Why is Waldorf Education the fastest-growing educational movement?

A personal perspective.

Waldorf Education is reported to be the fastest-growing non-sectarian, independent educational movement in the world. According to data from 2022, Waldorf World List there are 1,270 Waldorf and Rudolph Steiner Schools in 80 countries and 1,928 Waldorf Kindergartens in more than 70 countries. This global expansion shows that parents all over the world are seeking a holistic education for their children. 

Thirteen years ago, as parents of a two-year-old and 11-month-old, we began researching schools for our oldest child. Unfamiliar with Waldorf education, we found Susquehanna Waldorf School’s website and decided to attend an Open House. On the day of the visit, my toddler refused to wear clothes, so we arrived late. I entered the beautifully historic school feeling embarrassed and weary, carrying a reluctant two-year-old. I'd missed the tour, but a kindergarten teacher, Ms. Wendy, warmly welcomed us. My son promptly took off his shoes and began exploring the classroom while I worried about how inappropriate this might be. Ms. Wendy crouched down and spoke to my son in a beautiful way, and he was captivated. She understood him, she welcomed us, and I immediately knew we’d found a rare gem of a school. We never made it past the kindergarten classroom that day, but we had all the information we needed— this was a place of beauty, joy, respect, and acceptance with teachers who truly understood children’s needs. 

A Big Year For Lunar New Year Events

This year marked an extraordinary chapter in our Lunar New Year festivities, filled with vibrant celebrations that brought our community together.

To kick off the festivities, we collaborated with Barnes & Noble to host a groundbreaking public Lunar New Year event. It was a unique opportunity to engage with our broader community. We shared the captivating tale of the Nian Monster, explored the symbolism of the 12 Zodiac Animals, showcased lively lion dance demonstrations, and, of course, delighted in the traditional popping of bubble wrap "firecrackers." The event garnered attention from local news outlets, adding an extra layer of excitement as we extended the joy of this cultural celebration beyond our school community.

Our annual in-school Lunar New Year Celebration was yet another highlight, eagerly anticipated by both students and families.1st through 8th grade students learn the cultural importance of this celebration. The children proudly demonstrated their proficiency in the language through captivating stories, songs, and dances.

Additionally, we had the honor of being the official kids' craft booth at the Lancaster Asian American Pacific Islander (LAAPI) Lunar New Year celebration in downtown Lancaster. Engaging with the larger community at this bustling event was a thrill, as we facilitated creative and educational experiences for children through dragon-themed crafts. The large turnout and enthusiastic reception reinforced our commitment to fostering connections beyond the walls of our school.

A heartfelt thank you to our Mandarin teacher, Hui Ling Singer, for orchestrating these extraordinary celebrations. Her dedication and passion have enriched the cultural tapestry of our school, creating lasting memories for everyone involved. As we reflect on the success of this year's Lunar New Year festivities, we look forward to continuing these cherished traditions and expanding our community connections in the years to come.

Thank You For Making Our Auction A Success

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of our 25th annual Auction & Dinner! Your presence and generosity made the evening truly special.

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that, thanks to your support, we were able to raise an impressive $42,000 during the event. This brings us closer to our ambitious $50,000 goal, and we couldn't have done it without each and every one of you.

The funds raised will play a crucial role in supporting the Susquehanna Waldorf School and its commitment to providing a holistic education for our students. Your contributions will have a direct and lasting impact on their lives.

Although we've made significant progress, it's not too late to make a difference. If you were unable to attend the Auction & Dinner but still wish to contribute, we welcome your donations. Your support ensures that we can continue to thrive and grow as a community.

Once again, thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone event. Your dedication to the Susquehanna Waldorf School is truly inspiring, and we look forward to the continued success and growth of our community.

A special thank you to Allen Clements for crafting an extraordinary video that beautifully captures the essence of why Susquehanna Waldorf School holds such significance for so many of us. 

Thank you to Alfredo Rivera for beautifully capturing the evening. Please feel free to browse and download the photos as a keepsake of the evening.

We still have some spots left for experiences! This year's experiences include themed dinners, an engaging parent-child wool felting class, inspiring painting sessions, and a dance party you don't want to miss. Embrace the excitement, join the festivities, and indulge in the extraordinary. Your next unforgettable experience awaits!

Marigolds Stepping Stones children met the School Magician

by Tabea Fitz

Did you know we have our own school magician? If not, you'll want to read this story to get to know him.

At the beginning of the week, I took my Stepping Stones children upstairs to Williams Hall to see our completed auction item. They haven't seen their felted planets, stars, and shooting stars strung up as a mobile yet. On the way back, I asked them to walk quietly through the "Land of Learning" (aka the Middle School hallway). We heard a deeper voice from the 8th-grade classroom and stopped at the open door, and saw a peculiar sight: there was a friendly-looking man with a beard, dressed in a long white jacket with leopard prints on it, covering a bright turquoise blouse. He was holding a glass with turquoise liquid over a torch and said that sometimes, if you hold it long enough over the fire, it may change color. Suddenly, the turquoise liquid was gone. While the man went on to tell the students about his experiment, a student in my class asked: "Who is this man, Miss Tabea?" And I said: "It's the school's magician! He is doing magic right now."

A couple of days later, while we were dressing in the hallway, we saw the magician again. I told him how much the children loved seeing his magic trick the other day and that the children had been talking about our school's magician. I asked if we could see another magic trick perhaps sometime, and he offered to visit right after our snack time that same day. The children were excited to enter the Land of Learning again, this time walking all the way into the 8th-grade classroom, where we were greeted by the magician, students, and their teacher. We stood very close to his desk, where a torch was lit. The magician asked us if we use flour in our classroom ("Yes, for baking pretzels and millet rolls!"), and if we knew that flour can make a big fire. We didn't, so he proceeded with his magic trick. He blew into a tube attached to a funnel that had flour in it, and each time he blew, a big flame shot up into the air from the torch and flickered beautifully. It was quite magical. The children watched quietly with surprise and awe. When the flame went out, we thanked the magician and went downstairs again. It was certainly a highlight of our day.

Today we delivered millet rolls to him and the 8th graders, thanking him and letting him know that we love his magic and if he ever wanted to show us another magic trick, we sure would love to come see it.

Calling all alum and alum families! We are so excited about our new official SWS Alum Association! This group, initiated by the SWS Development Committee, aims to reignite the connections among Susquehanna Waldorf Alum and fortify our cherished community.