On Sunday, May 4th, the Waldorf School of Garden City held its annual Spring Festival. Families and friends of the School enjoyed an afternoon on the school grounds. Activities throughout the day included the making of “spring crowns” from freshly cut flowers, the traditional maypole dance, a puppet show by the early childhood faculty, along with singing and recorder playing. Inter-generational games capped off the day’s busy schedule.

In connection with the Spring Festival, the grand prize drawing for the Windows for Waldorf Raffle took place. Proceeds from this special fundraiser will benefit the School’s window renovation project that will take place this summer. And (drum roll please … ) the winners were:

• 8th grade parent Lyonel Beauvais, who won the 1st place prize of $10,000.
• Waldorf parent, Karen Giumenta, who won on behalf of the 3rd grade families, the 2nd place prize – a New Hampshire Getaways at Camp Glen Brook (valued at $2,000).
• Donna Acquafredda, a friend of the School, who received the 3rd place prize of $1,000.

“I want to gratefully acknowledge everyone who supported our raffle and our overall windows project!” said Ms. Jean-Paul. “And thanks to you, we sold all of our tickets and made this a successful fundraiser for our School. A special thank-you to all who helped sell tickets making this raffle a success in every way!”

Later in the afternoon, members of the class of 1970 returned to the School to plant a tree in honor of former Waldorf teacher Robert Weschler. “Our thanks to Marilynn Blend Carstensen ’70 and the class of 1970 for donating the funds to plant this tree,” said Ms. Jean-Paul. In the spring of 2013, when the School’s alumni learned that forer Waldorf teacher Mr. Robert Weschler was sick, members of the class of 1970 wanted to honor him with a tree knowing that gradening was important to him as well as them. While he couldn’t attend the May 4th event, Mr. Weschler (or “Wesch” as he is affectionately known by so many Waldorf alumni), sent the following message which Mrs. Blend Carstensen read:

Dear Waldorf Class of 1970 and all those involved,

For me, this is a fabulous honor to have this very special tree planted for me. I had 60 years of teaching the best students in the world! Having the students plant and care for this tree is one of my many blessings in life. I hope that this tree grows and flourishes as did so many of my students. With th fondest of memories, I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for this honor.

– “Wesch” (Bob Weschler)

At the Waldorf School of Garden City, celebrating seasonal events connects students, teachers, parents and the larger community and with each other. Through these festivals, the School community acknowledges and celebrates our connections to and our responsibiltiies towards each other and the world.

Photos of the Spring Festival:

Video of the May Pole Dance:

Photos of the Tree Planting Ceremony with the Class of 1970 in Honor of former Waldorf teacher Robert Weschler: