My girl is graduating

Helen graduates from the Waldorf school on Saturday. I know it is only an 8th grade graduation, but it feels like so much more. It is the end of her Waldorf education and she has been there for 11 years. Maybe I should say "we." The school is so much more than a school--it is a community and we have become close to many families. As parents we have celebrated festivals, shared meals, gone on field trips, studied, and done handwork together.

Here she is with her nursery teacher
(who has since passed away which makes it even more poignant)

It has been an interesting week listening to Helen talk about her Waldorf experience and where it has led her. Academically, a spark has been ignited in her for English history and literature. She has also fallen in love with art history and modern art. She has a deep love for her school and is happy that Lou will still be there so she has an excuse to come back!

Here is her third grade class. She is on the bottom right in the bandana getting ready to perform a harvest play.

I can't say that the years have always been easy, but they have been full of beauty, wisdom, and growth. For the past two years, her class has been just four girls. While it isn't what we wished for her, she has had very special opportunities --home stays in Montreal, overnight art trips to Boston, in-depth community service experiences. The connections to the curriculum and her teachers have been deep.

Here they are after an overnight canoe trip on the Connecticut River last fall.

She has also had challenges that she would not have had in a larger group. The girls have had to learn tolerance for each others differences, they have had to hold their own musically in a quartet, and they have learned that one can't hide in the back with a small class--everyone contributes, every day, in every subject.

This year they joined a transition town committee to build a community garden using the principles of permaculture.

This week has been so full of memories and preparation. Helen has written a speech (connected to her favorite poet), practiced songs, brushed up her favorite Vivaldi piece, finished her final main lesson book, is finishing a stool (ack, running a bit late), and is mounting an exhibition of her work today which will be on view through Saturday. The event on Saturday will be filled with all their accomplishments.

Here they are finishing up clay busts for art class.

The first set of grandparents have arrived. The house is clean. The graduation dress has been purchased. Tomorrow is the rose ceremony where each of the first grade buddies bids them farewell. Tomorrow night we barbecue with our dearest friends from her class.

I keep saying....it's only an 8th grade graduation.....but it truly is a big turning point in her life. I know I'm going to cry!