Our school just had its annual community meeting yesterday.  Yes I typed it right, a community meeting.  Is there such a thing?  well actually… yes there is.

It’s one of those things that made Manila Waldorf a home not only for my children, for us parents, but even for the grandparents.  It’s during these sessions that important matters regarding the school, its curriculum and future are discussed and voted upon by all the member-families, a.k.a. everyone with children enrolled.

Manila Waldorf 2009 Community meeting

Tuition fee increase?  Can you think of a school that will call its parents to discuss possible tuition fee increase?  Yes, we also had that meeting a few years back.  Don’t we just get a memo about the tuition fee increase and bear with it?  Not with our school, apparently.

I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised.  If a school is as different as ours, I guess it follows that even it’s structure is just as different.

In true Manila Waldorf fashion, this year we were gathered to discuss the pending “request” for a school bond.  Mind you, it’s still substantial but definitely just a small fraction of what the bigger schools ask for.  That request is part of the school’s move to a permanent venue, it’ gives them a clearer picture of the community’s commitment to move with them.

Of course, there are those who may oppose or are very concerned with such moves, especially those with difficulties.  But, what was overwhelming and shows how the school has really become a community, is the pervading sentiment of cooperation.  Those parents vocal enough, turned the event into a mini-rally to encourage others to finally commit and help the school move forward.  The school for their part, again true to its nature, offered that the bond need not be in monetary terms alone.  But commitment can also be made in other forms.  It can be to actively participate in enrollment drives, transport system, or even establishing compelementary kinder schools that will help further the objectives of the main school.

Again, I shouldn’t have been surprised,  after all, its a school that made a vow not to turn away a student merely because of financial constraints. Isn’t it “Kung ayaw maraming dahilan, kung nais, maraming paraan.” Its just a matter of thinking of what way we can be of service to the school.  The school would just be as “easy to talk to” (those are their words)

Now isn’t that refreshing!  Imagine, in this day and age,  when money talks, the spirit can still make it listen.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at 9:33 am and is filed under School matters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.