From the Principal
About this time of year, I can say with utter certainty that the days are growing longer. The sun rises a bit earlier each morning, and sets a bit later each evening. With this hard winter in this hard year, this lengthening sunlight is a calming sign of hope. We’re still in January, so I don’t expect a full spring thaw just yet. But I imagine it won’t be long before we start to see the familiar signs of animals migrating and plants pushing through the soil. Patience.  

All the school news is below. We are overjoyed to be bringing K-4 back in-person next week, and we are working on details to bring the older students in soon. Our model is a bit different now than it was in the fall -- we simply found the hybrid model unsustainable. We hope this works better for you, too. Please remember our safety protocols -- reminders are below and also outlined on our Return to School webpage.  

We are committed to both our in-person and remote students as we continue to navigate the ongoing crisis with heart.

Blessings,
Dr. Teresa Woods
In-Person Learning K-4 
Begins Monday Jan 25th
We are delighted to welcome grades K-4 back in-person next Monday, January 25. We are also developing plans to bring grades 5-8 soon, likely in later February.  

By now, K-4 teachers will have asked for your choice about either having your student(s) in-person or continuing in full remote-learning. You may change your decision in the first week through the end of January. If you would like to switch after that, please contact the Executive Leadership Team, as it may impact staffing and we can work together for the best solution. Innovation Learning will be available on Fridays for those families who need the program.

Below are details about the upcoming Return to School plan for K-4.  
Safety measures at school will continue to be in place, and include:
  • Face-coverings
  • Daily health pre-screenings
  • Frequent handwashing
  • Maintaining cohorts
  • Enhanced cleaning
  • Stay updated at Mountain Song’s Return to School webpage.
K-3 Assessment Day Today!
REMINDER: There will be no school for Grades K-3 today (January 22). 

Today is our Assessment Day for Grades K-3. Grades 4-8 have a regular school day. 
 
Please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Sarah Kreger with any questions: skreger@mountainsongschool.com
Road Construction Near School
Please allot extra commute time next week to ensure students’ timely arrival to school. Road construction near the school may interfere with normal commute times. There are active Cone Zones on W. Colorado Ave., W. Pikes Peak Ave., and N. 30th St.

There is a great new way to keep track of what’s happening on the roads. View the Colorado Springs Traffic Cone Zones Map!
Morning Health Pre-Screening
We are required to screen all staff and students entering the building for COVID symptoms each day.  

Please complete an online form each day before 7:30 a.m. for each child planning to come to school in the In-Person Learning option. 

  • Here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/mscshealth
  • You should receive a notice each morning by email and/or text with the link again as a reminder. 
  • If you do not receive a notice, click the link above, or go to our website www.mountainsongschool.com and click on the yellow box, labeled “Student Daily Health Pre-Screening Form”.
  • Please complete this no later than 7:30 a.m. 
  • A video with instructions to complete the Pre-Screening form is found on our Return to School page.

If you do not submit a form by 7:30 a.m., you must accompany your child(ren) onto school grounds to meet a Mountain Song staff health screener. Symptom screening, including temperature check, will be conducted at that point. 

Students who have one or more symptoms on the list will be required to stay or return home.

Thank you for your cooperation.
New Packet Pick-Up Procedures
Packet Pick-Up procedures are changing as grades K-4 return to In-Person Learning. 

Packet Pick-Up will no longer happen at the gymnasium door. 

Starting next week, you may pick up materials for Remote students only on Thursdays and Fridays from 12pm to 4pm.  
  • Please park on the street (not in the school parking lot) and walk to the Main Entrance doors.
  • Ring the bell and let the staff member know you are here for Packet Pick-Up.
  • The staff member will take the name of your child(ren) and classroom while you wait.
  • Your student(s) supplies will be delivered to you at the front door.

Teachers will communicate directly with you about any supplies available for pick-up weekly. 
Mountain Song Media Moment 2021
Mountain Song had a unique opportunity on Tuesday as our school was featured on The LunchBox, a KPPF broadcast radio show (1040 AM and 95.7 FM)!
 
Dr. Woods shared an in-depth description of our unique Waldorf education model, and Lauren Ferrara shared her experience as a new kindergarten parent at Mountain Song. Host Mike Gomez was simply enamored with the details he was learning about our garden, our handwork, and the head, heart and hands approach to experiential learning. In fact, at one point he stated, “I think my kids are missing out.” 
 
