Festivals are a vital part of our school life and curriculum as they celebrate the seasonal changes and acknowledge and incorporate central human values and virtues. The festival motifs are brought into the classroom through story, song, movement, drama and decoration. Some cultural festivals are observed only in conjunction with the specific curriculum of a particular grade while others are celebrated in the context of school-wide assemblies and related events.
Michaelmas - September
Michaelmas is a little-known festival in North America but is a major celebration in Waldorf Schools. It takes place near the autumnal equinox when daylight grows shorter. The festival is named for the archangel Michael, the protector of humanity, who inspires qualities of courage, initiative and steadfastness. The students, along with the faculty, participate in activities that reflect the values connected to these qualities. An all- school pot luck is held each year to celebrate.
Martinmas Lantern Walk - November
Celebrating Martinmas serves as a reminder that each of us has a divine spark that we must ferry out into the world and share with others. On a November evening, the kindergarten children gather at dusk to sing and light their lanterns. Then they walk with their parents and teachers around the campus and through the woods, carefully holding their lanterns with burning candles in them, and singing songs. The celebration ends at a camp fire with a story.
The Lantern Walk for second grade is held on a different night.
- December
Advent Spiral
The celebration begins in a dark room with boughs laid on the floor in the shape of a spiral. The children are guided around the spiral by a teacher as they make the journey to the center and light their candle, lodged in an apple. They then walk back out of the spiral, and as they go, place the candle on the floor. When all the children have finished their journey, together they have created the beauty of light in the darkness of night. The quiet mood of the event is enhanced with the soft music of a flute and the glow of the candles as the parents watch their children make their way through the spiral.
Chanukah is also a festival of light and many classes observe the festival with story, song, and the lighting of the menorah.
St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated by the children and their teachers in the classroom. The day before, the children leave a slipper or shoe out in the classroom. When they arrive the next day they find gifts of nuts and clementines left for them.
St. Lucia Day
Santa Lucia is seen as a symbol of hope and light during the dark of Winter, and her day is still celebrated in Scandinavia today. On the 12th of December, the second graders, all dressed in white and led by the eldest girl with a wreath of candles on her head, visit each class with songs and a St. Lucia bun for everyone.
Winter Craft Faire
Each year since 1985, the Winter Craft Faire offers a celebration of the season to our community. Throughout the day local and student artisans provide for holiday shopping, a puppet show to delight children, choral singing preformed by students, search for the Pocket Queen's treasures , King Winter's Tales, eat at the Waldorf Cafe, hands-on crafts and more.
May Faire - May
May Faire reflects nature’s breathing out, the growth of new plant life and the lengthening of the daylight hours. The spring “doth laugh at winter and every lad and lass will come dance upon the grass”. Our First Annual May Faire was held in May of 2008. The day includes: raising the maypole, live music, spring songs and maypole dancing, community dancing, weaving of the maypole, and other festivities.
Birthdays
Birthdays are very special in the Early Childhood. Children spend the morning preparing by baking and cleaning. Parents are invited to join the class for a birthday story, singing and a wholesome cake. In the grades, teachers may ask the birthday child to bring in a treat or treasure for his/her classmates (small handmade gifts, precious stones, muffins, cookies, etc.)
Assemblies/ Performances
White Mountain Waldorf School traditionally host two school assemblies. Elementary children share their lessons and display parts of the curriculum that they have been working on throughout the year. Everyone is invited to attend these assemblies.
Festivals are a vital part of our school life and curriculum as they celebrate the seasonal changes and acknowledge and incorporate central human values and virtues. The festival motifs are brought into the classroom through story, song, movement, drama and decoration. Some cultural festivals are observed only in conjunction with the specific curriculum of a particular grade while others are celebrated in the context of school-wide assemblies and related events.
