We close 2022 filled with gratitude for our community.

A Letter from Our Head of School

A student in Buttercup Kindergarten lights a candle and walks the Winter Spiral. Thanks to our instrument teachers for providing beautiful music.

Dear WSP Families and Friends,

Today is our last day of school before Winter Break begins. We close 2022 filled with gratitude for our community. So many events have happened to bring us together over the past month.

Most recently, the Nursery through 8th grade students walked the Winter Spiral with their classes. Parents were invited to watch their children, and there was a time for community members to walk the Spiral as well. For those of you who have not had an opportunity to see the Winter Spiral in person, I want to offer you an imagination of what happens during this special experience.

As the class enters the auditorium in darkness, they find their seats. The room smells of pine boughs and voices have shifted to whispers. All children settle. At the center of the spiral, an individual serving as the candle lighter or the “angel” is standing and lights the candle. They may remain there or quietly walk out of the spiral. A violin or flute begins to play, and the teacher is the first to walk the spiral holding an unlit candle (in a candle holder) in their hands. Once the teacher reaches the center where the candle is lit, they pause for a moment and light their candle. Tending their candle, they begin walking their way out of the spiral. This is a new path laid with silver stars. With care, they choose a star on which to place their candle holder and finish walking out of the spiral to sit down again with their class. Each student takes a turn one at a time doing the same. The class watches each member of their class walk with their candle until the spiral fills with the light. There is a moment to take in the entire class’ light. Following their teacher, the class files out of the auditorium, and the music comes to a close.

Thank you for sharing your light with the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh in 2022. Wishing you many blessings during the break and in the New Year!

With light,

Kirsten Christopherson-Clark

Head of School