Upcoming Dates to Remember
February 4 -- Skate City Fundraising Event

February 14 and 15 -- Parent-Teacher Conferences -- NO SCHOOL

February 18 -- Presidents’ Day -- NO SCHOOL

March 25-29 -- Spring Break -- NO SCHOOL

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Parent Conferences Are Just Around the Corner
Feb 14 and 15 - No School
Parent conferences will be held on February 14 and 15. Classes will NOT be in session during the parent conferences. Child care will not be provided during this time. Teachers are sending information about how to sign up for parent conferences. Parents/guardians, please check your emails for additional information or contact your child's teacher directly with any questions about the conferences.
Presidents’ Day February 18
NO SCHOOL
School will NOT be in session on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 18. Enjoy your long weekend!
Skate City Fundraiser
Monday, February 4
Dear Mountain Song Families,

This is a friendly reminder that the last day to sign up your student(s) for the Skate City bus is this Monday, February 4th. Bus permission slips, as well as admission ($5) and skate fees ($2.50), must be turned in together by 3:30 p.m. on Monday in order to ride the bus. Please be sure to circle either one way or round trip when you fill out the permission slip.

The bus leaves MSCS at 3:30 p.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m.

Holly and Veronica Parent Council Co-Chairs
Valentine’s Day
Dear Families,

Many classes will celebrate Valentine's Day on Wednesday, February 13th (there is no school February 14). Your class teacher will send details about how your child's class will celebrate. Please adhere to the guidelines listed below:

Valentines that your child brings to share must be homemade.  Colored paper, heart cut-outs, paper doilies, and glue can go a long way in creating a beautiful and simple salutation. We know that Mountain Song children are creative and will make unique and beautiful Valentines!

Please make sure that Valentines are free of media images or characters .

Please make sure that chocolate, candy or sugary items are left at home as per our school food policy.

Thank you for your attention to these details and please reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.

Sincerely,
The Faculty Festivals Committee

100 Years of Waldorf Education
Learn to Change the World - Part 2
All over the world, people connected to Waldorf schools are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Waldorf school. Here is Part 2 of a video project describing this world-wide educational movement. After the great success of Waldorf 100’s film, “Learn to Change the World,” they released a second part (below) that highlights encounters across social, religious, and ethnic barriers in Waldorf schools.  Read more here .
Class Spotlight - First Grade
Welcome to the Class Spotlight! This is a new feature in the Mountain Song Friday Songbird. Its purpose is to help parents get better acquainted with our school, class by class, and show off some of our students’ work. This week we are featuring the two first grade classes.

May Faire Crafting -- Parent Council
MAY FAIRE CRAFTING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
12:15 - 2:00 PM
OLD COLORADO CITY LIBRARY

Holly and Veronica, PC Co-Chairs
Mrs. Lauren Martinez Receives State Recognition
Mountain Song’s Special Education teacher and coordinator, Mrs. Lauren Martinez, has long been recognized at our school as an outstanding teacher and coordinator for our exceptional children. Recently, the state has also recognized Mrs. Martinez’s outstanding teaching and leadership abilities in two ways. We are proud to have such a wonderful educator and leader here at Mountain Song!

Ms. Jennie Furman at Grain School 2019 UCCS Event
Ms. Jennie Furman, Nutrition and Cooking Arts teacher at MSCS, joined a prestigious and diverse group of leaders in the fields of sustainable food production and preparation at a unique 3-day event last weekend at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs (UCCS).

Simplicity Parenting Online Workshop - Free
Starts February 5
Many in the community know Kim John Payne, who has provided workshops for Mountain Song families and training for teachers in years past. He is the author of the Simplicity Parenting book, and regularly speaks to schools throughout the country as well as to international audiences, helping families explore the modern challenges to growing up and healthy ways to meet them. 

Kim John Payne is now offering a new Discipline and Guidance online workshop that begins Tuesday, February 5, and is open to the public. Tuition is FREE, but registration is required. For more information, and to register, see the Simplicity Parenting website: https://www.simplicityparenting.com/
Media and the Developing Brain
During our 5th and 6th Grade Parent Meeting Wednesday evening, I discussed the impacts of media on brain development. I mentioned a TED Talk and some other research that I promised to share. Here are links to two important videos that can help you consider how to manage screen time in your home. -- Dr. Woods
TEDxRainier - Dimitri Christakis - Media and Children


The drug-like effect of screen time on the teenage brain
Parent Council Food Pantry
The MSCS Parent Council has established a Food Pantry for our school! We have an ongoing need for accessible nutritional food for our students, and with your help, we can fill that need. The Food Pantry is in need of restocking.

Volunteers Needed for Cooking Arts Class
Volunteers are critically important for the Cooking Arts class! Volunteering in the Cooking Arts class is a great way to learn new recipes and experience what your child is learning at Mountain Song!  

Notes from the Farm
Notes from The Farm
Please consider volunteering on the farm!

Traffic Monitor Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to help keep traffic moving during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. Please use the link below to sign up. Thank you!


2018-2019 Mountain Song School Event Calendar
Mark your calendar with these important Mountain Song Community School dates.

As a public charter school, Mountain Song Community School is proud to provide quality Waldorf education at no cost.  Yet the funds we receive as a charter school are less than what a typical Colorado public school receives.

At the same time, we are responsible for additional expenses, such as our facilities and maintenance costs.  The expenses associated with the building lease, instructional and learning materials, staffing, special programs, and field trips continue to increase each year. In order to provide the valuable programming that makes Waldorf education exceptional, we rely on community donations to reach our annual fundraising goals. Please consider signing up for a small monthly recurring contribution today.
Mountain Song Community School | 2904 West Kiowa St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904