As we eagerly await the groundbreaking for Hooper Hall, a building that fulfills the vision of a Eurythmy room and Assembly Hall and classrooms for the arts (as approved in the 1994 Master Facilities Plan,) we wish to recall our growth from a new initiative to a sturdy, full-fledged school offering Waldorf education to children and young people ages 3 to 18.

We have completed many steps along the way. We still face “a work in progress.” Clearly we are about to launch a most important and multi-faceted envisioning of our role as a successful and self-aware Waldorf School in the American Southwest. The Board of Trustees has asked the entire SFWS community to bring their insights and vision to our next stage of development. Today we recognize recent benchmarks in our history. Congratulations to all for outstanding accomplishments! With this strong foundation, we can step into the future with confidence! 

A Long Range Planning Retreat will be held on December 12th-13th, 2008.  Reviewing the goals and ideal facilities compiled by the Long Range Planning Committee since January 2008, the Board of Trustees, College of Teachers and the Long Range Planning Committee will begin to prioritize goals for the SFWS Long Range Plan 2009.  These goals will help to clarify which buildings and improvements will be included in the SFWS Facilities Master Plan 2009 for the Santa Fe County Building Authority. It will also provide a timeframe for envisioning how these goals and new facilities may become reality at our school. 

Many of the goals listed in the 1994 SFWS Master Plan of Facilities, the 2003 Amendment to the Master Plan, and the 1995-1996 Long Range Planning Goals have been accomplished:  

1. Grades 5 and 6 Building was completed (1994). 

2. Administrative offices and the Grades Library were integrated into the Grades 1-4 building (1994).

3. Additional space was added to the Grades 7 and 8 Building (1997).

4. A modular and site-built High School was built to house Grades 9 through 12 (2004).

5. The curriculum in Grades K through 12 includes eurythmy.

6.  Increasing attention is being given to meet the needs of students with learning differences.

7. The campus was expanded from 5 to 13 acres with the purchase of two parcels of land, one of 5 acres (1997) and one of 3 acres (2004).

8. Faculty compensation and benefits are reviewed annually and recent board resolutions have established important improvements (2007-2009).   

The acceleration of initiatives that strengthen the school is rooted in the models generated by the Master Plan and Long Range Goals of the 1990’s. And yet we must also acknowledge that, as we have moved from year to year, our vision and our will to accomplish new goals has extended well beyond the plans we laid out 15 years ago. Other accomplishments in recent years also provide a powerful impetus for future growth. 

v         The Santa Fe Waldorf High School offers unique opportunities for high school students from Santa Fe, other parts of the U.S., and internationally. Its strong foundation in reasoning and writing skills runs through all of the academic subjects—English language and world literature; history and cultures worldwide, Spanish and Chinese languages; mathematics; physical, life and environmental sciences.  Drama, music, studio arts, practical arts, eurythmy and spacial dynamics are interwoven into academic classes and studied in their own right to develop the creative capacities of young people.  Physical education, wilderness experience and environmental studies draw students into physical activity, the world of nature, and the need for sustaining natural resources.

v         The addition of a Preschool class in 2004 is evidence of the school’s growing commitment to Early Childhood education.

v         Bringing additional English and mathematics skills classes into Grades 6 through 8 meets the students’ interest in honing these skills and builds a bridge to high school.

v         Likewise, providing an outstanding college guidance program forms a bridge between high school and college or opens paths to adult vocations.

v         A full-time eurythmy teacher for Grades K-8 was added in 2006-2007. High School eurythmy is taught in intensive blocks. 

v         Movement classes for Grades 1-4 were added beginning in 2007-2008.

v         The addition of an Intermural Sports Program now enriches the lives of students from Grades 6 through 12 and fosters contact with young people in Santa Fe and across our state.

v         Establishing the all-school administrative team was a 5-year process that now provides vital support to the educational program.

v         The school’s accreditation by the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA) and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI) in 2006 included a comprehensive self-evaluation as well as a review by outside educators.  It outlined strategies to expand and strengthen the entire curriculum; to support teacher education, mentoring, evaluation and annual plans for development; to define administrative structures and procedures; to establish sound budgetary practices and financial planning; to enhance outreach and enrollment strategies; and to ensure effective board involvement in the life of the school.   

v         In January, 2007, the Board of Trustees approved an 11.5% increase in the Base Salary for full-time teachers that went into effect immediately. During 2007-2008, the Board approved a 2.7% salary increase (in January 2008); increased the SFWS annual salary increment from $500 to $1000 (effective September 2009) so that a teacher can reach the highest salary offered (150% of Base Salary) in 18 rather than 36 years; authorized a Base Salary increment of $1000 to teachers who have completed a Master’s degree; authorized a Base Salary increment of $1000 to teachers who have completed a Doctor’s degree; continued the $500 Base Salary increment for each year of Waldorf teaching experience; authorized a $500 Base Salary increment for non-Waldorf experience up to 5 years; and increased the school contribution to a teacher’s TIAA retirement fund to 4% this year and to 5% beginning 2009-2010.

v         Parents, too, have supported the educational process in many ways as volunteers and professionals.  The Parent Council has made generous and needed contributions to benefit the educational program and the campus. Examples include raising funds for Music Scholarships, new playground equipment, and the water catchment and retention features on our campus. Parents organize and support the Annual Holiday Faire, May Faire and events for grandparents. They have spearheaded the school’s “Coming of Age” program, started the Peace Studies and Annual Hunger Banquet in the High School, and publicized and provided tickets to the Lensic Speakers Programs. Parents bring both professional expertise and effort to serve on the Board of Trustees and Board committees that involve finances, philanthropy, advertising, and education to the public about Waldorf education. And this list is just a sampling of parent contributions.  

And so, we honor all members of our school community who work unstintingly for the Santa Fe Waldorf School.  We are eager to envision our tasks for the future and continue to meet the immediate needs of our students year by year.