Reflections A magazine for family, friends, and supporters of The Camphill School
SPRING + SUMMER 2019 Editor’s Letter Blessings on the blossom Blessings on the fruit Reflections Blessings on the leaf and stem Blessings on the root Contents 4 Bill Daggett: A Necessary Responsibility / 5 Gardening at The Camphill School: A Beautiful Contribution / 6 Giving to Camphill: The PA EITC Program Is a Game Changer / 8 The Three Essentials: Our Work Takes Root / 10 Places We Did Not Know: Max’s Journey to Beaver Run / 12 Fund in Focus: Accelerated Assets Fund / 13 Spark Creativity / 14 2019 Gala / 15 The Camphill Gala Wants to Send You to Cancun This blessing, sang together before so many lunches here at The Camphill School, is a favorite of mine. It is especially fitting at this time of year as the buds of springtime are bursting forth. At Camphill, we are truly blessed by nature, from the blossom all the way down to the root.
I have said this many times before, dear readers, so forgive my repeating myself: I am so fortunate to work at The Camphill School. Not only do I get to enjoy lunch with our students in Longhouse and Whitestone, I also have lunch with the Meadowsweet kindergar- teners. I count my blessings that I can share a midday meal with many of the students I cherish knowing. I am fortunate that Meadowsweet kindergarten is also where my youngest son, Flynn, spends his days. The fact that I can share lunch with him and his friends is incredibly special.
His deep love, admiration, and reverence of nature is beyond com- pare. He is interested in every living thing—trees, flowers, birds, bees, and most importantly his fellow humans. This comes from his own internal impulse, but also because his experiences at Meadowsweet have deepened the fascination.
Each child here is rooted in nature and explores it daily, either in or out of the classroom. Nature nourishes us in so many ways. At The Camphill School our Earth and all her creatures are cherished and cared for as deeply and wholly as our students. This is why we share
2018–2019 Board of Directors Jennifer Nilsen, President / Tom Rosendale, Treasurer / Claus Sproll, Secretary / Sonja Adams a blessing on nature and all her influences so often. Guy Alma / Bethany Asplundh / John R. Fish, O.D. / Brent Franklin / Kylie Gilliams / Jan Christopher Goeschel, Ph.D. / Bill Hagner William C. Herman, Esq. / Rosemary Huether / Fran Kinniry / Amy P. McHugh / Sarah Schreck / Andreas Schuschke / Bernard Wolf Emeriti Manfred Maier / Raymond Ripper
Editor Courtney Coffman Contributors Amy Gleicher / Maggie Hegney / Libby Sanders Courtney Coffman Photography Contributors Michael Oliveira Editor
2 REFLECTIONS SPRING + SUMMER 2019 CAMPHILLSCHOOL.ORG 3 Feature Feature Bill Daggett: A Necessary Responsibility Gardening at The Camphill School: 01 / Seventh grader Simon heads off to By Maggie Hegney, Development Officer A Beautiful Contribution deliver an arrangement he and his classmates created 01 / Bill Daggett at our schoolhouse By Courtney Coffman
immediate action and formed the It is February. I struggle to get to Last year, the crew also started “We are outside in nature, not just Kistler Tiffany Foundation. Today, the Garden Shed, tucked behind supplying the classrooms with floral going for a walk, but looking for cer- the foundation provides various Trillium and Garden House. There arrangements. Each week, students tain things. Our eyes are open and levels of support to different non- is a thick layer of ice-covered walk the campus looking for sea- we learn to identify new plants. We profit organizations throughout the snow on the ground. It is a bit sonal blooms (yes, blooms even in discover what blooms in the winter region. treacherous. It didn’t help that winter!) to incorporate in the vases. We learn to do things for others,” I am in the wrong shoes for this They then arrange what they have Lisa shares. The next venture for Six years ago, Bill was introduced kind of traversing. I have actu- gathered and deliver them to each the garden crew is to forage wild to The Camphill School through ally never ventured to the Garden class. food and learn what can be con- Brent Franklin, one of our board Shed in my nearly fourteen years sumed or used in their creations. members and a fellow member at Camphill. I wasn’t sure what to I watch the seventh graders Lisa also would like each class to of Philadelphia’s Business Clubs expect. put some of the arrangements have their own patch in the garden America. He recalls his first time on together. Each sprig and stem to grow whatever they