Educating the Mind & Heart
Diversity, Equity & InclusionWaldorf School at Moraine Farm teaches its students not only to respect differences among individuals, but to appreciate that there is strength and wisdom in diversity.
We define diversity as a range of racial identifications, ancestries, nationalities, native languages, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, ages, belief systems, gender and sexual identities, abilities, appearances and occupations. We actively pursue diversity in our student body, faculty, staff, administration and trustees. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected both in the curriculum brought to our students, and in the broader social life of the school.
A fundamental goal of Waldorf Education is to bring students to an understanding of the common humanity of all of the world’s people, transcending stereotypes and prejudices relating to race, gender, religion, nationality, and ability. Our curriculum provides students a constant opportunity to examine preconceptions and explore multiple ways of thinking. We also give students a rich experience of varied religious traditions and cultural/historical milieus, through storytelling and school-wide and individual grade celebrations of seasonal festivals.
We also recognize that teaching students about DEI is most effective when the school community is reflective of these characteristics as well. We believe that the direct experience of diversity is a powerful way to foster critical thinking, self-confidence, and moral integrity in our students. To this end, we are actively building a school that reflects the richness of both the local and the broader global community. We welcome students, parents, faculty, and staff of all races, faiths, sexual orientations and family profiles. We promote socioeconomic diversity through a progressive approach to tuition; it is our goal to make Waldorf Education accessible to every family regardless of their financial means. We strive for a tightly knit community where people know each other and where everyone is respected for the gifts they bring to the community.
In addition to our stated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we have also adopted the position statements of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and adhere to the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) Non-Discriminatory Policy as to Students.
Diversity
Waldorf School at Moraine Farm teaches its students not only to respect differences among individuals, but to appreciate that there is strength and wisdom in diversity. We define diversity as a range of racial identifications, ancestries, nationalities, native languages, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, ages, belief systems, gender and sexual identities, abilities, appearances and occupations. We actively pursue diversity in our student body, faculty, staff, administration and trustees. Our commitment to diversity is reflected both in the curriculum brought to our students, and in the broader social life of the school.
A fundamental goal of Waldorf Education is to bring students to an understanding of the common humanity of all of the world’s people, transcending stereotypes and prejudices relating to race, gender, religion, nationality, and ability. Our curriculum provides students constant opportunity to examine preconceptions and explore multiple ways of thinking. We also give students a rich experience of varied religious traditions and cultural/historical milieus, including school-wide and individual grade celebrations of seasonal festivals.
We also recognize that teaching students about diversity is most effective when the school community is itself diverse. We believe that the direct experience of diversity is a powerful way to foster critical thinking, self-confidence, and moral integrity in our students. To this end, we are actively building a school that reflects the richness of both the local and the broader global community. We welcome students, parents, faculty, and staff of all races, faiths, sexual orientations and family profiles. We promote socioeconomic diversity through a progressive approach to tuition; it is our goal to make Waldorf Education accessible to every family regardless of their financial means. We strive for a tightly knit community where people know each other and where everyone is respected for the gifts they bring to the community.
In addition to our stated commitment to diversity, we have also adopted the position statements of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and adhere to the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) Non-Discriminatory Policy as to Students.
Community Letters
Messages of Love & Healing
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A Note after the Passing of George Floyd • June 2, 2020
Dear Waldorf School at Moraine Farm Community Members,
Our school was created to cultivate compassion and moral strength in our students and our community. We stand squarely in our values to declare that racism has no place in our school. Black lives matter. Today, and every other day, we stand with our Black students, families, alumni, partners, and the entire Black community to speak out against injustice and bigotry, and to promote a world of kindness and equality.
We grieve along with the world.
For George Floyd. And Breonna Taylor. And Eric Garner. And Michael Brown. And Philando Castile. And Sandra Bland. And for the thousands of Black Americans two-and-a-half times more likely to be killed by police than White Americans. And we grieve against a backdrop of Black Americans dying right now of COVID-19 at rates three times higher than White people.
The racial disparity in this country is deep, shocking, and heartbreaking. But grief is not enough.
