Upcoming Dates to Remember
December 16 (today)
Immunization Compliance Deadline
Half Day Kindergarten
Last Day of School Before Winter Break
December 19 - January 6
Winter Break All Grades
January 5-6
Staff Return to School
January 9
Grades 1-8 Return to School
2nd Semester Begins
January 9 - 13
Kindergarten Assessment Days
No School for Kindergarten
January 13
Group Tour 9:15 a.m.
January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
NO SCHOOL
January 19
School Art Night Open House
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The fourth night of Winter
Is the light of humankind
To give, to love, and to understand
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Season’s Greetings from Mountain Song
Winter Break: December 19 - January 6
Kindergarten Returns Tuesday, January 17
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Mountain Song wishes our students and their families a wonder-filled holiday season! As the Winter Solstice approaches, we hope for a calm space between the hustle and bustle of daily life, where we can honor our inner light among the darkest days of the year.
There will be no school from December 19th through January 6th. School resumes on Monday, January 9th for grades 1-8. Kindergarten will return on Tuesday, January 17th.
We wish you peace, joy, and warmth this holiday season, and we look forward to your return to school in January.
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Make Your Gift Count!
Another Matching Grant for Mountain Song
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As the holidays near and you reflect on what matters most, we hope you’ll think of your child’s experience here at Mountain Song Community School.
We are deeply committed to educating your children through their heads, their hearts, and their hands, offering an education they can’t get anywhere else in Southern Colorado.
That’s why we are participating in the Give! Campaign this year. All the funds we raise between now and the end of 2022 will go toward much needed renovations to the special place where your children spend their days.
To maximize your gift, our executive director, Dr. Teresa Woods and her husband, Dr. Gary Andersen, are offering a big incentive. They will match any gift you make between now and December 24th… up to $500!
Be sure to check out the donor rewards as you can get anything from dance lessons to Flipshack classes (even a massage!) just for donating to our beloved school.
PS… There are extra rewards for our young donors!
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Group Tours for Potential New Families
and Parent Information Nights
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If you know someone who is interested in learning more about Mountain Song… they’re in luck!
Beginning in the new year, we will offer tours to curious parents eager to learn more about Mountain Song and our Waldorf-inspired programs. Tours will begin at 9:15 a.m. on the following dates: January 13th, February 3rd, March 3rd, and April 7th.
Space is limited and those interested must sign up via our SignUpGenius.
If you are unable to attend a tour, we encourage you to join our upcoming Parent Information Nights. Our Pedagogical Director, Karl Johnson, will be speaking on our Middle School Program January 25th, at 6:00 p.m.
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Save the Date!
January 19th
School Art Night
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Mark your calendars! On Thursday, January 19th, we will host a School Art Night to showcase our students’ amazing talents. At Mountain Song, we integrate art into our teaching methods using a Waldorf approach. This is not so much to create artists as it is to engage the whole child: head, heart, and hands. Please join us! More details to follow. |
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Thank You Kristine Joyce Lijauco |
We extend our warmest thanks to our new music teacher, Ms. Lijauco, for her vision and direction in leading our students (grades 3 - 8) in our Winter Assembly last Friday, December 9th. Our students worked hard with her as she lifted them to new musical heights, vocally, instrumentally and in movement. Thank you, Ms. Lijauco, for pouring your heart into making La Luz a part of Mountain Song.
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A tremendous thank you to everyone who helped with the Parent Circle giving project this year. We witnessed overwhelming generosity and know Mountain Song families are extremely appreciative of this assistance!
Ashley Pfalz
Parent Circle Chair
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Mountain Song is so appreciative of this year’s Parent Circle. Working tirelessly, they have gathered an overflowing abundance of donations to share within our community this holiday season. They are cheerful and positive, supporting the teachers, staff, students and families on and off campus. Thank you, Parent Circle! |
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You Lost It?
We Probably Found It!
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Today after school will be the last chance for families to retrieve items that have been lost over the previous months. Weather permitting, lost items will be displayed at the front of the building by the rock wall today after school until 3:30 p.m. Otherwise, please check inside near the Front Office.
Items remaining after 3:30 p.m. will be added to our Community Closet or brought to nearby donation locations, due to our limited space.
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Taking the Stress Out of Holidays |
We are reminded, every year at this time, how difficult holidays can be for people who are lonely or alone. But let’s be honest: even for families rich in children, holidays can be stressful—both for parents and kids.