wish. Much The Camphill School campus: “Guy As I open the door to the modest placed in its vase just so; each one like Mary in The Secret Garden, [Alma] and I spent an hour walk- brown structure, I am welcomed carried down the hill proudly and Lisa knows that healing, hope, and ing around, and I remember seeing by warmth, light, and comfort. It is placed prominently in classrooms love grow from well-loved and well- a young woman playing an adap- surprising, and I am taken aback to of friends. What a beautiful contri- tended bits of earth. tive violin on her lap. I was struck by the stark contrast of where I just bution to the school! how resolutely she was working on came from. Plus, this is the Garden it, and she was so good.” “Shed”—yet it is the furthest thing from a shed. It smells of dried herbs Bill and Kistler Tiffany Benefits have and flowers. I immediately forget been a supporter of the school the winter outside. since that first visit in 2013. He gen- erously contributes to our annual Lisa Schmitz greets me, and we fund each year and says that he sit down to chat. Lisa has been at loves introducing people to the The Camphill School since 2000. school. Bill believes it is a neces- She has a true gardener’s spirit and sary responsibility of a business wanted to lead the Garden Crew 01 owner to give back to the commu- at the school for a long time. She nity, and he takes pride in support- finally got her wish and is revamp- One of the things you first notice of our world. “I’ve always thought ing The Camphill School and the ing what they do. After taking about Bill Daggett is his dedi- it was important to give back, and many other charitable organizations classes in herbalism, she has devel- cation to his work. Bill has been I’m ecstatic that I’m able to support he champions. For Bill, it seems, oped a passion for creating rem- with Kistler Tiffany Benefits, an causes that I care about. It’s excit- dedication comes easily. This is his edies and is sharing that with the employee benefits firm, for his ing to see people’s ideas for making fifty-fourth year at Kistler Tiffany students. entire working career. In Bill’s the world better be put into action.” Benefits, and he tells us that his words, he has “carried a Kistler This impulse to give back took on a three sons all work for the company The focus used to be growing food. card all my life.” new form thirty years ago when Bill and he still goes into the office on Now, Lisa and the students are and four of his colleagues attended weekends. We are grateful that this growing healing herbs and flowers Bill likes deals, enjoys working a speech on charitable giving. The steadfastness extends to his sup- that they make into herb salts, teas, 01 with people, and loves seeing how group was so inspired by what they port of The Camphill School too! salves, and tinctures. non-profits meet the challenges heard that they decided to take
4 REFLECTIONS SPRING + SUMMER 2019 CAMPHILLSCHOOL.ORG 5 Giving
01 / Coworker Julia at the Valentine’s Dance 02 / Nina in the pottery studio at Beaver Giving to Camphill: with eleventh grader Zara Farm with staff member Sam The PA EITC Program Is a Game Changer
HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM BENEFIT emphasized. Applications are sub- CAMPHILL SPECIAL SCHOOL? mitted on July 1 for all first-time busi- THANK YOU! Funds donated by businesses will ness applicants. To participate in the We are so grateful to the following for support our financial aid program for EITC program, visit the Department of contributing to our EITC program: Pennsylvania students who lack Community and Economic Development government or personal resources. (DCED) website (http://newpa.org/) to Craig & April Adams complete an online application. HOW DOES A BUSINESS APPLY? The process is simple, but dead- lines and timely compliance must be
IMPORTANT DATES
MAY MAY JULY 15 15 1
