Administrative Updates - 5/26/20
Dear RWS Community,

Last September our community was full of hope, anticipation and comfort in knowing the Waldorf choice was the right choice for our students. We celebrated the Rose Ceremony (pictures of which still hang in the hallway), festivals, plays, music ensembles, birthdays, holidays and a Championship Basketball Team! Then, sadly, we were diverted.

To those in our community who have lost family members, friends, businesses or jobs, we are so very sorry.  To the Essential Personnel in our community, we thank you for your commitment and service . To those in our community who have undertaken a new role to assist us with delivery of Beyond the Classroom, we admire and thank you for your dedication to Waldorf education.

We established a fund for emergency financial aid - The Sun Fund - and have seen the impact this is making for our RWS families in need. We are incredibly grateful for the donors who have contributed thus far to The Sun Fund, including current families, alumni parents, teachers, Board members, grandparents and our RWS Parent’s Association. We continue to support families through this fund, and donations can be made through the Summer. 

Today we continue to hope, anticipate and take comfort in our community .  Hope for the continued success and recognition of our 14 Eighth grade students, soon to graduate and embark on a new journey to high school.  Anticipation of RWS reopening and learning about the results of the planning efforts, which will continue throughout the summer. And, Comfort in knowing the determination to stay together as a Waldorf community to develop the whole child.  

We thank you for your ideas, suggestions, and patience these last 10 weeks! As we end this school year and continue to plan for the next, we will conduct smaller focus group meetings to hear from our school leadership and respond to your questions.  Focus groups will be held for parents of Early Childhood, Lower Grades (1-5) and Middle School (7-8) on June 15, 16, and 17 respectively, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m, via Zoom. Please click on the link below to sign up.    
Where do things stand now?  
  1. The 2020-2021 Budget has not been finalized as we must rely on enrollment to build a practical and realistic foundation for operations, salaries and academic programs. 
  2. We have established a deadline of July 31 for families to complete their tuition agreement and finalize your child’s enrollment. This timing will allow us to confirm tuition revenue and make any final changes to the budget as we prepare for school to begin again. 
  3. The Pedagogical Task Team continues to work on next year’s schedule of classes and plans for scenarios of both on-campus and off-campus learning.  
  4. A Google Classroom Project Team has been selected to review and make improvements of distance learning for students, parents and teachers, should we be ordered to close again.  
  5. The Health & Safety / Return to School team is working on social distance spacing within the classrooms, CDC requirements, use of multiple entrances to the building, and of course cleaning, among many other items and protocols needing to be established or enhanced.  
  6. The Roof Replacement project is complete!  
  7. Pizza refunds will be sent May 29th. 
  8. 8th Grade Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 20 for our students and their immediate families. Commencement will be on campus with social distancing preparations, and attendance will be limited. We invite our community to watch the student presentations and the ceremony online. More information will be forthcoming.

During the summer break you will continue to receive updates from us. Please continue to send questions, concerns and ideas you have to me or Valerie Hogan . Administration Summer Hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Please mark your calendars:  
  • Thursday, June 4: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th Graders to DROP OFF student work. You will get more information from class teachers.       
  • Thursday, June 11: FINAL PICK UP for 1st, 2nd, 3rd (drop-off flutes and pick-up), 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  
  • June 15, 16, and 17: Focus Group Meetings; 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 20: COMMENCEMENT
  • Monday, August 31: RWS Opens for 2020-2021 Academic Year

On behalf of the Faculty and Staff, we look forward to seeing you all in August!

Interim Director Administration
Richmond Waldorf School | RichmondWaldorf.com | (804) 377-8024
Celebrating 100 Years of Waldorf Education