Family Service at the Siskiyou School
All of our Siskiyou School parents create the Parent Pillar. By so generously donating their time and energy, they help and support the creation of a strong, thriving, vibrant, and lively community. Our parents work hard to create a, “mantle of warmth”, serving our special school. Everyone has something to contribute. We encourage parents to find a way that feels good to them, to make a contribution, whether it’s helping in the classroom, bringing lunches for faculty, chaperoning a field trip, or helping with one of our many wonderful celebrations.
Social Life at the Siskiyou School
Being part of the Siskiyou School is being part of a community. Throughout the year we host many community events and festivals. Cultivating an awareness of the rhythms of the year through seasonal celebrations is a central part of Waldorf education. Throughout the year we look for volunteers in the areas such as Hospitality, PR & Outreach, Care Brigade, Maintenance, Gardeners & Landscapers, Faculty Lunch Sign-Up, May Day Raffle, Bookbinding and many more.
Siskiyou School FESTIVALS
Volunteers help support our faculty in the execution of our rich festival life at The Siskiyou School including, but not limited to:
Michaelmas Harvest Celebration
The last weekend of September, the Siskiyou School, like all Waldorf schools around the world, celebrates Michaelmas. For the first hour, the children participate in games and challenges at Clay Street Park. Then everyone files back onto campus for a Michaelmas Pageant where each class offers songs or verses related to the Michaelmas theme. Fortified by these images, the community ends the afternoon with a community potluck/harvest supper. Volunteers are needed to set the tables for the event and to make sure the potluck is ready to begin and stays on track with cleaning. Parent volunteers, alum students and families, and additional community members sign up for events at Clay Street parl. We also serve apple crisps that are cooked on campus and make our campus smell full of Fall! Want to learn more about Michaelmas? Click Here!
Winter Faire
Held on the first Saturday of December, Winter Faire is the biggest community event of the school year. Volunteers come together the Friday evening before the event and transform our classrooms and hallways into a wintry, whimsical wonderland. It draws not only alum and old friends but hundreds of people from all over the valley who don’t necessarily have any affiliation with Waldorf education. It features children's activities, the works of regional craftspeople, crafts made by Siskiyou School parents and students, a silent auction, and food. Proceeds go to support the school's operating budget and the school’s tuition assistance program. Volunteers are needed throughout the whole day from setting up, running a shift or more in each room, baking many cookies for our Crystal Cookie room, and tear-down and clean-up. Want to learn more about Winter Faire? Click Here!
Auction
The Auction, held in April, is a fun event for current parents, alum parents, grandparents, friends of the school, and invited guests. The evening includes food, drinks, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. The goal of the evening is to have fun together and raise money for the school. Families and friends contribute items to be auctioned off. A great time is had by the whole community! We have numerous committees for the Auction ranging from: procurement, class projects, planning, check-in and check-out, decor set-up and tear-down. Want to learn more about the Auction? Click Here!
Grandparents Day
Each year we host our beloved Grandparents to show our appreciation and to have the children show them their daily life at the Siskiyou School. We offer a morning coffee and tea with snacks and nibbles. Our volunteers bake delicious treats, brew coffee throughout the day, help with set-up and tear-down. Want to learn more about Grandparents’ Day? Click Here!
May Day
May Day is a folk tradition celebrated at The Siskiyou School. Parents and Grandparents are invited to join the children in making their May Day crowns. We then gather to dance around the May Pole and end with our festive Virginia Wheel. Want to learn more about May Day? Click Here!
