Featured Article: Ritual, Tradition And Ceremony In A Waldorf-Inspired School - Part 3

1-30-2009

By Susan Simon, Principal

Ceremonies are ritual observances performed at special occasions. The formal observance of a ceremony honors and celebrates rituals and traditions. School ceremonies present opportunities for the local community to come together in celebration of the students and the entire school community. Ceremonies help to institutionalize the priorities of a school because they show what the school values in a public way. Solemnity, respect and honor are often by-products of ceremony.

Ritual, tradition and ceremony are essential components of any good school community. Schools actively involved in creating and following ritual and tradition, and honoring them through ceremony, build incredible spaces for academic, artistic and social learning experiences to occur. One of the outcomes of ceremony is great enthusiasm expressed by students, teachers and parents. Enthusiasm is an important partner to the learning process.

Rituals, traditions and ceremonies become more quickly publicized and institutionalized when they are visible. Icons or objects that represent rituals and traditions and are utilized in ceremonies serve as reminders of what the ceremony celebrates - e.g. floral wreaths for May Day, paper lanterns for the Lantern Walk. Ceremonies help us tap into feelings of inspiration and pride. They possess a strong emotional response because they usually recognize or praise some characteristic of the human spirit. A rich ceremonial history brings great pride, joy and a sense of purpose to a school community.

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