Why are holidays so fraught? Because expectations are heightened, and holidays can feel like a test of how happy and successful your family is. With children, even favorite traditions can turn into a test of stamina and patience.
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Our ever-popular Deployment Lunch Bunch will begin on January 17, 2023! This student lunch group is open to children who are currently experiencing a loved one's deployment, may be preparing for an upcoming deployment or are adjusting to a family member who has returned home. The students meet for lunch once a week for six weeks to discuss their common experiences, feelings or challenges surrounding military life and deployments.
Please contact our Dean of Students, Cori Karasiuk, if you would like your child(ren) to participate.
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Homeschool Winter Spiral Walk |
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Immunization Compliance
Deadline: TODAY
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Families must have submitted the appropriate state-required immunization paperwork by Friday, December 16th for each of their enrolled students in order to continue attending school. Compliance with state immunization requirements can be achieved in three ways:
1) Fully Immunized: Students who are fully immunized and whose records are on file with the front office are compliant with state law.
2) Nonmedical Exemption: Students who are not immunized or only partially immunized and have an annual nonmedical exemption on file with the front office are compliant with state law. Nonmedical exemptions expire every year on July 1 and must be re-submitted annually.
3) Medical Exemption: Students who are not immunized or only partially immunized and have a medical exemption only need to submit a certificate once (not on an annual basis), unless the student information or school changes.
If you received an Immunization Non-Compliance letter we either do not have your paperwork or the paperwork you have turned in is incomplete. Please follow the instructions in the letter so that your child is in compliance with state law regarding immunizations by TODAY, so they can continue attending school without interruption.
If your students’ paperwork is not complete by TODAY, they will not be allowed to come to school until their paperwork is in order. Please direct any questions you have to Kirsten Meehleis or Kassie Wilson in the front office.
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Intent to Enroll
2023-24 School Year
Please note: This is for families who do not have a student(s) currently enrolled at Mountain Song, or for current families to enroll a new student.
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Families interested in enrolling their children in Kindergarten through Grade 8 classes or our Homeschool Enrichment Program must submit a SY 23-24 Intent to Enroll form by January 31, 2023 to place their child(ren) in the Enrollment Lottery.* The Intent to Enroll forms are also available at the front office.
The lottery will occur on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. If your child is selected in the lottery, enrollment packets will be sent to you from our Registrar after confirmation in February. Please contact Mary Ann Major with any questions.
*If you have friends or family interested in enrolling at Mountain Song please share this information with them.
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Confirmation of Continued Enrollment
for 2022-23 School Year
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Each year, Mountain Song surveys families to determine how many students will be returning to our school the following school year so we can project next year's enrollment and budget.
If you are undecided about whether your child will be returning to Mountain Song, please indicate that on this form and discuss any concerns or questions you may have with the Director of School Performance, Sarah Kreger, or your child's teacher.
If you intend on withdrawing your child from our school, please be sure to fill out a Notice of Withdrawal form at the front office. For families who are interested in enrolling additional siblings at Mountain Song next year, an Intent to Enroll form must be completed for them.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Ann Major.
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The Place
Flash Fundraiser
DONATE Today!
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Our school is a proud supporter of The Place, a non-profit here in Colorado Springs dedicated to giving youth who are experiencing homelessness a leg up. This Spring, we will have a larger, formal, fundraiser to support The Place and their mission. In the meantime they have asked for our help!!
If you are able to purchase any of the following items, the Ag Arts team will be collecting the goods and delivering them to The Place both before and after Winter Break.
MAJOR NEEDS:
- Toilet Paper
- Travel Sized Toiletries (deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste)
Would Also Like:
- Granola / Cereal Bars
- Snack Packs
Something else to consider: If anyone is getting new appliances over the holidays, The Place will graciously take your old, gently used appliances. Last year we received a couple of microwaves and a vacuum and they were thrilled!
Donations can be brought to the Ag Arts office or the Front Desk!
Thank you for your consideration in supporting this worthy organization! The Place is incredibly grateful for our loving and gracious community.
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Weekend Garden Volunteers Needed |
We are looking for garden volunteers to help out during weekends. Duties include caring for the animals and watering the greenhouse. This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to engage with our school garden, to get outside, and witness the impact of nurturing all living things while everyone is away!
Please email Mr. Adam if you have any questions or want to receive training.
Mr. Adam Wright
Agricultural Arts Coordinator and Teacher
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2022-2023 Calendars and Schedule |
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Please find the 2022-2023 school calendar below.
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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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