Business applicants Businesses that All other 01 that have fulfilled their are in the middle businesses two-year commitment of their two-year and wish to reapply to commitment renew their two-year It’s not just other factors. Perhaps two-thirds or WHO QUALIFIES FOR EITC? commitment three-quarters of the donation amount Any business authorized to do business for business is still out of pocket to the donor. in Pennsylvania that is subject to one or However, in the case of the EITC pro- more of the following taxes: anymore! gram and individual tax credits, the • Personal Income Tax Turn your PA tax dollars into tuition donor’s net cost of the donation can • Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax assistance for our students! be as little as 6–7 cents on the dollar. • Corporate Net Income Tax Effectively, you can make a donation • Bank Shares Tax Why is this opportunity through the to The Camphill School instead of • Title Insurance & Trust Company PA EITC program so significant? paying taxes to the Commonwealth of Shares Tax Insurance Premium Tax Essentially, it enables you to redirect Pennsylvania. (excluding surplus lines, unautho- your Pennsylvania tax dollars—almost rized, domestic/foreign marine) Mark Solomon dollar for dollar—to The Camphill Interested individuals can call the • Mutual Thrift Tax School for tuition assistance for our Development Office at 610.469.9236 to • Malt Beverage Tax students from Pennsylvania and other learn more about the specific mecha- • Retaliatory Fees under section 212 of qualifying purposes. This is “tax-effi- nism for participating in this program. the Insurance Company Law of 1921 cient giving” at its very best. To qualify for the program, individuals should pay If your business pays PA taxes, you HOW DOES EITC BENEFIT MY $7,000 or more in PA taxes annually. may be able to give AND receive. BUSINESS? In the case of a typical charitable, The EITC (Educational Improvement Eligible businesses can receive a tax tax-deductible donation, the amount Tax Credit) Program enables credit equal to 75% of their contribu- of the donation may be deducted from Pennsylvania businesses to invest tion to The Camphill School. This credit one’s income, reducing the taxable directly in the education of our chil- increases to 90% if the business com- Would you like to see yourself or your income amount and therefore one’s dren through financial aid. The applica- mits to give the same amount for two business on this list next year? tax bill. However, there is still a signifi- tion process is simple, and the benefits consecutive years. cant net cost to the donor, depending to our students and their families are Contact Maggie at 610.469.9236 x119 or 02 on the donor’s tax bracket and various transformational. [email protected].
6 REFLECTIONS SPRING + SUMMER 2019 CAMPHILLSCHOOL.ORG 7 Feature
01 / Meadowsweet student Flynn headed 02 / Paraprofessional Megan with first The Three Essentials: Our Work Takes Root to walk in the woods grader Emerzon By Libby Sanders, Coworker
In 1965, Karl Koenig wrote an of “essentials” as necessary ingre- pink or yellow, in the bud or in full 02 essay known as “The Three dients or components, with the bloom, in a garden or in a vase— Essentials” of Camphill. Koenig’s implication that other components and that’s the bit that really matters! “three essentials” were his are, well, non-essential. The flower, “A rose by any other name . . .” attempt to articulate that special even the thorn, is “essential” to “something” that made Camphill the rose. The color? Not so much. In our daily life the “essential” takes different from other schools and This understanding of “essential” on another meaning altogether. boarding homes for children with is reductive. Reducing a thing to its Rather than moving from a place special needs. “essentials” is like whittling away of diversity and difference to the at something—a plant, a school, a essential, we have to move from The “three essentials” are things person—to the point where we can the essential towards a place of we can readily acknowledge and say, “Ignore the rest, this one little diversity and difference! This is an easily understand: bit, this is the bit that really mat- expansive approach to the essen- ters!” A reductive approach can tials. The essential isn’t where 1. Everyone must be treated with help us see what is (or what should we end up, it’s where we begin. In dignity and respect. be) the same across the board. It this instance, what is “essential” can help us define a thing, describe about a rose is not the shape of its 2. Teachers must cultivate their what makes a rose a rose and not flower, but rather the fact that you own inner creativity as a path a daisy, or, as Koenig did, distin- gave this rose, this particular rose, of self-education in order to guish between Camphill and other to me! The rose carries with it a help their students grow and schools. You can have all sorts of whole story, much bigger and more flourish. variations, but roses have that dis- detailed than the fact of its spiraling tinctive rose flower—whether it’s petals. A rose by any other name 3. The community in which our work takes place must be cared 01 might smell as sweet, but no other be reduced to an