This article has generated a lot of testimonials from people who have been associated with Waldorf schools. Here are a few of them:
crunchycat
26 May 2012 10:58PM
Showing posts with label reform. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reform. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Waldorf Teacher Abusive to Child
http://www.mothering.com/community/t/683104/life-after-waldorf-a-support-group/1\
00
"As we walked across the grocery store parking lot that first humid day of
summer, I said to my son, "Tell me what happened. Show me what she did. Pretend
you are Miss X. and show me what happened to you."
Sam immediately took on the persona of his teacher. He grabbed my wrist, two
fingernails digging into my skin.
"Come here!" he scowled in a stage whisper.
I looked around at the people eating lunch in the outdoor café. They were seated
in the shade at the wrought iron tables, under large green umbrellas. I knew
some of them thought they were witnessing a real incident, a child grabbing his
mother's arm in anger.
I didn't care.
I needed to feel what he had felt. I needed, from my primal mothering
soul-level, to be there with him in that moment that has haunted us both for
over five years.
Next, Sam told me Miss X. dragged him up the stairwell, into a nook between the
first and second floors. "Stop acting crazy!" she hissed. Sam had fire in his
eyes as he looked at me, taking on her persona.
"Stop it!" he cried… and... SLAP!
My wrist ached as it bent to an unnatural angle in his young hand. An impression
of pink remained on the back of my hand. His "beloved" teacher had smacked him
on the hand with the powerful force of an adult: projecting what felt like adult
emotions onto the back of his small, white hand.
That pink mark would eventually fade, but it's spiritual sting would remain. The
pink stinging sensation colored much of what Sam and I did for years to come.
The pink would bleed into all of our relationships: school, work, play, church,
and home.
There was no escape.
And to think... that same shade of pink was what had first drawn me to the
school."
00
"As we walked across the grocery store parking lot that first humid day of
summer, I said to my son, "Tell me what happened. Show me what she did. Pretend
you are Miss X. and show me what happened to you."
Sam immediately took on the persona of his teacher. He grabbed my wrist, two
fingernails digging into my skin.
"Come here!" he scowled in a stage whisper.
I looked around at the people eating lunch in the outdoor café. They were seated
in the shade at the wrought iron tables, under large green umbrellas. I knew
some of them thought they were witnessing a real incident, a child grabbing his
mother's arm in anger.
I didn't care.
I needed to feel what he had felt. I needed, from my primal mothering
soul-level, to be there with him in that moment that has haunted us both for
over five years.
Next, Sam told me Miss X. dragged him up the stairwell, into a nook between the
first and second floors. "Stop acting crazy!" she hissed. Sam had fire in his
eyes as he looked at me, taking on her persona.
"Stop it!" he cried… and... SLAP!
My wrist ached as it bent to an unnatural angle in his young hand. An impression
of pink remained on the back of my hand. His "beloved" teacher had smacked him
on the hand with the powerful force of an adult: projecting what felt like adult
emotions onto the back of his small, white hand.
That pink mark would eventually fade, but it's spiritual sting would remain. The
pink stinging sensation colored much of what Sam and I did for years to come.
The pink would bleed into all of our relationships: school, work, play, church,
and home.
There was no escape.
And to think... that same shade of pink was what had first drawn me to the
school."
Waldorf Student Shares Sad Story
http://www.mothering.com/community/t/368640/a-safe-healthy-haven-waldorf-questio\
ners-concerns-thread
"I guess I will share my experience with Waldorf here in case it helps anyone
looking for more information. Of course every Waldorf school is unique and my
experience is unique as well.
I attended Waldorf in grade 6. My family had just moved out to BC and heard bad
things about the local public schools and I was all set to enroll in one year
into a private Baha'i school so we just had one year until then.
Because I had gone through years in the public school system and was learning
reading with my mom at home even before we started it at school, I was very
shocked at suddenly being immersed in such a different style of learning.
We had no books, we never read in class or for homework. A class usually
consisted of the teacher giving a lecture and we could draw pictures or write
what he or she said. 2 kids in my class of 9 could not read at all, they were
the 2 who had gone through Waldorf from kindergarden age. Math class was drawing
shapes in our sketchbooks and also one time I remember nailing little nails into
a sheet of plywood and wrapping yarn around them to make it look like a star.
It was very hard to learn French and German because we couldn't practice reading
from a text at school or at home. Our teacher would say words and we'd repeat
them. That's it.
By the time I finished the year and went on to the next school, I was so far
behind in my Math that it took me almost the entire seventh grade spent in
after-school tutorials to catch up. Luckily I loved reading and had been reading
books at home even though it wasn't part of my school work at Waldorf, so that
didn't suffer. We didn't learn any science or geography or social studies at
all, so I was behind on all of those too.
I'm so glad that I only went there for one year, other wise I know it would have
taken me longer to catch up and Math has always been a challenge for me.
After that experience, I know I will never send any child of mine to Waldorf. I
loved learning to read when I did - reading was a very special part of my
childhood and I hope it will be for my children too. Also I want them to be
prepared well for university, and I know that if I'd stayed on at Waldorf for
all of high school, I'd never manage with college/university courses.
My younger sister unfortunately struggled with these same issues, since she also
attended Waldorf that year. She was in grade 3. After that year, my parents took
her out and put her in another school since we had moved to another area with a
better public school. She almost had to repeat grade 3 because of Waldorf, but
luckily the new teacher she had was willing to help her out after school if
needed with her reading etc.
Thanks for letting me share my experience, and very glad this thread is here for
those who need it."
ners-concerns-thread
"I guess I will share my experience with Waldorf here in case it helps anyone
looking for more information. Of course every Waldorf school is unique and my
experience is unique as well.
I attended Waldorf in grade 6. My family had just moved out to BC and heard bad
things about the local public schools and I was all set to enroll in one year
into a private Baha'i school so we just had one year until then.
Because I had gone through years in the public school system and was learning
reading with my mom at home even before we started it at school, I was very
shocked at suddenly being immersed in such a different style of learning.
We had no books, we never read in class or for homework. A class usually
consisted of the teacher giving a lecture and we could draw pictures or write
what he or she said. 2 kids in my class of 9 could not read at all, they were
the 2 who had gone through Waldorf from kindergarden age. Math class was drawing
shapes in our sketchbooks and also one time I remember nailing little nails into
a sheet of plywood and wrapping yarn around them to make it look like a star.
It was very hard to learn French and German because we couldn't practice reading
from a text at school or at home. Our teacher would say words and we'd repeat
them. That's it.
By the time I finished the year and went on to the next school, I was so far
behind in my Math that it took me almost the entire seventh grade spent in
after-school tutorials to catch up. Luckily I loved reading and had been reading
books at home even though it wasn't part of my school work at Waldorf, so that
didn't suffer. We didn't learn any science or geography or social studies at
all, so I was behind on all of those too.
I'm so glad that I only went there for one year, other wise I know it would have
taken me longer to catch up and Math has always been a challenge for me.
After that experience, I know I will never send any child of mine to Waldorf. I
loved learning to read when I did - reading was a very special part of my
childhood and I hope it will be for my children too. Also I want them to be
prepared well for university, and I know that if I'd stayed on at Waldorf for
all of high school, I'd never manage with college/university courses.
My younger sister unfortunately struggled with these same issues, since she also
attended Waldorf that year. She was in grade 3. After that year, my parents took
her out and put her in another school since we had moved to another area with a
better public school. She almost had to repeat grade 3 because of Waldorf, but
luckily the new teacher she had was willing to help her out after school if
needed with her reading etc.
Thanks for letting me share my experience, and very glad this thread is here for
those who need it."
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs Reviews - NXIVM
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs has NOTHING but 5-star reviews.
That's usually a tip-off that something is not right with the school.
Further investigation provided the following:
http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/2011/01/waldorf-school-of-saratoga-springs.html
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs: NXIVM hotspot?
First; A women contacted me about her experience in The Waldorf School
of Saratoga Springs. She said that she felt so pressed to take NXIVM
classes, both from other parents and from school administrators that she
pulled her daughter out and enrolled her in my old alma mater Catholic
Central{Old St.Peter’s in my day}. She then asked if I knew anything
about it, which I must say I didn’t.
Second; Coincidentally
someone who is close to me and that I care deeply about asked me what I
thought about the school because her granddaughter was thinking of going
to their preschool.
Before NXIVM was done with her, she had lost her husband, who was forced
to defend himself against ridiculous NXIVM Black Ops allegations, her
piece of mind and the respect of the community. So why am I bringing
this up? DeeDee at least on the Waldorf School website is still listed as a high
school teacher, although she is the only staff member not to have
biographical information available.
