We did it! We launched this new and novel school year! The teachers have been absolutely brimming with joy at connecting with new and returning students, and I hear students are pretty happy, too! I hope the value of these relationships helps us get through all the technical challenges, management challenges, and schedule challenges. We are here to support you as we tidy up the glitches and help one another navigate these Remote Learning waters. If you are still trying to get connected to your classes, please reach out to us for assistance!
Our theme this year is Growing Together. The research in Growth Mindset tells us that while we should acknowledge our frustrations, resilience is fostered when we can also keep showing to ourselves how we have grown and can continue to grow. “I had not been able to do that, but now I can.” “I feel like I can’t do this … yet! I will, though.” Sometimes we need to ask for help, and we can all offer support to each other. When we grow together, we become stronger and stronger as a community. You will see below our initiatives in sharing our stories of growth. #ShareYourSong
As we have prepared and started this school year, I have witnessed true miracles of the human spirit. I want to thank our incredible teaching, support and administrative staff, our dedicated volunteers on our board and parent council, and especially all our families and students. Each individual is part of the dynamic, pulsing, and life-giving heart of the school. It is so good to be working and growing together again!
With much gratitude to all!
Dr. Teresa Woods
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This is a reminder that Mountain Song will be closed on Monday, September 7th, in recognition of Labor Day. We hope you can enjoy the rewards of your hard work this weekend. We’ll return to Remote Learning on Tuesday, September 8th.
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Click on image above or here
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As we embark on this new journey, navigate uncharted waters, develop new skills, and create lasting memories, we invite you to share your stories. Show us what Remote Learning looks like in your house. We want to see it all... the triumphs and the travails. Send your photos & videos to lferrara@mountainsongschool.com or tag Mountain Song on Facebook so we can #ShareYourSong.
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Back to School Information |
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual Back to School Night this past Thursday evening, and our sincere apologies to those who were unable to enter the Zoom meeting due to the limited capacity. The video of the presentation, full of valuable information for the school year, has been posted on our website. Click here to find it on our Back to School webpage.
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Required Enrollment Paperwork Submit Now |
All required enrollment paperwork has been posted online on our Back to School webpage. Most of these forms can be submitted directly by completing them online. Be sure to find the list that matches the program your student is enrolling in, and whether they are new or returning students. Please go to the Back to School webpage and submit the required paperwork now to enroll your child.
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Descriptions of 2020-2021 Program Enrollment Options |
Mountain Song Community School has different enrollment options to choose from: a Full-time Learning option, and two Homeschool Enrichment options. For descriptions of these enrollment options, click here.
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Please Document Attendance |
Please note that each day, parents/caregivers must initial their student’s schedule with activities students have done. Initialed schedules must be submitted to the Class Teacher by the end of the week (Friday by 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise arranged by Class Teacher). Teachers will communicate with you about the method of submission. |
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Packet, Chromebook, and supply distributions began this week on Tuesday, from 9-4. If you have not had an opportunity to pick up your child’s classroom packet, Chromebook, and/or supplies, there will be other opportunities next week. Teachers will communicate directly with you about any additional days for pick-ups occurring next week.
We know many school supplies were not able to be returned to the classrooms at the end of Spring. Therefore, if you receive any duplicate items in your supply bin this week or next, please communicate with your child’s teacher and arrange a time to return them to the school. These supplies can then be distributed to students who do not have them (e.g. crayon rolls, colored pencils, recorders, paintbrushes, etc.)
Below are the same directions from last Spring when packet pick-up occured.
If you need to pick up packets, Chromebooks, or supplies, please carefully observe the following protocols. It is imperative that we follow strict safety procedures.
Drive-Through Instructions
- From Kiowa Street, drive through the parking lot next to the gym.
- Stop your car by the picnic table next to the gym door.
- You must stay in your vehicle.
- If no attendant is visible - give one short beep on the horn to let the attendant know you are there.
- Roll down the passenger side window - to keep social distance and communicate the name(s) of student and the teacher’s name.
- Attendant will hand the packet(s) through the passenger side window.
- Drive straight through the backside of the school and exit onto Bijou Street.
Teachers will email you directly if packets, Chromebooks or supplies are prepared and are ready for pick-up.
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Welcome Ms. Lauren Ferrara |
Please welcome to our staff our new Communications Specialist, Ms. Lauren Ferrara, whose prime responsibilities are to support the Executive Leadership Team to help develop and create a media presence to promote and describe Mountain Song Community School, its events, and opportunities to the community.
Ms. Ferrara has a wealth of experience in journalism and media communications. She has worked as a television reporter and news anchor at the local KXRM-TV FOX station, and previously at ABC, FOX, and CBS stations around the country, as well as with magazine journalism, social media management, coaching, and storytelling. Her work has earned her multiple award recognition. She earned her B.S. in Psychology and Kinesiology from Rice University in Houston, and also attended Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ms. Ferrara will be coordinating the Mountain Song Facebook presence, among other things. You will notice the new Welcome Back video posted above and on Facebook developed by Ms. Ferrara early this week. You can also see that she has initiated the #ShareYourSong project described above.
Please join us in extending our warmest welcome to Ms. Lauren Ferrara!
