Festivals and Community
Festivals and events are a vital part of Waldorf education, bringing the community together in meaningful ways and marking time in the spirit of the seasons with food, song, and story. These annual festivals of nature and humanity foster wonder, reverence, and gratitude.
A festival is a joyous celebration of life, and has the quality of lifting us out of the ordinary and into the mysteries and magic of the rhythm of the seasons. By celebrating the passage of the seasons through art, music and story, we strengthen our connection to the rhythms of nature.
Throughout history, festivals have emerged from people’s connection with their spiritual life and their search for the meaning of human existence. The celebrations are interwoven with the life of the earth and the cycles of nature.
The purpose of each school ́s festival life is to bring the community together and enrich the soul of each individual. Some festivals are small events — the teachers and their classes. Others are for the entire school, while others include the school’s greater community and neighbors.
Waldorf education was born in Western Europe at the beginning of the 20th century and therefore Waldorf schools typically follow the traditional festivals of Western, Christian culture. Recognizing that not all families share this background, Waldorf schools throughout the world strive to honor the diversity of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds of the families within each community.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Our strength comes from the participation of our community. Our students’ experience is enriched by the committed involvement of our parent community. Parents collaborate with teachers to volunteer in the classroom, prepare for festivals, raise funds, and serve in leadership roles on Parent Council, the Board of Trustees and its committees.