Secrets of NXIVM
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Secrets-of-NXIVM-2880885.php
In a Saratoga County townhouse complex, a man who wears a Jesus beard and seeks to patent his philosophies keeps a cluster of adoring women at his side. He has drawn more than 10,000 people to his mission of ethical living. But some disciples say he has delivered a much darker reality.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Olympia Waldorf School - Reviews by Parents and Students
http://www.greatschools.org/washington/east-olympia/2594-Olympia-Waldorf-School/
This school will love you as long as you keep
your pocketbook open and your questions to yourself. Or if you're on
scholarship, then they can pat themselves on the back and believe that
they are really 'making a difference' in the life of a child and the
community. There is no accountibilty, many of the goings-on of the
school are done in a secretive underhanded manner. The school has a
sullied reputation and does not attract top applicants, mostly they
have no choice in who they hire, they hire the only poor soul who
applies. There are children there who's needs can't be met,
educationaly and behaviorly, but rather than say so and loose the
tuition, issues are swept under the rug. These children take time and
effort away from the rest of the class. After years at OWS, my
children are thriving in public school.
The 'pretty package' that first draws you in is very
decieving. It's an easy place to fall in love with! The underlying
dysfunction is overwhelming. There's a huge lack of supervision on the
playground that leads to accidents and bullying. Some teachers seem
disgruntled by the pay and despite their best efforts, it shows.
Parents are asked and asked for money and it seems to go into the same
black hole over and over. The best 'they' can do to keep you enrolled
is to keep you in fear about what your children might face in the
dreaded Public School System. Waldorf Education is lovely and it
makes alot of sense.....this particular school just falls way short.
I did not like this school, my child was subject
to bullying by children and the teachers supported it. My child also
got very far behind academically and has had to have a lot of tutoring
ot catch up. What is really upsetting is that the 'Waldorf method' gets
children behind and then they are sort of stuck there. I did not like
the lack of accountability that the school did. A poor choice for our
family and I wasted a lot of money and time thinking it was such a
pretty education. I wish I had been more cautious. My experience is that
the community is very clicky and it is very hard on adults and
children. My child had a very disagreeable experience with the teacher
and it was very sad to see the teacher degrade my child's self esteem.
Also, the curriculum is very cultish.
I choose this school because of the research I have
done on education. Unfortunately, the school does not conform to the
principles it portorts to hold. Many of the teachers do not have an
actual teaching certificate or any university certificated education in
child develop as it relates to education. My child's specific teacher
had no accountability and was not even aware that my son was not doing
any of the work. At the end of 2nd grade he still did not know any of
his vowel sounds. Since he has left, his self esteem has rebounded and
he is doing so much better.
As a former student, I have to say that I
will never have my child attend this school when I have a child. When I
left the school to attend public high school, I was shocked. I had
never had my teacher give me consequences for not handing in my work and
suddenly the teachers expected me to do the work and do it on time. I
was so lost and behind the other kids. I had alot to learn once I left
OWS. I will never make my child go through that!
My child attended Olympia Waldorf School for 5 years. In
that time we had some good experiences but also many poor experiences.
There seemed to be very little communication between teachers and
parents except ways to give time or money to the school. The
kindergarten is very nuturing and gentle which is why we chose this
school.
We tried and tried to make this school work as
we had vision of what a Waldorf school could be. But after 5 years, we
could not take anymore. There are serious issues with accountability.
Now my son is struggling to make up all that he should have gotten in
those first years. I really feel that I let him down as a mother by
having him go to this school.
A horrible place that seems to promote the status quo.
I am so sorry we restructured our lives and moved, bought a house, left
good jobs to have our son go to a school that seemed better than it is.
Found that there was some catering to those who had
more money, there was some problem with one of the teachers and it
seemed that it was not really dealt with. Feel that that teacher
dragged down the whole school, Many children dropped out of his class
and left the school. Felt that there are too many cliques in the school
that get in the way of what a Waldorf school should be. Certain teacher
should practice what he preaches in the school. Other teachers did
very well only wished my child could have had them for teachers because
of their positive attitude.
The academics for the children are behind for even basic
success in a 'school' environment, security of the children while in
school and on the playground was seriously dismissed, and we found that
'the community' has a hard time excepting and communicating with the new
parents and students...
I would say it is a waste of money and
seriously lacking in accountability and respect for children and adults.
I do not recommend this school and suggest you find a real Waldorf
school somewhere else as they are not a real Waldorf school.
I have been consistently disappointed by the lack of accountability
for academics and the way the teacher's are allowed to be emotionally
and verbally abrasive. A disappointing and expensive experience. The
administration was not effective in managing any conflict and there was
not any accountability about teacher conduct or lack of.
My child regressed while attending school here. When I brought
it up with the teacher he did not address it. Disipline is rather old
school. There is little supervision on the playground. Lastly, the
parent community is rather exclusive in many ways. I found that it was
neccessary for new parents to prove themselves in some way to attain the
status of 'part of the community.'
This school is a joke. Can I give 0's. They
are rude to parents do not communicate and my son says he isn't
learning anything and wants to go to a different school so he can learn.
What more do I have to say.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Ashwood Waldorf School - Review by a Parent
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ashwood-waldorf-school-rockport
6/6/2010
I was not at all satisfied with this school for my daughter. There is a lack of
communication, integrity, and leadership. Without warning my daughter was
dismissed. The teacher was not briefed on the policies. No one was brave enough
to stand up for this act of discrimination. The tuition money that I prepaid was
not returned.
Oh yeah... and they KEPT THE MONEY!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Richmond Waldorf School - Reviews by Parents
http://www.localschooldirectory.com/private-school/27347/VA
* Reviewed by Parent or Guardian on May 28, 2011
* Before even considering this school, research anthrosophy and ask very
specific questions about HOW much math is taught each day. Ask what history and
science (very little actually) will be taught in lower grades and will the
school accommodate an early reader (no they won't). And get tuition insurance,
so if you are unhappy with the school and the lack of emphasis placed on
academics you can get your tuition refunded. I am a former Waldorf parent. I
have intimate knowledge with this school and its practices. There are other
schools, better schools, pass this woefully inadequate, albeit lovely pastel
school by.
* Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on September 23, 2010
* Absolutely awful - security concerns - they are just winging it. Ask them
about graduates! Watch them squirm!
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&cp=12&gs_id=55&xhr=t&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_\
pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1496&bih=677&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=richmond+waldorf+school&fb=1&gl\
=us&hq=waldorf+school&hnear=0x89b111095799c9ed:0xbfd83e6de2423cc5,Richmond,+VA&c\
id=11357887947756895560&ei=-0SYT9vyD8LfiAKvubUB&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=placepag\
e-link&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CFoQ4gkwAA
knitter ‎ - Jul 14, 2008
okay for Kindergarten, but go elswhere after that. My daughter attended Richmond
Waldorf for two years before starting first grade there. Their Kindergarten is
for ages 3-6 and it's a gentle, playful atmosphere. The focus was on creative
play, which was fine by me and my daughter loved it. She expected to love first
grade too. After less than two months in Waldorf first grade, my outgoing,
happy, very social and confident little girl turned into an anxious, worried
child who no longer liked school, fell apart and started crying when she made
mistakes and became afraid of meeting new children. I took her out and it was
months before she was back to her old self. I felt her teacher's methods of
working with the children were passive aggressive and emphasized perfectionism.
I also thought she was sometimes flat out cruel to some of the kids. Because
Waldorf is a teacher run school, there isn't much you can do about it when you
have a problem with the teacher. There was only one first grade, so wasn't
possible to tranfer classes. I'm ... My daughter attended Richmond Waldorf for
two years before starting first grade there. Their Kindergarten is for ages 3-6
and it's a gentle, playful atmosphere. The focus was on creative play, which was
fine by me and my daughter loved it. She expected to love first grade too. After
less than two months in Waldorf first grade, my outgoing, happy, very social and
confident little girl turned into an anxious, worried child who no longer liked
school, fell apart and started crying when she made mistakes and became afraid
of meeting new children. I took her out and it was months before she was back to
her old self. I felt her teacher's methods of working with the children were
passive aggressive and emphasized perfectionism. I also thought she was
sometimes flat out cruel to some of the kids. Because Waldorf is a teacher run
school, there isn't much you can do about it when you have a problem with the
teacher. There was only one first grade, so wasn't possible to tranfer classes.