easy-to-follow always different, and particular for and nurtured. rose can carry the sweetness of set of rules. Treating everyone ways. this rose. as complete, whole, equal human While these three may seem, on beings means, in practice, that I As Koenig said in his essay, these their face, to be rather straight- As with roses, so too with human actually need to act quite differently essentials are ideals insofar as forward, how do these essentials beings. While it might be a bit more depending on who I am with. This they describe us but also guide us, show up in the daily life of a com- difficult to imagine, this expansive is an important lesson that all of us and thus they might never be fully munity like The Camphill School at “essential” is the one we actually learn at The Camphill School: There realized. The three essentials can Beaver Run and Beaver Farm? live out every day. Take something is no single way to be with oth- be understood as characteristics as seemingly universal as the first ers, and, furthermore, there might of our school community, as ideals Another way of asking this ques- essential. It’s one thing to acknowl- not even be a single way to be to strive towards, and as the soil tion is, Just what do we mean when edge the fact that we are all com- with this particular person. In truth, in which we grow and in which our we say that something is “essen- plete, whole, and fundamentally there is only my way of being with work takes root. In this sense, they tial”? There are two ways of under- equal human beings. It’s another you, and that is different from how are realized differently, essentially, standing this substantial word, thing altogether to witness that fact you may need to be with another. every day. It’s no wonder that this both of which we need to under- to one another. How we recognize The timeless, universal fact of our little, provisional essay continues stand in getting closer to what the and treat one another with dignity common humanity, this essential to bear so much fruit. “three essentials” might offer for and respect becomes a deeply of Camphill, is necessarily lived out us today. In the first way, we think interpersonal social art, and cannot in ever-changing, ever-growing,
8 REFLECTIONS SPRING + SUMMER 2019 CAMPHILLSCHOOL.ORG 9 Alumni Places We Did Not Know: 01/Amy, Max, and Warren Gleicher when Max was 8 Max’s Journey to Beaver Run By Amy Gleicher
I was shocked and horrified to 01 Each family has its realize this. own trajectory to So, we sought to find Max a life BR. Here is ours: and, with extraordinary luck, At 17 months, Max was diag- discovered Beaver Run. There Max nosed with Fragile X. This diagno- found friends, companionship, love, sis answered a lot of questions for and support—a full life. He moved me, such as why Max didn't walk or there at age 6 and graduated at talk. I was frightened, yet relieved age 19. Beaver Run raised him. to know why he had missed every They prepared him for adulthood. milestone. We immediately began
every therapy and education pro- Here we are, twenty years later. gram possible, even home school- Max is 26 and has a wonderful life, ing. These interventions were very one that Beaver Run made pos- helpful. Still, Max’s behavior was sible: He lives on a farm in New challenging beyond imagination. England and has everything we We struggled. wanted for him—close friends, We tried to give a wide social network, satisfy- ing work, and the support that he him everything needs—exactly what all parents but could not. want for their children. What we could not give Max was extended family (aunts, uncles, Beaver Run made possible Max’s cousins) or friends. Max’s world opportunities for the marvelous was comprised of his therapists, life he enjoys now. Beaver Run his father, brothers, and me. All oth- respected Max and educated, ers turned away from us. Mothers loved, and supported him. Their of other children did not want their faith in Max sustained all of us. children around Max. Even our own We are so fortunate. families were uncomfortable, stay- ing away from us. Max took us to “places” we did not know existed and his needs We plugged along. stretched us further than we could Then when he was 5, I suddenly have imagined. I may have given became ill and landed in the hospi- him life, but Beaver Run gave Max tal for three months. Hired caregiv- a life. They gave the world to Max. ers moved into the house to care for Max. Once I was back on my feet and in full control I “saw”—in stark black and white—that with- out me at the helm, Max had no life. None.
