First day Rose Ceremony where the 8th grade welcomes the 1st grade by giving each child a rose. Then they process through an arch of sunflowers.
🕐 August28,2021 ✎(https://www.seacoastwaldorfschool.org/) EarlyChildhood(https://www.seacoastwaldorfschool.org/early-childhood) Elementary School (https://www.seacoastwaldorfschool.org/elementary-school)Middle School (https://www.seacoastwaldorfschool.org/middle-school)
By Amy Willenbrock, SWS Educator, and Parent
While there are still a few weeks left of summer, it’s time to start getting ready for the new school year. Whether it’s for the first time, returning to a familiar school, or starting in a new community, here are some tips to prepare you for the 2021-2022 school year at Seacoast Waldorf School. (SWS)
Grade 3 Classroom at Seacoast Waldorf School
Seacoast Waldorf School (SWS) already has some great practices in place for helping children adjust.
Looping some classes in early childhood and the grades, or rather, the same teacher stays with their students from year to year. This strengthens community and the development of relationships among the students and the teacher.
Optimizing class size for learning.
Promoting community service and school involvement. We have volunteer workdays, community events, and a parent association to support relationships across the whole school.
Honoring all aspects of the child including emotional, physical, and spiritual.
Scheduling home or school visits before the start of school for children in the early childhood classes (kindergarten and nursery. This creates a bridge between the new teacher/caregiver and home/guardians.
6. Scheduling home visits or class get-togethers before the start of school in grades 1-8 to establish a healthy class community.
Dr. Dimitri Christakis (https://www.seattlechildrens.org/directory/dimitri-a-christakis/), Director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the editor-in-chief of the journal JAMA Pediatrics says what’s most essential as we move into the fall is a strong focus on the social-emotional needs of our children. He calls social-emotional well-being of students “the pandemic issue that’s not getting it’s due.” (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2766113?resultClick=1)
Let’s take a look at what you can do to help your child transition back to school, no matter their age.
Young Students:
Less is more with the young child. Slowly shift your preparations for school to behind the scenes. Shop for supplies alone and then before school begins, show them how to open zipper pockets on lunch bags or show them how their clothing fits well. Begin practicing with them.
Kindergarteners chopping vegetables for the daily snack of soup.
Children adapt easily and will find the rhythm of the classroom exciting and supportive. The young child is open to new experiences, taking in the new environment when they arrive on the first day.
Have fun during these last summer days and give simple honest responses when questions about school arise. It is good practice to not let adult worries or anxieties cloud their innocence.
It is important to remember that the young child needs simplicity and rhythm. By finding our inner calm, the children will be comforted and supported and more able to enjoy the world around them.
Elementary Students:
Students returning to the grades typically have the same teacher and peers to look forward to in their classes. Their classrooms will be stocked with familiar materials awaiting them at their desks and cubbies. I remember the fun of back-to-school shopping with my parents and being able to check things off the list. But, at Seacoast Waldorf School, high-quality supplies are ordered by class teachers and provided to the students. This leaves only a few items that parents need to purchase like new shoes, socks, and all-weather gear for the New England weather!
Form drawing on chalkboard with water in Grade 4
It is important for elementary students to see their parents and families remaining positive about upcoming changes. As adults, we model resilience and flexibility for our children in times of uncertainty, especially during the pandemic. Though at times, things may be difficult, a parent’s view can smooth the waves of uncertainty. Focusing on what is certain is a great way to discuss the upcoming year. Listening to them express their emotions and giving them space to do so is a valuable use of your time. Acknowledge their uncertainty and help them know that their emotions are normal.
Middle School Students:
Older students will not need much in the way of supplies. The older students appreciate knowing what will stay the same during the upcoming year. But will also appreciate opportunities to show leadership. We can trust them in helping support our school community. Let your older student know that we are all facing difficult challenges again this year, but with the right mindset and support, we will thrive again this school year.
To prepare your middle school child for in-person learning, you might consider beginning the process of readjusting late-night teenage bedtimes. You can do this over the course of a week or two by moving ‘lights out’ up by half an hour a day and waking them up a little earlier each morning. Also, don’t forget that even fashion-savvy teens still need proper outdoor clothing at a Waldorf school! This is a good time to double-check that rain boots and winter coats fit properly and haven’t been outgrown from last year.
Practical Ways to Support Your Child & Your School
Grade 5th/6th during cross-country skiing for movement class.
If each household commits to the list below, we can help mitigate the risk of community transmission which in turn will sustain in-person learning and support the overall health of the community.
Focus on healthy nutrition, healthy sleeping behavior, and stress reduction to strengthen the immune system.
Reinforce good hygiene practices at home and when school begins
Consider quarantining if exposed
Select low transmission risk activities
Adhere to state guidelines regarding travel
Practice mask-wearing for extended amounts of time so that your child builds stamina for prolonged periods when inside.
Talk to your child about what will be different at school and what will stay the same.
Decrease screen time as we get closer to the start of school. We highly recommend no media during the school week, especially before school. The passivity inherent in the use of TV, computers, video games, etc. is increasingly recognized by educators and parents as counterproductive to the process of learning and growth in all children.
SWS General Gear List
Your child’s classroom teacher may have additions.
If you need resources for finding these items please let us know or connect with your class parent!
● 3-4 masks per day for wearing inside as needed, these will go home to be washed each day
● Indoor shoes
● Bug spray/tick repellant or other tick prevention methods
● Sunscreen
● Sunhat
● Extra change of clothes, including underclothes and socks
● Waterproof rain pants or rain suit
● Waterproof raincoat
● Waterproof rain boots
● Lunch box (for those who stay for lunch in Early Childhood) and for all elementary and middle school students
● Water bottle filled with fresh water
When the weather changes, extra clothes should be replaced by seasonally appropriate clothes along with the following additional items:
● Snow pants or suit ● Snow/waterproof coat ● Warm hats
● Base layers ● Snow boots that are waterproof ● Waterproof mittens/gloves