Michaelmas Celebration, October 1 2021

Rain or shine, students at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh will enjoy a day of Michaelmas celebrations at school on Friday, October 1, 2021.

Chalkboard drawing from the WSP Second Grade classroom.

In autumn Saint Michael with sword and with shield Passes over meadow and orchard and field. He’s on the path to battle ‘gainst darkness and strife– He is the heavenly warrior protector of life.

Rain or shine, students at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh will enjoy a day of Michaelmas celebrations at school on Friday, October 1, 2021. Parents and guardians will be invited to celebrate with us outdoors at drop-off in the morning and/or in the afternoon before and after pick-up time, depending on what works better for their schedules and what activities they wish to partake in. A schedule of events with more details about the day will be shared in next week's announcements.

Michaelmas is a harvest festival which also honors the archangel Michael, a symbolic leader of the force of good over evil and courage over fear. Michaelmas is typically the first festival of the new school year celebrated in Waldorf schools with a theme of harvest and courage. Often times, students hear stories of a dragon tamed by the people of a town whose hearts are inspired with courage by St. Michael. This story speaks to the children's need for truth and justice.

At this time of year, we come together as a community to remind ourselves of our inner strength and to empower ourselves to defeat any personal dragons we may have. To defeat darkness and let hope prevail! It is also a time to share in the harvest! Both of these themes will be experienced by our students (and hopefully all of us) on this day.

In years passed, we have been able to have a larger celebration after school. This year, our celebration will still be big but simply spread out throughout the school day—and a little beyond—so we can continue to follow our health and safety protocols. Please be sure to look for more details next week.