BEYOND THE CLASSROOM LEARNING PROGRAM
Welcome to the Pasadena Waldorf School's Beyond the Classroom Learning Program. As we continue with remote learning, this page features a description of the new program at each level of the school. It lays out the program elements and tools for learning and connection at each level, and describes how we will communicate with parents and students at each level. The page also has copies of the new schedules for each of our classes from 4th grade and above, with a description of how families with younger students can structure their day using the school’s learning activities as well as the rhythm of their own family.
At the bottom of the page, please find resources and links for both students and parents, including instructions for Veracross Student/Parent Portal and Zoom video conferencing. For more information on school operations during this time, please visit the school's COVID-19 Information page.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Learning for our Early Childhood students continues outside of the classrooms. Children in the early years should participate in the daily life of the family supported by the rhythm and activities provided by the class teacher. Teachers will provide materials and suggested content, provide audio and video content to guide parents, support parents in 1:1 and group communication and maintain the loving connection with students in new ways.
Parents can email questions to their child’s teacher. Office hours for teachers are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. Teachers will be available to speak with parents by phone on request. Teachers will respond within 24 hours if contacted after school hours. Teachers will arrange bimonthly class parent meetings using Zoom video conferencing.
GRADES 1-3
Learning for our Early Grades students continues outside of the classrooms in all of their subject areas. Children should participate in the daily life of the family with chores and household activities supported by the lessons and activities provided by their teachers. Teachers will suggest a rhythm of lessons and activities that parents can adopt, or fit within their own preferred daily schedule. Teachers will provide materials and content, support parents in 1:1 and group communication and maintain the loving connection with students in new ways.
Parents can email questions to their child’s teacher. Office hours for teachers are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. Teachers will be available to speak with parents by phone on request. Teachers will respond within 24 hours if contacted after school hours. Teachers will arrange bimonthly class parent meetings using Zoom video conferencing.
GRADES 4-5
Learning for these students continues outside of the classrooms in all of their subject areas in ways that takes into account daily life, chores and household activities. Students are given a range of lessons and activities and a daily schedule with every effort to create a healthy balance within the day. Main lesson content, academic skills practice, artistic and movement work will be accompanied by handwork, instrument practice and language lessons. Teachers will provide materials and content, support parents in 1:1 and group communication and maintain the loving connection with students through written communication and face-to face interactions over the Zoom platform.
Parents can email questions to their child’s teacher. Office hours for teachers are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. Teachers will be available to speak with parents or students by phone on request. Teachers will respond within 24 hours if contacted after school hours. Teachers will arrange bimonthly class parent meetings using Zoom video conferencing.
GRADES 6-8
Learning for these students continues outside of the classrooms in all of their subject areas in ways that takes into account daily life and household activities. Students are given a range of lessons and activities and a daily schedule with every effort to create a healthy balance within each day. Concentrated main lesson content, academic skills practice, artistic and movement work will be accompanied by handwork, instrument practice and language lessons. Teachers will provide materials and content, support parents in 1:1 and group communication and maintain the loving connection with students through written communication and face-to face interactions over the Zoom platform.
Parents can email questions to their child’s teacher. Office hours for teachers are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. Teachers will be available to speak with parents or students by phone on request. Teachers will respond within 24 hours if contacted outside of school hours. Teachers will arrange bi-monthly class parent meetings to share information.
HIGH SCHOOL
High School students continue lessons in their subject areas in a modified daily schedule. Students are given a range of lessons and activities and a daily schedule with every effort to create a healthy balance within the day and preserve the credits and courses necessary for high school graduation. Concentrated main lesson content, academic skills practice, artistic and movement work will be accompanied by handwork, instrument practice and language lessons. Teachers will provide materials and content, support students in 1:1 and group communication and maintain the healthy connection with students through written communication and face-to face interactions.
