Newsletter from Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners (global group promoting Waldorf)

Gaithersburg Elementary School Abolishes Homework

Mystery of the Disappearing Bees. Pretty neat. In 1923, Rudolph Steiner, the German founder of biodynamic agriculture, a precursor of the modern organic movement, predicted that within a hundred years artificial industrial techniques used to breed honey bees would lead to the species' collapse. His prophecy was right on target.

Why 6-Year-Olds Want to Be Sexy

William Bento, PhD, on September 11 (a few weeks late, but worth reading!)

Recommended Reading from Mrs. Eggers

Why We Should Teach Empathy to Improve Education and Test Scores

Bootstrapping a Child's Education: California's DIY School

8th Grader from Pine Hill Waldorf School and His Weather Balloon

View the latest photos on our blog and Facebook page!

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by Terri Fredericks 

Former class teacher Terri Fredericks guest writes for us this month on an essential and popular theme, its role in Waldorf education, and its role in her (and our) personal life.

"[O]ur minds and our hands are great gifts from the universe. Our whole body is composed as an instrument that houses our spirit and soul. It allows us to engage in the world and experience life. Each of us is a unique individual, and our individuality is a gift given to us so that we can give it back to the world. Our hearts should overflow with gratitude when we contemplate the grandeur of this gift. If we are grateful for our unique gifts, these gifts flow from us with ease and without resistance, and we share in procreation with others as well as the divine." To read the full essay, click here.

Dear Friends,

Autumn has arrived, and with it the tradition of Michaelmas. Featuring St. George, the sword-wielding, mythical dragon slayer, this important school festival represents the annual resurgence of human strength, willpower, and striving to overcome our own inner dragons. Laziness, greed, doubt, and fear of the future may have lain asleep during the warm months of summer, and now it is time to wield our light-filled, clear consciousness as we go forth into the darkness of winter. And go forth we must.

Though the culminating grade school celebration was postponed from Friday to Monday because of rain, the whole school had been immersed in Michaelmas activity for days beforehand. Mrs. Shafer and all of our teachers put much time and care into planning the schedule. The grades came together to prepare and produce a variety of delicious soups and sauces for a very special fund-raiser to benefit a new Waldorf kindergarten in Colombia. There was also a donation drive for school supplies; this outpouring of good will for those less fortunate coincided with Waldorf One World (WOW) Day, which encouraged schools to promote Waldorf and other social initiatives around the globe through fundraising and community effort.

The grade school Michaelmas celebration also involved school-wide tests of strength and bravery, and, of course, the slaying of the dragon itself down on the lower field, complete with horse and rider (thank you, Fiona McGahren!). In the Early Childhood, children moved among many autumnal activities such as jarring bean soup mix, carding wool, watching Mrs. Sacalis on her spinning wheel, dyeing silks, and making jump ropes. It was a delight to see families new and old mingle together and share a picnic treat in the cool October sun.

Rudolf Steiner believed that the figure of Michael and his battle with the dragon held a central significance in our age: our human will-forces are most strongly needed now (see our several calls for volunteers below!). Waldorf educator L. Francis Edmunds wrote, "It is in the autumn, with nature on the wane, that the human year properly begins." With open houses, auctions, and a host of other events around the bend, that certainly rings true here in Princeton.

Sincerely,

Nancy Lemmo

School Administrator