Upcoming Dates to Remember

May 31
No School - Memorial Day

June 3
Pentathlon (5th Grade)

June 4
Last Day for Kindergarten
(Rainbow Bridge)

June 8
Grade 8 Graduation

June 9
Last Day of School
Rose Ceremony (Outdoor Assembly)

June 10
Teacher Work Day




From the Principal 
Incredibly spectacular weather graced our festivals last week as we rejoiced together again after this long hard year!  Our in-school May Day Festival and Saturday May Faire were a joyous outbreath!  I saw some misty eyes and a lot of happy grins from children and adults alike.  Photos and videos can be found here.  Thank you for celebrating our beautiful community.

I want to also offer a huge bouquet of thank-you’s to the Parent Council for providing over a year’s worth of virtual festivals during this pandemic, and managing the planning, postponing, and replanning of the May Faire that finally came to fruition in-person!  We all know that Ms. Cambria Devoy, PC Interim Chair and Festivals Chair, deserves special recognition as the driving and organizing force behind these events!  With much gratitude, we thank you!

We are also humbled and gratified with the successful fundraising efforts of our enthusiastic community -- please read the wonderful news below!  

Our attention now turns to our final celebrations of the year -- Kindergarten Rainbow Bridge Ceremony, 5th Grade Pentathlon, 8th Grade Graduation, and Rose Ceremony on the last day of school.  All these events are planned outdoors as we still need to be mindful of public health safety, and we truly hope the weather cooperates.  More details will follow.  

I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend as we hold in our hearts all those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

Blessings and gratitude,

Dr. Teresa Woods

Thank you Parent Council
Spring Fundraising Campaign Success!
We are overjoyed to announce that we have exceeded our goal for our Spring Fundraising Campaign!  

With several successful matching grants, amazing sponsors, silent auction, garden and plant sale, and all the other creative booths courtesy of the Parent Council at May Faire, we have raised just over $20,000!  Reaching this goal helps ensure the future of Mountain Song, our beautiful school where Southern Colorado children learn, grow, and become inspired in the Waldorf tradition.  

We are humbled by the generosity of our community, and we sincerely thank you for helping us reach this goal!  If you missed the opportunity to give, you can still participate and donate today!
A Parent’s Gratitude
We love hearing what our families have to say about Mountain Song Community School, and it sounds that much more beautiful in Spanish.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Mountain Song Summer Camps!
Registrations are filling fast!  We are excited to announce FREE Summer Camps at Mountain Song Community School this year!  Must be a new or returning Mountain Song student to participate.  All grade spans listed are for entering Mountain Song in Fall 2021.

Summer camp offerings include:  Baking (Beginner), Baking (Intermediate), Basketball, Chess, Cultural Studies, Dungeons and Dragons, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Garden Camp, LEGO Camp, Nature Immersion and Crafting, Reading Camp, Skill Builders (Reading, Math, Special Services), and Survival Skills.

Welcome New Teachers
We are delighted to introduce our new Kindergarten and First Grade teachers for the 2021-22 school year. 
Joining Mountain Song as a kindergarten teacher is Ms. Arielle Castle who has just moved with her family from Texas to Colorado Springs.  Ms. Castle earned her Licensed Bachelor of Social Work, graduating with honors, from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and she also holds certification in special education (EC – 12), general education (EC – 6), and ESL.  She has been a successful Pre-K and K-5 special education teacher for the last six years while supervising a small staff in an inclusive education environment.  Prior to that, she was a general education teacher in both early childhood and first grade.  She comes recommended as a compassionate and effective teacher with strong classroom skills.  She also is very aligned and committed to Waldorf approaches.  Please join us in welcoming Ms. Arielle Castle to the Kindergarten team at Mountain Song!
We are so pleased to announce that one of our new first grade teachers this fall will be Ms. Terri Oderman, who was a fifth grade class teacher for Mountain Song in 2014-15, and a long-term substitute for us this year teaching the remote 3rd and 4th graders.  Ms. Oderman earned her BA in history from Gordon College in Massachusetts, and her Master’s in Education from Regis University in Colorado Springs, graduating with honors.  She also holds a graduate endorsement in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education from UCCS.  She has traveled extensively in study abroad programs for both professional and personal adventures.  She taught elementary classes in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Kampala (Uganda), as well as high school history in New York.  Also active in outdoor sports, Ms. Oderman has taught skiing and kayaking.  Please join us in welcoming Ms. Terri Oderman back to Mountain Song!
We are also most pleased to welcome Ms. Elizabeth Tomal-Keiser as another first grade teacher this fall.  Ms. Keiser earned her BA in Elementary Education from American University, and is licensed for elementary education in both California and Colorado.  She has taught in elementary schools in Maryland, Illinois, California, and Colorado.  While in the Peace Corps in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, she also taught multi-level elementary classes of English language learners.  Educating the whole child forms the core of her teaching practice, incorporating social-emotional learning, community-building, and sound academics – including hands-on learning – in her approach.  She is experienced in supporting students in an inclusive environment, and has strong team building skills.  Please join us in welcoming Ms. Liz Tomal-Keiser to Mountain Song as a first grade class teacher this fall!
Adventures in Reading
We encourage you to foster your child’s love of reading through the summer.  There are so many adventures and heartwarming stories to embrace! Sitting together to read for just 20 minutes each day makes a world of difference.
 
The reason Waldorf students are recognized for their love of reading is that they connect reading to meaningful stories and discovery of others’ lives.  It is not surprising that studies also show that reading helps cultivate empathy.
 
Check out these reading lists by age and grade from the Austin Waldorf School.
 
Here is the link to the Pikes Peak Summer Reading Adventure at the Pikes Peak Library District – they are offering remote activities that will keep your child motivated.


Teacher Positions Available
Hiring 6th Grade and Spanish Teachers.


Farm Volunteers Needed!
June slots are open for volunteers in the farm and garden.  Become part of our team!  Our greenhouse is flourishing, our garden beds are alive, and our animals seek care and interaction.  Families can help by watering plants, feeding animals, and cleaning their habitats.

This is a wonderful way for you and your family to engage with our school garden.  If you haven't volunteered in the garden before, please contact Mr. Adam Wright at awright@mountainsongschool.com so he can arrange a time for you to be trained.    

Soon, we will have weekday volunteer slots opening up throughout the summer and will be looking for extra help.  This will be another great opportunity for families to get outside this summer and enjoy the food and animals on our farm!

Please volunteer using Sign-Up Genius.
Parent Council Meeting Dates
The mission of the Parent Council is to facilitate parent involvement and to support teachers in preserving the vision of the school. Please support Mountain Song by joining one of these Parent Council committees. 

Festivals Committee 
Meets 2nd Wednesday each month at 4pm
Meetings at 4pm on this Zoom link

Health and Wellness/Hospitality Committee 
Meets 2nd Tuesday each month at 4pm
Meetings at 4 pm on this Zoom link

Parent Council 
Meets 3rd Thursday each month at 4pm
Meetings at 4 pm on this Zoom link

All Parent Council committees seek volunteers. Remember, involvement in Parent Council committees satisfies volunteer requirements for Mountain Song! Please contact Cambria at pcchair@mountainsongschool.com if you are interested. 
Songbird Contributions
Article or announcement contributions must be submitted to Ms. Sŏnia Cruz by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for inclusion in each week’s Songbird newsletter, typically distributed on Fridays. (scruz@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
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