Waldorf education was founded during a unique and critical time in history. In the aftermath of WWI, Rudolf Steiner created an education which honors the human spirit. The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt across the globe. During this unique and critical time in our history, we continue that work to adapt and provide a safe and quality curriculum that stays true to our identity as a Waldorf school.
RWS is currently offering on-campus instruction. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic affected all schools in the Spring of 2020, we began our Distance Learning program, taking Waldorf education beyond the classrom. We implemented and adapted our curriculum, holding these principals for our work with students, parents, and colleagues:
- Community – We value the strength of our community in its whole and in its constituent parts: the parents, the individual classes, the teachers, the students, the board, and the administration.
- Collaboration – Although farther apart in distance, we must work more collaboratively than ever. We appreciate the support of the parents as they move into a new role in their children’s education.
- Consistency – We are creating a new rhythm to meet the children in this new situation. We continue to develop teaching that is developmentally appropriate, artistically engaging, and academically challenging.
Improved Distance Learning Guidelines & Expectations
We have taken into account many suggestions and concerns about distance learning and reviewed our approach over the spring and summer. For the 2020-2021 school year, enrolled families may opt for “At Home Learning”, so that their child receives a Waldorf education while learning remotely. The RWS Pedagogical Task Team created guidelines and expectations for delivering distance learning, should we need to use that method again. Please see below links to review these documents.
A Glimpse into Waldorf: Beyond the Classroom
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“What if we told you, you are changing the world? Would you believe it? A better future is being built by all of us right now in the billions of small actions we take each day. Acts of care, love, and understanding that extend outward, like the threads of a beautiful tapestry. That’s the power of radical generosity. How will you be generous today?” GivingTuesday.Org
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This Giving Tuesday, we ask our community to turn outwards alongside us and rally support for the school we love!
We ask that you follow us on social media, spread the word about our campaign to your networks, post our latest video, or share what’s meaningful to your family about Richmond Waldorf School. Your support and voice go a long way in showcasing how Waldorf education inspires us all.
Our 1:1 match ends tonight— help us maximize our $5,000 opportunity! Visit www.richmondwaldorf.com/annual-fund to make your tax-deductible charitable pledge or gift. Help us as we strive to fulfill our vision, to embrace every opportunity to develop curious, confident, and capable individuals who can bring forth healthy change in the world.
Thank you today and every day for your support of Richmond Waldorf School.
“The lifeline of Waldorf has been invaluable for our family. I feel that we get a good balance of Zoom time and self/parent-instruction time and am thrilled by how well our teachers have adapted…..I commend Mr. Trostli, Ms. Mac, Ms. Baranova, Mr. Thornton, and Ms. Walker for keeping the kids engaged, and for being a familiar, loving presence in our home.”
—RWS Parent