10 REFLECTIONS SPRING + SUMMER 2019 CAMPHILLSCHOOL.ORG 11 Giving Giving Fund in Focus: Spark Creativity Accelerated Assets Fund
At The Camphill School, we are taught with creativity and, in The Camphill School strives to inform our turn, we learn to be creative. supporters of not only where their generous contributions are being used, but also to It has to be this way. What works for one of us who is on the allow them to choose where they can direct autism spectrum may not work for another of us with Down their investment in our students’ education syndrome. Our teachers, house parents, and helpers have to and growth. Our twice-annual newsletters find the key to unlock the potential in each of us. This takes will feature the funds that are available for many different forms. donors to give. At The Camphill School, the arts give voice to the true spirit Thanks to the generosity of our commu- of the human being, regardless of the abilities of the artist. nity of donors, The Camphill School is
consistently able to meet our fundrais- The Camphill School’s Extended School Year (ESY) is a pro- ing goals. Our donors enable the school gram that gives us another four weeks of educational cur- to continuously improve and expand our riculum after the regular school year ends. We love getting educational, therapeutic, and residen- the extra time here at Camphill! We do so many fun things, tial programming and assist students in all while continuing to reach toward academic and interper- need of financial support. These contri- sonal growth. butions from students’ family members and friends, alumni families, individu- For this year’s ESY, The Camphill School will have visiting als, corporations, and foundations, along artists-in-residence—all the way from Ireland! We will get with solid enrollment and thoughtful, to work with these incredible artists named Tom Meskell conservative budgeting, allow us to fulfill and Carmel Balfe. Tom worked with some of our friends last our mission. year at the International Whitsun Festival to create beautiful illuminated sculptures. We are so excited that we will get to We celebrate our strengths and are learn from them! committed to growth. As The Camphill School has evolved and expanded over They are going to help us make puppets and sculptures, the years, so have the needs of the com- teach us how to design and build sets, and work with all of munity and the students. Our school us so that at the end of ESY we can put on a magical pageant continues to make improvements to the performance for all our friends, families, and the public. aging infrastructure and grow our cam- puses to lay the foundation for another Will you make a donation to help us bring these wonderful 55 years of serving students with special artists to our school this summer? We hope you can come needs. see our performance, but if not we promise to show you lots of pictures! We have invested in new facilities and properties for program development. Most sincerely, Each of these investments allows for the addition or expansion of programs that will better or more fully serve our stu- The Students at The Camphill School dents. Accelerated retirement of these mortgages will make available capital to P.S. Thinking of the learning we will get to do this meet the future needs of the school. As summer thanks to your donation makes the winter our capacity expands and the needs of current and future students change, the wish to help the school reduce our liabil- If you are interested in supporting this go faster. We really appreciate you helping us bring school wishes to repay loans aggressively ity holdings so additional resources can fund, please contact Maggie Hegney more creativity into our Extended School Year as to secure our long-term fiscal robustness. be used to improve existing buildings at [email protected] or we strive to raise $15,000 to make this possible! The school’s Accelerated Assets Fund and support the vital programs needed 610.469.9236 x119. accepts contributions from donors who to ensure the future of our children.
