From the Principal
I hope this Songbird finds you well and enjoying the glorious natural surroundings we are blessed with in Colorado Springs this summer. It’s good to have blessings at this time as we confront so many uncertainties. We know that anxiety is elevated when uncertainty prevails, and we recognize the need to embrace the good and balancing gifts surrounding us.  

We know that one of the greatest sources of concern for most of us is wondering what school will be like this fall. We at Mountain Song would love to have the perfect answers. Our charge is to address a multitude of different conditions and needs -- often conflicting needs -- when we start school again in early September. I cannot express enough the deep gratitude I feel for the 16-member Return to School Committee that has worked throughout the summer at Mountain Song to assess, synthesize, and develop a plan amidst constantly changing conditions. We should be releasing the proposal later today, so please watch for it. 

Like every summer, we are also welcoming new staff members and recognizing those leaving us. Please see those notes below.

Finally, we have some part-time positions to fill, so please consider applying or forwarding the announcements to qualified candidates you may know.

Wishing you peace, beauty, and health!

Dr. Teresa Woods
Return to School Proposal
The Return to School Committee has been working incredibly hard to create a proposal for the Fall 2020-21 school year at Mountain Song. Please watch for it -- we anticipate releasing the proposal Friday, July 31st. This proposal is subject to MSCS Board approval, and it will be voted on at its next meeting, Tuesday, August 4, at 6:00 p.m. We encourage you to provide any feedback to the Board of Directors before then:  board@mountainsongschool.com

Welcomes and Farewells
New Kindergarten Teacher, Ms. Shannon Huard
It is our pleasure to announce that Ms. Shannon Huard is moving into a lead Kindergarten teaching position at Mountain Song. Ms. Huard has graced the Agricultural Arts program with her expertise in both horticulture and education for the last year. She earned her B.S. in Horticulture and her M.A. in Elementary Education. She holds a Colorado state teaching license in elementary education (K-6), and she has taught in a variety of situations for both elementary and preK students, including at Manitou Springs Elementary School, Science Matters of Colorado Springs, Blue Skies Exploration Academy, and OPENair Academy.   

Ms. Huard was born in Denver and has lived in Colorado throughout her life. She has an intense love and interest for biological sciences, nurtured from her childhood days exploring a pristine wetland, “where more days than not, I would come home with a dirty plastic bucket and dirty soggy shoes that smelled of fish and frogs.” She worked as a grower for an herb farm in Loveland before moving back to Colorado Springs to be closer to her family. Ms. Huard has been a part of Mountain Song since its beginning, first as a parent, then volunteer, and most recently as an Agricultural Arts assistant. “My love and passion for horticulture and education is what has brought me back to the beautiful community that we call Mountain Song. I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to engage more fully with the lovely students, families and faculty that, like me, have or will call Mountain Song their home.”
Announcing Mrs. Ieeda Banach, Red Oak Teacher
We were saddened to receive Mrs. Joan Donati’s resignation earlier this summer, learning that she and her family needed to move to Minnesota to be able to care for her mother. Mrs. Donati said the hardest part of that decision was leaving her beloved Red Oak class. She has given so much to the students and to the school, and we wish her all the very best in her next chapter. We also know that she will stay in touch with the class.

We are happy to announce the good news, though, for the Red Oak class that Mrs. Ieeda Banach has agreed to be their class teacher moving forward. Mrs. Banach was the long-term substitute for this class when they were in first grade, has been in their classroom regularly this past year, and is already deeply connected with them. We think it is a wonderful fit, especially with the Red Oaks starting 3rd grade this year! 

Mrs. Banach is a fully trained Waldorf teacher who taught at the Cape Cod Waldorf School in Massachusetts where she was also faculty chairperson, and she has mentored many of our own Mountain Song teachers. She has been an assistant and long-term substitute at Mountain Song for the last two years while she has focused her time and energy on her family, especially her 18-month old son.  

Mrs. Banach grew up in Colorado Springs, and since she returned here from Cape Cod, she has been a strong and steady guiding presence in our community. We are so pleased that she is fully joining our Mountain Song teaching staff!  
Welcome Ms. Katie White!
We are delighted to announce that Ms. Katie White will be the class teacher for the Evergreen Class as they enter the 4th grade. Ms. White has been interested in Waldorf education for a number of years, and has been participating in the Mountain Song Waldorf training program from its start last summer.  

Ms. White holds an M.A. degree in Elementary Education, a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish, and a Colorado Professional Teaching License. She has been an elementary teacher since 2014, primarily in the 4th grade and most recently at the Colorado Springs Charter Academy.   

She was born, raised, and educated in Chicago. “I loved growing up in a diverse and world class city where I had access to unlimited cultural experiences.” These experiences and her holistically-oriented education “sparked the light of social justice in me.” Prior to starting her teaching career, she taught yoga, was a licensed massage therapist, a certified nursing assistant, a full-time nanny for two toddlers, and a case manager for Catholic Charities.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Katie White to Mountain Song as the Evergreen Class Teacher.  
Hearts Full of Gratitude
We would like to recognize with heartfelt gratitude the individuals who are moving on from Mountain Song after contributing so much to our families, children, staff, and larger community.  

