The Birth & Growth of a School 1971 - 1991: Rhythms of the Year - Celebrations

The school has sought to revive traditions and celebrations bringing rhythm and continuity to the year. From the start, it has felt delighted in being a rural school in the Berkshires - an environment combining the arts and the countryside. Each child in kindergarten has a garden growing lettuce, spinach, radishes and marigolds.

For the young ones, a special time is the collecting, in late February, of maple sap and boiling it in a large cauldron. Children are thrilled to drink the sap at the spile on the tree, and relish the pancake party that comes later with "homemade" syrup.

The May Day celebration was begun by Christopher Belski in the early '80's. Children and teachers make music, sing and dance around the Maypole; there are ribbons and flowers and Morris dancers in wonderful costumes. Occasionally who surprises us but the Jack on the Green!

An all-school Halloween party was introduced by Bob and Linda Norris. Michaelmas, St. Martin's Day and an Advent garden with the ceremony of the candles are special traditional festivals that include tributes to light in the winter. The Christmas plays are an important annual occasion.

Next: Betty's Retirement