I'm not sure I'd have done that if I could have anyway, because I suspect this
teacher was using accepted Waldorf methods for classroom management. Not that
anyone there would tell you that. Ask a straight yes or no question of a Waldorf
teacher and you get a ten minute answer about child development and Waldorf
philosophy and later you realize your question was never actually answered.
Despite how much my daughter loved her school and the friends she made there,
we've never regretted taking her out. She's never expressed an interest in going
back either.
http://richmond.citysearch.com/profile/44134701/richmond_va/richmond_waldorf_sch\
ool.html
DO NOT believe their website
by Libby365 at Citysearch
As a parent with a child that was in grade 2 and 3 at Richmond Waldorf, I can
tell you this school constantly looses students once the parents realize their
children are not receiving an education that will allow them to successfully
matriculate to other schools. My child came in to RWS after attending
kindergarten and first grade at a nationally recognized Virginia school
district. She was on target for math and above grade in reading. After a year
and a half, her math and reading skills declined. She didn't learn anything of
real substance in history or science.
Waldorf is based on unproven ideas of a man Ruldof Steiner, who didn't have
children or an education in either early childhood education or child
psychology. Steiner's decision to teach reading in second grade is based on
children loosing baby teeth, not any concrete studies on child reading
readiness.
Student evaluations is like reading an astrological chart, with statements like
"not fully reincarnated in body", instead of useful evaluations on academic
progress. You, as the parent, will never be told by RWS whether your child is
doing well academically or not. There is no quantitative evaluation, no
recording of grades.
The children do not have modern school aids (handouts, workbooks, worksheets).
Instead, the students copy black boards full of teacher written narratives and a
drawing that the students must copy. This comprises of the "main lesson", which
is usually a myth or from the bible, rather than real history or real science.
There are better private schools here in Richmond that have real certified
teachers that will teach your child to read, write and a solid foundation and
mastery of math.
Please do not send your child to this school.
Not accredited... hires untrained, uncertified teachers
by Anonymous at Insider Pages
This school IS NOT an alternative to area public or private schools. RWS doesn't
provide textbooks to lower grades, does not test and doesn't equip the child
academically to matriculate successfully to another school at the next grade.…
http://www.yellowpages.com/richmond-va/mip/richmond-waldorf-school-k-8-8988943
FormerRWSparent 12/26/2011
This is in response to RWS Parent.
This is in response to RWS... read more 1861-1925 and nothing learned in the
past 87 years in childhood education are used. Modern workbooks are not used.
The student created "workbooks" are simply the students copying down word for
word what the teacher writes on the blackboard for main lesson which in lower
school is either a legend, bible story or fantasy.
3) As far as RWS children returning to public schools... unless the parents
homeschool them, they are far behind their peers in public schools. I spoke to
the admissions director of the Orchard House School about Waldorf kids. Orchard
House is a private girls middle school that is talked about as a middle school
at RWS. The director told me herself that Waldorf girls must be CAUGHT UP!! I
don't know about you, but I expect my child's school to prepare her for the next
grade or the next school. I took my daughter to Montissori and the initial
testing was that she was 2 grades behind!! She was at grade level when she came
to RWS in 2nd grade in math and above grade level in reading. A year and a half
at RWS and Montissori said she was 2 GRADES BEHIND!!! Another child in her class
that left after 3rd grade, after attending kindergarten thru 3rd grade at
Waldorf was unable to read and spent half of 4th grade in remedial classes
trying to get caught up.
Waldorf schools also try to tell you how to raise your child and run your
household. They are staunchly against technology (but the teachers drive cars to
school). They want you to get rid of your TV, computer and cd collection. The
children cannot wear light up shoes, clothes with cartoons or popular culture.
Also, black is strongly frowned on. Can't wear it nor can the children color
with it. Seriously, no black crayons!!! The lovely water color paintings you see
on the walls, aren't as lovely as you think when you find out that the teacher
requires the children to paint the very same picture, the very same way. It's
not so much as a technique lesson in painting as a Rudolf Steiner pedagogic
anthroposophic thing. Speaking of Rudolf Steiner... blond haired children or
favored by Steiner anthros over dark haired kids and white kids over non-white
kids. This is totally out right true, even though the school will probably
vehemently deny it. A little digging on Steiner, anthroposophy and race will
reveal the truth.
5. Finally... in selecting a school for your child, look for a school that is
accredited by other bodies than themselves, make sure the teachers attended
universities or colleges that are accredited by other bodies than themselves and
have state certification. If there is no headmaster or principal...look for
another school. The teachers are in charge at Waldorf schools and if the parents
have any problems or concerns, they are generally ignored.
6. Waldorf is not a cheap school, the tuition is in line with other extremely
excellent private schools like St. Michael's Episicopal, however the education
that your child will receive at Waldorf will be worse than the worst public
school. If you have $10k to spend on a private education, please look somewhere
else. The academic and psychological harm is simply not worth the pretty pastel
walls, or all the beeswax or knit crafts in the world.
Lib 365 07/02/2011
DO NOT believe their website
Provided by Citysearch
As a parent with a child that was in grade 2 and 3 at... read more grade in
reading. After a year and a half, her math and reading skills declined. She
didn't learn anything of real substance in history or science. Waldorf is based
on unproven ideas of a man Ruldof Steiner, who didn't have children or an
education in either early childhood education or child psychology. Steiner's
decision to teach reading in second grade is based on children loosing baby
teeth, not any concrete studies on child reading readiness. Student evaluations
is like reading an astrological chart, with statements like "not fully
reincarnated in body", instead of useful evaluations on academic progress. You,
as the parent, will never be told by RWS whether your child is doing well
academically or not. There is no quantitative evaluation, no recording of
grades. The children do not have modern school aids (handouts, workbooks,
worksheets). Instead, the students copy black boards full of teacher written
narratives and a drawing that the students must copy. This comprises of the
"main lesson", which is usually a myth or from the bible, rather than real
history or real science. There are better private schools here in Richmond that
have real certified teachers that will teach your child to read, write and a
solid foundation and mastery of math. Please do not send your child to this
school.
http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/virginia/richmond/richmond-waldorf-scho\
ol/
Our experience with this school was terrible; our child's teacher told students
that they weren't smart, left children unaccompanied outside ... just awful.
Submitted by a Parent on Mar 15, 2010
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/6508795094/richmond-waldorf-school-richmond
Not accredited... hires untrained, uncertified teachers
http://www.greatschools.org/school/parentReviews.page?id=2455&state=VA&sortBy=dd&page=2#revPagination
* Reviewed by Parent or Guardian on May 28, 2011
* Before even considering this school, research anthrosophy and ask very
specific questions about HOW much math is taught each day. Ask what history and
science (very little actually) will be taught in lower grades and will the
school accommodate an early reader (no they won't). And get tuition insurance,
so if you are unhappy with the school and the lack of emphasis placed on
academics you can get your tuition refunded. I am a former Waldorf parent. I
have intimate knowledge with this school and its practices. There are other
schools, better schools, pass this woefully inadequate, albeit lovely pastel
school by.
* Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on September 23, 2010
* Absolutely awful - security concerns - they are just winging it. Ask them
about graduates! Watch them squirm!
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&cp=12&gs_id=55&xhr=t&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_\
pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1496&bih=677&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=richmond+waldorf+school&fb=1&gl\
=us&hq=waldorf+school&hnear=0x89b111095799c9ed:0xbfd83e6de2423cc5,Richmond,+VA&c\
id=11357887947756895560&ei=-0SYT9vyD8LfiAKvubUB&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=placepag\
e-link&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CFoQ4gkwAA
knitter ‎ - Jul 14, 2008
okay for Kindergarten, but go elswhere after that. My daughter attended Richmond
Waldorf for two years before starting first grade there. Their Kindergarten is
for ages 3-6 and it's a gentle, playful atmosphere. The focus was on creative
play, which was fine by me and my daughter loved it. She expected to love first
grade too. After less than two months in Waldorf first grade, my outgoing,
happy, very social and confident little girl turned into an anxious, worried
child who no longer liked school, fell apart and started crying when she made
mistakes and became afraid of meeting new children. I took her out and it was
months before she was back to her old self. I felt her teacher's methods of
working with the children were passive aggressive and emphasized perfectionism.
