Camellia Waldorf School

For more about Waldorf please visit the following sites:
www.awsna.org/education-aboutwaled.html
www.waldorfanswers.org

The Waldorf Community

Camellia Waldorf School offers each parent the opportunity to become part of a community that has heart and purpose. There are a number of ways to become involved. Your interests and talents can lead you.

Parent meetings: The class teachers host these gatherings 3 to 5 times during the school year. The parents of each class meet with the teacher to discuss the school life of the class and to learn how they can help their child at home. Your attendance is an important way to support your child's teacher, to form relationships with other parents and to involve yourself in the school community.

Festivals: Celebration of the festivals throughout the year provide rich nourishment for our inner selves and an opportunity to socialize with other CWS families. The cycle of the festivals which are celebrated by the whole school begins in the fall with the Michaelmas festival. We celebrate lighting the dark of winter with the Advent Garden and in Spring we turn our attention to May Day.

Parent education: Your class teacher will provide a great resource for discussions and questions in parent meetings. Additional evening programs such as lectures and "chat nights" are offered to the parent body so they can learn and experience more of what comprises Waldorf education. Additional courses may be offered in painting, woodworking, doll-making, or Eurythmy.

Parent association: The Francis Guild Parent Association sponsors parent education evenings and social events, supports the fund-raising efforts of the school, and generally fosters communication within the school community.

Fund-raising: The school relies on fund-raising for part of its budget. These efforts include events such as the Winter Faire, Silent Auction and Annual Giving, as well as on-going programs such as scrip sales and the school store.

Spirituality

Camellia Waldorf School actively welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all faiths and creeds. We respect and support all individuals' spiritual beliefs and practices.

We strive to develop the mind, body, and spirit of the child, encouraging in the process, the child's spiritual freedom and growth. As in every Waldorf school, our teaching works toward this aim by drawing on the insights into human development pioneered by Rudolf Steiner.

The Camellia community is diverse in nature and rich in the teachings of many great religious traditions. Students develop an understanding and deep respect for the various cultures of the world through their experience in the classroom and in the celebration of seasonal festivals of the year. Drawing primarily, but not exclusively, on Christian traditions, we celebrate our common humanity, not our separateness in belief or practice.

We affirm the importance of spiritual growth in families' lives, and we encourage families to explore and grow into their spiritual identities while fostering respect for the beliefs and traditions of others.