April 2nd News
Letter & Survey from the WSRF COVID Advisory Group
Dear WSRF Community,
In late February, the Administrative Council formed a COVID Advisory Group composed of faculty, board, and parent representatives. The purpose of this group was to provide guidance to AC regarding the school’s COVID protocols for both the remainder of this year and the coming school year. The group was selected to represent the full spectrum of COVID related concerns within the community. This letter is meant to provide a summary of the discussions, actions, and recommendations of that group.
The group’s six members met for three extended working sessions over the last month. These meetings were undertaken with a deep sense of the complexity and wide-ranging views on these issues across our school community. Our goal was to arrive at a consensus recommendation which recognizes the primacy of the needs of our teachers and faculty, the extreme value the whole community places on in person learning, an acknowledgment that the current COVID policies are not anything anyone would like to see persist any longer than necessary, and an understanding that it is important to balance the protection these measures provide with the potential harm they may do. It is our sincere desire that our school is able to see and acknowledge the complexity of these issues, recognize and seek to empathize with alternative view points, and come together in support and gratitude for the amazing effort that has been put forth by faculty, staff, the board, and the parent body to make this school year possible against great odds.
In our first meeting we discussed broadly the wide range of issues and concerns from the various parts of the community. We came to a deep appreciation for the work that has made this school year possible while so many all over the country have not been able to have an in-person school experience. We also came to understand the depth with which some members of the community feel that some COVID protocols may do more harm than good. Among many important issues and considerations, the group identified that the number one goal which should guide our recommendations was to ensure and preserve in person learning.
In our second meeting we discussed many alternatives for gathering broader feedback from the community and agreed it was very important that any such discussion start with the faculty. As such, the first recommendation of the group was for the faculty representatives to jointly craft a survey for faculty to share their views on the school’s current COVID policies, what if any changes would be supported or recommended, and any other advice or suggestions.
In our third meeting we reviewed the results of the faculty survey and the group unanimously has made the following recommendations to AC:
1) Any substantial changes to current COVID protocols, which have successfully kept our school in person and our students and faculty healthy, should not be considered until next school year. It is the deep hope of all that the improving situation with COVID will enable a more or less “normal” school year next fall.
2) If, as facts evolve between now and the start of next school year, it appears there may be a need for continued restrictions or protocols, the group recommends a broader community-wide survey to help inform a balanced approach for next year.
3) It is recommended that AC work with faculty to identify any possible incremental changes that could be made between now and the end of the current school year, should the COVID situation continue to improve such that changes could be made consistent with State and County health guidelines and the consensus of faculty.
Open Question to the WSRF Community
Please offer your feedback and opinions, here. Please respond by or before Sunday, April 11th.
COVID Advisory Council:
Aaron Vandiver-Board
Maura Wamsley-Board
Samara Noll- Faculty
Alexander Marchand- Faculty
Ann O’Brien- Parent
Nick Cherney- Parent
Alumni News
An often-cited quote from Waldorf Education is the instruction to:
Receive the children in reverence,
educate them in love,
and send them forth in freedom.
Therefore it always brings great joy to see our graduates meeting the world on their own terms --- left free to pursue their own hopes and dreams. Sometimes, as in the case of Isaac Musselman (WSRF Class of 2017), those dreams can even stretch to the stars.
Dear WSRF Community,
This past December, my dreams came true when I was accepted into the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2025. The application process was wholly demanding, including an arduous battery of physical tests, interviews, academic test scores, and essays. Looking back, I realize that more than anything, my rounded Waldorf education empowered me to succeed in high school, become an active member of the Roaring Fork Valley through a variety of community outreach opportunities, and prepare for the exciting journeys that lay ahead. Today, I wish to share a few ways in which the Waldorf School enabled me to thrive beyond the final Grand Handshake.
One of the most profound impacts of WSRF that prepared me for the real world was the massive amount of time spent presenting in front of an audience. Through class plays, eurythmy performances, Friday assembly demonstrations, band concerts, and ultimately my 8th grade project “Jets and Rockets,” I learned the importance of preparing until I internalized the material, while simultaneously honing a performance mindset that enabled me to keep cool despite inevitable mishaps on stage. Equally important, WSRF taught me the value of a good handshake, looking people in the eye, and dressing professionally (yes, the dress code is a good thing). As a result, I was well-prepared to thrive as a leader of various bands and clubs throughout high school, and am excited to further develop these skills at the Air Force Academy. The small class-sizes at Waldorf further contributed to the development of my social skills. Small squabbles and issues play out very quickly in a small group, so I learned the golden importance of empathy and listening to my peers.