I also thought she was sometimes flat out cruel to some of the kids. Because
Waldorf is a teacher run school, there isn't much you can do about it when you
have a problem with the teacher. There was only one first grade, so wasn't
possible to tranfer classes. I'm ... My daughter attended Richmond Waldorf for
two years before starting first grade there. Their Kindergarten is for ages 3-6
and it's a gentle, playful atmosphere. The focus was on creative play, which was
fine by me and my daughter loved it. She expected to love first grade too. After
less than two months in Waldorf first grade, my outgoing, happy, very social and
confident little girl turned into an anxious, worried child who no longer liked
school, fell apart and started crying when she made mistakes and became afraid
of meeting new children. I took her out and it was months before she was back to
her old self. I felt her teacher's methods of working with the children were
passive aggressive and emphasized perfectionism. I also thought she was
sometimes flat out cruel to some of the kids. Because Waldorf is a teacher run
school, there isn't much you can do about it when you have a problem with the
teacher. There was only one first grade, so wasn't possible to tranfer classes.
I'm not sure I'd have done that if I could have anyway, because I suspect this
teacher was using accepted Waldorf methods for classroom management. Not that
anyone there would tell you that. Ask a straight yes or no question of a Waldorf
teacher and you get a ten minute answer about child development and Waldorf
philosophy and later you realize your question was never actually answered.
Despite how much my daughter loved her school and the friends she made there,
we've never regretted taking her out. She's never expressed an interest in going
back either.
http://richmond.citysearch.com/profile/44134701/richmond_va/richmond_waldorf_sch\
ool.html
DO NOT believe their website
by Libby365 at Citysearch
As a parent with a child that was in grade 2 and 3 at Richmond Waldorf, I can
tell you this school constantly looses students once the parents realize their
children are not receiving an education that will allow them to successfully
matriculate to other schools. My child came in to RWS after attending
kindergarten and first grade at a nationally recognized Virginia school
district. She was on target for math and above grade in reading. After a year
and a half, her math and reading skills declined. She didn't learn anything of
real substance in history or science.
Waldorf is based on unproven ideas of a man Ruldof Steiner, who didn't have
children or an education in either early childhood education or child
psychology. Steiner's decision to teach reading in second grade is based on
children loosing baby teeth, not any concrete studies on child reading
readiness.
Student evaluations is like reading an astrological chart, with statements like
"not fully reincarnated in body", instead of useful evaluations on academic
progress. You, as the parent, will never be told by RWS whether your child is
doing well academically or not. There is no quantitative evaluation, no
recording of grades.
The children do not have modern school aids (handouts, workbooks, worksheets).
Instead, the students copy black boards full of teacher written narratives and a
drawing that the students must copy. This comprises of the "main lesson", which
is usually a myth or from the bible, rather than real history or real science.
There are better private schools here in Richmond that have real certified
teachers that will teach your child to read, write and a solid foundation and
mastery of math.
Please do not send your child to this school.
Not accredited... hires untrained, uncertified teachers
by Anonymous at Insider Pages
This school IS NOT an alternative to area public or private schools. RWS doesn't
provide textbooks to lower grades, does not test and doesn't equip the child
academically to matriculate successfully to another school at the next grade.…
http://www.yellowpages.com/richmond-va/mip/richmond-waldorf-school-k-8-8988943
FormerRWSparent 12/26/2011
This is in response to RWS Parent.
This is in response to RWS... read more 1861-1925 and nothing learned in the
past 87 years in childhood education are used. Modern workbooks are not used.
The student created "workbooks" are simply the students copying down word for
word what the teacher writes on the blackboard for main lesson which in lower
school is either a legend, bible story or fantasy.
3) As far as RWS children returning to public schools... unless the parents
homeschool them, they are far behind their peers in public schools. I spoke to
the admissions director of the Orchard House School about Waldorf kids. Orchard
House is a private girls middle school that is talked about as a middle school
at RWS. The director told me herself that Waldorf girls must be CAUGHT UP!! I
don't know about you, but I expect my child's school to prepare her for the next
grade or the next school. I took my daughter to Montissori and the initial
testing was that she was 2 grades behind!! She was at grade level when she came
to RWS in 2nd grade in math and above grade level in reading. A year and a half
at RWS and Montissori said she was 2 GRADES BEHIND!!! Another child in her class
that left after 3rd grade, after attending kindergarten thru 3rd grade at
Waldorf was unable to read and spent half of 4th grade in remedial classes
trying to get caught up.
Waldorf schools also try to tell you how to raise your child and run your
household. They are staunchly against technology (but the teachers drive cars to
school). They want you to get rid of your TV, computer and cd collection. The
children cannot wear light up shoes, clothes with cartoons or popular culture.
Also, black is strongly frowned on. Can't wear it nor can the children color
with it. Seriously, no black crayons!!! The lovely water color paintings you see
on the walls, aren't as lovely as you think when you find out that the teacher
requires the children to paint the very same picture, the very same way. It's
not so much as a technique lesson in painting as a Rudolf Steiner pedagogic
anthroposophic thing. Speaking of Rudolf Steiner... blond haired children or
favored by Steiner anthros over dark haired kids and white kids over non-white
kids. This is totally out right true, even though the school will probably
vehemently deny it. A little digging on Steiner, anthroposophy and race will
reveal the truth.
5. Finally... in selecting a school for your child, look for a school that is
accredited by other bodies than themselves, make sure the teachers attended
universities or colleges that are accredited by other bodies than themselves and
have state certification. If there is no headmaster or principal...look for
another school. The teachers are in charge at Waldorf schools and if the parents
have any problems or concerns, they are generally ignored.
6. Waldorf is not a cheap school, the tuition is in line with other extremely
excellent private schools like St. Michael's Episicopal, however the education
that your child will receive at Waldorf will be worse than the worst public
school. If you have $10k to spend on a private education, please look somewhere
else. The academic and psychological harm is simply not worth the pretty pastel
walls, or all the beeswax or knit crafts in the world.
Lib 365 07/02/2011
DO NOT believe their website
Provided by Citysearch
As a parent with a child that was in grade 2 and 3 at... read more grade in
reading. After a year and a half, her math and reading skills declined. She
didn't learn anything of real substance in history or science. Waldorf is based
on unproven ideas of a man Ruldof Steiner, who didn't have children or an
education in either early childhood education or child psychology. Steiner's
decision to teach reading in second grade is based on children loosing baby
teeth, not any concrete studies on child reading readiness. Student evaluations
is like reading an astrological chart, with statements like "not fully
reincarnated in body", instead of useful evaluations on academic progress. You,
as the parent, will never be told by RWS whether your child is doing well
academically or not. There is no quantitative evaluation, no recording of
grades. The children do not have modern school aids (handouts, workbooks,
worksheets). Instead, the students copy black boards full of teacher written
narratives and a drawing that the students must copy. This comprises of the
"main lesson", which is usually a myth or from the bible, rather than real
history or real science. There are better private schools here in Richmond that
have real certified teachers that will teach your child to read, write and a
solid foundation and mastery of math. Please do not send your child to this
school.
http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/virginia/richmond/richmond-waldorf-scho\
ol/
Our experience with this school was terrible; our child's teacher told students
that they weren't smart, left children unaccompanied outside ... just awful.
Submitted by a Parent on Mar 15, 2010
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/6508795094/richmond-waldorf-school-richmond
Not accredited... hires untrained, uncertified teachers
Anonymous
This school IS NOT an alternative to area
public or private schools. RWS doesn't provide textbooks to lower
grades, does not test and doesn't equip the child academically to
matriculate successfully to another school at the next grade. What
usually happens is the child must either be homeschooled for a year or
repeat the year. RWS is not accredited, nor is it required by VA state
regulations to provide trained, certified teachers. Probably an ok
school for preschoolers, though. If your child is learning disabled,
there are other schools with teachers trained in special education that
will provide your child with a better education.
March 16, 2011http://www.greatschools.org/school/parentReviews.page?id=2455&state=VA&sortBy=dd&page=2#revPagination
We had a terrible experience with this school once my child entered the "grades." If its so wonderful, why do so few students stay through eighth grade?
The website states that they teach the whole child. However, in my experience, they are not taught the basics enough to transfer at grade level to another school.
New York Rudolf Steiner School - Reviews by Parents
Here's the Rudolf Steiner School in New York...
http://www.greatschools.org/school/parentReviews.page?id=5071&state=NY#from..Hea\
derLink
Posted April 9, 2010
We enjoyed our years at this school, but not without reservations. Because there
is no principal, the administrative aspects of the school are entirely
disorganized. Should you experience a real problem, it is very difficult to know
just whom to address. The parent community is great, though. Very warm and
intelligent. Looking forward, however, the college acceptances list in the upper
school is pretty darn awful.
