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Dear Colleagues,
I hope you and your school communities are doing well during this tumultuous time as we navigate change and uncertainty. Thank you for everything you are doing to lovingly and thoughtfully care for your students and their families; we know that familiar rhythms and faces are so important in providing security and a sense of safety to all of us.
I recently had the good fortune of visiting four of our member schools in Florida. They were all recovering from very unusual, very cold weather with snow in some areas, frost in many others, in a part of this country that is not equipped or built for temperatures below freezing. The weather left lots of coughs and colds in its wake.
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It was very interesting to see our schools in operation in Florida, a state with a narrow sphere in which to bring alternative, enlivened education. Schools must juggle stringent curriculum and assessment requirements starting in kindergarten. Understandably, given the history of horrendous school shootings, security requirements are extremely high and non-negotiable. Schools are fenced, all doors are locked, school security officers are armed, an adult must be within six feet of any open door, and children’s backpacks must be mesh or clear. Children know that if they see something they say something, and monitored drills are a regular part of school life. In the middle of this, teaching and learning go on - business as usual. The required precautions add a level of work and awareness to all adults yet, remarkably, the students seem to go about their day with confidence and good cheer.
I spent several hours at Constellation Charter in Waldo, one of our newest schools. It is in its second year with all the joys and challenges of this first phase of a school’s life, navigating roles, curriculum, resources, and policies. The town’s only school had closed several years ago with students being bussed to surrounding schools. Constellation is rebuilding the idea of “our school”, a resource for the local community.
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I then moved on to the Seaside consortium in Jacksonville, three schools that have grown rapidly since the first one was founded in 2013. Jacksonville is a huge, very diverse, sprawling city with a major military presence. The Seaside schools have grown quickly to serve almost 1500 students and their families at the Beach, Mandarin, and North campuses which they describe as “one school, three locations.” Each school has a distinctive feel as it adapts to serve its local population. The demographics of each school are different. Beach has a high percentage of military families, with accompanying ins and outs of students as parents are transferred. North serves a traditionally underserved population; Mandarin is more suburban. As each campus responds to local needs, different school cultures are emerging. As examples, North has a gymnasium and a thriving middle school sports program; Mandarin has a popular musical theater program, and Beach has a surf club!
The consortium model provides the economy of shared, centralized services. These include an executive director, Richard Pinchot, who holds the overall picture and operations, operations, finance, IT, and records. From its beginnings, Seaside has emphasized professional development and teacher education; this remains a high priority. I was fortunate to be there for a half-day in-service and Saturday teacher education, both focused on the Alliance’s fifth Principle of Access and Diversity and primarily led by several Seaside teachers.
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Seaside is doing something new and different in Alliance work, a fascinating experiment that would make a fascinating research project. It is navigating stringent requirements and expectations; as a result, it has strong, integrated programs for the development of math and ELA skills. It is somewhat isolated, although Constellation will add another presence to Public Waldorf in the area. Seaside has been aware of its isolation and has actively engaged in the Alliance and has generously shared resources with other schools. It grew very rapidly and, to some extent, is now catching up with its growth (appropriate as it enters the adolescent years of its biography!) It is innovating and testing what works in its setting and for its students.
Returning to our tumultuous times and our task of supporting our young people through them and into their futures, it was truly noteworthy that the students at all four of our Florida schools seem happy, “held”, validated, and seen by loving adults. They are loved, and the teachers and staff make sure in large and small ways that they know it!
With warm wishes,
Liz Beaven
Executive Director
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2025 Resources for Supporting Immigrant Families
This resource list is designed to provide immigrant families, advocates, and schools with information and support to navigate the challenges of potential deportation.
Guide to Creating a Safe Space
- Guide to creating safe space policies at early childhood programs, from the Center for Social Law and Policy
Make the Road
Women's Refugee Commission
Immigrant Defense Project
New York Immigration Coalition
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Has flyers to post with information about rights and resource phone numbers
Immigration Referral Cards
- These printable wallet cards are designed to be given directly to ICE agents.
- They also include the contact details for the Mexican consulate.
Change to Protected Areas Policy
- This factsheet explains the protected areas policy, the laws that currently apply to these areas, and the steps advocates and communities can take to help immigrants maintain access to essential community spaces and services.
Chalkbeat Article:
Immigrants & NY
- A fact sheet in English, Spanish, and French about rights and planning
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Los Angeles Fires Updates
Pasadena and Westside Waldorf schools continue their work to repair and rebuild after devastating fire damage. Many schools have reached out to offer assistance including supplies. There are active fundraising campaigns underway for each school (see below for links). As examples of support, The upcoming International Handwork Conference aims to make 100 handwork bags to replace those that were lost. Woodland Star's parent association recently held a bake sale to support a devastated school that serves a historically Black population in Altadena. We see many examples of a heartfelt village at work - thank you.
A ray of sunshine and hope: you may have seen the Pasadena Waldorf High School Choir performing with the Palisades High School Choir - and Stevie Wonder! - at the recent Grammys. Here is a taste! Watch here.
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Fundraising campaigns for Pasadena and Westside Waldorf schools:
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Pasadena Waldorf School: here
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Westside Waldorf School: here
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Spring Offerings from our (canceled) conference:
Our annual conference provides an important boost for our work in the depths of winter. This year, due to the Los Angeles fires, we had to cancel - but we know inspiration and support are still needed! Several of our workshop presenters have generously offered to provide workshops for Alliance members. These include arts, crafts, storytelling, legal/administration, and eurythmy for all! Many, many thanks to our presenters. These are offered free of charge: a small consolation in place of our conference.
