Spring 2012 Dates:
Thurs, February 2, 8:30am
Wednesday, February 15, 8:15am
Thursday, March 1, 8:15am
Wednesday, March 14, 8:15am
Thursday, April 12, 8:15am
Wednesday, April 18, 8:15am
Wednesday, May 23, 8:15am
All sessions require an RSVP to (610)933-3635 x.128 or .
History of Waldorf Works
In September 2009, several board members, parents, faculty and staff spent two days learning about a sustainable fundraising model called Benevon. It was an intensive and in-depth study of what brought us to our organization, who we can expose to Waldorf education, and how we can expand our donor base to include an entirely, previously untapped, group of donors. Furthermore, out of our training, we learned how to better tell our story, share our passion and highlight the best qualities of our school that relate to specific “buckets” of need. We came back from our training and immediately got to work, launching our first “Waldorf Works” session just weeks later. This September, another team of seven will attend Benevon training.
More than a dozen people have come through our doors at each Waldorf Works session and they are amazed by the creativity they find at our campus. Hearing from parents and alumni often inspires questions that lead to increased interest and commitment. So many people say, “I never knew you existed,” or “I want this for my grandchild!” It is working!
Within days after participating in a Waldorf Works session a representative from the Development Office contacts each participant and asks for feedback. We have learned so much about people’s perceptions that we began to incorporate suggestions right away to make our program the best it could be. We also ask, “Can you think of someone who might like to attend a future Waldorf Works?” We continue to get calls from people who say things like, “I have three people who want to attend the next Waldorf Works session. Can you follow up with them?” You bet we can!
In addition to the Waldorf Works sessions, which run about every two weeks, we have launched the Leading Light Society. This is a group of donors who have committed to multi-year gifts to our annual fund. Our goal is to kick-off a spring solicitation event with $150,000 in commitments. We are well on our way!
If you would like to attend a Waldorf Works session, please call Caitlin Elberson, Associate Director of Development at 610.933.3635 x128. We welcome one and all!
Comments from Attendees
"I am happy to relay that I enjoyed the tour very, very much. It was so meaningful to hear accounts from parents of Kimberton students, to learn how their children flourish at the school. It's sappy, I know, but I actually felt very moved (almost to tears) at various moments of the tour. How wonderful to hear teachers derive such joy from nourishing children academically and emotionally, rather than just shoving pure academics down children's throats all day/ The tour was informative and interesting and wonderful. I wouldn't change a thing. I am going to fill out an application for my son, James! Thank you again!"
Suzanne Bender, Esquire
"My wife Karen and I participated in the “Waldorf Works” tour last Wednesday, and we were so delighted that we immediately invited some other folks to be a part of it. This is a wonderful and much-needed opportunity for people in the wider community to get a sense of who we are and what we do at KWS. Here’s what you can expect when you come (and bring your friends)…
You will spend about an hour with a small group of people touring the KWScampus. But this is not just an informational tour; it’s a heart tour. Along the way, you will hear personal stories from parents and faculty about howKWS and the unique Waldorf approach to education have affected their lives and the lives of their children.
Our experience started in the newly-renovated library/atrium, where we perused a beautiful display of main lesson books. KWS board member David Hunter offered some very on-the-point opening comments regarding some of the distinctive qualities of Waldorf education, as well as a brief story about the Myrins, who founded the school. Then Deb Merroth-Ahola told the story of how she (a career public educator) was drawn into this community, and how the experience has blessed her family. There is nothing better than a story to stir the heart, and hearing David and Deb reminded me of my own story with KWS. To top it all off, the seventh grade came and sang a song for us, and I was moved by the beauty of both the singing and the idea that at KWS, all of the children sing!
After this, we were led by Melody Schaper, Waldorf Works leader, to various classrooms, and along the way she shared some of her KWS story. Popping into the classrooms, anyone would be impressed by the active approach we take to education. The students were all involved. No one was looking out the window, daydreaming (as I might have when I was growing up!). One of the other tour participants was a person who was not familiar with Waldorf Education. It was so much fun to share with him about this education that fosters a lifetime love of learning by involving the whole student – body, mind and soul!
We then stopped into the woodworking studio with Alan Wright, the woodworking teacher. Alan explained how woodworking, and our teaching it to the students, is so much more than carving wood. It builds character, or as Alan said, “spine.” Eyes glistening a bit, I was reminded yet again how fortunate we are to be part of this community that brings this education to our children (and us!).
Our final stop was the gardening building where Celia Martin, gardening teacher, shared the many ways that the garden enriches our program and provides enormous outreach to the greater community. The beauty, and her dedication, once again reinforced the level of commitment of the teachers for providing this unique and wonderful education to our students. The program closed with an extremely moving testimonial by Maryann Neblock who spoke about her daughter, Emily (’09).
So many people need to know about this! Karen and I went home and immediately began making a list of people to invite – friends, potential Waldorf families, clergy, folks with broad community connections. If you attend a Waldorf Works session, I guarantee that you will come up with your own list of people to bring to campus.
Mark Hite