Waldorf Academy Toronto To Visit The Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School

The Toronto, Ontario based Waldorf Academy is pleased to announce that their Grade 4 students will soon be visiting the Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School. This scheduled visit is intended to help fulfill the academy’s mission to give their students an active and experiential relationship with learning, as well as help them reconnect to the roots of the land.

“In line with Waldorf’s centennial celebration, Waldorf Academy, together with the Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School, are two of the schools that are engaging in social and environmental projects for 2019 and 2020. The goal of the celebration is to work to improve connectedness between regions, communities, and nations through various projects that will help to educate children about becoming considerate global citizens in the future,” says Jennifer Deathe, Admissions Manager at Waldorf Academy.

The Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School was established in 2010 by a group of teachers and parents who were looking for a more holistic education for their children—one that incorporated learning a potentially dying language. The Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School promotes the language used by Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk), one of the members of the Five Nations Confederacy as well as the Six Nations Confederacy, when it expanded in 1722.

Kanyen’keha is a polysynthetic language, which means that the words often consist of combinations of other words, making it a very descriptive language. Unlike English, Kanyen’keha doesn’t contain labial sounds (sounds that require either partial or complete closing of the lips), and so the language doesn’t use the letters B, F, M, P, or V, for example. After years of research into developing the most effective program, the Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School decided to incorporate the Waldorf education system, which is the same as the one being used at Waldorf Academy Toronto.

Deathe explains that the students from Waldorf Academy will visit the Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School to embark on a trip to discover classrooms that are similar to their own yet have very different roots. Students will get the opportunity to learn how language plays a crucial role to preserving the local culture, and save it from extinction.

She states that at the Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School, the students are taught the Kanyen’keha language, which they use to communicate every day. This way, they will become fluent with the language so they can pass it down to their future children, and save the language for another generation. “We are now teaching our students to learn basic Kanyen’keha so they could properly communicate with the students from the Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School. As part of the immersive experience, we want the children to learn how to greet each other, introduce themselves, and pronounce Mohawk names properly,” says Deathe.

The Waldorf system of education, which is being utilized by both the Skaronhyase’kó:wa Everlasting Tree School and Waldorf Academy, considers that during the first years of life, children learn best by being immersed in an environment where they can glean facts through unconscious imitation of practical activities. The early childhood curriculum therefore, centers on experiential education, allowing children to learn through relevant examples and opportunities for imaginative play.

Furthermore, Waldorf Academy Toronto is regarded as one of the most trusted private schools in the greater Toronto area, as illustrated by a number of positive reviews and feedback from parents whose kids are currently enrolled in Waldorf Academy. Many of its graduates also commend the school for having excellent curricula and facilities, as well as competent teachers and instructors.

Anita L. said, in a Yelp review at https://www.yelp.ca/biz/waldorf-academy-toronto, “My kids have spent eight years at Waldorf Academy and it has given us so many memories, so much community, and a joy of learning we hope won't be killed in high school in the next few years. Education shouldn't be a race, but a journey, and that's what my two daughters have had at the Waldorf Academy.”

Meanwhile, another satisfied parent, Tyler Hague, said, “Waldorf Academy has the best elements of a small town school in the big city. Small class sizes, caring and involved teachers, and wonderful connections between students. Our daughter’s creative spirit has soared in this environment, and we feel her foundational relationship to learning is incredibly strong.”

Those who wish to learn more may contact Jennifer Deathe of the Waldorf Academy, or visit the school’s website. Interested parties may also connect with the Waldorf Academy through their official Facebook page to stay up to date with their latest news and important announcements.