Greetings dear Asheville Waldorf School Community, 

What changes we are going through here at Asheville Waldorf School. We have said goodbye to dear members of our community and have our work cut out for us in filling the shoes left behind! We thank you all for your continued support, patience, and understanding as we navigate these changes together. Our striving is to support our community and families while holding the needs of the children at the forefront of our efforts.

The school held a lovely All Parent Meeting at the end of October. We heard many parents' questions about the changes at hand, the growth, the excitement and the grief that comes along with these transitions. We appreciate the feedback and words of wisdom that came from our parents. We are stronger when all our voices can be heard. The light our community shines forth during these times of transition is a gift to our children, our school and the culture at large. 

And speaking of shining light, Martinmas is almost here! In addition to the role of Enrollment Coordinator, I have the pleasure of being the Handwork teacher for our 1st-3rd Grade classes. Today, there was a delightful and spontaneous singing of a Martinmas song, "Glimmer lantern, Glimmer!," during the Second Grade class. This is not a song they are working on, but rather one they remember from years past; the children can feel the season of Martinmas approaching! 

This year our Martinmas Celebration will be held on Monday, November 26th (please note the date change). A festival of inner light in the outer darkness of the approaching winter, this marks the midpoint between Michaelmas and the Winter Solstice. Celebrating Martinmas at Asheville Waldorf School serves as a reminder that each of us has a divine spark that we must carry forth into the world and share with others. The children hear the story of St. Martin, sing songs and venture out into the night with their lanterns in a mood of quiet reverence. As adults, it is also important that we take this pause and moment of introspection during these busy times, and discover what this festival might mean to us. 

Thank you for all you do for our school, 
Brita Nordgren 
Enrollment Coordinator 

A healthy social life is found only when, in the mirror of each soul, the whole community finds its reflection, and when, in the whole community, the virtue of each one is living.

Rudolf Steiner 

Dear Grandparents, Elders and Community Members Near and Far,

We of the Search Committee seek a permanent site for our school, one that “will support us in living our Mission and create an experience of beauty, an exquisite connection to nature, and a space in which to grow.” We dream of sufficient acreage for an Early Childhood through Grades school, possibly a High School and Center for Anthroposophical Study; we imagine enchanted forests, rolling hills with beautiful vistas, farmland for gardening and animals, and a stream for little feet and exploring hands. The time is right: we are the Asheville Waldorf School, one thriving with two campuses, Azalea for our Early Childhood program, Magnolia for the Grades.

We have a dynamic team that seeks your support; we have formed an adjunct committee so that you can join us in our search. We need your experience in areas like design, construction, land planning, and engineering. In addition, the Capital Campaign that works in tandem with us needs your wisdom in areas such as business and fundraising; we seek members for this committee from among you. Both committees would benefit from your wisdom and lifetime of contacts. Perhaps you even know someone who would donate land to us!

We welcome you from near and far. Become a member of the Capital Campaign Committee or the adjunct Site Committee; attend our meetings locally or be in contact with us from afar. We value you and your participation in realizing our dreams and Vision! To join, please write a school Grandma, Sharon Price, Site Committee Chair and Capital Campaign Committee Member: sharonpricerose@gmail.com.

Photo: Sharon Price, SC Chair, Jennifer Petosa, Parent/SC Member and Maria Cavallo, Parent/SC Member and our Realtor, and one of our children "to imagine our school."

Look out for more information on our Wreath Sales and Equal Exchange Fundraisers coming soon!