  • Mr. Mike Harris is retiring from teaching -- please see his letter below.
  • Ms. Kate Pettey is departing Mountain Song after many years in the office.  
  • Mrs. Kathrine Smith is leaving Mountain Song to spend more time with her family.
  • Mrs. Joan Donati is moving to Minnesota with her family to care for her mother.
  • Ms. Regina Splees Tafoya is leaving Mountain Song to move onto new endeavors.

We have been blessed by the incredible dedication, care, leadership, and expertise of these dear colleagues. We wish them all and wish them the very best on their journeys!  

“May troubles be less and blessings be more!”
From Mike Harris
Dear Friends and Colleagues,

After much soul searching, I have decided to retire from teaching at Mountain Song Community School in order to give more focused attention to growing my personal and executive coaching business.  

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such a wonderful and dedicated faculty, staff, leadership team, parents and students. I treasure the time spent with all of you and will carry you in my heart as I go. I will visit as often as I can and would love to hear how you are whenever you feel like sharing. I believe the current challenges are only making MSCS stronger and revealing the true heart of the school. I look forward to seeing how you continue to progress. 

With love and gratitude to you all,

Mike Harrs (Mr. Mike)
Employment Opportunities
Communications Specialist Position
Regular Part-time (20 hours per week) Hourly
Flexibility to work from home

Position Summary:  
The Communications Specialist works closely with the Principal and other Executive Leadership Team members to help develop and create communications that promote and describe the school, its events, and opportunities to the community both within and outside the school.

Required Skills/Abilities:
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
  • Strong analytical skill and problem solving skills.
  • Proficient with G-Suite and other related software.

Education and experience:
  • B.A. in Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Communications or related field
  • Two to three years of related experience writing, editing projects; portfolio of relevant previous projects highly preferred.

Email your application ( found on our website ) with a cover letter to dkurschner@mountainsongschool.com and twoods@mountainsongschool.com .   
Part-time Custodian Position Available
Custodial Assistant - Temporary Position
Summer through December 2020
4 hours per day, 5 days a week

Mountain Song Community School is looking for a part-time Custodial Assistant to work four hours per day 5 days a week. This person will be able to perform general cleaning tasks such as cleaning and sanitizing related to COVID-19. Must be able to perform building and custodial related work, communicate effectively, and work cooperatively with others. This person is dependable and able to arrive at work as scheduled. This is a temporary position. Email your application ( found on our website ) with a cover letter to dkurschner@mountainsongschool.com
Night-Time Custodian
4-5 hours a day 5 days a week (hours can have some flexibility in the evenings and weekend)
Available to substitute for building Manager (1-2 days per month) would be helpful.

This person will be able to perform general cleaning tasks such as vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, cleaning restrooms. May be asked to perform outdoor work such as snow removal and other seasonal tasks as needed. Must be able to perform building and custodial related work, communicate effectively, work cooperatively with others. This person is dependable and able to arrive at work as scheduled. $13- $14 per hour. Email your application ( found on our website ) with a cover letter to dkurschner@mountainsongschool.com
Kindergarten Assistant
Kinder-Assistant (full-time 30+ hours per week) 7:45 am to 3:00pm

The Kindergarten assistants help the teachers in a variety of ways as a stable presence who is modeling purposeful work. Kindergarten assistants are the quiet doers in the classroom. They prepare snacks and set the stage for the teachers. They participate and help guide, working from the background rather than in the forefront.

They must be able to project the sense of a wholesome human being that is strong while able to work from the background. Assistants must be able to maintain confidentiality and hold sensitive information about a child or a family situation with discretion and tact. 
 
2-3 years of experience working with kindergarten or preschool age children.
$14-$15 per hour
Volunteers Needed on the Farm!
We are happy to announce that our school garden is back open to volunteers! We would deeply appreciate your support this summer in helping to water, weed, and keep our animals fed. If interested, please volunteer via our Sign-Up Genius . Thank you for your support!
Parent Council Fundraising
Hello families,
 
Our school is happy to help support small businesses, and Skate City will be offering their Membership Cards for our students and families at a discounted rate. 

With a $5 membership card ($12 at the facility), any child or adult can skate for just $1 admission during any public skating session through the end of 2020 ! You will also receive $5 loaded onto your game card upon entry each time you use your membership card.

Should this interest you, all you would need to do is click the link below and make sure to select the school name, as $1.50 for each card purchased will go back to the school!

Deanna Stonick
Parent Council Fundraising Committee
Support for Mountain Song
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.
Songbird Contributions
Article or announcement contributions must be submitted to Dr. Woods by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for inclusion in each week’s Songbird newsletter, typically distributed on Fridays. ( twoods@mountainsongschool.com )
Mountain Song School Calendar
Mark your calendar with these important Mountain Song Community School dates.


Mountain Song Community School | 2904 West Kiowa St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904