best foot forward in words and actions, like you in all your glory.
O Poseidon, help me be  strong in wrestling like a gigantic wave crashing on a huge rock.
O Persephone, may I be kind and welcoming to others in my city-state."

~ Dakota Kier, Live Oak Waldorf School

The residing Gods and Goddesses - Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Artemis and Apollo - blessed the Pentathletes with words of gratitude and encouragement.

“O mortals of earth and athletes of Greece ! I am Zeus. You honor us greatly with your words! Welcome to Olympia , where your courage will shine, and your skill will be on display for all to see. It has pleased me greatly to watch from Olympus as you have trained for this day. May you bring honor to yourselves, to your families, and to your schools as you compete today. I grant you the power of my thunder and lightning and wish you well."

After singing the Olympic Hymn, the Pentathletes followed the Gods and Goddesses onto the games field.  This year Live Oak sixth grader Zach Casperite, who earned the most laurel wreaths at last year's Pentathlon, ran the Olympic Torch.  His classmate, Claire Rowland, who broke her arm at the start of her race last year, was honored with the lighting of the Olympic Flame.

"Let the games begin!"

Each school had representatives from five city-states of Ancient Greece.  The Pentathletes boasted brightly colored t-shirts - Spartans in red, Athenians in yellow, Thebans in turquoise, Corinthians in green and Delphinians in blue - as they competed against others within their city-state.

Spectators watched and cheered all around the large oval ring that held the bustling events of the Pentathlon:

1. Running - Representing the virtue of Harmony, running requires a balance between the earthly and heavenly realms.  There were two running events at the Pentathlon.
2. Jumping - Representing the virtue of Moderation, the long jump requires one to let go, yet immediately pull in to poise the land with surety.
3. Wrestling - Representing the virtue of Self-Confidence, wrestling requires a balance between the upper and lower part of the body. It also demands an understanding of yourself and your relationship to the other wrestler.
4. Discus - Representing the virtue of Beauty, the discus throw requires a sense of rhythm and uses heart forces.
5. Javelin - Representing the virtue of Justice, the javelin throw requires one to align oneself with the aim of the Gods.

After each event, Pentathletes approached the Gods where a handful were honored with laurel wreaths for placing first, second or third, or for "Beauty, Grace and Style."

All competitors were bestowed with medals at the Pentathlon's closing ceremony; the Gods were pleased with their noble and willing Pentathletes.  Congratulations were in order as proud and weary fifth graders embodied the beauty, grace and style fit for any God, even Zeus!

 


Photos courtesy of Keith Sutter.

Live Oak celebrated May Faire with Grandparents and Special Friends

To welcome the merry month of May, the Live Oak Waldorf School community requested the honor of Grandparents and Special Friends to share in a day of spring festivities.

Dozens of grandparents and special friends of Live Oak students were greeted with corsages and morning refreshments on the crisp, cool morning of Friday, April 30, 2010. 

“Welcome to Live Oak Waldorf School.”

After a brief gathering to welcome the guests, classes made room for their honored visitors to sit and observe their favorite students in action.  Mental math, play rehearsals, singing, drawing and science study were just some of the activities during the main lesson part of the day.

More refreshments – hot coffee, fresh strawberries, homemade cookies and frosted cupcakes – were followed by an assembly which included time for questions and answers about Waldorf education.  Second grade teacher, Rev Bowen, along with sixth grade teacher, Jane Mulder, offered insights and Waldorf-inspired wisdom in response to a variety of questions:

• “Why don’t Waldorf students use text books?”
• “What is the advantage of having the same teacher from first to eighth grade?”

Notably, the time was also filled with parents and grandparents making positive comments about the multitude of academic and artistic gifts Waldorf has given their student. The assembly concluded with presentations from the first and second grade classes.

Students and guests celebrated their time together with the timeless craft of wreath-making. An abundance of greens and flowers were beautifully wrapped with colorful ribbons, then adorned the crowns of young and old. 

Eighth grade parents, whose students were just returning from their long awaited eighth grade trip, loyally served a hearty lunch of baked potatoes, salad and sparkling juice.

As the sun warmed the day, it was clearly time to say good-bye to King Winter.  Though he had enjoyed his extra stay this year – which included an intense hail storm two days prior – he was willing to bid farewell to Live Oak Waldorf School.  Jack Green encouraged him to make his transition; together they welcomed the lovely Mae* Queen.

Festive presentations were offered by the third, fifth, sixth and seventh grades.  Songs and intricate folk dances were performed with joy, reverence and skill. 

The May Faire celebration was rounded off as the fourth grade, dressed fully in white, danced around the May Pole while a band of guitars and other stringed instruments played a merry tune.  Grandparents and Special Friends of Live Oak were bestowed with a scrumptious strawberry shortcake for dessert, thanks to the seventh grade.

From observing students to wreath-making to gathering 'round the May Pole, Grandparents and Special Friends enjoyed a beautiful day as they celebrated May and their beloved students of Live Oak Waldorf School. 


*This year the lovely May Queen was Class of 2007 alumnus Mae Waldron.

Photos courtesy of Keith Sutter.