12 REFLECTIONS SPRING + SUMMER 2019 CAMPHILLSCHOOL.ORG 13 The 2019 Camphill Gala wants to send you to . . . Happenings & Events
If you look the right way, you can see that the whole Find the Ultimate All-Inclusive Indulgence in Cancun, Mexico, for Five Days & Four Nights at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun in a Junior Suite with Economy Class Air for Two! world is a garden. Delight in the unexpected at Hyatt Zilara™, waters combined with Mexico’s famous Your spacious junior suite provides the epitome of comfort and a relaxing ambiance. — From The Secret Garden by and escape to a luxurious all-inclusive hospitality make this a place unlike any oasis of sophistication, casual elegance, other! Exercise in a state-of-the-art fitness The junior suite features a sitting area and Frances Hodgson Burnett and comfort. Carry nothing but a beach center or pamper yourself in Cancun’s only furnished terrace. towel because your meals, drinks, and ocean-view spa with eco-holistic, Mayan- Your trip for two includes: unforgettable memories are all included. This inspired treatments, including a traditional • Round-trip Economy Class air is your haven in the heart of Cancun’s Zona Temazcal steam hut, sauna, and cold plunge Join us for • 5 days/4 nights accommodations at the Hotelera to enjoy an adults-only experience pool. Or make the most of the tropical Hyatt Zilara Cancun in a Junior Suite at a beachfront property featuring plush sunshine with outdoor sports, including • All meals and gourmet dining, anytime accommodations, impressive amenities, complimentary access to bicycle rentals, a snacks, unlimited drinks, and 24-hour food and world-class service, where you can lighted rooftop tennis court, two refreshing service experience traditional Mexican warmth swimming pools, and boogie board, beach • Sensational entertainment: daily and nightly with intimate casual elegance. volleyball, and water basketball equipment activities, including theme parties, contests, rentals. Sophisticated culinary options in Set on the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of singers, and live performances six gourmet restaurants, wine and spirits Quintana Roo, Hyatt Zilara Cancun features • Wireless Internet tastings, beach butler service, and unlimited a dramatic beachfront, one of the widest • Gratuities and hotel taxes alcoholic beverages add to the indulgence beaches in all of Cancun, and an unlimited • Free concierge reservation service of this all-inclusive resort. And once the array of recreational activities, world- ESTIMATED VALUE: $7,400 sun sets, you can unwind with top-notch class wellness and fitness services, and entertainment featuring live music and entertainment options. Warm white powdery performances. sand beaches and turquoise crystal clear Gala Friday, May 31, 2019 Raffle Tickets 6 o’clock Phoenixville Foundry are $50 Each or Three for $100! Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
You will be treated to an unforgettable evening of celebrating and supporting Need not be present to win. Winning ticket will be drawn at the Gala on May 31, 2019. the students of The Camphill School. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. Airport taxes and carrier- imposed fees are the responsibility of the passenger. Flights may not be upgraded with miles. Blackout dates: Feb 14–18, Apr 18–27, Dec 21–31. A minimum 30-day advance reservation is required. Package originates from the Contiguous U.S. Travel is valid for 12 months from date of issue. This property is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort for guests age 18 and above. The Camphill School employees, coworkers, and anyone living in their households are not eligible to win. CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellation prior to arrival may be subject to forfeiture of reservations and funds. Visit camphillschool.org or bidpal.net/ camphill2019 for information, to pre- Cut here. view and bid on silent auction items, Name Phone Email buy raffle tickets, purchase much- needed items for our students, get Address City, State, Zip your tickets, or sponsor the event. I have enclosed a check made payable to The Camphill School in the amount of $ One (1) Ticket ($50)
Questions? Contact Courtney at Three (3) Tickets ($100) Please charge $ to my Visa MasterCard Discover American Express [email protected] or 610.469.9236 x 132. Tickets Card No. Exp. Date
14 REFLECTIONS SPRING + SUMMER 2019 Mail: The Camphill School, 1784 Fairview Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343 Phone: 610.469.9236x132 Online: bidpal.net/camphill2019 Thank You for Your Support! 1784 Fairview Road Glenmoore, PA 19343 610.469.9236 INDICIA camphillschool.org
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April 30 CAMPUS TOUR 9 a.m. HELP CAMPHILL SPECIAL May 7 CAMPUS TOUR 9 a.m. SCHOOL CONSERVE May 31 GALA (see pages 14–15) 6 p.m. RESOURCES. Choose to receive future issues of Reflections via email. Send your digital subscription request to reflections@ camphillschool.org. VISIT CAMPHILLSCHOOL.ORG2019 FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT ALL EVENTS.
Waldorf® is a registered service mark of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and Join the growing ranks of the Pietzner Legacy used by agreement of membership in AWSNA. Society by naming our supporting foundation, Beaver Run Foundation, in your will or other estate plans. Call Courtney Coffman at 610.469.9236 x132 for more information.
The Camphill School’s mission is to create wholeness for children and youth with developmental disabilities through education, extended family living, and therapy so that they may be better understood, they may more fully unfold their potential, and they may meaningfully participate in life.
The Camphill School does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability.