As one of the original co-founder of this homeschooling
group, the celebration and ceremony to
welcome this new year of learning for our families both humbled me and reminded
me why I am grateful for this group every day.
I think back to this group’s genesis: three mothers connecting over the Internet,
two families gathering for a Lantern Walk to a group that now represents
thirty-eight families with forty-four children from ages three through sixth
grade enrolled in our co-op classes on Fridays.
The classrooms were beautifully arranged by our teachers as
they provided a short meet and greet to our families and discussed plans for
this term in Handwork, Art, German, and Woodworking.
For the smaller members of our group, our Peach Blossoms teacher was
dressed in a beautiful apron and led a circle focusing on the twelve senses and
working to help the children begin to find their place in relation to each other within community ( a very important task for those
who are in the first seven year cycle!).
Each family of our smallest children received blocks cut by one of the
resident carpenters in our group to take home and sand as a work activity that
will be built upon when classes begin.
After our meet and greet, we took the time to hold hands in
a circle and say a verse over our feast of whole foods arranged in rainbow order, as a small reminder that our first graders
who are beyond the rainbow bridge will today be taking their first steps into
the grades.
Our ceremony to celebrate the children of all grades had a
procession of children walking from sixth grade through second grade. The older children held a rainbow silk high
over the walkway for the first graders to walk under and meet their
parents. In a ring, the students in each
grade were called forth to receive a special gift of nature from their parents
that would have special significance for this new year of learning as they
strive to develop themselves head, heart and hands.
The oldest child got to light the beautiful candle for the
official start for our school year; a
year of beautiful classes, awe-inspiring field trips, laughter and joy in our
social events and festivals for all!
Many blessings on your new school year as well,
Carrie
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