I have noticed that goldenrod is flowering and the sun is setting before 8:00 p.m. now. These have always been signs for me that school is about to start. And what a challenging start to the school year this is for you all as well as our school staff! I feel like a broken record when I say that we are receiving new state and local guidance nearly every day, but it’s still true. I know the constant changes and burdens are incredibly trying. We know you are striving to make the very best decisions for your family as we are for the school.
I hear over and over again from our staff that we want to see the children back in school, learning in person, playing in person, and filling the halls and classrooms with their beautiful selves. I also hear the staff’s concern for safety out of their love and care for your children. The measures we all take to limit the community spread of the coronavirus now will determine how soon we can get to in-person learning.
Please see our updates below. More details are coming. I will be submitting our Return to School Plan to our authorizers, CSI, by midweek next week. You will also be sent that with more firm details in place.
I have to express my deep admiration and gratitude to the Return to School Committee at Mountain Song. This group has worked endless hours over the summer to craft a plan that complies with the numerous competing needs and yet still offers our Waldorf approach as much as possible. We are all indebted to this extraordinary group of people.
We miss you and look forward to the start of the year!
Dr. Teresa Woods
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Mountain Song Return to School Plan Updated |
On August 4, 2020, the MSCS Board of Directors approved the framework in the Return to School Proposal released on July 31. Based on their suggestion to revisit our K-1 plan and the Safety Committee’s recommendation in light of new safety information, all grades K-8 will start in Phase 1 Remote Learning until October 2. |
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The Return to School Plan has been updated and can be found here.
The Plan will continue to be updated. You can expect more details next week, and as the public health conditions change, and guidance issued from local, state, and federal agencies change, we will continue to update the plan and inform you.
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Mountain Song Enrollment Options for 2020-21 |
Mountain Song has firmed up its enrollment options for 2020-21 in light of the extraordinary measures we are all having to implement due to the pandemic. Here are the enrollment options.
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Full-time Learning (K-8) -- this is our normal full-time program that will look different this year in our phased learning environments, depending on the public health conditions.
- Phase 1 -- Remote Learning.
- Phase 2 -- Hybrid Model with half remote and half in-person
- Phase 3 -- All Class In-Person
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Homeschool Programs (K-8) -- there are 2 options (more details are in the article below)
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Village Homeschool Enrichment Program (1-8) -- our traditional program available for grades 1-8 only (no K) in which children attend class at Mountain Song one day per week. Due to COVID-19, this year the Village program will mirror the rest of the school beginning with remote learning and returning to school in a phased model as safety allows.
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Frontier Homeschool Enrichment Program (K-8) -- involves complete remote learning using a combination of online and project based learning at home all year.
FAQ
Can I enroll my child in Homeschool and still keep my full-time learning spot?
Unfortunately, you can only use one enrollment spot per child, so if you are currently enrolled in a full-time learning class and choose to enroll in the homeschool program, you will give up your full-time spot. That said, our homeschool students receive priority placement in our full-time classes if you want to return to the class next year. Returning to the class will be dependent on space available in the class.
What if I want to enroll in the full-time learning, but I am an essential worker and cannot stay home with my child? Will you have an option so I can bring my child in? We are still working on the logistics of such a possibility. We definitely understand the need, and are doing the best we can to provide an option. More details will be provided soon. We also encourage families to develop learning pods with one or two other families if possible.
What will the full-time learning look like in Phase 1 Remote Learning? The Return to School Committee is finalizing a grades 1-8 schedule that will include live stream Main Lesson instruction with class teachers, live stream engagement with subject teachers, and many activities to do off-line. Kindergarten teachers are finalizing plans that will involve minimal live streaming and lots of hands-on activities. This year, we are accountable for full engagement of students, unlike last spring when we shut down quickly.
I don’t have enough devices for my children. Will there be any available to borrow?
Yes, we have been able to purchase additional Chromebooks, and are setting up a lending system. We should have updates soon.
I hear Mountain Song is partnering with Prenda. Can I enroll with Prenda and still keep my spot in my full-time class? Unfortunately, each child can only be enrolled in one program at a time. Prenda is a separate program from our Mountain Song Waldorf-inspired school. If you are currently enrolled full-time at Mountain Song, and choose to enroll your child in Prenda, you will give up your full-time enrollment spot in the Mountain Song class.
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Mountain Song Homeschool Enrichment Options |
Mountain Song Community School will offer two types of homeschool enrichment programs during the 2020-2021 school year. Both programs are enrichment programs in which homeschool parents are responsible for teaching all academic skills to their children. Both programs offer the equivalent of one day per week enrichment activities with Waldorf multidisciplinary curriculum rich in social studies, science, the arts, and movement.
The primary differences between the two programs are: the FRONTIER (online) Homeschool Enrichment Program is available to Kindergarten as well as grades 1-8, and involves complete remote learning using a combination of online and project based learning at home all year; while the VILLAGE Homeschool Enrichment Program is our traditional program available for grades 1-8 only (no K) in which children attend class at Mountain Song one day per week. Due to COVID-19, this year the Village program will mirror the rest of the school beginning with remote learning and returning to school in a phased model as safety allows.
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Both homeschool enrichment programs incorporate Waldorf methods that emphasize storytelling, imagination, arts, and a hands-on curriculum in which children learn by doing, singing, moving, and creating. Children learn using their heads, hearts, and hands as we offer experiences that engage the whole child. An emphasis on authentic, natural, and creative experiences defines our homeschool programs. We recognize that the best learning comes from active learning experiences. Activities such as drawing from their own imagination, creating music with their own voices, and building forts outdoors with their own hands ground children and help integrate sensory experiences in developmentally appropriate ways.
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Back to School Night (virtual)
Thursday, August 27th,
6:00 p.m.
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Save the date! We will host our first virtual Back to School Night on Thursday, August 27th, at 6:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars. |
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Board Voice
Volume 2, Issue 1 – Hilary Hoekenga
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The Board wants to ensure that the whole Mountain Song Community is able to have an opportunity to participate and inform the wide variety of work and guidance that we provide to & for the school.
Did you know that any community member can become part of our various committees? There are two committees that would currently benefit greatly from increased participation:
School Accountability Committee (SAC): The primary responsibilities of the SAC Committee are to inform, encourage and provide opportunities for parents and community members to be involved in the planning and evaluation of the school’s instructional program and policies, quality improvement processes, and academic achievement. If you are interested in observing or joining the SAC, please email Mrs. Sarah Kreger at: SKreger@MountainSongSchool.com.
Development Committee: The primary responsibility of the Development Committee is to conduct and oversee fundraising activities to support Mountain Song's mission. A particularly important and critical fundraising initiative is the creation of a capital campaign to raise funds for a new school. The Development Committee is in great need of members who have development and/or capital campaign knowledge. If you are interested in observing or joining this committee, please email Ms. Christina Halligan at thalligan@mountainsongschool.com.
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Landsharks will be available as a 'running club' option and not available directly through Mountain Song for this fall season. Please see this letter of explanation if you are interested in your student participating.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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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
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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.
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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)
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Mountain Song School Calendar |
Mark your calendar with these important Mountain Song Community School dates.
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Mountain Song Community School | 2904 West Kiowa St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 |
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Looking for past issues of the Songbird or to sign up new recipients click here.
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