February  2016
Have you seen the many articles being published that support Waldorf pedagogy? The Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post have been giving direct accolades to Waldorf education and Harvard University supports whole-child teaching. There is a plethora of information published daily from sources including the Boston Globe, National Public Radio, the New York Times and the Washington  Post about play, testing, music, knitting, academic pressure, technology and brain research, all of which fall in line with what Waldorf education provides. There are endless reasons as to why Waldorf education is the fastest growing education in the world. 


We invite you to grab a cup of tea or coffee, find a comfortable spot and explore our Quarterly Newsletter including the links above. Don't forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming events and click on the Picture Book link above. 
The 2014-2015 Annual Report has been published and is available for viewing here. 
Upcoming Events
Science Exploratorium:
Join us for this hands-on, interactive science fair. Grade 6, 7 & 8 students will present a researched topic with a model or reproducible interactive display. 6 p.m.









Prairie Hill Hoedown Auction and Dance:
This year, Prairie Hill brings country hospitality at it's best with an evening of catered food, silent and live auctions as well as games and raflles followed by good ol' foot stompin' music and dancing. Tickets can be purchased here. Early Bird price of $30 through March 13. NEW THIS YEAR: Online Auction Opportunities. Watch your inbox. Showcase your business in the Auction program, become a sponsor - click here for more details or email Michelle. 
 
Spotlight on Alumus
Kettle Moraine Gives Props to PHWS Alum

Honored at a Laser Way Recognition event Dec. 11 two 2015 Prairie Hill graduates, Jack Buchta and Jacob Flanagan, were among just 24 students selected by Kettle Moraine teachers for being "extraordinary." 
Jack was recognized for "jumping in" with exuberance, being engaged with so much and striving for excellence." Jacob was recognized for courageously standing up for others. 
The purpose of the Laser Way Recognition is to honor students who have demonstrated through their actions positive examples of respect toward others, responsibility in their life and active citizenship in the community.This award supports the district focus on cultivating academic excellence, citizenship and personal development. 
In addition  Breanna Marchik, Prairie Hill Alum, also class of 2015, was the student of the month in September at Kettle Moraine High School.


Alumnus Got his Acting Groove at Prairie Hill

Since his graduation from Prairie Hill in 2013,David Marren has been immersed in the performing arts as a featured vocalist in Pius's premier Madrigal Ensemble and through memorable appearances in Shakespeare's "The Tempest," the Commedia dell'Arte's "Servant of Two Masters" as Pantalone, and last year as a Sophomore appeared in the lead as Tony in Pius's production of "West Side Story." Hill graduate and most recently at the Pabst Theater as the Cowardly Lion in Pius XI Catholic High School's production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. Davey learned to love acting and singing through his participation in plays and vocal performances all through his time at Prairie Hill. 


© Terry Clark-Bauman Photography



*Share your story with us! Email alumni/alumnus stories, photos, etc here.
Giving and Receiving at Prairie Hill
Making a Difference in the Community
Grade 7 teacher, Maggie Herbst loads her car with donations for Casa Maria

Each year for it's Festival of Community, Prairie Hill celebrates St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who gave up his ranking to devote himself to helping others. Leading up to the much-anticipated Lantern Walk and festivities, winter coats, scarves, hats, boots as well as non-perishable food items are collected by families at the school and brought to Casa Maria, a non-profit organization in Milwaukee who  work towards a more functional and caring society through providing housing for mothers, families, refugees and asylum seekers. 
Alumni Parents, Rob and Patti Beres, Chair 2015-16 Annual Appeal

You could say Rob and Patti Beres, proud parents of four Prairie Hill Alumni, know a thing or two about Waldorf education and the commitment required of parents who are part of the Prairie Hill community.
Both are so enthusiastic about their children's experience at Prairie Hill, that they have agreed to Chair the 2015-16 Annual Appeal - Prairie Hill; Where Extraordinary Lives Unfold.
Many of you heard Patti's emotional testimony at last year's Auction event where she vividly painted a picture of the transformation her sons experienced once enrolled at Prairie Hill. Others of you have witnessed the blossoming of your own child's creative and intellectual capacity as they have moved through the grades. All of us know the value of Waldorf education.
As Patti and Rob asked in their letter to the community, "No matter where you are in your journey with this community, or how much you can afford, believe me - your gift makes a difference."
Community News
AWSNA Conference Lectures Open to Public
"Lecture-only" attendance opportunity available for February's regional conference, Working Together in the Age of the Consciousness Soul. People in the local community are welcome to attend a keynote lecture for a donation. Keynotes presented by John Cunningham and Carol Triggiano. Please view the conference brochure here.
Opportunity to Help Prairie Hill Founding Father

Just as our children grow strong and healthy because of the firm foundations we provide them, I
believe the same can be said of our institutions. Prairie Hill is blessed to have Cynthia Aldinger as our school's founding teacher. She and her husband, Michael, moved with their two young boys to England so that Cynthia could take her teacher training at Emerson College. Then then returned and settled in East Troy and both she and Michael gave untold hours to our school's early years. Their commitment to Prairie Hill and Waldorf education was strong, even though their own sons were too old to attend Prairie Hill and reap its benefits. As our school's first teacher, she launched many numbers of students through her rich, joy-filled kindergarten, and was instrumental in teaching and inspiring many of our past and current faculty.
Now we have an opportunity to show our deep thanks and support to Cynthia and Michael as they meet the challenge of Michael's serious illness. Cynthia's close friend and colleague, Mary O'Connell, has set up a GoFundMe campaign   to help defray the many costs associated with his care. Please click on the link below to read more about it, and consider how you might support a couple that were instrumental in giving our school such a sound foundation. 
Thank you so much for considering helping out these very special founders and friends of Prairie Hill!
Most of the above excerpted from a letter written by  Laura Cassidy, Prairie Hill Alumni Parent and Kindergarten Teacher
Prairie Hill Families, Alumni Students & Parents & Community Members: 
share your great stories, articles and testimonies!
If you would like to submit an article or photo to the Prairie Hill Quarterly, 
please send it here. Articles 250 words or less and are subject to approval. 
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