Handbook
Parents as Partners
Parents as Partners in Education
Parents are on a journey of learning as their children grow. The Chicago Waldorf School offers support and opportunities for parents to deepen their understanding of the principles behind the education. There is a vibrant community of parents, teachers, staff and students you can come to know through volunteering at the school. Be sure to complete your volunteer forms at the beginning of the year and watch the Bulletin for announcements of meeting times for the following programs and activities.
A Glimpse into the Waldorf Classroom is a great opportunity to experience aspects of the curriculum.
Study & Discussion Groups offer the opportunity to learn more about the principles that stand behind Waldorf education. A faculty representative attends to join or lead the discussion on topics such as festival life, child development and social questions.
Curriculum Evenings are designed to illuminate a particular aspect of the Waldorf curriculum and how the curriculum meets the developmental needs of the growing child.
All School Meetings are held twice a year, once in the autumn and once in the spring. They are hosted by the Parent-Teacher Organization and planned in consultation with the School Executive Committee. All School Meetings provide an opportunity for parents, faculty and staff to meet together. Each meeting addresses major topics of current interest to the whole school and also allows plenty of time for questions and comments.
Guest Speakers are generally highly experienced teachers or individuals with a particular expertise connected to Waldorf education and/or parenting issues.
Reading Groups meet to discuss books that promote a better understanding of Waldorf education and/or parenting issues. These lively discussion groups include a faculty representative and meet year round.
Parent Library is a lending library of books about Waldorf education, parenting and related topics is housed in the main library of the school. Books can be checked out during library hours.
For more in-depth study:
The Arcturus Education Program is located at 6531 North Lakewood in Chicago. Summer intensives as well as courses of study are offered throughout the year and are open to all. For more information call 773-761-3026 or go to www.arcturus.info.
The Rudolf Steiner Branch offers lectures, classes, study groups on anthroposophy and related subjects as well as housing an extensive library at 4249 North Lincoln in Chicago. More information is available at 773-755-0596.
Parents as Partners in Volunteering
The Chicago Waldorf School community is blessed with a long and rich tradition of parent involvement. Over thirty years ago, parents launched Chicago’s first Waldorf kindergarten with a ‘shower’ of gifts for the classroom. Without the gifts of parents’ time, energy and expertise, our many fundraising events and activities including the Auction, the Holiday Fair, May Fair and the Calendar would not exist. Parents serve on essential committees, are intimately involved in long-range planning and offer a wide range of professional advice to the school.
Your student’s class and the school become, in many ways, an extended family for your child. The stability of the class, its rhythms and familiarity provide emotional support to a child. The class as a community is an important structure for the children, teacher and parents. Your participation in school life is a great example to your child.
Still, in spite of – or perhaps because of – this whirlwind of activity, it can be difficult for parents to find their way into involvement at a comfortable level where their time and talents are applied appropriately. Consider some of these options:
• In your child’s class: Chaperone a field trip, make a birthday cake for the teacher, sew a costume for the class play, or host a potluck for the parents.
• In support of fundraising and community building: Work a shift at the Holiday Fair and May Fair, help to host Grandparents’ Day, make calls for the Annual Fund, or help new families learn about the school.
• In the work of the school: Work in the Sophia Garden, assist with plays and performances, help with producing the Bulletin, volunteer in the library, or help keep camping equipment in order.
• In reaching out to the community beyond: Volunteer to give school tours, post flyers for our events at businesses, allow us to give your name to families considering our school, spread the word about Waldorf education, or invite friends to the school tours.
Parents as Partners – Civility Policy for Adult Communication
The Chicago Waldorf School is committed to positive adult communication that models a civil society for our students. E-mail, voicemail, and a fast-paced lifestyle present new challenges to effective and civil communication. All communication should foster mutual respect and a climate in which different perspectives are heard and valued. While it is natural for concerns to arise within any school system, such concerns should be communicated in a productive and constructive manner. In addressing such issues, an important starting point is the recognition that the best interest of the students is the first priority. The Administrator is the first stop when there is a question or concern regarding the Civility Policy for parents, faculty and staff.
The Chicago Waldorf School is committed to an atmosphere of respect and reverence. One of the twelve senses described by Rudolf Steiner is the sense of ego. This is not a sense of self, but a cultivation of sensitivity to others. All interaction, large and small should build a healthy environment for student learning and serve as role models of adult behavior.
Basic Principles
• Demonstrate respect, in both what is said and how it is said.
• Focus on issues, not individuals.
• Keep an open mind. Be positive and flexible. Ask questions first.
Guidelines
• Raise concerns with the appropriate person.
• Use good judgment about the amount of contact that is appropriate. Be mindful of the amount of time an individual concern may take.
• Demonstrate public support for one another. Convey the message that parents and teachers are on the same team.
• Schedule appointments if a discussion is needed instead of dropping in or raising concerns in public settings, especially before school, after school or when faculty and staff are outside on recess duty.
• Keep in mind that voicemail and e-mail are public documents that may be read to others.
• E-mails are considered “findable evidence” in a court of law. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is that you should not say or write anything that you wouldn’t want to be printed in the newspaper.
• Understand that conversations may be documented and that a third person may be present.
• Verbal, physical or sexual harassment will not be condoned or tolerated.