Point Reyes Light - November 10, 2004
Waldorf-lunch tradition and sweat-lodge stir Lagunitas school board
By Jim Kravets
San Geronimo School staff from the Waldorf-inspired program say that the Kindergartners’ school day is 20 minutes too short.
Currently, kindergartners are dismissed at 12:10 p.m. along with the rest of the kindergartners. But under a proposal under consideration this week by the Lagunitas School Board, the school day could be extended to 12:30 p.m. for students in the Waldorf-inspired program.
Trustee Thelma Weiss said that the additional 20 minutes would be for an extended teaching-lunch.
"The teacher would join the students during lunch," explained Weiss. "It’s part of the Waldorf-methods."
A drawback, Weiss said, would be that the teacher has less time to fraternize with other faculty during the break.
"It’s really important for teachers to have that time together," she added, noting that the proposed extension would make the Waldorf students’ day 20 minutes longer than the other kindergartners in the district.
Sweat lodge on campus to be considered
In other news, district trustees will be considering whether to allow Native American-type "sweat lodge" ceremonies to take place monthly on school property. The idea has been put forward by Richmond-based Native American Fred Wahpepah and his Seven Circles Foundation, an organization which shares Native American ethics and rituals with local communities. The "sweats" would be held on Saturday evenings, after school hours, and would be open to the public.
A traditional sweat lodge structure – a half-dome woven from saplings – already exists on the school campus. Ceremonies were discontinued due to insurance concerns, and the structure hasn’t attracted much attention since.
"If you walked by it you wouldn’t notice it," said Weiss. "Just look for the yarmulke made out of twigs."
Two weeks ago Sheriff’s deputies were summoned by neighbors complaining about similar rituals held at a private San Geronimo Valley residence. Neighbors complained of loud drumming from a resident whom deputies reported was, "using his home as a place of worship."