Traditions of Growth: How Ceremonies and Festivals Celebrate the Journey of Childhood
At Cedarwood, the Rose Ceremony is one of the many meaningful traditions that mark a child's experience of their school years. Held at both the beginning and end of a student's grade school journey at Cedarwood, the ceremony symbolizes growth, connection, and the beauty of transitions.
Cedarwood’s traditions are not just rituals, but a rare and intentional opportunity to slow down, reflect, and celebrate these pivotal moments. They are designed to help students and families recognize the significance of each step along their journey, reflecting the thoughtfulness and care behind these practices.
In the fall, the ceremony welcomes the first graders into the school community as the eighth graders present them with a single rose, representing friendship, support, and guidance. The gifted rose establishes a “buddy” relationship that is nurtured over the course of the year through joint field trips, recess games, reading classes, and other activities that give the 8th graders a chance to practice leadership and nurture their new young friends.
Two moments of recognition, eight years apart.
The roles reverse in the spring when the first graders, now confident and settled, give roses back to the eighth graders as they prepare to step into high school. These exchanges highlight the close-knit relationships Cedarwood fosters across the grades, emphasizing the continuity of growth and marking significant moments for the students.
Alongside the Rose Ceremony, other treasured traditions guide students through their academic and personal development. For example, the spring boat-launching activity celebrates the completion of kindergarten as rising first graders set handmade wooden boats afloat, symbolizing the start of their grade school journey. Students also take part in seasonal festivals, where they connect with nature and the rhythms of the year, from Michaelmas in the fall to the May Faire in spring, all designed to celebrate community, gratitude, and reflection.
Through these ceremonies, Cedarwood nurtures a deep sense of belonging, reverence for milestones, and connection to the broader world, grounding students in their individual growth while honoring and recognizing their accomplishments along the way.