Social renewal and social justice is the foundation of Waldorf education. As a Waldorf school, we hold the dignity of life and the human being at the center of our work. In the words of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, “It is our responsibility to bear witness to what is happening in the world, to elevate the voices of marginalized people, to change the course of inequities, and to break down structural prejudice in all forms where it exists.”
We have compiled the following resources (thanks in part to AWSNA) for families confronting and discussing racism:
- Talking about Race: a new portal from the National Museum of African American History & Culture and the Smithsonian
- Anti-racism Resources for White People: a compilation of resources for White people and parents to deepen our work in anti-racism
- Array Now: Started by Ava DuVernay, director of Now They See Us, this is a compilation of African American independent films; an array of stories and voices
- Teaching Tolerance: Teaching about race, racism, and police violence
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: Curated by Medium and updated regularly
As a school, we are asking ourselves tough questions and diving deep to answer them. It is up to us to take the path toward true equity and justice. There are no easy answers. We welcome all participation, whether through our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, through discussion, or through action. Please join us.
We find strength in our community and hope in the belief that our commitment to love, compassion, and moral strength will fuel the transformation to justice that our nation urgently needs.
Sincerely,
Theresa Riddle, Board Chair
triddle@waldorfmoraine.org
Heather Collis-Puro, Interim Faculty & Administration Director
hcollispuro@waldorfmoraine.org
Deann Reyes-Wangh, Co-chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
dreyeswangh@waldorfmoraine.org
Anita Haller-O’Neill, Co-chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
ahalleroneill@waldorfmoraine.org
Call to Action: Eliciting PoC Stories • September 15, 2020
September 15, 2020
Dear Families,
At Waldorf School at Moraine Farm, we are committed to the important work of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With the nation’s rising engagement in dismantling institutional racism, we have expanded our community’s conversations and actions around racism.
In order to continue to push toward deconstructing racism across our country and worldwide, we must first deconstruct racism within our own school community. For our school to be a leader in Waldorf education and in applying core principles of Anthroposophy, WSMF must engage in this work with great conviction, intentionality, and unity.
Persistent racism, particularly toward the Black members of our community, is a cultural illness that we must all address. At this critical moment, we are asking all members of our community (i.e., students, alumni, current and past families, friends of the school, board members, faculty, and staff) to share with us their experiences around institutional or personal racism and/or any other discriminatory act at our school. We are looking to listen, learn, and act on any experience of racism in our community that remains in effect. Through your experiences, we will build strategies and pedagogical responses to shape lasting change. We understand that these stories may likely be personal, painful, and difficult to relive/share. If you are comfortable sharing your story with us, please contact Urvi Morrison, Deann Reyes-Wangh, and/or Anita Haller-O’Neill to schedule a meeting or send us an email with your stories. The DEI committee will ensure and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Our call to action for the community is: let us not settle with merely raising awareness but instead let us find the opportunities and act on them to address this nation-wide issue in our own community. As we embark on this important work, let us hold each other in the spirit of solidarity, healing, and mutual growth.
In the spirit of unity,
Deann Reyes-Wangh, Co-Chair of the DEI Committee
dreyeswangh@waldorfmoraine.org
Anita Haller-O’Neill, Co-Chair of the DEI Committee
ahalleroneill@waldorfmoraine.org
Urvi Morrison, School Director
umorrison@waldorfmoraine.org
A Message on Indigenous People's Day • October 6, 2020
Dear Families,
On Monday, October 12, we will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day at home.
If you are new to the concept of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is defined as, “a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October, and is an official city and state holiday in various localities.”
Through recommendations from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and the vast knowledge of our faculty we are eagerly finding ways to bring awareness of our native peoples’ traditions and influence into the classrooms. This includes music, stories, poems, and history lessons. We hope that you too can find ways to learn with your children about the many ways New England can celebrate the people who first populated this area.
Check out these resources:
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5 Young Native Americans On What Indigenous Peoples Day Means To Them
-
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Rethinking How We Celebrate American History
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Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
- ‘Don’t Take Our Voices Away’: A Role Play on the Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change
- Native Knowledge 360
Sincerely,
DEI Committee