Parents can email questions to their child’s teacher. Office hours for teachers are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. Teachers will be available to speak with parents or students by phone on request. Teachers will respond within 24 hours if contacted outside of school hours. The high school will communicate with all parents and may arrange occasional parent meeting forums to share information.
STUDENT/PARENT VERACROSS
ZOOM VIDEO
Beyond the Classroom learning will use the PWS Veracross Parent Student Portal for student schedules, assignments, links to Zoom videoconferencing (Grades 4-12), submitting homework/assignments, and updates.
Parents of Grades 6-8: Please check your email sent Friday afternoon from PWS with the attachment with instructions on logging your child onto the Student Portal.
When logged into the Parent Student Portal, you will see your child(ren) and their schedule and assignment links. If possible, please familiarize yourself with the portal before Beyond the Classroom begins.
CLICK HERE to log in to the PWS Veracross Parent Student Portal.
CLICK HERE for instructions on how to navigate the Student Portal
CLICK HERE for instructions on how to navigate the Parent Portal
For Parent Student Portal support, please contact Frances Mencia at fmencia@pasadenawaldorf.org
Many class lessons (Grades 4-12) will be delivered by teachers through Zoom videoconferencing. Students must have an internet-connected device to access Beyond the Classroom lessons.
CLICK HERE for detailed instructions on how to run Zoom.
For technical support, please contact Stuart Brawley at sbrawley@pasadenawaldorf.org or text 626.590.1969
CLASSROOM RESOURCES
PARENT RESOURCES
Links for student resources during Beyond the Classroom:
Libraries: Thousands of e-books available for free. Register for a free library card for those that do not have one.
- LA County Public Library
- LA County Public Library E-Card Registration
- Pasadena Public Library
- Pasadena/Glendale Public Libraries E-Card Registration
Links for self-care and stress management during the Beyond the Classroom and social distancing periods:
- Kim John Payne: free five-part audio series: "Troubling Times: Anxiety Rising Schools Closing and Way More Time At Home With The Kids.”
- The Greater Good Science Center published at UC Berkeley: full of free, amazing and pertinent articles, videos and podcasts.
- Mindful.org
- UCLA MARC (Mindful Awareness Research Center)
- CDC Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- 12 Ways to Effectively Parent During a Crisis PART 1
- 12 Ways to Effectively Parent During a Crisis PART 2
- School's Out: A Parent's Guide to Meeting the Challenge During COVID-19
This year, as we celebrated the centennial of Waldorf Education, our school dedicated itself to continue to ask questions like “What’s next?” and “What is needed?” Rudolf Steiner, the architect of this wonderful education, encouraged teachers to think that way in the first teachers’ meetings and would encourage us to do so now. A dedication to see the needs of the time and meet current challenges with energy and goodwill is what makes our model so flexible. Another beautiful part of Waldorf education is the deep emphasis on human connection. In our daily work with the students, in our curriculum, and in our school structure we pay attention to that sense of human connection. Now, we face the challenge of trying to nurture this human connection, while having to be physically separated in our respective homes. We face the challenge of finding new forms of teaching and new tools to connect with our students.
Looking at the packets sent home or emailed by teachers in our early childhood through third grade classes you will see a focus on meaningful content and support for the rhythms and habits which will help our youngest students the most. We invite you to partner with your teachers in the ways they will describe in their individual communications as you explore those rhythms and materials with your student.
Looking at the schedules below for grades 4-12 you will see that our teachers have balanced the learning day with content that will stretch minds and skills, but also feed imaginations and souls, while keeping the students busy and in practice. We invite you to support your student to use the materials and new communication tools so they can access their learning materials. We also invite you to remain connected with teachers as you would during regular schooling.
Our Beyond the Classroom learning program steps into the challenges of the moment and embraces new opportunities. With courage, a sense of exploration, and enthusiasm, our employees have collaborated to bring our colorful and meaningful curriculum to your students at home.
Please find important information on this page to connect to Student or Parent Portals, sign up for the Zoom platform and explore other resources that might be helpful to families at this time.