Dear WECAN colleagues and friends,
Our hearts go out to all those affected by the ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area in recent days, and most especially to the teachers, children, and families of the Pasadena Waldorf School in Altadena and the Westside Waldorf School in Pacific Palisades, who suffered catastrophic and profound losses, including their beloved kindergarten and early childhood classrooms. Although each community's members appear safe, the fire has destroyed many of their possessions, homes, and neighborhoods.
We send our loving support to both schools as they face the immediate crisis and begin the long journey to rebuilding. Below you can read short reports from each school.
During such crises, the strength, compassion, and generosity of our communities become visible, and we are reaching out to encourage you to offer your support. Your donations will directly assist each school in sustaining Waldorf education now and rebuilding for the future.
On behalf of the WECAN Board and Staff,
Susan Howard and Heather Church
WECAN Co-Directors
Our hearts go out to all those affected by the ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area in recent days, and most especially to the teachers, children, and families of the Pasadena Waldorf School in Altadena and the Westside Waldorf School in Pacific Palisades, who suffered catastrophic and profound losses, including their beloved kindergarten and early childhood classrooms. Although each community's members appear safe, the fire has destroyed many of their possessions, homes, and neighborhoods.
We send our loving support to both schools as they face the immediate crisis and begin the long journey to rebuilding. Below you can read short reports from each school.
During such crises, the strength, compassion, and generosity of our communities become visible, and we are reaching out to encourage you to offer your support. Your donations will directly assist each school in sustaining Waldorf education now and rebuilding for the future.
On behalf of the WECAN Board and Staff,
Susan Howard and Heather Church
WECAN Co-Directors
Pasadena Waldorf School lost its beautiful Paquita Lick Machris Campus in the Eaton Fire on January 7th. The community of PWS teachers, students, families, alumni, and friends are devastated by this loss. Every building has burned to the ground across what was a beautiful and peaceful 5-acre campus for our Kindergarten through Grade 8 programs. We are grateful that so far, our nearby Mendocino St. Campus, where the preschool and high school are, is still standing, but it is going to take time, love, resources, and money to start the rebuild of our special Waldorf program at the Mariposa St. Campus.
The Westside Waldorf School suffered a profound loss when its McComb Campus was destroyed in the Palisades Fire on January 8, 2025. This historic building, along with its beautiful courtyard and spiral of classrooms, has been a cornerstone of Waldorf education, nurturing countless children and families in the Westside of Los Angeles since January 2007. The entire campus for grades one through eight, including the woodshop where the heights of every student have been lovingly marked on the wall, has been lost. As the remaining fires burn out, we will assess the damage to the Early Childhood structures that are still standing.
In addition to losing their school, many of our students and faculty are facing displacement, ongoing evacuations, and the loss of their homes and belongings. Our greatest wish is to rebuild as a way to heal and demonstrate our commitment to our beloved and resilient community.
In addition to losing their school, many of our students and faculty are facing displacement, ongoing evacuations, and the loss of their homes and belongings. Our greatest wish is to rebuild as a way to heal and demonstrate our commitment to our beloved and resilient community.