A key attraction of the Air Force is the military's emphasis on service over self. From an early age, Waldorf instilled in me a deep-founded love for helping others. This passion gradually blossomed as our class made handwork gifts for our families, maintained the Rio Grande Trail, and performed for senior citizens. Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in 7th grade was so rewarding that I continued to offer my service throughout high school. Our 8th grade trip to San Francisco further opened my eyes to societal inequities. We stayed in a hostel and served at the GLIDE Church soup kitchen, a humbling experience that taught me the importance of social justice.
On another note (my elementary school-aged self would never have admitted this), I am grateful that Waldorf fostered my curiosity for the world by emphasizing reading and playing outside over screen time. Waldorf’s de-emphasis on screens had far reaching effects; unlike many of my public school peers, I never find myself glued to my phone and am always eager for actual conversation. In this way, my time at Waldorf instilled in me an aptitude for conversation skills that I believe directly contributed to my Academy acceptance.
The final tenet of Waldorf education that empowered me to succeed is the fully-immersive method by which subjects are taught. For example, in 8th grade we ventured beyond the standard facts of the American Revolution, engaging with the literature, culture, and historical figures as if we were captured in the time period. Thus, each year at Waldorf I would find myself continually captivated by whichever subject we were focusing on. This depth of learning instilled in me a fascination for all subjects, and to this day I continually draw connections between the lessons of Waldorf and our ever-complex society. In fact, during a congressional interview I was asked if I felt connected to any certain historical time period. Without skipping a beat, I was able to dive into the intricacies of the characters and events of the American Revolution.
In short, thank you Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork for endowing me with the tools I need as I embark on the path to my dream of becoming a pilot and serving our nation, especially through endeavors to continue discovering the secrets of the cosmos. Thank you to my friends for the laughs and bright memories, I look forward to keeping in touch as we move through our adult lives. Thank you to all of my teachers for tirelessly working to prepare lessons and making the Waldorf campus feel like more than just a school, but a welcoming home. The Waldorf community inhabits a large space in my heart, and I am endlessly grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of it.
With deep gratitude,
USAF Basic Cadet Isaac Wilder Musselman
WSRF Class of 2017
Coming Events
Virtual Event Next Thursday, April 8th, RSVP today
Exploring Waldorf Education: Kindergarten to 2nd Grade
If you missed the February event, we are excited to offer another virtual opportunity to join us as we explore the why behind elements of Waldorf Education, the bridge to 1st grade and take a dynamic look into the 1st grade curriculum! You will have the chance to ask questions of our Forest Kindergarten teacher, our current and rising 1st grade teachers and a WSRF alumni. This is a wonderful virtual opportunity for current, incoming and prospective families looking to learn more about Waldorf Education. Myth busting is included and all questions are encouraged! Please join us, April 8th at 5pm or 7pm, learn more & RSVP now!
Nominate your WSRF class teacher for the Summit54 Outstanding Teacher Award
Three elementary teachers from each town (Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs) will be selected as Summit54's 'Outstanding Teachers.' Prizes will be awarded to teachers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic—teachers who have demonstrated courage, who have acted fearlessly on behalf of his/her students, teachers who have given selflessly to support students’ well being, and teachers who have shown special kindness to students during Covid-19.
School News
Waldorf Curriculum Spotlight: Why a slow tech approach?
Technology is valuable and holds an important place in our world. The rush however, to place a tablet or computer in the hands of young children has been shown by substantial research to bring a slew of negative consequences. Our goal is to nurture students with capacities for critical thinking, problem solving and creativity that empowers our Middle School students to begin engaging with technology as a tool for innovation. WSRF graduates have gone on to hold roles in leading technology companies including Apple Inc. and have expressed the value of learning to engage with the world around them before easily making the transition to working with technology as a tool in our modern world. We believe in ‘slow tech’, not no tech. Stay tuned for a more detailed look at a ’slow media diet’, coming soon!
Our alumni say it best: “My elementary school-aged self would never have admitted this, I am grateful that Waldorf fostered my curiosity for the world by emphasizing reading and playing outside over screen time. Waldorf’s de-emphasis on screens had far reaching effects; unlike many of my public school peers, I never find myself glued to my phone and am always eager for actual conversation. In this way, my time at Waldorf instilled in me an aptitude for conversation skills that I believe directly contributed to my Academy acceptance.” ~Isaac Wilder Musselman, WSRF class of 2017
Wanted: Gently Used Picnic Tables
If you know of any gently used picnic tables, we would love to add them to our playground. Please call 970-963-1960 with any leads!