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Please welcome to our staff our new Communications Liaison, Ms. Sŏnia Cruz, whose prime responsibilities are to support the Executive Leadership Team in sharing with our community the activities, policies, and events in our school. One of her responsibilities will be coordinating the weekly Songbird, and so you will notice that she is now the contact person for submissions to this newsletter (see below). She and her family are new to Colorado Springs and to the school, though she has been strongly connected to Waldorf education in California. She has already established a steady presence volunteering in the Mountain Song garden.
Ms. Cruz holds a B.A. in Organizational Management with a minor in Early Childhood Education, and she has effectively managed operations within a number of organizations, including a large camp and conference center in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, environmental management and fire safety organizations, and as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of a public school district in California. She has significant expertise in working closely with leadership and administrative teams, understanding the various stakeholders’ roles within public organizations, and supporting legal and regulatory compliance.
We are truly delighted to welcome Ms. Sŏnia Cruz to the Mountain Song Community!
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Encouragement from a Student's View |
River Martinez, an 8-year-old student in Ms. Siebert's class, wrote this beautiful note of inspiration following a parent meeting. |
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Stone Soup Coming Soon From Parent Council |
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This year the Parent Council Festivals Committee will be holding our annual Stone Soup with many of the same activities. However, since we are distance learning, and it is still advised to keep gatherings small, we will be holding a virtual festival this year with take-home kits. While I know this is far from the festival that we all love, I believe it will still be a wonderful way to come together and gift our community with celebration.
Keep an eye out for more information to come.
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Parent Council at Mountain Song |
How can you offer your strengths to support Parent Council? Support can be as simple as volunteering on a work day or festival, donating funds to be used for committee functions, attending meetings or chairing a committee. No matter what, your time and input are important. Did you know that involvement on a Parent Council committee satisfies volunteer requirements for Mountain Song? Volunteer today!
Officer positions needed for 2020-21 are: Parent Council Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. Chairpersons are needed for Fundraising and Parent Class Rep Committees.
Parent Council meets the 3rd Thursday of each month. Next meeting is September 17th at 4:00 p.m., and it will be on video conference. For details about officer responsibilities or volunteering to chair a committee, please reach out to Parent Council at: pcchair@mountainsongschool.com.
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The Mountain Song Community School Board of Directors needs additional volunteers! The Board has several committees. Each committee is composed of one or two board members and additional community volunteers. Mountain Song Board committees include: Futures, Grant Writing, Development, Governance, Statutory Oversight, Charter Renewal, School Accountability, Finance, and Parent Council.
Contact the Board at board@mountainsongschool.com to get involved with any committee, especially the Grant Writing Committee and the Development Committee. The Futures Committee is also seeking any new leads for Mountain Song’s relocation site for next school year.
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The President’s Summary Report |
Board Working Meeting
September 1, 2020
The Board of Directors for Mountain Song Community School met for discussion/updates on a variety of agenda items, a short Executive Session for an update on a property, and training. In summary:
Financially, low enrollment is affecting this year’s budget, as are the cuts from the state due to COVID19. More cuts are expected in January. We are currently on track with our projected budget. New enrollments are expected to occur through September.
Each member of the Executive Leadership Team gave an oral update on their activities over the past couple of weeks. It is truly impressive to hear all of the things they are working on and dealing with. Our school leaders and staff are working very long days and most weekends to ensure a solid start to the year. Please send a message of support to them.
Our Charter Contract Renewal process is in full swing and has gone well to date with all submissions being complete.
The Development Committee is working very hard to organize fundraisers and a capital campaign for the approximately $1,000,000 needed to move to a new site. Please become a Sustaining Donor each month and participate in fundraising events. The Development Committee needs members, especially those with fundraising experience.
Parent Council is reorganizing for the 2020/2021 school year, and officers will be elected soon. All members of the community are invited and welcome to participate.
As always, the Board members appreciate your letters and messages. Please feel free to write the Board with any questions or concerns. This is a difficult year with many challenges, and good informative conversations can help us all work together for the betterment of MSCS.
Jennifer Barnes, President
MSCS Board of Directors
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Mountain Song Return to School Plan |
Click on image above or here
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Volunteers Needed on the Farm for September! |
Thanks to all the amazing volunteers who have helped us this summer! 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@mountainsongschool.com so he can arrange a time for you to be trained.
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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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Kindergarten Assistant Needed |
Kinder-Assistant (full-time 30+ hours per week) 7:45 am to 3:00pm
The Kindergarten assistants help 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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Choir and Elementary Spanish Plans |
Dear Parents,
You will notice that we have not filled the teaching positions for middle school choir and elementary Spanish yet, and we wanted to let you know of our plans.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we recognize that singing in close proximity to others in a large group is not a recommended activity for students right now. We are leaving the position of middle school choir instructor vacant for the time being, but we do plan to replace it when it is safe to hold choir again.
We do plan on hiring an elementary Spanish teacher, so if you know of potential candidates, please have them contact Dan Kurschner at dkurschner@mountainsongschool.com. To start the school year off, Ms. Leslie Conrad, reading interventionist, will be working with students in Grades 1-3 during the scheduled Spanish lesson times.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Executive Leadership Team
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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)
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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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