At Kimberton's All-Community Evening on September 15, 2010, parents, faculty, staff, and others shared with each other our hopes and dreams around commnunity building. Some dreams were huge, others smaller, but each expressed a sincere desire to experience community spirit in our relationships and interactions here at Kimberton Waldorf School.

Here are the notes from the meeting, taken by one scribe (Carmen) who struggled to keep up with the overflow of ideas. If your idea is not here --- meaning I missed it in the recording rush --- please leave it in a comment below! 

• Engaging alumni and alumni parents in community
• Having a place for parents to meet
• Eating together
• parents showing "ownership" and "commitment" to the school
• Having social times together, like the Coffeehouse in the HS
• Ceremonies or gatherings like the Rose Ceremony which link the whole community
• Having good communication and healthy participation in Earth Day activities
• Working toward a common goal
• Openness in management of the school
• Experiencing the "realness" of the whole community, even the children, as we struggle with challenges as well as celebrate good times
• Parents coming together to support teachers and students
• Showing school spirit/school pride by wearing KWS t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.
• Meeting each other with compassion and non-judgment
• Working towards a common goal
• Community wide-events like the HS musical, and also Perfect Pairings
• Bringing Michelle Obama to KWS
• Making it possible for all children to have access to our education
• Bringing in 100 new students
• Parents coordinating a project to paint the outside of the school buildings in beautiful colors
• Bringing author and humanitarian Greg Mortensen to KWS
• Building a Performing Arts Center
• Building new tennis courts
• Building a pool
• Revitalizing the play areas at school
• Cultivating the million dollar gift
• Revitalizing the Parent Association
• Involving High Schoolers in giving to the community
• Involving all students in service learning
• Having an abundance of volunteers

Celebrating Community Spirit

• What does "Community Spirit" mean to you?
• When have you felt most connected in the school community?
• What are your hopes and dreams for growing community spirit?
• How could you help to bring about more connection?

The Governing Team invites you to actively create community. Share your thoughts and ideas by leaving a comment.