Small school. Big world.
by Stephen Sagarin, Faculty Chair - 16 May 2007

“WHERE ARE WE GOING? Pittsfield?

What’s in Pittsfield?”

“You know, that artist guy, Michael.”
“Michael Zelehoski?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh. Cool. He’s great.”

...And we’re off, in our blue van, to Michael Zelehoski’s painting studio in the basement of a run-down old school building (Sam Kasten, the weaver, is upstairs).

We know that Michael is a smart, verbal, honest man. He shared some of the challenges of his life with us—an education in itself—at one of our weekly “Forum” periods, when we invite speakers from outside the school.

And he invited us to see his work.

We are amazed by his technique—carving and burning images in old boards, then filling them up with translucent wax to create deep, almost photographic images that seem simultaneously very modern and very old.

We spend an hour with him, then head back to school. This is a memorable day for us, and fairly common.

SMALL BY DESIGN, our school is responsive to students and parents, intimate, nimble, and flexible. As part of our outstanding academic, artistic, and social education, our students get out into the larger world often.

It’s a big campus. Here is a partial list of student travels and activities (and this doesn’t even include individual projects and internships):

Munich, Germany: German students visit for three weeks in alternate years or visiting for 6 weeks to 3 months, attending classes at the Munich Waldorf School, working as interns at a BMW factory, and touring Bavaria, among many activities.

Lima and Cuzco, Peru: Spanish students visit for three weeks in alternate years or remain for extended visits of up to three months, attending the Lima Waldorf School, hiking the Inca Trail, and working for Projecto Q’Ewar, a community of single women, among other activities.

Maine: Seniors spend a week at the start of the year on Hermit Island, studying zoology with more than 100 seniors from other North American Waldorf schools.

New York: Several visits per year. This year, the Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, and Keith Haring Foundation, and the films “Das Parfum,” and “La Niña en la Piedra.”
Boston: Once or twice a year. This year, the “Freedom Trail,” Quincy Market, and the Goethe House.

Montreal: Seniors spend a week at the end of senior year in Montreal, where they visit the Olympic Park, Biosphere, Mont-Royal, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Archeology and History, while enjoying nightlife and restaurants.

Hadley, MA: We visit the Hartsbrook Waldorf School a few times a year for soccer, basketball, baseball, and dances.

Ghent, NY: We visit the Hawthorne Valley School to compete in cross-country races and JV basketball, and to attend their prom. This year, we spent a grueling but joyful week on the farm, mucking stalls, packing sauerkraut, and working in the greenhouses.

Berkshire County: Some recent activities include: Shakespeare & Co., Merry Wives of Windsor.

Three day Orientation at Camp Hi-Rock, hiking, canoeing, and living together. Elizabeth Lombardi hosts students at her painting studio, and makes lunch for them when they arrive.

Dewey Hall, Sheffield: Our Town last year and Blithe Spirit this year.

A Vikki True concert and eurythmy classes.

Also in Sheffield, photography at Will Wendt’s studio.

Dance and eurythmy classes at Berkshire Pulse.

Great Barrington: Dan Bellow’s studio for pottery; Peter Barrett’s metal shop for blacksmithing (with John Graney). _ Morning movies at the Mahaiwe and Triplex theaters. Annual Housatonic River Walk clean-up.A tea ceremony at Bizen.Students visit town each day for lunch. Use of the athletic center, library, and chemistry lab at gracious and generous Simon’s Rock College. Also, a Ken Burns lecture and preview of his latest documentary.

PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION to keep this amazing place going. Tuition covers only 80% of our costs. Your donations will support the arts, keep a scholarship student in school, and even keep diesel fuel in our van.

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