Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Parent Meeting

Well, it seems like I have been slacking lately with my Monday posts and I apologize for that. The weekends have been so full lately that the girls and I are so exhausted we go to bed early and sleep in late Monday morning.

I can't believe K starts school in just 8 days! I am rushing around like a madwoman trying to finish everything up and get her ready for her first day of school. Last Friday night was a much needed break. I attended K's kindergarten class' parent meeting. We will have one every month during the school year but this was the first.


The rainbow we all walk under as we enter the kindergarten (one of my favorite things about the classroom)

I walked in to her classroom to find a cozy circle of chairs (each with it's own lamby) around a table with beeswax candles and modeling wax. The atmosphere was filled with so much warmth and love. I felt like I came home.
I was the first to arrive so I had the chance to snap a couple of pictures and chat a bit more with her teachers, while they put some water on for tea and finished preparing snacks.


Nature table

The other parents arrived and they all gave each other hugs and really seemed to be so close. Most of the parents already knew one another because this is their child's 2nd year of kindergarten. K is among 3 or so new students. Even though I was one of the new parents they all welcomed me into the group with open arms. I have to say I felt so relieved. Yes, I still have those silly acceptance fears from my own school days.



After an opening verse and introductions we were all given a beeswax candle and modeling wax to make our child's birthday candle to be used in the classroom. K actually has the first birthday of the year in her class (the 2nd week of school!) so I had to really get to work on mine. It was so relaxing to work on her candle while we discussed the the upcoming first day of school. K's first day will be a baking day so I know she will have fun.


Nature table

The teachers asked us questions about our little ones like what brings them the most joy in life, and discussed a couple of Steiner's teachings and issues with allergies with all of us. We don't eat meat or eggs (the teachers mentioned that to everyone) and that is a big concern for me. Now that everyone knows what we don't eat I feel a lot better.


The teachers have been working on the children's symbols. Here is K's in progress

After that we passed around some articles to bring home and read, as well as sign up sheets for things like laundry faeries, classroom volunteers, etc. I signed myself up for weeding/caring for the garden because I can bring C along to do that.



To close the meeting we were all given a candle and we gathered around the above centerpiece at the childrens table. The teachers read another beautiful verse and one by one we went up and lit our candles and placed them in the sand while we voiced a wish for our own child. I wished for K to find everything she was looking for in school as well as unending happiness. It was a beautiful little ceremony and you could almost feel our wishes and love in the room. I hope that feeling stays for the first day of school... I have a feeling it will.

Now to move forward and finish with my school preparations! I have another meeting at school tonight but this time with my and C's teacher for our parent/child classes. I hope to have more to share afterwards.

Before I forget, here is the 'after' picture of K from her rag curls. As you can see her hair came out really, really curly. By the end of the day it fell into cute loose curls, though. If only I took a picture. Next time I will roll them up a bit looser.



Wishing you all a beautiful and magic filled day!

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23 comments:

TwigandToadstool said...

I'm really impressed that they do so much before the first day of school...how wonderful for you to know that your daughter is in such loving hands for the school year!
xo maureen

boatbaby said...

Wouldn't it be nice if all schools welcomed parents to the new year with such warmth and comfort?! I am so happy for you and for K!

renee ~ heirloom seasons said...

I am glad you found a place to feel so welcome, and for sweet K to be nurtured and loved.

Yesterday was our first day of lessons and when we began circle time we held hands and brought into our circle our wishes and hopes for the year.

Thinking of you, miss you, but please do not apologize for being away!!
XOXOXO

Nadja said...

I love the classroom photos, and find them very inspirational. I homeschool, and we are rather eclectic in method, but I like the gentle Waldorf approach, especially at the earliest ages. I have found that the culture will impose itself and find its way to our children, but if we can keep them "pure" at the early stages, we have a chance at making a lasting impression on them.

Hallie said...

