Ottawa Waldorf School educates heads, hands and hearts
Posted Mar 12, 2010 By Sarah Kelford
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Upon entering the Ottawa Waldorf School in Stittsville, you can immediately tell there is something different, special even, about this institute.
"They look at the whole child and they don't just sit at their desks," said Carp resident Lynn Agnew, whose son attends the school. "I want my son to grow up to be a respectful human being. He will be able to survive and take care of himself."
Agnew said she ultimately chose to send her son to the Ottawa Waldorf School because it was a fresh breath when she entered the school.
"They made bread from scratch," she noted, adding the skills learned through the Waldorf model are necessary for life. "The students, they have a desire to go to school. The kids, they are happy and nice kids with a desire to learn."
Agnew, along with the parents of the 55 students who attend Waldorf, embraced the Waldorf model of education. Students attend the school from all over Ottawa, from West Carleton to Sandy Hill.
"They come out of here much more self-assured," said administrator Catherine Pageau. "They know they can make a difference in the world."
The Ottawa Waldorf School goes from Grade 1 to 8, at which time, the students attend a regular high school.
"Any kind of Waldorf is better than none," said Pageau, noting with their kindergarten and parent-child program, children can begin at the Ottawa Waldorf School at an early age.
The parent-child program gives children a transition between home and kindergarten, while giving parents a chance to learn about the Waldorf model and offer their children outside entertainment.
"Children younger than kindergarten come with their parents once or twice a week," said teacher Jeannine Farazli. "Today, there is a lot of choice, but we see what they can do if they're not in front of the TV. We help develop social skills without media."
Farazli noted that "parents are the key to this program" because children imitate and look up to their parents at that age.
The program is offered twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and welcomes new families with children from six months to 3 years old.
"It's all from their interaction, everything here is natural materials and imagination," said Farazli, noting that she would be happy to speak with community members interested in more information.
Pageau noted that students are welcome to join the school at any age or grade level and pick up on the lessons fast.
The school has a large focus on creativity and individual progress.
With class subjects like knitting, woodworking (with hand tools) and German, as well as French and English, the students learn a wider variety of skills than in the regular school system.
"The Waldorf curriculum is worldwide known - it's tried and true," said Pageau. "It meets students' needs according to individual development."
There are 12 teachers on staff, and with the Waldorf model, a teacher will follow a class from Grade 1 to 8, allowing both the student and teacher to form a trusting and respectful relationship.
Alan Kruegar has been teaching at the Ottawa Waldorf School for 14 years and is currently the faculty chair.
Kruegar explained that the Waldorf model is interesting and gives teachers a chance to know the students and their parents well.
"You (as a teacher) don't just pass the students off next year, you have to look at their struggles a little more closely," explained Kruegar. "You have to work as a team."
He explained that students often join part-way through school, but they are always open to learning the subjects to which they may not have been accustomed.
"I'm not bound to Ministry standardized tests and guidelines," said Kruegar, explaining that if students are particularly interested in a topic in science or history, he can keep with it longer than other schools, because he doesn't have to cover specific standard lessons.
He also explained that students make their own textbooks by documenting what they are learning and highlighting what they need to remember.
"We don't give marks, it's all process evaluation," noted Kruegar. "We're always watching what they're doing, how they're doing. We're not teaching to see what they've memorized."
Kruegar did note that in the upper grades, he will offer pop-quizzes and go through Ministry textbooks to prepare the students for high school. Many parents have expressed interest in building a Waldorf-model high school in the area, as the closest is in Toronto. Pageau noted that although high schools have different education models, students from the Ottawa Waldorf School are prepared and academically sound upon entering the public school system.
"(At the Ottawa Waldorf School) you'll get to enjoy learning," said Kruegar. "You'll get to enjoy a journey with other students through a very rich curriculum. When you have a class from Grade 1 to Grade 8, you build really strong bonds and respect."
Kruegar noted that above all, the Ottawa Waldorf School offers, promotes and encourages a healthy lifestyle.
"It's a real focus on balance," he said. "You learn without always sitting at your desk. We take a real hands-on approach."
The Ottawa Waldorf School welcomes new students. It is an independent, non-denominational, non-profit organization and is located at 1 Goulbourn St., Stittsville. For more information call 613-836-1547, email ottawawaldorf@bellnet.ca or visit www.waldorf.cyberus.ca.
MARCH BREAK WORKSHOPS
Children in the community are welcome to attend the March Break workshops at the Ottawa Waldorf School.
March 15. Felted soap.Using various felting techniques, learn how to work with wool roving and wet felt two soap balls. This workshop is open to adults and children four and older. Please note that children under nine must be accompanied by an adult. A healthy snack will be provided. Time: 9 a.m. to noon, Cost: $10.
March 16. Easter Centrepiece. Learn how to wet felt Easter eggs and arrange them to create beautiful centrepieces to showcase in your home. This workshop is open to adults and children of all ages. Time: 10 to 11 a.m. Cost: $10.
March 17. Clay date.Children six to nine years of age are invited to come and listen to a story and then act it out. Using modeling clay, children will make their very own clay creation to take home. Time: 10 a.m. to noon. Cost: $25.
March 18. Dyeing silk playcloth. Using organic protein dyes, learn how to dye silk cloth. This workshop is open to adults and children four and older. Children under nine must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that this workshop will be held outdoors in the Kindergarten yard. A light healthy snack will be provided. Time: 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: $10.
March 19. Clay date. Children six to nine years of age are invited to come and listen to a story and then act it out. Using modeling clay children will make their very own clay creation to take home. Time: 2 to 4 p.m. Cost: $25.
Registration is required for all workshops. Please e-mail stonesoup@xplornet.ca or call Melanie at 613-257-1459 by March 12. All workshops will be held in the Kindergarten classroom of the Ottawa Waldorf School located at 1 Goulbourn St., Stittsville.
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