July 2016

Prairie Hill Waldorf School went from dream to reality 30 years ago by a group of committed parents, educators and community members. After three years of study groups, planning and preparations, Prairie Hill was incorporated by Grant Abert, Elizabeth Bashaw, Martina Mann and Rachel Schneider. The first PH Kindergarten was taught by Cynthia Aldinger, had 12 children, and was held in a church room in New Berlin. 
We have come a long way thanks to those wonderful pioneers who persevered to bring South Eastern Wisconsin an education that not only addresses the intellect but the whole child - head, heart and hands.
We are grateful for those who paved the way, who came before us with their love, sweat and tears and those who will proceed us; keeping the dream a reality and changing the lives of children and families. 




Take a look at some of recent photos and stay tuned for lots of upcoming invitations, events, give-aways and more. Happy 30! 
Upcoming Events
WOOL You Come and Play? I FELT You Might 
Tuesday, August 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Chat n Craft   event hosted by Claire Lippe (PHWS Class of 2006) and her Mom, Peggy. We will be making creations from felt: hair barrettes and bands, crowns, figures, and whatever ideas anyone brings us for the Prairie Hill Yuletide Faire. 
The location is the Lippe house, 13150 Wrayburn Rd., Elm Grove, 53122.  Pass the word and bring enthusiastic friends. We will break for Clair's homemade delicoius pizza!  If you have a nice sharp scissors, please bring it. Otherwise, we have supplies. 
Any questions? Call Peggy at 262-844-8023.


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Early Childhood Morning Adventure
Thursday, August 25
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 
RSVP required
Join us with your child(ren) for this sampler and experience a morning in a Prairie Hill Kindergarten and Wonder Garden classroom. The adventure includes creative play, observation, snack, outdoor time and an opportunity to have your questions answered. Experience firsthand how Waldorf early childhood lays the foundation for your child's life long love of learning.
RSVP required by Tuesday, August 23 - email  Susan Koppa McClurg or calling her at 262-646-7497 ext 20. 
*This event is also the first step in the enrollment process.


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Summer Serenade: Family Friendly Concert Series at Prairie Hill
August 25 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Last of the season featuring Chet Celenza doing fold dancing followed by The Brew City Drifters!
Bring a picnic, chairs &  blankets and enjoy some summer tunes! No alcohol allowed.


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Kim John Payne - The Soul of Discipline
Wednesday, October 5 - time: evening TBA

Mr. Payne will speak about the subject of his most recent book, The Soul of Discipline: The Simplicity Parenting Approach to Warm, Firm, and Calm Guidance - From Toddlers to Teens. There will be an admission fee to be announced. Watch your inbox or check our website and Facebook for updated information.
Acclaimed author of the bestselling book, Simplicity Parenting, Kim John Payne, M.Ed. has been a school counselor, adult educator, consultant, researcher and a private family counselor for 27 years. He regularly gives keynote addresses, leads workshops and trainings at international conferences for parents, educators and therapists throughout the world. 

Spotlight on Alumus
Prairie HIll Alum Excels in High School, Wins Multiple Honors
2015 Graduate Bonnie Raechal Beres glowingly represented all the values she
learned from Prairie Hill Waldorf School as she made the transition to high  school as a freshman at Divine Savior Holy Angels.  Bonnie Raechal was well  prepared and met the challenges presented by DSHA, as a nationally  acclaimed, academically challenging college prep academy. She began the  fall semester by making friends, playing JV tennis, campaigning and being  elected as a student council representative and studying hard for all her  classes. Later in the season she played JV Basketball and was elected to  represent the freshman class to give a speech at the state capital in  Madison for student council where she received the highest score possible.
No stranger to service work from her days at PHWS visiting local nursing  homes, she was able to continue to visit new  elderly friends with girls from DSHA. In spring, Bonnie Raechal became a  varsity member of the track team and was honored to attend the  state track competition as an alternate runner for the 800 and 1600 relay.
Bonnie Raechal was able to put Prairie Hill on the DSHA map this year with many teachers expressing their appreciation for the qualities they noticed  in Bonnie Raechal, instilled by Prairie Hill; eye contact, curiosity, open
discussions, comfort in public speaking, love of learning, researching to  find answers and most of all, knowing her authentic self  in a sea of 600 other girls. This was most apparent at the close of the
school year when Bonnie Raechal was invited to attend a special awards  ceremony where she was acknowledged as a high honor student and presented  the award for freshman English student of the year. The highest honor came  at the end of the evening when she was chosen for the single award of this year's Woman of Character, an award rarely presented to a freshman.  
Bonnie  Raechal has learned much, enjoyed many adventures and made great friends - but she is most grateful for the people and lessons at Prairie Hill that  helped her grow strong which form the foundation she stands on to take on  her future. She hopes all Prairie Hill families know they are in the best place possible, even if the older kids don't think so right now.


*Share your story with us! Email alumni/alumnus stories, photos, etc
here.
Giving and Receiving at Prairie Hill
Prairie Hill - Where Extraordinary Lives Unfold

Thanks to the commitment and  generosity of our community, Prairie Hill's 2015-16 Annual Appeal Campaign garnered nearly $40,000 in donations. In addition to supporting our school's day-to-day operations, funds raised through the Annual Appeal make it possible for Prairie Hill to offer tuition assistance to deserving families in support of our mission to foster an inclusive educational community for our children.
This year's Chairpersons, Rob and Patti, Beres, believe their four children - all Prairie Hill alumni, would not be who they are   today without Prairie Hill Waldorf School.  We are grateful to
each and every family, grandparent, friend, alumnus, colleague 
and business who gave generously to make a Waldorf education
possible for our current students and
those yet to walk through our doors. You are essential to our work!
Thank you for valuing Waldorf education and helping us create a world of possibility - a school where extraordinary lives unfold!
 



Anna Oakes on left and Anne Coburn on right - this year's Yuletide Faire Chairs

Anne Coburn and Anna Oakes Chair Prairie Hill's
29th Annual Yuletide Faire
Prepare to be amazed as Anne Coburn and Anna Oakes apply their considerable creative energies to launching this year's Yuletide Faire.  Anne's son, Langdon, is a rising second grader and Anna has twins in Kindergarten - so, to say these two women know a thing or two about managing complexity would be an understatement. 
2016-17 represents Prairie Hill's 30th Anniversary year and Anne and Anna, together with the Alumni Relations Chairs, Peggy Lippe, Nancy Notley and Dawn Imes -  are making a special effort to include Prairie Hill Alumni and their families in this year's Faire. If you have contact information for any of our Alumni, please email it to here . Our goal is to invite each and every P.H. Alum to celebrate Yuletide with us during this milestone year.
Yuletide's success is entirely dependent upon the joyful participation of our community. There are so many ways you may contribute your time, talent and resources to support this key community outreach and fundraising event. Feel free to contact Anne at (920) 723-4815 or by email  to find out how you can help.  
Mark your calendars!  Lake Country's premier holiday event, Prairie Hill's Yuletide Faire, runs Friday, November 18 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday, November 19th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
 
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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