They discussed how Mountain Song teachers, staff and families learned to embrace the 2020 remote learning world as well as the incredible commitment Waldorf makes to cultivate constructive and courageous humans who solve problems and improve our world. There is a segment on emotional well-being and health, and a good discussion on how families adjust to a no-media family life through Waldorf. Many heartwarming stories of grown Waldorf students were shared.
 
Dr. Woods, always appreciative of Mountain Song educators, said, “Our teachers have been incredibly innovative in creating this Waldorf experience, even if it’s online.” 
 
Take 45 minutes to listen to this fun media moment: Link to webpage with recording
MAP Assessments Grades 3-8
Mountain Song administers the NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Growth assessments three times a year in grades 3 through 8 in accordance with our charter and public school mandate to track student growth. Please be sure children are well rested and have consumed a healthy breakfast for testing days.
 
Assessments will begin next week. The purpose of these assessments is to track student growth throughout the school year.
 
Grades 5-8
Students will complete assessments remotely the week of January 25th. The remote assessments will be proctored by a teacher. 
  • Grades 7-8 will work on assessments remotely 12-4pm on Monday, January 25th (Math) and Tuesday, January 26th (Reading). 
  • Grades 5-6 will work on assessments remotely 12-4pm Wednesday, January 27th (Math) and Thursday, January 28th (Reading). 
  • Make-up days in Math and/or Reading will occur Friday, January 29th, 12-4pm.
 
Grades 3-4 
Students will work on assessments in person at school, beginning Monday, February 1st through Friday, February 5th. Make-up days for Grades 3-4 will be February 8th - February 10th. Class teachers will inform families of their class testing dates and times. 
 
Testing is not timed. Students can take the time they need to complete the assessments. Make-up days will be used to allow students to continue any unfinished assessments.

Thank you for your support of our efforts to track student academic growth. For more information about our Assessment Policies, click here.  

If you have any questions about the NWEA MAP Growth test or about our assessments in general, please contact Ms. Sarah Kreger, Director of School Performance, at skreger@mountainsongschool.com
Alliance Waldorf Conference 2021
(Mr. Adam’s work from the Guided Chalk Drawing Workshop: Farm and Roman Aqueducts)
As a member of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, Mountain Song had the opportunity for staff and board members to attend the Alliance’s annual national conference (this year online) over the MLK weekend. This event connected individuals from public Waldorf schools and initiatives across the country to deepen our work together.  

This year’s conference, Common Ground: Finding Unity and Renewal through Our Core Principles, offered inspiring keynote talks about the Alliance’s Core Principles and smaller group discussion sessions and workshops. There were opportunities to learn how others are meeting the challenges and opportunities of our time, including the impact of virtual learning, inclusion and diversity within the Waldorf culture, and finding unity in a polarized society. It certainly was a source of regeneration, colleagueship, and inspiration for those in the unique field of Public Waldorf Education.

Virtual Parent Information Session
We hope you’ll share the song with your friends, family, and neighbors and let them know about our Virtual Parent Information Sessions.

We invite interested parents to pour themselves a cup of tea and join us online to learn more about the only tuition-free public Waldorf school in Southern Colorado. We’ll explain the Waldorf approach, give insight into our enriching curriculum, and show them how Mountain Song nurtures the body, mind and heart of every student.

An Information Session will be held...
January 28, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Confirmation of Continued Enrollment 
for 2021-22 School Year
Current Mountain Song families must complete and submit a Confirmation of Continued Enrollment form for their students by January 31st. 
 
We are providing an electronic version of the Confirmation of Continued Enrollment form. Please click here or visit our website at www.mountainsongschool.com/enrollment to fill in the Google Form and submit it electronically by January 31st.
 
Every year we survey our families about whether or not they intend on bringing their children back to Mountain Song the following school year. We use this information to determine our enrollment projections. Because this information is so valuable, we ask all our families to fill in these forms, even if their children will not return to Mountain Song next fallIf you intend to re-enroll your student(s) in Mountain Song next year, this form is essential to ensure placement.
 
