This is a grass roots effort. There is a great interest in the New York Waldorf community to start a new school. There is a strong demand downtown among young families for a quality independent school education for their children. The two existing Waldorf schools in New York City, the Rudolf Steiner School and the Brooklyn Waldorf School, are too far to travel to from the downtown neighborhood for small children, plus they are practically full serving their local areas.
In the spring of 2006 Chris Huson met with a number of groups in the community and announced a commitment to actually starting a school.
Parents, teachers, and other volunteers in the community will make this happen through their efforts. This is the plan.
Parent/child classes 2007/08
Lisa Bono, an experienced Waldorf teacher, organized our first classes in the fall of 2006. Our friends at the Anthroposophical Society have very generously allowed us to use their building. It's a wonderful setting, though not as far downtown as we'd like the school to be eventually.
Parent meetings have begun. The Waldorf approach benefits from informed parents and "community education" is an important function. A cohesive parent body is also essential volunteer support for the practical needs of starting the school.
We are now in our second year of parent/child classes.
September 2008 Nursery/Kindergarten Opening
The major steps to expand from a weekly parent/child program to a full-time kindergarten are: to enlarge and solidify the parent community, move the location, and get licenses in place. The number and ages of the children of the families who apply will determine how large a school and what ages we begin with. Most likely, we will begin with about 20 kindergarten children of various ages in September for the '08-09 school year. In the following year (or perhaps the year after) we will form a first grade of 15 or 20 children and grow the school one grade at a time until it goes through fifth grade.
It is possible we will also have some early grade children (first, or first and second graders) when we begin. The energies and interests of our founding families will determine our first steps.
Faculty
No person is more important to a young child's development than his or her teacher, with the exception, of course, of the parents and immediate family. It is in this regard that Waldorf schools really shine, attracting wonderfully devoted teachers. Abbie Abbott, Ed.D. set the initial direction for the selection of the school's faculty. Dr. Abbott was the Director of Early Childhood Programs at the Rudolf Steiner School. She has over 40 years of experience as an educator in public and independent schools and is a NY state certified early childhood administrator. Abbie moved back to her family roots in Massachusetts this summer.
Elizabeth Smith, M.A. is now the lead adviser on the formation of the faculty. Elizabeth is the director of Sunbridge College's New York City Waldorf Teacher education program. She has 14 years experience as an educator and Waldorf class teacher.
Lisa Bono has taken a lead role in starting the school and she is the classroom teacher. She also teaches in the early childhood program at the Waldorf school in Brooklyn. She formerly taught at the Rudolf Steiner School on the upper east side of Manhattan.
Finances
Our school will incorporate and apply for charitable tax status as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. Initial expenses have been covered with donations. With the beginnings of our parent/child program, we are also receiving fees. ($495 for a 13 class sessions) The fees come close to covering our salary and rent, though not the startup costs. Several thousand dollars in further pledges have been received.
Tuition will be similar to other New York City independent schools ($15,000 to $28,000 depending on the age) and cover the operating budget. As is the general practice, a substantial deposit will be due when a child is admitted and the majority of the first year's tuition will be required before school starts.
Facilities
No permanent location has been selected for the new school. Locating the right building, with the abundant natural light and access to outdoor play areas so important to young children's healthy development, is a critical task for the next year. A volunteer to lead this search is needed. If you would be interested, please contact Chris Huson (917-576-6770 or huson [at] alum.mit.edu).
Enrollment
A balanced diversity among the students is important to each child's school experience. The teachers will select the incoming class after meeting with the student and his or her family. The parents' interest and commitment to a family lifestyle consistent with Waldorf principles (for example meeting the natural needs for a daily rhythm in the child's life, and the avoidance or excessive stimulation from electronic media) is a consideration. Alignment between a child's school and family lives is important. All things equal, families with an early commitment to the school will be favored for admission.
Parents interested in the school should contact Lisa Bono at 845-596-4908 or lbniobe [at] aol.com.
Governance
Waldorf schools are run by their faculty. Parent and community volunteers are crucial support in many practical functions and take important lead roles. Legally, the school will overseen by a board of trustees with faculty representation. Given that we have not yet formally incorporated nor adopted bylaws, practical decision making is currently taken by Chris Huson, Lisa Bono and Art Yuen. The formal tasks to set up governance follow:
- Adopt bylaws
- Select trustees and elect officers
- Incorporation and register with the state and IRS
- Form a faculty governing body
- Put financial accounts and controls in place
Chris Huson is organizing the school's initial leadership. He is a parent, ex-treasurer, and a trustee at the Rudolf Steiner School. If you would like to discuss a leadership role at the new school please contact Chris at 917-576-6770 or huson [at] alum.mit.edu. You may also contact him to discuss a more limited, focused and well-defined volunteer role. (Chris is also the webmaster of this site)
The school will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, or national origin.
Last Modified 3/16/08 12:36 PM
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