What kind of role will the parents play in determining what takes place in the classroom?
Parents in Waldorf schools are generally encouraged to invest as much time as they can towards helping the teachers with extra tasks that may be involved in their children's education.  Reading groups, class plays, and science projects are just a few of the areas parents may find their input helpful.

What is the role of the community?
Waldorf Education is a community-reliant system of education. Festivals, Fairs as well as any extra-curricular activities/events require the active involvement of many people, and typically, the stronger the community, the better the Waldorf School.

What qualifications are needed to be a Waldorf teacher?
Alberta Certification (Bach. of Educ, etc...), along with Waldorf training/certification at one of the appointed colleges in North America, in either Toronto or Sacramento, California.

How many children per class?
Kindergarten will have 18-20, while grade level will be between approx. 25.

What two languages will be taught?
Since the Waldorf Curriculum requires that two languages of different origins be taught, the most probable choices will be French and German.

Will you run a split class?
Both the WESE and the EPSB are willing to run a split grade 1-2 class the first year, and continue onwards from there with full classes each successive year.

Because the Waldorf curriculum is developmentally based, is it possible to teach a split class?
It is possible.  Some teachers are more comfortable teaching split classes than others. There are several successful Waldorf schools in existence that have either run split classes in the past, or continue to do so today.

What are the differences between Waldorf curriculum and Caraway?
Waldorf Education has a structured curriculum which has been in use all over the world since the 1920's. The integration of art, movement, drama, music, and handwork with the academic curriculum makes it unique in comparison to many other educational systems.  From what we know, Caraway is a project-based education, which allows children freedom as to what kind of project they will be working on for any given day/week.  For those interested in more information on Caraway, you can visit their website from an alternative program link on www.epsb.ca.

Because Waldorf is an Arts based curriculum, does that mean the children are allowed to do what they want?  How much structure is there in the Waldorf curriculum?
Waldorf is a very structured and balanced curriculum which is designed to educate "the whole child". Based on developmental research into the various stages of childhood, the Waldorf teacher requires special training to guide children in their development.  Waldorf Education is not "child-directed" education.

Does the teacher have a curriculum to follow/ Or does the teacher make it up as they go?
While Waldorf teachers follow a specific curriculum, the background of their training and the unique situation of having a class teacher for 6-8 years allows for much flexibility in determining when and how certain subjects are approached with the class.

A Waldorf class teacher ideally stays with a group of children through the eight elementary school years. What if my child does not get along with the teacher?
In the case of incompatibility between teacher and student, effort must be made by all parties to improve the situation. Sometimes it is necessary for teachers and students to work together to establish a better understanding between them, but oftentimes the most challenging student-teacher relationships can be the most rewarding.  It is up to the parent to determine if the incompatibility warrants transferring the child out of the program.  In rare circumstances of a larger problem between the teacher and students which have occurred in other Waldorf schools, teachers have left a class a few years in, and begun anew with a new group of students and parents.  In the one circumstance I knew this to have occurred, it was a very positive solution for everyone.

What is Eurythmy?
Eurythmy is the art of movement that attempts to make visible the tone and feeling of music and speech. Eurythmy helps to develop concentration, self-discipline, and a sense of beauty. This training of moving artistically with a group stimulates sensitivity to the other as well as individual mastery. Eurythmy lessons follow the themes of the curriculum, exploring rhyme, meter, story, and geometric forms.

Is Waldorf religious?
Waldorf schools are non-sectarian and non denominational. 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 a 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 religions, traditions and interests.

Why do Waldorf schools recommend the limiting of television, videos, and radio for young children?
A central aim of Waldorf Education is to stimulate the healthy development of the child's own imagination. Waldorf teachers are concerned that electronic media hampers the development of the child's imagination. They are concerned about the physical effects of the medium on the developing child as well as the content of much of the programming. There is more and more research to substantiate these concerns. See: Endangered Minds: Why Our Children Don't Think and Failure To Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children's Minds For Better and Worse by Jane Healy; Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander; The Plug-In Drug by Marie Winn; and Evolution's End: Claiming The Potential of Our Intelligence by Joseph Chilton Pearce.

What is the Waldorf approach to teaching reading and writing?
Waldorf Education attempts to recognise and value all stages of development, including childhood.  Waldorf Educators believe that accelerated learning does come at a cost to the child.  In Grade One children begin to learn to read through their own writing, and greater emphasis is placed on reading comprehension (ensuring children truly understand the meaning of the words they are reading).  Further reading on this subject is recommended.  Our study group is in the process of reading "Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out" by Jack Petrash, and we recommend it to anyone who wishes to have a deeper understanding of the philosophy behind Waldorf Education.

How can I help the society get the School going?
I am glad you asked! Every individual knows best what kind of skills or resources they can contribute to the development of the school.  There is much to be done in the coming months.  We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to help us set-up events, or who would like to offer their time in some other way.  WESE is funded entirely through donations and membership fees, and any contribution you would like to make is both needed and appreciated.