If you have other children you are interested in enrolling for the first time at Mountain Song next school year, please fill in the SY21/22 Intent to Enroll form by clicking here or visiting our website at www.mountainsongschool.com/enrollment

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Kreger at skreger@mountainsongschool.com.
Accepting Intent to Enroll Forms for the 2021-2022 School Year
Families interested in enrolling their children in Kindergarten through Grade 8 classes or our Homeschool Enrichment Program must submit a SY21-22 Intent to Enroll form by January 31, 2021 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 9, 2021. If your child is selected in the lottery, enrollment packets will be sent to you from our Director of School Performance after confirmation in February. Please contact Sarah Kreger with questions at skreger@mountainsongschool.com.
Farewell to Ms. Deserea Morse
We are sad to announce the resignation of Ms. Deserea Morse, Long Term Substitute. She worked with us in second and seventh grade classrooms as well as the special education department. Please join us in sending our best wishes to Ms. Morse in her new ventures!
Innovation Learning for Families
Innovation Learning is offering an Afterschool PM Program beginning January 25th, once K-4 students return to in-person learning. If you are interested in joining Innovation Learning, please click here for information about how to register.

CCCAP is accepted. CCCAP is the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) that provides child care assistance to families who are working, searching for employment, or are in training, and families who are enrolled in the Colorado Works program. View the Family Income Guidelines for CCCAP eligibility.

An Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin February 11th
Join “An Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin” on February 11th for a FREE Virtual Event. Dr. Grandin will share a video of a recent presentation discussing her book, Calling All Minds, followed by a Q and A session.

Dr. Temple Grandin is a well known spokesperson for people with autism and her lifelong work with animal behavior. Dr. Grandin has been with Colorado State University (CSU) for over 25 years. Determined to understand her own autistic mind, her expertise significantly contributes to the world of autism as she shares her knowledge and aids in the treatment of individuals with the condition. 

Register now to reserve your spot! 

Great Backyard Bird Count
February 12-15, 2021
Would you and your family like to help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations? This is your opportunity to get outside and explore birds in your favorite places! Join the Great Backyard Bird Count February 12-15, 2021. 

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an inter-organizational effort between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. For four days, join the world by watching, counting, and reporting as many birds as you can find in your backyard, schoolyard, or favorite place.

Here is the link for more information: https://www.birdcount.org
Substitute Teacher Position(s)
Mountain Song is looking for a few good substitute teachers. Ideal candidates will be available and able to teach either in-person and/or on-line. Previous classroom teaching experience is important. A Bachelor's degree is desired, but someone with an Associate’s degree and classroom experience could qualify. Pay is $125 per day. Click here for job description.

Contact our Director of Operations, Dan Kurschner at dkurschner@mountainsongschool.com or call 719-203-6364.

Ag Arts Needs Spice Jars!
The summer and fall harvest are getting processed, but we need clean, glass spice jars! We have plucked and picked, snipped and dried herbs and spices such as dill, fennel, rosemary, sage, bay, lavender, and lemon verbena. We have more herbs and spices than jars! Agricultural Arts plans to sell our harvest by the jar sometime in 2021. There will be single harvest jars and some wonderful blends. So, let’s reuse some of those expired jars in the pantry! Please send in your clean glass spice jars today!

The more jars we receive, the more we can fill. 
The more we fill, the more we can sell! 
Thank you for supporting Ag Arts!
Farm Volunteers Needed!
Winter chores continue in the garden. We now have weekend slots available until the end of February. We need volunteers to help us keep our animals fed. We have 2 bunnies, 4 chickens, and many fish that require our warmth and attention.

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. 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.

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. 
Do you long to know more about Waldorf festivals? Maybe you love to craft and want to help find a safe way to celebrate each festival this year. Would you like to help create online, interactive festivals?

Please join:
Festivals Committee 
Meets 2nd Wednesday each month at 4pm
Meetings at 4pm on this Zoom link
Do you care for the physical and emotional health of our community? Would you enjoy supporting our Waldorf community by involvement with Mountain Song’s media policy, food program, and dress code?

Please join: 
Health and Wellness/Hospitality Committee 
Meets 2nd Tuesday each month at 4pm
Meetings at 4 pm on this Zoom link
Are you a natural communicator and enjoy coordinating? Parent Council seeks a Chair to host monthly meetings, help coordinate committees, act as a liaison between staff and parent council, and communicate with the Board Liaison. 

Please join:
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 on the Parent Council committee satisfies volunteer requirements for Mountain Song! Please reach out to Cambria at pcchair@mountainsongschool.com if you are interested. 

The school's Board of Directors also has committees that are seeking volunteers. Please reach out to them at board@mountainsongschool.com for more information.
Get Social with Mountain Song
Please take a moment to follow, tag, and support our Instagram account @mountainsongschool! Encourage friends, family and community members to do the same!
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