—Submitted by a parent
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/attraction/rudolf-steiner-15-e-79th-street-\
new-york-ny-10021-us#
I found the school to be very friendly but was surprised to find that they did
not offer, nor seem to believe in providing support services to students with
different learning styles/needs. My child was able to work with an outside
specialist to make up for this, but note that the emphasis on educating the
"whole child", and learning as "an artistic process" is NOT a euphemism for "we
work with kids with learning issues." Very warm faculty though, and I truly
enjoyed getting to know the families in this school--very community oriented. -
satisfied parent
Steiner looks good much better than it is, and although it may have something to
offer to completely art-oriented students, whose parents are not particularly
unconcerned about their intellectual development. Although some parents are
quite active in the school, it seemed to me that they won their positions by
being very conformist. A frequent comment made to me by parents was that they
were surprised that Steiner did not foster or support much intergenerational
activity with the class and parents. Parents were welcomed of course in the
minimum of spectator-type activities--viewing a science fair or a play, also in
lending their talents to making these productions look better through working on
costumes or scenery. "Class representatives" to the Parents Association ....are
picked by the respective class teachers. Kind of like having union leaders
picked by the employers! Being with the same small group of kids year after year
could be good for some kids, but it produces a tight bond that becomes a bit
dysfunctional. For some robust, politically-oriented, artistic, or busy families
who don't want to be involved at all, it may be appropriate. Since you will have
the same teacher for more than one year, rapport is absolutely critical. -
Veleda
http://www.greatschools.org/school/parentReviews.page?id=5071&state=NY#from..Hea\
derLink
Posted April 9, 2010
We enjoyed our years at this school, but not without reservations. Because there
is no principal, the administrative aspects of the school are entirely
disorganized. Should you experience a real problem, it is very difficult to know
just whom to address. The parent community is great, though. Very warm and
intelligent. Looking forward, however, the college acceptances list in the upper
school is pretty darn awful.
—Submitted by a parent
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/attraction/rudolf-steiner-15-e-79th-street-\
new-york-ny-10021-us#
I found the school to be very friendly but was surprised to find that they did
not offer, nor seem to believe in providing support services to students with
different learning styles/needs. My child was able to work with an outside
specialist to make up for this, but note that the emphasis on educating the
"whole child", and learning as "an artistic process" is NOT a euphemism for "we
work with kids with learning issues." Very warm faculty though, and I truly
enjoyed getting to know the families in this school--very community oriented. -
satisfied parent
Steiner looks good much better than it is, and although it may have something to
offer to completely art-oriented students, whose parents are not particularly
unconcerned about their intellectual development. Although some parents are
quite active in the school, it seemed to me that they won their positions by
being very conformist. A frequent comment made to me by parents was that they
were surprised that Steiner did not foster or support much intergenerational
activity with the class and parents. Parents were welcomed of course in the
minimum of spectator-type activities--viewing a science fair or a play, also in
lending their talents to making these productions look better through working on
costumes or scenery. "Class representatives" to the Parents Association ....are
picked by the respective class teachers. Kind of like having union leaders
picked by the employers! Being with the same small group of kids year after year
could be good for some kids, but it produces a tight bond that becomes a bit
dysfunctional. For some robust, politically-oriented, artistic, or busy families
who don't want to be involved at all, it may be appropriate. Since you will have
the same teacher for more than one year, rapport is absolutely critical. -
Veleda
Tamarack Waldorf School - Reviews by Parents
http://www.greatschools.org/school/parentReviews.page?id=3002&state=WI&sortBy=dd\
&page=2#revPagination
Some reviews are right to the point:
Posted February 2, 2012
We have withdrawn our children because they were not safe at school - in the
school or on the playground. —Submitted by a parent
Posted May 12, 2011
Very upsetting experience, minimal supervision at recess, violence is tolerated
and the needs of bullying children seem to take priority. Though good things are
present, ineptitude and disorganization lead to a "Lord of the Flies" type
atmosphere. Very expensive and dissapointing experience. —Submitted by a parent
Posted February 1, 2011
After my eagerness to enroll my child in Tamarack for K4, I was very displeased
with how things turned out. Supposedly my child had a temper tantrum problem,
however the K4 teacher waited a month before telling me anything about the
problem, even though she said it existed from the beginning. By that point it
was completely out of her control but she expected me, as a full-time working
parent to commit to an on-call schedule and pick my child up whenever they
called and said she'd gotten to be too much. Additionally, she placed labels on
my child like "special-needs" and stated that she made "cerebal-palsy like
movements" and was just completely out of control. I am 100% for working with
teachers to do what is best for our children, but not ok with a teacher who is
quick to label a child before she has even attempted to work with the parents.
And that doesn't mean waiting a month before trying to do so. I am sure Tamarack
is an excellent school for grades 1-8, and wish we could have continued, but our
start was less than positive.
—Submitted by a parent
October 04, 2011
horrible school. would rather walk infront of a moving train than send my
childre here, I graduated from this school and have nothing good to say about
their lack of teaching skills.
and one by someone who was fortunate enough to get out quickly:
http://www.yellowpages.com/milwaukee-wi/mip/tamarack-waldorf-school-457917637/re\
views
janhallow 10/04/2011
never go here!
never go here! run away as fast as you can. this place is run by pot smoking
hippies. my son went for a week and we will never ever come back
&page=2#revPagination
Some reviews are right to the point:
Posted February 2, 2012
We have withdrawn our children because they were not safe at school - in the
school or on the playground. —Submitted by a parent
Posted May 12, 2011
Very upsetting experience, minimal supervision at recess, violence is tolerated
and the needs of bullying children seem to take priority. Though good things are
present, ineptitude and disorganization lead to a "Lord of the Flies" type
atmosphere. Very expensive and dissapointing experience. —Submitted by a parent
Posted February 1, 2011
After my eagerness to enroll my child in Tamarack for K4, I was very displeased
with how things turned out. Supposedly my child had a temper tantrum problem,
however the K4 teacher waited a month before telling me anything about the
problem, even though she said it existed from the beginning. By that point it
was completely out of her control but she expected me, as a full-time working
parent to commit to an on-call schedule and pick my child up whenever they
called and said she'd gotten to be too much. Additionally, she placed labels on
my child like "special-needs" and stated that she made "cerebal-palsy like
movements" and was just completely out of control. I am 100% for working with
teachers to do what is best for our children, but not ok with a teacher who is
quick to label a child before she has even attempted to work with the parents.
And that doesn't mean waiting a month before trying to do so. I am sure Tamarack
is an excellent school for grades 1-8, and wish we could have continued, but our
start was less than positive.
—Submitted by a parent
October 04, 2011
horrible school. would rather walk infront of a moving train than send my
childre here, I graduated from this school and have nothing good to say about
their lack of teaching skills.
and one by someone who was fortunate enough to get out quickly:
http://www.yellowpages.com/milwaukee-wi/mip/tamarack-waldorf-school-457917637/re\
views
janhallow 10/04/2011
never go here!
never go here! run away as fast as you can. this place is run by pot smoking
hippies. my son went for a week and we will never ever come back
JanetHallow
Joined 7 months ago
October 04, 2011
horrible school.
would rather walk infront of a moving train than send my childre here, I
graduated from this school and have nothing good to say about their
lack of teaching skills.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
HH Board President disguises Racism at Highland Hall
After a meeting with Hasib Saliefendic and Andrew Sapin, regarding racism at Highland Hall, my friend Emmy Sundeen was asked by Saliefendic and Sapin to do some independent research on Waldorf. I was careful to allow Emmy to do her own research - not pointing her to any particular website. She knew nothing about Waldorf education - only that I was critical of it. Emmy has a lot of experience with independent private schools and her mother and both sisters are educators in Southern California.
Hasib,
Here's my reply to you:
--- On Thu, 9/3/09, Hasib Saliefendic <hsaliefendic@socal.rr.com> wrote:
Emmy,
I would not bother with this if it came from Pete, but it's you and I think it capsulizes the situation very well, so I'll take the time.
After briefly reviewing your "research" it is unequivocally clear that the attacks on Waldorf education are ridiculous and self-serving. This is typical of detractors such as Pete, and now you: you don't know what you are talking about, but that doesn't matter because you have your own agenda, and will only use what supports that agenda.
HASIB, do you understand that this is the NORMAL way someone who had discovered a problem in Waldorf would search? Indeed, when I started having problems with Highland Hall back in 2000, the first thing I did was look for sites that are critical of Waldorf - to see what the other side had to say. I immediately found PLANS.