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Upcoming Virtual Workshops – Free to Attend
Stay tuned for a follow-up email with the Zoom link and sign-up details (required for the legal workshop only). In the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars!
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David Sewell McCann
A Virtual Course in Storytelling
Available Now: Pre-Recorded Course
Workshop Overview:
Intentional Storytelling in Emergencies
Bio: here
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Mary Ruud
Eurythmy Workshop
Date: Feb. 22, 10-11:30 AM PT
Workshop Overview:
A Taste of Eurythmy
Bio: here
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Rick Tan
Watercolor Painting Workshop
Date: March 8, 10-11:30 AM PT
Workshop Overview:
Learn the foundational Five C's of watercolor painting.
Participants will use watercolor sets they have available to them. Rick will use Stockmar paints in blue, yellow, and red.
Bio: here
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Elizabeth Seward
Handwork Workshop
Date: March 22, 10 AM PT
Workshop Overview: Overview of the handwork curriculum, grades 1-8: What, when, why, and how.
Offering conversational support for handwork teachers and others, including class management and simple short projects.
Bio: here
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Lisa Corr
Avoiding the Most Common Pitfalls Under the IDEA
Date: TBD
*Workshop Overview:
Join us for an informative session focused on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This presentation will explore the most frequent challenges and misconceptions faced by educators and administrators.
Bio: here
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Cassandra Bridge
Free Speech on Campus - Navigating Social and Political Tensions
Date: March 5, time TBD
*Workshop Overview:
Join us for an informative session focused on exploring the First Amendment’s protections for employee and student speech, key Supreme Court rulings, and their implications for school settings.
Bio: here
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*Legal Workshops
Our two legal workshops listed above are still being scheduled. These workshops will be available for school administrators and leaders and will take place during school hours (Pacific Time). A sign-up will be required. Stay tuned.
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Professional Development and Teacher Preparation | |
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Upcoming Professional Development
and Teacher Preparation
Center for Anthroposophy- Starlight Rays in Darkened Times: Seminars on Contemporary Topics
Feb. 22, 2025: Online, 3-4:30 pm ET
centerforanthroposophy.org/starlight/
Woodland Star Charter School: Parent Education Series
Feb. 26 & Mar. 12, 2025: In-Person, Glen Ellen, CA
https://conta.cc/4fT0v8V
Kairos Institute: Healing in a World of Need
Feb. 28 - June 15. 2025 courses: Online
July 6-11, 2025: In-Person, Wilton, NH
bit.ly/Kairos2025te-emergency-pedagogy/
WECAN: Parent and Caregiver Events
Spring 2025, Online
https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/news-and-events/parent-and-caregiver-events/
Leading with Spirit: Training programs: The Art of Facilitation, Prepared to Serve, and The River Raft and You
Spring 2025 offerings: Online
leadingwithspirit.org/
Sunbridge Institute: The Art of Storytelling
Apr. 4-5, 2025: Online
https://www.sunbridge.edu/courses-workshops/summer-series/
Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training: Weaving Wonder into Everyday Life with Toddlers
Apr. 27, 2025: Online
https://events.humanitix.com/taster-day-weaving-wonder-into-everyday-life-with-toddlers
Gradalis:
Teaching as an Art Week
Jun. 22-27, 2025: In-Person, Shining Mountain W.S. Boulder, CO
https://gradalis.edu/teaching-as-an-art/
Teacher Training
Jun. 22- Jul. 11, 2025: In-Person, Shining Mountain W.S. Boulder, CO
https://gradalis.edu/
Sunbridge Institute: Summer Series-
Leadership, Early Childhood & Grades 1-8
Jun. & Jul. 2025: Online
https://www.sunbridge.edu/courses-workshops/summer-series/
Great Lakes Waldorf Institute: High School Summer Professional Development
Jun. 30-Jul. 3, 2025: Online
Jul. 7-11, 2025: In-Person, Milwaukee, WI
https://www.greatlakeswaldorf.org/high-school
Journey School: Summer Renewal 2025- Art of Teaching
Jul. 7-11, 2025: In-Person, Aliso Viejo, CA
rsvpartofteaching2.pdf
Center for Anthroposophy: Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program
Class of 2027 enrolls this summer, July 2025. Online & In-Person
https://centerforanthroposophy.org/programs/waldorf-high-school-teacher-education/whistep/
New Adult Learning Institute: Grounded in Practice: A New Waldorf Foundation Year
Aug 18, 2025 - April 30, 2026: One Week In-Person (Vancouver Island, Canada) & 8 months Online (bi-monthly)
https://haven-wood.ca/nalinstitute
Gradalis: Understanding Waldorf Education Program
Sept. 2025-April 2026: Online
https://gradalis.edu/uwe-mentorship/
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Upcoming Conferences:
WECAN Early Childhood Educators Conference: A New Path: Transforming Conflict Through Destiny Learning
Feb. 22, 2025, Online
https://web.cvent.com/event/
WECAN Pacific Northwest Regional Conference: Living in Right Relationship, Remembering the Sacred: Bringing Healing Education to the Land and All Beings
Feb. 14-16, 2025, In-Person, Portland, OR
https://web.cvent.com/event/
Waldorf Handwork Educators February Conference, Growing Together: The Power of Community Handwork
Feb 15, 16, 17 2025, Online
waldorfhandwork.org/teacher-development
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Public Waldorf is a service mark of the Association of Waldorf Schools
of North America and is used pursuant to a license.
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