Mountain Song Return to School Plan Updated |
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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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Ms. Griffin Olson Teacher in Ag Arts Program |
We are delighted to announce that Ms. Griffin Olson, who last year served as Assistant in the 1st Grade and in Ag Arts, has been promoted to the role of Teacher in the Agricultural Arts Program! Ms. Olson will be working closely with Mr. Adam Wright, who serves as Ag Arts Coordinator and Teacher.
Originally from Texas, Ms. Olson majored in Elementary Education at the University of Oklahoma and taught 3rd/4th grade at Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning from 2016-2019. As a teacher, she values connecting people, plants, and animals together to encourage mutual respect and compassion among all living beings.
Ms. Olson is currently enrolled in the Horticultural Therapy Institute, a CSU Program, in pursuit of a Horticulture Therapist License. With her interest in this field, Griffin is already bringing many exciting ideas to our Ag Arts program, including a collaboration with our special education program to build a therapeutic sensory garden. When not teaching or digging in the dirt, Ms. Olson enjoys spending time with her significant other, Benjamin, and their pets, Eleanor Rigby and Althea.
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Volunteers Needed on the Farm for September! |
Thanks to all the amazing volunteers who have helped us this summer! All slots for August have been filled, but since we will be conducting remote learning for the first month of school, we are looking for volunteers to water, weed, and keep our animals fed throughout September. If interested, please volunteer via our Sign-Up Genius.
This is a wonderful way for you and your family to safely engage with our school garden while taking a break from screen time. If you haven't volunteered in the garden before, please contact Mr. Adam at awright@mountainsong.com so he can arrange a time for you to be trained.
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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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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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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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