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Dear Parents,
We are so happy that you have joined us, or, if you were here in the past, that you are back
with us. We want to let you know explicitly what you can expect of us, what we are committed to as a community
of teachers and learners. Also, last year's Parent Survey showed clearly that many of you would find it useful
to know what the school--teachers and staff--expects of you.
As a Council of Teachers and as a faculty as a whole, we devoted time last year and this fall
to discussions aimed at clarifying our values as a school community and to addressing our expectations of students,
parents, teachers, and school employees. You received a letter from Mrs. Franco and Mrs. Brennan
this summer outlining some of our expectations for student behavior. Below please find a summary of
our work to date on our hopes for parent interactions with the school and also our commitments as
teachers and staff in our relationships with you.
Separate from the details below, you should know that our goal is to be
partners with you in the education of your children. If we aim at such mutually helpful
and respectful relationships, our children will flourish.
Sincerely,
Stephen Sagarin,
Faculty Administrator
Parents at the Steiner School can expect that teachers will:
- Create a learning atmosphere in each classroom in which every student can progress and be heard, one that promotes mutual respect.
- Keep the best interests of every child in mind.
- Dedicate ourselves to the principles and practices of Waldorf education. Balance academic,
artistic, physical, emotional and social development of each student to the best of our abilities.
- Be available for conferences and meetings as necessary. Return phone calls promptly. Answer questions to the best of our ability.
- Respect parents as partners in seeking the best for each student.
- Be open and honest, fair and consistent, patient and focused, cordial and professional, informative and respectful.
- Communicate promptly when difficulties arise and also help to anticipate upcoming events or changes in the school day or calendar.
- Hold students to school standards of order and form--have clear and explicit boundaries-- while being open to fun and spontaneous creativity.
- Help new parents integrate well into our school community.
- Invite parents to participate in appropriate ways in the life of the school and the school community.
In turn, we ask that parents and other members of our school community:
- Support established processes at the school, found in the Parent Handbook, and use them to
solve any problems. Support the school by speaking directly to teachers and staff about any matter of
concern. Offer to work toward a solution when identifying a problem.
- Demonstrate interest in what your children do and learn at school--assignments, classes, teachers, songs and
games, for example. Learn about unique aspects of what we offer--eg., eurythmy. Attend class nights.
- Ask us questions. Ask us about what doesn't make sense to you, ask us about what may have happened; get all sides of an issue.
- Support school policies regarding punctuality, dress code, media engagement, and expectations for student behavior.
Respect school rules, including those regarding parking, dogs and pets, photography and videotaping, and use of the faculty/staff room.
- Support teacher and school recommendations for academic, artistic, physical, and social development.
This includes supporting students in completing homework and in receiving tutoring, assessments and other help outside of school.
- Respect teachers' time with their classes--schedule meetings outside of teaching hours. Respect teachers' time at
drop-off and pick-up; these are not good times for teachers to engage in individual conversations. Similarly, school
events--concerts, picnics, assemblies--are not good times to engage teachers in professional conversations. Try to leave
lunches, musical instruments, etc., in the office for delivery to class at an appropriate time. If your children
are to be dismissed early, let them know to meet you in the office area, not the classroom.
- Respect teachers as professionals. Assume that the teachers have your children's best interests in mind. Address teachers
and staff as Mr., Mrs., or Ms when children may be present. If teachers have set up preferred telephone times, try to abide by these times.
- Be punctual. Help your children to be on time for school and pick them up when they are dismissed. Return contracts and other forms promptly.
- Volunteer to help your child's teachers as you are able. Become a representative to the Parents Association, join a committee,
volunteer to help with work around the school, or help the Fall Fair.
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