Sending all of you a sunny hello! I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see the Pioneer Valley wake up from the winter. Seeing the fields become rich with emerald green grass again, migratory birds flying through, and the tulips popping up all over to dance in the wind. The myriad of spring colors just reminds us of the beauty in the world.

Most of all, the beauty in our children's daily world at Hartsbrook continues to blossom! From the joyous time on the field watching the moon crawl across the sun's path; watching their hard dedication and creative spirit in the class play; hearing of their brave Olympiad training; listening to your child write a summary on the Golden Goblet; communicating in full Spanish sentences; fiddling their instrument with purpose and harmony; converting fractions in the kitchen as they bake; and willingly sweep because their grand handmade broom needs work (the brooms that have been brewing since the seeds were planted in fourth grade!). No matter the season, Hartsbrook is always fulfilling our children with beauty.

So thank you to all of the Hartsbrook teachers and staff who make this place what it is. Thank you to all of the volunteers, parents, guardians, extended family, and alumni who gave their time and money (If you have already given to the Annual Fund this year, then your donation goes towards this 100% giving goal). It is the hours and the dollars that make our place at Hartsbrook what it is. And when we all give in both areas, we ALL benefit. Giving time and money isn't always easy, but if we all give what we can when we can, that is what makes it all work. When others go out and write grants and state that 100% of our community gives to the Annual Fund, it helps our chances of getting the grant. So please take a moment to decide how much you can give this year. That gift, whether small or large, is what makes our school thrive.

Your gift made during May Day of Giving directly supports and sustains: World Languages, Practical Arts, Agricultural Arts, Waldorf teacher training, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resources and programming, Land Stewardship, math and science, and our sliding scale tuition model.

For those able to read on, I thought I would share our story with Waldorf as we just joined the Hartsbrook community. Our family cannot convey how thankful we are that we found Hartsbrook. We moved from the San Francisco Bay area to have Penelope in Hartsbrook and for us to be a part of the Hartsbrook community. Every single day we recognize that we landed in a special place. I am a former public school teacher of over 10 years, then a teacher for 4 years at a CA Waldorf school. And my daughters went from 4-6 years at Waldorf to homeschooling and then to separate private schools. Waldorf is a very very special place to grow up in and learn in; we missed Waldorf the four years our girls were not in it. I find it hard to explain to others the truest value Waldorf offers not only for our children, but to all those connected to it. (I mean...the parent/guardian support is a true gift to us and our kids!)

But going from teaching in a public school (where my hands felt tied behind my back to help kids and allow them to develop in creative ways) to a Waldorf school (where kids think outside of the box while caring for the people and world around them) is so special. Describing what our kids do can seem archaic or peculiar to people unfamiliar with Waldorf, but stepping in and seeing your child flourish in Waldorf is the dawning of the light.

In addition, the schools that went through tougher times of isolation during Covid are not able to support their students' social-emotional health no matter how hard they try due to limited resources. Schools and kids are still rising up out of that hard time in history. We experienced it first hand and it was brutal. Yet, Hartsbrook and other Waldorf communities were able to continue community. Plus, Waldorf teachers have always been trained to help children socially and emotionally through their years of growth. I get chills reading Heather's emails or listening to her talk to us about what she is doing to hold our children through natural social challenges. You really cannot get that anywhere else. You just cannot. (Add on the social support of the farm animals, I mean, WOW! Maybe not every child wants to scoop the pen, but all want to feed or be near them. The laughter that bounces around the group when they are with the animal friends lifts others in earshot to a joyous smile. Hartsbrook is a true gem!)

Thank you for your support!

Warmest hug,

Emily Cashen