The South Shore Waldorf School (SSWS) has always been known as “The Little School that Could.”  From our earliest beginnings on a parent’s farm, to our move to the original Blockhouse School in the summer of 2001, to our purchase of our property in 2013, we have always relied on the support of those who share our belief that financially accessible Waldorf education is needed in this community. 

 There are two exciting ways in which you can support the South Shore Waldorf School & Kindergarten: 

• Annual Giving Campaign
• Borrowing & Donating Circle (BDC IV)

• This year our Annual Giving Campaign runs from December 2021 until March, 2022. Our goal is to raise $35,000 with 100% participation of board, faculty, staff and current families. All donations are truly needed to help our school thrive. Even $10 can make an impact.

One of the founding principles of our school is to strive to make Waldorf education available for all who desire it. Our tuition is the lowest of any independent school in the province. The only Waldorf schools in Canada with tuition comparable to ours receive government funding (in British Columbia and Alberta).  As an independent school in Nova Scotia, SSWS receives no government funding.  Our tuition revenue covers about 70% of the actual cost of delivering our programs.  In any given year, between 30%-40% of our school families receive tuition adjustments in the form of a work credit or a fee adjustment based on their available income. 

Contributions from current and past families, their extended family members, friends and other community members who value Waldorf education are critical to helping our school meet its fundraising goals and keep Waldorf education accessible.  

• The Borrowing and Donating Circle is a fantastic way to make a significant contribution to our capital projects at the school with small monthly payments. More details on the Borrowing and Donating Circle are included in the attached FAQ sheet.

 This year our Borrowing and Donating Circle (#4) supports the building of a 32-ft diameter yurt classroom to meet our growing program needs. The yurt project is already in the process of being built on our grounds. As always, our students have been fully engaged with the changes on their campus.  In fact, they are so engaged that even the builders working on the base of the yurt were impressed by them.

“What a wonderful experience that was! The kids were awesome and impressive. In the past, while working on schools, when a student would walk by, they stop and stare. As soon as we talk with them they duck their heads and shy away. Not one student at Waldorf did that. They walk up and say hi or ask a question. Sometimes I would jokingly inform them they needed to come and help. Not one student declined! I have never seen so much consistent confidence in a student body. So many of them said, “Thank you for building our yurt.” It was a very positive day and experience for us.” - Jeff Whiting

 This is a testament to what we see in the classrooms everyday, and it speaks to the heart of Waldorf education.

 I ask you to join me in giving a gift to the 2021-2022 Annual Giving Campaign. 

To join our fourth Borrowing & Donating Community Circle, please contact the Community Representative, Rita Landgraf, at rita.landgraf@waldorfns.org or at 902-527-7870. 

Sincerely,

Caitlin Rooney, School Development and Enrolment Coordinator

South Shore Waldorf School

caitlin.rooney@waldorfns.org

P.S.: Please consider encouraging family and friends to support your commitment to your child’s education at the South Shore Waldorf School. We have a sample letter that you can send them. If you can personalize this letter with a comment about your child’s experience at SSWS this will enhance its power to motivate their support.