News
Parents Speak: A
Circle of Inclusion
An initial general meeting for parents
Thursday, February 4, 5:30 - 7:30pm
High school campus
Childcare and pizza will be provided
as needed. Please email Gail Gurewitz if you intend to
bring your child at
grosenwitz@yahoo.com.
In association with the grade school’s Parents
Association and the high school’s Parent Council, the
SFWS Multicultural Council invites all parents to a
general meeting to initiate this forum.
The goal of Parents Speak is to offer a forum that can
be used by all families to build awareness around their
own cultures as well as the culture of the school. How
these cultures come together around issues, tasks or
celebrations requires awareness and an openness that
needs to be constantly tended. The willingness to enter
this dialogue helps service our community and promotes
the mission of SFWS.
The process of Parents Speak stresses learning
appreciation of differences in our families’ personal
locations, and how these differences have an impact on
one another. Personal location is determined by such
variables as language, religion, physical ability,
gender, sexual orientation, class, race, ethnicity and
others.
Why should I come to a Parents Speak meeting?
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Because the parents of the Multicultural Council would
like to hear your questions, concerns and/or experiences
with multicultural issues in regard to the culture of
our school and community to help us inform our future
work.
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You would like to be a part of an expanding circle of
inclusion.
Membership in Parents Speak is open to all SFWS parents
and is co-chaired by parent representatives of the
Multicultural Council.
FAMILY LIFE SERIES 2009-2010
CLICK HERE for a flyer with complete descriptions, dates and fees
CLICK HERE to register
An opportunity for parents to explore topics in parenting, Waldorf education and the arts,
and to build the foundation for a healthy family journey.
ART WITH CHILDREN with Elena Forrer
FEEDING OUR CHILDREN with Nicole LoBue
RHYTHMS OF LIFE with Marianne Alsop, Patricia Ardziejewsky, and guests
PARENTING BY TEMPERAMENT with Lalla Carini & Astrid Thiersch
Limited childcare available: Parents attend a two-hour class while the children play in a Waldorf environment
under the guidance of a caring and expert caregiver. Childcare fee: $ 9 per hour. Open to children 2 to 41/2 years.
These classes are available to families enrolled in SFWS or SFWS sponsored Parenting Classes or a Waldorf preschool program. Contact Lalla Carini for more information.
Douglas Gerwin to Speak at Both Campuses
Tuesday & Wednesday, January 5 & 6, 2010
Don’t miss this dynamic and insightful speaker on the subjects of Waldorf high schools and adolescence!
At the high school Dr. Gerwin will discuss his research into Waldorf high school graduates, where they go on to college, how well prepared they feel, and other interests they pursue upon graduation. Dr Gerwin will also be available to answer questions from you regarding the healthy social development of the high school student and how the Waldorf curriculum meets those developmental needs.
At the grade school Dr. Gerwin will explore the social and sexual development of boys and girls. Sometimes we hear, “They’re all basically the same, only conditioned to be different.” At other times we are told, “They’re fundamentally different from each other in the way they grow up and the way they navigate their surroundings.” Based on recent research in the development of children, we will explore the value and shortcomings of each view, paying special attention to the gestures by which children form and inhabit their physical organism in younger years and the pathologies they may develop as they enter adolescence. Why, for instance, do more girls than boys develop eating disorders? Why do more boys than girls exhibit attention deficit and hyperactivity?
In addition to these public talks, which are open to everyone, Dr. Gerwin will spend three days working with the high school faculty and students.
Douglas Gerwin, Ph.D., is Co-Director of the Research Institute for Waldorf Education. Himself a Waldorf graduate, Dr. Gerwin has taught for over 25 years at university and high school levels in subjects ranging from biology and history to German and music.
Visit OUR High school site for the latest news from our high school program
 Eager and enthusiastic families are sought to provide home stays for these international students. The cultural rewards are wonderful and lifelong friendships are formed.
ISP Coordinators provide a detailed in-home orientation for all host families and are available at all times throughout the year to answer questions and solve any issues that may arise.
ISP also provides guardianship service for minor children studying in the U.S.
If this opportunity has peaked your interest please review the ISP website at www.isphomestays.com. Most of your questions will be answered by reading the Host application and agreement as well as reading the Student agreement.
Once you’ve reviewed the ISP site, if you have further questions please contact the ISP San Francisco Housing Coordinator, Harriet Leff, at 415-771-5158 or by email: harriet@isphomestays.com.
Host families for international high school students are paid a monthly stipend of $900. ISP also places college students with host families.
(click here for pdf flyer)
conversations with a
Kenyan Waldorf Teacher
Philisia Shake, the current fifth grade teacher at the Rudolf Steiner School Mbagathi, visited our school for several days during April. She was hosted by Meg Gorman who met Philisia a year ago in Kenya during a around-the-world trip to Waldorf schools. Philisia is a lively, engaging woman who brought East African stories and experiences to our students and also to parents during an evening presentation. She told the children a true story about the time last summer when a lion entered the school compound and fatally attacked one of the school’s cows. She also shared insights into the current Kenyan political situation with high school students, and in one class she found herself explaining circumcision rites in her Taita tribe.
Philisia embodies a unique combination of traditional African ways, the modern African spirit, and Waldorf education. Her visit was a delightful inspiration for everyone.
Philisia ready take donated school supplies
back to Kenya.
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