Frankly, I'm surprised at how effectively you have discredited Pete's , and your own, supposed assertions about Waldorf education and Steiner, and I'm also shocked that you really don't appear to have any clue about the actual meaning of the words contained in your example, and you don't seem to think it necessary.
I'll break it down for you, just using your Wikipedia reference:
1. Self-Serving - You conveniently omit any reference that might be positive. On the same page are found supporters. Clearly indicated that they are not anthroposophists. They are smart people and obviously many Jews. But nevermind--that would not support your false thinking about anthroposophy so better to leave it out and ignore it.
Look what happens when I start putting "Anthroposophy" after each of their names Hasib. They're ANTHROPOSOPHISTS.
Anthroposophy has had many prominent supporters outside of the movement. Among these have been many writers, artists and musicians; these include Pulitzer Prize-winning and Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow http://www.adherents.com/people/pb/Saul_Bellow.html,[59] Andrej Belyj http://belyanthroposophy.wetpaint.com/page/Andrei+Bely,+his+Life+and+Works, [60][61] Josef Beuys,[62] Owen Barfield http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/spirituality/tolkien-lewis.htm, Wassily Kandinsky http://books.google.com/books?id=u8TcVOG-pWYC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=Wassily+Kandinsky+anthroposophy&source=bl&ots=IcF4m-gR5g&sig=qi7EH_vtaSRbUaYjTxpJ5l06uQw&hl=en&ei=lgSgSpKuApnmnQe7_5nxDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10#v=onepage&q=Wassily%20Kandinsky%20anthroposophy&f=false,[63][64] Nobel Laureates Selma Lagerlöf[65] and Albert Schweitzer, Andrei Tarkovsky[66] Bruno Walter,[67] and Alternative Nobel Prize winner Ibrahim Abouleish.[68]
I wonder if Emmy will think to do this... It sure makes your argument look stupid doesn't it?
Furthermore, included in the Statements on race which you quote, but deliberately ignore is a paragraph from the Anthroposophical Society in America. Better ignore that too.
To clarify its stance, the Anthroposophical Society in America has stated:
We explicitly reject any racial theory that may be construed to be part of Rudolf Steiner's writings. The Anthroposophical Society in America is an open, public society and it rejects any purported spiritual or scientific theory on the basis of which the alleged superiority of one race is justified at the expense of another race
HELLO... 1) The Anthroposophical Society doesn't run Waldorf schools. 2) Here's what AWSNA says: “Waldorf schools are non-sectarian [sic] and non-denominational [sic]. They educate all children, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds. The pedagogical method is comprehensive, and, as part of its task, seeks to bring about recognition and understanding of all the world cultures and religions. Waldorf schools are not part of any church. They espouse no particular religious doctrine but are based on a belief that there is a spiritual dimension to the human being and to all of life. Waldorf families come from a broad spectrum of religious traditions and interest.”
Not exactly the same thing is it? Do you know the difference between the Anthroposophical Society and AWSNA, Hasib?
2. Ridiculous. This is one of the problems with things being taken out of context, and a pitfall of not doing your own thinking--you think it's not necessary. I'll break down what you quote on race:
Anthroposophical ideas have been criticized from both sides in the race debate; for their strongly anti-racist stance:
What this statement is saying is that anthroposophical ideas have been criticized for being anti-racist: anthroposophical ideas = anti-racist
Are you saying that being anti-racist is bad?
It's bad if you think you are anti-racists while holding racist ideals... hence the debate.
But beyond this, it's WIKIPEDIA. I sure hope Emmy has a look at who controls the edits on the Waldorf page... like a policeman - Oh, my goodness, it's Harlan Gilbert, a Waldorf teacher. Who else... The Bee - Sune Nordwall... Former Waldorf teacher and now Waldorf fanatic. Who else? Linda Clemens is assigned to guard the PLANS page as ProffessorMarginala... we also have Deborah Kahn... all Waldorf people I can identify guarding every Steiner/Anthroposophy/Waldorf page there. Do you really think Wikipedia is unbiased? I can make a very good case that it isn't.
Next...
* From the mid-1930s on, National Socialist ideologues attacked the anthroposophical world-view as being opposed to Nazi racism and nationalistic principles; anthroposophy considered "Blood, Race and Folk" as primitive instincts which needed to be overcome.[76][77]
1. National Socialists were the Nazis. You could have clicked on the link and found that out, but why bother.
You could also have also researched that Anthroposophists and Waldorf schools were kept OPEN by the Nazis for the longest period of time of any non-state schools. Furthermore, that your claim above is mostly a lie. http://www.waldorfcritics.org/active/articles/WaldorfInTheNaziEra.html
2. So, the Nazis attacked anthroposophical world-view for being opposed to the racism and nationalism being pushed by the Nazis. Anthroposophical views opposed the Nazis, which is why the Nazis ultimately shut down the Waldorf schools.
3."Blood, Race and Folk" was essentially the driving principles of the National Socialism/Nazi movement that killed millions of people. Anthroposophy opposed that and still opposes that type of thinking.
So, I'm not sure what point you think you are making, but you are certainly making all of my points for me, without even reference to reliable information on anthroposophy, Steiner's views, or Waldorf education.
The point is easy to see. You, Anthroposophists, have been spinning history. And to do this, it requires overtaking Wikipedia and continually publishing half-truths even after they have been proven to be false.
If you are sincerely interested in accurate, credible information, take a look at the information at these websites:
http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/
http://waldorfanswers.org/
Why, in you wildest dreams, would you believe accurate, credible information could be found on these sites? If you wanted to find out anything critical about... say... DOW chemical, would you check their website? Or would you look for independent sites?
Trust me, Hasib - Emmy is NOT stupid.
Best of luck to you.
Hasib
Yeah, you too Hasib. I hope Emmy doesn't find any of this. You look VERY bad here.
Pete
Simivalleyca Super Suppers wrote:
> Pete & Hasib,
>
> OOOPS, I only sent it to Pete.
>
> So here you go Hasib, please see the above email from me
>
> Kindest regards,
>
> Emmy
>
> On Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 6:13 PM, Pete Karaiskos <pkcompany@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Hi Emmy,
>
> Wow. He'll never believe I didn't lead you to this stuff. The only thing I noticed - not changing any content of course, is the site that you "Waldorf Open" is called Open Waldorf.
>
> Again... Wow!
>
> I'll call you.
>
> --- On Wed, 9/2/09, Simivalleyca Super Suppers <simivalleyca@supersuppers.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Simivalleyca Super Suppers <simivalleyca@supersuppers.com>
>
> Subject: Re: Today's Meeting
> To: "Pete Karaiskos" <pkcompany@sbcglobal.net>
> Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 5:56 PM
>
>
> Pete & Hasib,
>
> I appreciate you both thinking of me as level-headed. I would like you both to see what I was able to find with 5 mins on the Internet.
>
> I goggled Waldorf School Curriculum. Reviewing the first non-Waldorf.org site I found Waldorf Open which says that the school is founded on the writings and teachings of Steiner. Please review the items in large, bold & underlined print. Hasib it does state in several articles that the board if mainly made up of parents whom make most of the decisions. I'm concerned as to why you being on the board are not aware of the school's practices , teaching & curriculum. After your review I'm sure you will understand my point.
>
>
> Waldorf Open
>
> Waldorf Education holds a unique theory of "child development." Waldorf's theory of child development is seen through the lens of anthroposophy, and it forms the educational basis for Waldorf curriculum. You can't begin to understand Waldorf Education until you understand Waldorf's underlying theory of child development.
>
> Waldorf's theory of child development is based on Anthroposophy's view of the spiritual development of the whole human being, as it travels through the journey of reincarnation.
> Steiner Says...
> Since everything in Waldorf education is based on the Work of Rudolf Steiner , it's very important to know what Steiner says. In fact, you may hear the faculty and parents at your Waldorf school frequently use the phrase "Steiner Says" to illuminate key points about Waldorf education
> The next site that comes up is Wikipedia, here are a few things that caught my attention;
>
> Wikipedia . . .
