The Nelson Waldorf School will be offering a new class in the fall, and expanding its early childhood programs to meet the changing children and families’ needs.
There will now be a stand-alone Grade 5 (this year’s Grade 4 is combined with Grade 3). As well, the childcare program will be expanded to provide additional spaces for families on the wait list, and both a full-day and half-day Kindergarten will be available to meet parents’ diverse needs.
The Ministry of Education recently mandated full-day Kindergartens to begin in the fall of 2011. However, the Federation of Independent Schools Association lobbied successfully for independent schools to continue to have the option of offering a half-day kindergarten program.
Because some families need a full-day kindergarten, while others require a half day only, the school has opted to offer both programs.
Debora Oese-Lloyd, an experienced Waldorf teacher who has taught for many years in Nelson, Calgary, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been hired as the new Grade 5 teacher.
The Nelson Waldorf School offers school tours on several Thursday mornings during the spring.
The last “Windows on Waldorf,” as the tours are called, will take place tomorrow, and Oese-Lloyd will attend.
A Kindergarten teacher will also be available to answer questions about the early childhood education program. The tours are open to anyone interested in Waldorf Education or the Nelson Waldorf School.
On May 30 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a Grade 5 information evening at the school.