Thankyou so much for sharing!!! I am a homeschooler but I strive to welcome Waldorf into our home as much as I can and I find that there jut aren't as many pictures of the inside classrooms as I would like to see and get ideas from. Wejust moved and I am trying to set up our classroom (so excited to actually have one!) so I love getting ideas! Thanks again!

www.ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com

Tonya Gunn said...

It is so wonderful how the Waldorf schools involve the parents and include them as an integral part of the whole education.
Thank you so much for sharing her classroom and that last photo is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

it sounds like everything is coming together!!

Dawn said...

It sounds like you are going to have an amazing year at that beautiful school. I loved seeing the pictures. I was interested to see how the modeling wax was set out...torn into little pieces. I never thought of doing it like that before. That seems like it would be so much easier to work with vs. the big sticks.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that welcoming ceremony/ meeting for the parents sounds so nice! Hope this year works out exactly the way you want it to!

Lacey (schoolhousefarm) said...

what an amazing school! & the laura rag curls are something we love around our house also! so cute...

TulsiLeaf said...

You know, I get weird looks and whispers when I say I wish teachers actually showed more care towards students. I don't doubt that many teachers care for their students, but to really show it.

That classroom looks heavenly. We just rearranged M's room for a more "school like" place in our house for homeschooling. It's so quiet and lovely. I wish we had a school like that around here. The closed Waldorf school is nearly an hour away and so expensive.

catching caterpillars said...

oh wow, this is just amazing! what a beautiful cozy inviting place for children to learn.... ahhhh!

Prairie Girl said...

Such warmth emanating from your pictures - it must feel so good sending your little girl somewhere that feels so wonderful.

I grew up loving - LOVING - Little House on the Prairie and used to put rags in my hair with my Grandmother. Seeing them on K totally brought me back to my own childhood memories.

The Knitty Gritty Homestead said...

I have been busily preparing my kindergarten classroom and have really enjoyed your posts re. K's upcoming intro to school. I teach in a Catholic school and your candle ceremony seems so meaningful that I'm thinking about how to incorporate something similar into my room (a prayer for the children). Lovely! Your rag-curls brought back memories; my mom used to do my hair like this regularly. I had big fat ringlet ponytails in my Grade 2 class picture! I have other things to write but might send an email if I can!

momma rae said...

i am so happy for you and your sweet children. it does bring a bit of longing up for myself with the schooling issues we are experiencing here....

i love that they have you decorate your child's bday candle! that is special and i may think of including that in our program. ;)

Liebe Lebenskunst said...

What a wonderful sounding school to be part of! And what an amazing opportunity to make nothing but magical memories in that first, oh so important, year of school!

warm wishes,
Angela

Indigo, madder, marigold said...

Oh, nicole, I have such a soft spot in my heart...we just ended our 3 years of kindy and have the new adventures of 1st grade...but oh, this time is so magical and beautiful and heart-swelling. Your family is blessed and K's teacher sounds fantastic! I love that she let you all make candles and give wishes...that is just cool.

Bending Birches said...

::tears up::
how special and meaningful for you and your children. I so love this. Every child deserves a "send off" such as this one. I am so happy for you!!!!!
yet, another reason to love, love, love waldorf!

hands folow heart said...

Awh, what a lovely parent evening you had. Sounds like K will have a wonderful experience (or is having already!). Just yesterday I attended a parents evening at TWS with Marta's nursery class teachers. It wasn't as intimate as yours but still lovely. So exciting to see our little ones moving on!

Chelsea said...

I love the idea for specially decorated birthday candles! What a beautiful step for the parents into the world of school. +Chelsea

Unknown said...

Dear Nicole, Such a special way to start the school year. It's wonderful that they do so much for the little ones. How sweet.

Beth said...

I wish I could have attended such a beautiful school when I was a little girl like K. What a great way to nurture creativity. Beth

softearthart said...

What a lovely Kindergarten. cheers Marie

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