BCSIS Lantern Walk

Lantern Walk November 4, 2009

2010-02-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

2008 Lantern Walk -- Thursday Nov. 6th 5:30-6:30pm

2008-11-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

Songs for the Lantern Walk

2008-10-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

Information from Phil

2008-10-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

2008 Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Lantern Walk
Thursday, November 6, 2008 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm

OUR PURPOSE:
As the Darkness comes we need to carry
the light of our kindness out into the world.

The Festivals are an extension of our curriculum, an opportunity for the children to have a creative, experiential connection with the outdoors…

THE SCHEDULE:
5:30 Families meet in the gym. Teachers will guide us in expectations, followed by storytelling. Children and parents then go to their classrooms where lanterns will be lit. Following the classroom teacher, we will “parade” to the open field.

In order to focus on the wonder and beauty of nature and light, the children and parents will walk in silence with their candles around the field. Then we will gather together in the middle of the field.

After walking in silence around the field, we will make a circle and Jan will lead our community in singing lantern songs. Finishing together in a circle, Jan having led us in song, parents are asked to quietly return with their child, lantern in tow, to cars/homes respecting the stillness and symbolically carrying our individual lights out into the world…

HOW TO MAKE THE EVENING MAGICAL:
We ask that you respect the reverence of the lantern walk by refraining from conversation with other parents. Please attend to your child the entire time, in terms of knowing where they are for safety. Remember to turn off cell phones once in the gym.

HOW TO STAY WARM & WHAT TO BRING:
Dress VERY WARMLY, in gloves, hat and warm coat. It will be cold… but worth it! If we are comfortable it will be more fun. There will be no food or drink so please remember to eat/drink beforehand. If you have an extra lighter – please bring one it case it is windy. There will also be some to share.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
If you bring other younger or older siblings, please keep your whole family together and participating fully in the festival.

Please remember to hold the reverence of the evening by returning to your cars in silence after the singing is completed.

Thank you,

Phil

BCSIS Lantern Walk November 8, 2007

2008-01-16T19:12:00.002-08:00

Dear BCSIS Families-

The lantern walk was a beautiful experience for teachers, staff, parents, students and siblings.

Here are some of tasks that were done in order to create this magical evening:

Lanterns were made by teachers, students and parents in each class.

Volunteers arrived at least an hour before the start of the program to set up the stage.

The sound system was set up and tested.

Families brought pumpkins and gourds, fresh flowers and broom corn for the stage.

One parent delivered 8 bales of straw to the gym that night.

The bales were covered with silks from the kindergarten room and the stage was arranged.

Batya Greenwald told a wonderful story and Jan May led us in song.

Parents brought extra jackets, mittens, hats, and lighters for the candles in the lanterns.

We all walked in complete silence around the school and then gathered to sing at the end of our walk. Finally, we left in silence again, carrying our light out into the world.

Oops! Let's not forget to mention the behind-the-scenes clean up activities that went on...

Phil swept up loose straw. (Perhaps an improvement for next year would be to put down tarps under the straw bales.)