>
> Both historically and philosophically, Waldorf education grows out of anthroposophy's view of child development, which stands as the basis for the educational theory, methodology of teaching and curriculum. This includes the belief that humans possess an innate spirit that, having passed through previous lives, will in this life develop in its karmically appropriate environment, before returning to the spirit world and later reincarnate in another body.[63] Waldorf pedagogics see the teacher as having "a sacred task in helping each child's soul and spirit grow".[64] Steiner's "extra-sensory anthropology" has been the source of criticisms of Waldorf education: Ullrich questions: "Can any solution be found to this fundamental paradox of Steiner’s pedagogics—the creation of a beneficial practice on the foundation of a dubious theory?" His answer is to draw a distinction between Steiner's disputed "living logic of images... an attempt to rehabilitate mythical thinking and ritual life in a civilization ruled by science" and the "versatility of the related educational views, metaphors and maxims" which have a firm basis in "modern common sense educational theory."[24]
>
> While anthroposophy is not generally taught as a subject, the degree to which anthroposophy is described by the schools as the philosophical underpinning of Waldorf education typically varies from school to school. At times this has led to parents objecting that the role of anthroposophy in the educational method had not been disclosed to them, prior to enrollment.[21] In addition, the pedagogy's reliance on a single theory of child development has been questioned and some Waldorf teachers' uncritical attitude toward anthroposophy criticized.[13]
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> Statements on race
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> Anthroposophical ideas have been criticized from both sides in the race debate; for their strongly anti-racist stance:
>
> * From the mid-1930s on, National Socialist ideologues attacked the anthroposophical world-view as being opposed to Nazi racism and nationalistic principles; anthroposophy considered "Blood, Race and Folk" as primitive instincts which needed to be overcome.[76][77]
>
> as well as for "rankings" of races which occur in Steiner's philosophy:
>
> *
>
Friday, March 4, 2011
Parents don't trust Highland Hall teachers
Highland Hall, after another bout with abuse in 2004, tried to send our kids on an "all-teacher" supervised camping trip. The parents would have nothing of it. As it turned out, the poorly-supervised trip yielded the hitchhiking incident I refer to elsewhere in this blog.
Letters to Minor's Counsel - 3
Bruce D. Abramsonre: Dissolution of Karaiskos
Dear Mr. Abramson,
I would like to report a very disturbing phone call I received from {Daughter} on Friday, September 3rd. {Daughter} had been in the custody of her mother for the entire week. She called me and when I asked her how she was doing she said "Not so good." She explained that Highland Hall had refused to re-enroll her and that it is due to my emails criticizing the school. Then she went on to describe the horrible conditions found in the new public school she is supposed to attend and how horrible it would be if she went to a public school - how she now wants to return to Highland Hall. She asked me to stop emailing as Highland Hall is taking it out on her. I explained to her that I have not been issuing any emails regarding Highland Hall. The fact is, I have not issued any emails since Mrs. Leonard left two weeks before Highland Hall first threatened to expel {Daughter} in June. {Daughter} went on to say that she knew that the court ordered me to stop emailing but that I am trying to start emailing again and that is why they won't re-enroll her in school.
I believe several disturbing things have occurred while {Daughter} was in the care of her mother:
1) Angela has fueled {Daughter}'s fears about attending public school, something {Daughter} embraced a few short months ago. Fear of public schools is something Waldorf schools regularly instill in parents and students. During the phone call, {Daughter}'s anxiety regarding pubic school was tremendous.
2) Angela has been, once again, reading directly to {Daughter} from the court orders and from the confidential proposed settlement agreement offer I made which was issued by Ms. Adler to Mr. Sobel (in which I stated that I felt the court should allow me the freedom to deal with the school as I have in the past). This would explain {Daughter}'s comment that she knew the court orders to me but that I am trying to start emailing again. I have documented cases of Angela reading from court orders to the children in the past and despite direction from the court, she continues to do this.
3) Angela has, again, tried to drive a wedge between me and {Daughter} AND between me and the school. Both Angela and the school have blamed {Daughter}'s expulsion on me and, in fact, this is not true. If I were the problem, my other two children's enrollment would be in jeopardy, but this is not the case and no indication has been made that {Son} or {Son} are affected by my participation at the school EXCEPT that {Daughter} has been told by her mother that if I continue emails, {Son} and {Son} may be expelled. {Daughter} has taken the additional stress upon herself to ensure that I no longer produce emails about Highland Hall in order to protect her brothers from expulsion.
4) It is very likely that {Daughter} has been expelled for reasons other than my email campaign exposing Mrs. Leonard. Most people I have talked to agree that it was {Daughter}'s own defiance of Mrs. Leonard and the school that have caused her to be expelled. I am also told that because of Angela's own inappropriate activities at the school, she has made enough enemies that she may have caused this decision or, at least has been unable to reverse this decision.
5) I believe Angela has shared the contents of the confidential proposed settlement agreement (mentioned above) with the school. This would explain the school's reluctance to accept as binding the stipulation that I would abide by the communications protocol.
After spending only a day with me, {Daughter} felt much better about attending public school - not through anything I said to her, but just by being away from Angela's influence. I believe Angela is doing anything she can, regardless of the emotional torment she is causing, to distance me from these children and from their school. She wants me out of her life and out of the children's lives - this is clear. She intentionally misrepresented to you my relationship with the school and my participation in the children's extracurricular activities in hopes that she would gain autonomy over their schooling. I feel the needless anxiety she has put {Daughter} through regarding pubic school is shameful and harmful. I feel that exposing {Daughter} to court documents or their contents is absolutely inappropriate.
Just to be clear, I have only just found out (from {Daughter}'s telephone call on September 3rd) that {Daughter} will not be allowed to attend Highland Hall. Up until this time Angela has indicated that {Daughter} will be attending Highland Hall and I have worked under this assumption. As this new development is now extremely stressful for her, and as you have indicated that she should attend Highland Hall if possible, I have worked behind the scenes and called in favors with a few influential people at Highland Hall to see if this decision can be reversed so that {Daughter} can have the option of attending. I have been informed tonight (Monday) that this can be accomplished and that the likelihood of her being accepted is very high.
Bruce, please know that I am absolutely devoted to the children's well-being. It is difficult for me to continually point out problems with Angela's parenting to the court, but I believe Angela is putting stress on {Daughter} with her actions and with her own fears of public schools. Your intervention on {Daughter}'s behalf is requested to ensure that Angela discontinues sharing legal and confidential information with {Daughter}.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Pete Karaiskos
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Steiner Quotes - On Thinking and Education
Steiner on Thinking:
"[T]he brain and nerve system have nothing at all to do with actual
cognition...." [THE FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE, p. 60]
"From the stone there flows into the soul one kind of feeling, and from the
animal another ... Out of these feelings and the thoughts that are bound up with
them, the organs of clairvoyance are formed." [KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHER WORLDS
AND ITS ATTAINMENT, p. 29.] Note: We pass from feeling through thought to
something very different from thought: clairvoyance.
"[T]hinking is oriented to the physical plane. Feeling really has a connection
with all the spiritual beings who must be considered real ... In the sphere of
feelings, human beings cannot liberate [i.e., separate] themselves from the
spiritual world." [PSYCHOANALYSIS AND SPIRITUAL PSYCHOLOGY, p. 70.]
"The brain is an instrument for purely intellectual apprehension.
Intellectualism and materialistic thinking are one and the same ... [T]he
materialistic brain represents a process of decay: materialistic thinking
unfolds only through processes of destruction, death-processes, which are taking
place in the brain." [THE FESTIVALS AND THEIR MEANING, pp. 147-148.]
"Human beings must embark upon the unpleasant task of abandoning the mode of
thinking [i.e., intellect] which the universities produce in the so-called
educated classes today...." [BEHIND THE SCENES OF EXTERNAL HAPPENINGS, Nov. 6,
1917.]
The brain "thinks" only in a very inferior manner. "When people are as blinded
by materialistic thoughts as they became during the nineteenth century and right
into the present ... it is not incorrect to say that the brain thinks. It is
then, in fact, correct. By being firmly enmeshed in materialism, we have people
who not only think poorly about the body, soul, and spirit, but people who think
materially and feel materially. What that means is that materialism causes the
human being to become a thinking automaton, that the human being then becomes
something that thinks, feels, and wills physically." [FACULTY MEETINGS WITH
RUDOLF STEINER, p. 115.]
Intellect or brain-based thinking is associated with Ahriman. "The danger of
succumbing to the realm of Ahriman was at its greatest around the year 333 BC.
This was the moment in time when humanity began to make use of mere intellect,
mere logic." [GUARDIAN ANGELS, pp. 96-97.] This is serious matter: "The human
being is thus in danger of drifting into the Ahrimanic world, in which case the
spirit-soul will evaporate into the cosmos." [FACULTY MEETINGS WITH RUDOLF
STEINER, p. 115.]
