Handbook
Communication Between Home & School
The Chicago Waldorf School has several lines of communication designed to share information about both life in the classroom and in the larger spheres of the school.
Parent Evenings
Each Early Childhood and Grade School class teacher or High School class advisor schedules three or four Parent Evenings each year. At these important meetings, class and special subject teachers will review the curriculum in light of child development, talk about classroom activities and the social life of the class. There is time for parents to share and discuss their questions with the teacher.
Upcoming events and all-school information are announced, and it is also a time to get to know the other parents. The dates for these evenings are posted well in advance and parents are encouraged to make every effort to attend.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
A parent-teacher conference is scheduled for each student in the late autumn. An additional conference may be offered in the spring, or at any time it seems needed. A conference may be requested by the teacher or by the parents.
The Early Childhood parent-teacher conferences discuss the student’s physical, emotional and social development.
Grade School and High School parent-teacher conferences are a time to review the student’s academic, artistic and social progress. Special subject teachers may request to meet with parents, and may also be present by parent request.
We understand that it may be difficult for some parents to take time off from work to attend a parent-teacher conference, but we expect that every parent will make this a high priority.
End of Year Progress Reports
Early Childhood: There are no written evaluations for Early Childhood classes. However, teachers will share any developmental concerns they may have with parents in person and in writing.
Grade School: Grade School parents receive a written report from their class and special subject teachers at the end of the year. These reports summarize the work done during the year, address the child’s strengths and weaknesses, and offer encouragement and suggestions for the future. In the upper grades, block reports will also be sent home during the course of the year. Grade School reports will be mailed home within three weeks of the last day of school.
High School: The high school year is divided into two semesters. Students receive written evaluations and a letter grade for each class taken. Mid-term and semester reports are mailed home to parents within three weeks of the end of each quarter.
Notices and Newsletters
• The School Website, www.chicagowaldorf.org, is updated regularly. Parents and students can view the weekly Newsletter online, check the calendar of events or order calendars and note cards, contribute to the Annual Fund, post alumni news or contact any of our faculty or staff members via the weblog link.
• Weblogs – All faculty and staff have the option of creating their own blogs, which are message centers for students and parents. Teachers may post homework assignments, class news and any comments about what is going on in the class.
• The Bulletin is a weekly newsletter that keeps parents up to date with events, festival life, dates to remember, alumni news and policy issues. This news piece is available weekly on our website, via e-mail and can also be sent home with students.
• Mailings update parents about current school business, specific classroom information, or current school affairs. While we are striving to become more eco-friendly by shifting communications to an online format, you may contact the Registrar, Amanda Kuzak, at akuzak@chicagowaldorf.org or by phone at 773-772-8467 if you would prefer to receive this information in hard copy form.
• Newsletter Boards are located in the main hallway, the Early Childhood wing and across from the High School Office. Notices must be approved by the Main Office.
• Renewal, the publication of the AWSNA is distributed twice a year featuring articles about Waldorf education and parenting as well as book reviews.
Person-to-Person Communication
Teachers welcome conversations with parents concerning their children. The preferred way to contact a teacher is via school e-mail or individual voice mailbox. Teachers will make every attempt to respond within 48 hours. If you have a more general question or observation or if you are unable to resolve your concerns with the teacher, you may contact the chairperson of the appropriate level or the appropriate member of the administrative staff for a conversation.
If you are not certain where to take your question, you may e-mail us at questions@chicagowaldorf.org or you can contact Cathey Stamps, Marketing and Communication Director, who is serving as our Parent Contact Coordinator.