Very serious.
Last year, Isaac had two schools, a Waldorf program and this one, a neighborhood co-op called Steele. He loved both, but the Waldorf school closed due to financial reasons, so now he just has one school. He was very close to his teacher Ms. Rainier and still doesn't quite understand why he can't go back to her class anymore. It was a great fit for Isaac and for us - no more than 5 kids per class; only organic, whole foods served for snack; the Waldorf style of discipline, which is very gentle and non-confrontational, yet effective.
But Steele, though a bigger classroom with 12 kids per class (and this year, 10 of them boys!), is also a fun and nurturing place. Parents volunteer 2-3 times per semester, so we get to be part of the class and feel ownership in the school. The teachers are loving and very professional, with lesson plans that follow a curriculum that flows seamlessly from the 2-yr-old Tadpole class to the pre-kindergarten Frogs. Though it drives me crazy when someone brings a processed food like goldfish for a snack, I know I need to let go and allow Isaac some access to these things, if only to avoid letting them become super-attractive to him through deprivation.
If you ask Isaac what he likes best about school, he always says "playing." Over time, he's begun to give me a little more detail, but I'm grateful for the chance to be the helper now and then so I can see what goes on and how he fits into it.
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