Truth comes through imagination, clairvoyance, etc. "Essentially, people today
have no inkling of how people looked out into the universe in ancient times when
human beings still possessed an instinctive clairvoyance ... If we want to be
fully human, however, we must struggle to regain a view of the cosmos that moves
toward Imagination again...." [ART AS SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY, p. 256]
Critical thinking is especially hazardous. Good children "have a respect that
forbids them, even in the deepest recess of their heart, to harbour any thoughts
of criticism or opposition." [KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHER WORLDS AND ITS ATTAINMENT,
p. 10.] Good adults should have a similar sense of veneration, at least for the
people they have selected to be their gurus. "Hence the need to find a Guru on
whom he [a seeker] can strictly rely." [ AT THE GATES OF SPIRITUAL SCIENCE,
"Occult Development".] Relying "strictly" on a guru is the abnegation of
critical intelligence.
"A man who would receive Anthroposophy with his intellect kills it in the very
act." [LIFE, NATURE, AND CULTIVATION OF ANTHROPOSOPHY, p. 15.]
Ahriman's cardinal evil attribute is that he is "the supreme intellectual
power." [NATURE SPIRITS, p. 167.]
Ahriman's fiendish plots include this: "One of the things Ahriman wants for us
is that we produce lots of libraries, storing lots of dead knowledge all around
us." [POLARITIES IN THE EVOLUTION OF MANKIND, p. 163.] Dead knowledge is,
obviously, the reverse of "living thoughts."
Steiner taught that intellectual thought did not begin until 600-800 BC. It is,
he said, a gift from Lucifer, an arch-demon. [THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY
(Anthroposophic Press, 117.] Ahriman corrupted Lucifer's dangerous gift:
"Ahriman appropriated intellectuality ... Intellectuality flows forth from
Ahriman as a cold and frosty, soulless cosmic impulse." [ANTHROPOSOPHICAL
LEADING THOUGHTS, p. 98.]
We currently live in a materialistic age in which materialistic (intellectual)
thinking prevails. This is a "necessary phase in the evolution of humanity."
[WALDORF EDUCATION AND ANTHROPOSOPHY Vol. 1, p. 235.] Entering this phase, we
surrendered our old clairvoyant capacities, but we will attain greater
clairvoyance when we move forward in out evolution. This is well, since "The
intellect destroys or hinders." [Ibid., p. 233.]
Ultimately, intellect is anathema for Steiner and his followers -- critical
thinking must be suppressed. "By intellectualising he [the seeker] merely
diverts himself from the right path." [WIE ERLANGT MAN ERKENNINISSE DER HOHEREN
WELTEN?, p. 32.]
Steiner tells his followers, "You must not try to receive these insights in a
sober-minded and intellectual way." [STUFEN DER HOHEREN ERKENNISNIS, p. 66.]
The goal is to reach a stage at which "our thinking ceases." [Rudolf Steiner,
MEDITATION UND KONSENTRATION (Dornach, 1935), p. 33]
"Our fifth post-Atlantean subrace is developing a culture of reason, but at the
same time it is bringing egotism to an absolute extreme ... Our fifth root race
will be ruined by egotism intensified to the utmost." [Ibid., p. 179.]
As so often, Steiner associated evils and dangers will lowly races. Fortunately,
turning away from materialistic thinking will produce a superior race. "All
materialistically thinking souls work on the production of evil race-formations,
and what is done of a spiritual nature causes the bringing forth of a good
race." [ROSICRUCIAN WISDOM, p. 150.]
The "so-called educated people in universities" [SECRET BROTHERHOODS, p. 97]
mislead our precious youth. This is perhaps clearest in medical education.
(Brace yourself: This gets a little weird. Basically, evil thinking produces
evil spiritual beings, spiders as it were. Using the intellect leads toward
perdition. ) "Our young people are sent into the hospitals and scientific
faculties of the universities; there the human being is explained to them ...
[T]his is no way to comprehend the human being ... What we learn about the human
being through such a science is something that simply and solely has
significance from the moon's separation until its return, something that out of
the spider thoughts of today will then turn into spider beings ... [P]eople do
not have the remotest idea of the appalling earthly destiny they are approaching
by uniting with what an ancient spiritual knowledge called the sixteen paths of
human perdition ... [T]here are variations of the shadowy intellect itself,
various ways of uniting ourselves through this intellectual activity with the
elements of spidery incrustation that will be spun over the whole earth in the
future. In that time, the intellect will hold sway objectively in the manifold
limbs these spider creatures will possess." [MATERIALISM AND THE TASK OF
ANTHROPOSOPHY, pp. 266-269.]
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I thought the Steiner theories would interest me, thirty years ago when my kids were little. I didn't read a few exerpts. I read his books on education, I read the training materials for his teachers, and I listened to contemporaries who sent their kids to the schools. You may have had an excellent subjective experience with the schools- that does nothing to change or moderate my opinion of his idiotic, uninformed, and downright wrong theories about children, life, the universe, and how everything works. You might as well induct them into the New Order of the Golden Dawn, or Scientology, or the maunderings of Swedenborg.
If anyone has any doubts about anthroposphy in the classroom, read the teacher training reading list and course content...... Jeevan Vasagar certainly should have:
http://ukanthroposophy.wordpress.com/plymreadinglists/
http://www.waldorftraining.org.uk/courses.html
School isn't a place where karma, past lives and consulting with angels should play any part in making judgements or decision about children, let alone their education. If Steiner's work wasn't referred to so comprehensively in all areas of these schools, from the shape of the typeface to the colours on the walls, not to mention the content of the curriculum, it would be less alarming.
I understand that immersion into Steiner's beliefs is a staged process, and teachers are exposed to his more new age beliefs before gradually invited to study his more unusual creeds. It's more like a path of initiation than an education system. "Some are caught so it's worth the feeders who slip by" was how someone put it.
Within school communities, angels, astral bodies and karma are "normalised". While I don't think for a moment that the schools are full of racist bigots, to normalise connections between skin colour, eye colour and spiritual advancement can never be far away, however gentle and spiritual the sentiment. The schools are quite open about classifying the children by medieval temperament, which includes their body shape, pallor and physiognomy, and use these as tools to help in their "child study" sessions. In my view this is dangerous, anti-theraputic, anti scientific, anti-intellectual and luminously wrong.
A sentence like this:"A reductionist biology which states or implies that the human body is a machine … is not one which nourishes the adolescent's deepest concerns. The current theories are just that – theories. They have not been in existence long and though presented as 'truth' they will inevitably change" should be enough to exclude the Steiner schools from every form of state help, I don't want my tax money to pay this. Thanks.
PS: Actually the bit I about changing theories is very interesting, it shows clearly how they just don't get the essence of the scientific method. Of course theories will change in time: In science a theory is valid untill somebody "falsifies" it with a repeatable experiment, and proposes a new one, that will then stay valid until somebody else will falsify it. Mind you, some theories are pretty hard to falsify...
There is no absolute truth, it is not religion.
JavaJive
But I cannot send my kids to a school that demeans science - not the technology, but the process - as I have discovered in my life that the understanding of the natural world offered by science is one of the most beautiful of human achievements. I include Darwin and Einstein as part of this endless human project.
If you read Steiner's book the Kingdom of Childhood, he dismisses General Relatively with what I took to be a strong done of anti-semitism. Even with that issue aside, I have studied Relatively and its it one of the wonders of the human world - alongside the greatest art and literature.
Perhaps one day the Steiner movement will start to think for itself and modernise, not normalise, but incorporate the best of human values with the best and highest of all human achievement.
The you would have a real human force to reckon with. In hope... Dr Ben Lane (ex plain theoretical physicist now environmental technologist).
The suggestion that no kid who had a Steiner education didn't have a difficult life subsequently is fatuous and ridiculous.
You are quite obviously an idiot.
The problem I saw was that, once a child hits the 'classes' (age 6 and a half-7) the esoteric aspects of the education become too much and undermine a perfectly lovely way of teaching. i.e. Steiner schools are non-denominational, but really... they are based on Anthroposophy, which is the science of man from an esoteric point of view. The problem is that they wouldn't admit it. As an insider in the school, I once heard a senior teacher admit that 'we can't tell the parents that the education is based on Esoteric Christianity'. So the main issue for me was that they weren't being honest. This deceit was my main reason for taking my children out.
However recently I talked to someone else who went to the Forest Row school who said that left handed children were made to write with their right hand while holding a crystal in their left. That struck me as ante-diluvian, a realthrowback to Steiner education's 1920s roots, if true.
Has anyone else encountered this? If so I couldn't send my child to such a place