Contact:

April Thanhauser

P.O. Box 971

West Tisbury, MA 02575

T: 508.696.7701

F: 508.696.7701

E: islandwaldorfcommunity@hotmail.com

http://plumhillschool.com/

Founded:2001

Mission:

The Waldorf Approach to education emphasizes protecting the realm of early childhood in all its wonder and magic. Waldorf educators carefully nurture the creative play by which young children have always done their most profound learning. By example, teachers and parents encourage a reverence for all life, enthusiasm for work and compassion for each other.

Understanding that young children live in the world thoroughly and deeply through their senses, Waldorf education provides each child with environments that are beautiful and rich with natural healthful materials such as wood, wool, cotton, silk, stones, and shells. The simplicity of the toys invites young children to engage in their actively growing faculties of imagination. From imaginative play a foundation of artistic and creative abilities is established , that later promotes symbolic thinking.

Our goals are:

• To support and enhance the development of each child in their social and intellectual development by offering opportunities to interact with other children and animals and to explore the natural world daily, weekly and throughout the year.
• To support and enhance each child’s creative abilities by offering the opportunity to participate in art, music, dance, storytelling, and dramatics throughout the day and for special events and celebrations.
• To support and enhance each child’s spiritual development and communication skills by offering opportunities and time for reflection, exploration, and conversation with both children and adults daily, weekly and throughout the year.

Major Programs:

The Plum Hill Preschool was founded in 2001 and it continues to be a successful preschool to children ages 2.9 and up. Currently there are 20 families attending. We serve up to 15 children per day from 8:30 - 3:00 p.m.  This includes snack for the a.m. program. The extended day program offers lunch, quiet rest and afternoon activity.  Enrollment may be on a full (5-day) or part week option.  In keeping with the Waldorf Nursery groupings, we provide for children in a mixed age setting.  The school operates on a 38 week, school year calendar beginning in mid-September and closing in mid-June.  We will follow the public school calendar for holidays and vacation weeks.  

The Island Waldorf Community also helps working parents whose children attend the Plum Hill Preschool by offering scholarships for the afterschool program.

A Parent/Toddler program that brings parents and children together to build friendships and inspire parenting has been added recently.

501(c)(3)? Yes

Form 990 Filed? No

Basic Financial Information: as of 06/30/06

Total Income:  $103,970

Total Expenses: $102,155

Board Members:

April Thanhauser, Co-Chair
Patti Roads,  Co Chair
Melissa Kagan, Treasurer
Bonnie Lavoie, Secretary
Megan Anderson
Ben Hall
Michelle Brescia
Michelle Marks
Megan Athearn
Sarah Nevin