On Thursday, September 19, 2019, Waldorf Education proudly marked its 100th anniversary since the opening of the first Waldorf School in Stuttgart, Germany. Beginning last September, Waldorf schools and communities around the world have been celebrating this anniversary through social and environmental impact projects. These campaigns aim to stimulate dialogue around human values in education and support initiatives that revitalize society and our relationship with our earth.

The Waldorf School of Garden City held its triennial Gala Celebration on Friday, May 31st in honor of 100 Years of Waldorf Education Worldwide. The evening was full of fabulous food, lively music, and the opportunity for all members of our community to get together and celebrate the School they love. Held at the Heritage Club in Bethpage (next to Bethpage Black Golf Course, host to the 2019 PGA Championship), the gala welcomed over 300 guests including current and former faculty, alumni, trustees, and parents, to celebrate this historic milestone and honor outstanding contributors to the School and Waldorf Education.

For the “birthday party” on September 19th, the Waldorf School of Garden City Faculty Chair Kelly O’Halogan, and School Administrator Helene Smith greeted families as they dropped off their children in the morning and handed out celebratory treats. Refreshments were offered in the Main Lobby and Waldorf swag was available for purchase. Parents, faculty, and students wore “Waldorf 100″ stickers and had the option to enter a raffle to win six (6) Fall Fair raffle tickets (a $100 value) in hopes of winning the grand prize of $2,500. The drawing will take place during the Waldorf Fall Fair (which is open to the public) on Saturday, October, 19^th.

The School also participated in the Waldorf 100 Community 5k on Saturday, September 21^st at Green Meadow Waldorf School in Chestnut Ridge, NY which began with a yoga warm-up and Opening Ceremony and included community members from many surrounding Waldorf Schools.

In addition, Waldorf alumnus, educator, and author of The Story of Waldorf Education in the United States: Past, Present, and Future, Steve Sagarin ‘80 was featured in the 2019 Waldorf Magazine, where he reflected on the history of Waldorf Education and elaborated on its importance and role in today’s world. He explained that “Rudolf Steiner (the founder of Waldorf Education) didn’t propose to create an alternative education or a group of schools separate from the mainstream; he aimed to transform education in accord with the human needs of the place and time in which he lived.”

Waldorf Schools around the world will continue participating in activities such as; cultivating gardens, tending bees, hosting street fairs, guest speakers, and community runs, and celebrating diversity and independent thinking through community engagement projects. The year-long celebration will culminate in June 2020 in Chicago at the Waldorf100 Education Innovation Summit entitled Learn to change the World.

We look forward to celebrating another 100 years of Waldorf Education!