February 5
Urban Air Fundraiser
February 9
School Tour for Prospective Families 8:30 a.m.
February 12
Family Engagement Committee Meeting 6 p.m.
February 14
Valentine’s Day
February 19
Presidents Day NO SCHOOL
February 20
In-Service Day NO SCHOOL
Board Meeting 6 p.m.
March 22
Half-day for Kindergarten
March 25-29
Spring Break NO SCHOOL
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Dearest Mountain Song Community,
This past week, I have appreciated so many well wishes upon my return from being ill. I love this school and our dear students, and was deeply moved by so many welcoming me back with true warmth and concern. I love the empathy and understanding that you and our community foster in your children. It makes a huge difference in the world they create, and I had the privilege of feeling that first hand this week. I’m incredibly grateful.
Have you noticed the days are getting longer? We are moving into the season that often brings big snow storms to our region, which can then melt within a day. Please be sure your contact information is up to date in the front office so that you receive notices of delays or school closures due to weather. And always, please make the safest decision that is right for your family. We do excuse weather-related absences.
Have a lovely (possibly snowy) weekend!
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Teresa M. Woods, Ph.D.
Executive Director
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The Grown-Ups Guide to Screens
A Waldorf(ish) Approach
By Lauren Ferrara
Colorado Springs Kids Magazine
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“If you keep your children off screens, I can work magic,” said Ms. Alisia McCabe during our very first parent meeting of second grade. Those words were all it took for me to commit to screen-less school days for my children. It’s the least I can do, if she’s going to work magic. (Which she does!)
At my children’s school, Mountain Song Community School, that’s the expectation. Like other Waldorf-inspired schools across the world, our school asks that families avoid digital media or screen-time on school nights. That means no movies, television, video games, cell phones, tablets, or computers Sunday through Thursday. The school points to a vast (and growing) body of evidence that screen time for children disrupts normal and healthy brain development, as well as negatively impacting social, emotional, and motor skill development.
It all makes sense to me, and on most days, it’s doable. But here's where it gets tricky… Our school also points out that parents’ screen time in the presence of their children negatively impacts children’s development as well. Ouch! That part of the policy felt as if it were written with me in mind. As Taylor Swift says, “It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me.” So, in 2024, my focus is not on my kids’ screen time. It’s on mine.
Read the full article on Page 21 of CS Kids Magazine with a plan for grown-ups from our beloved kindergarten teacher, Ms. Gina Nicoletta-Budler.
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Support Student Businesses |
The Violetwood 6th Grade has just completed their Business Math block and have been planning and designing their own individual businesses. Come and support them at The Violetwood 6th Grade Marketplace!
Sixth grade students will have booths selling various goods and services before school, during lunchtime and after school starting next Wednesday, February, 7th.
Next week’s booths will feature businesses selling baked goods, beaded jewelry, origami bookmarks, muffins, and 3D printed dragons and animals. Their booths will be cash only and they can make change with small bills. This will continue through the school year! Thank you for your support!
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In case you missed it on social media… |
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Click on picture or here for social media link
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As a culmination of their "Wish, Wonder, Surprise" Poetry block, our Mountain Song 7th graders walked over to the @StoryCoffeeCompany to share their favorite poems, from Shel Silverstein to Emily Dickenson to their own original work.
Thursday, February 1, 2024
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All Mountain Song swag is on sale! Our Parent Circle will be selling sweatshirts, T-shirts, mugs, etc. after school each Friday. Everything is just $10! |
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School Tour
February 9th at 8:30 a.m.
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Our 2nd grade Huckleberry Class during a special lesson with MSCS Pedagogical Director, Mr. Karl Johnson |
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We welcome interested families to learn more about Mountain Song Community School and our Waldorf-inspired approach to education during a school tour Friday, February 9th at 8:30 a.m. Please register HERE. Additional tours are scheduled for March 8th, April 5th & May 7th. Can’t make it? Click HERE for a virtual tour!
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We will soon begin our popular Lunch Bunch group for all students who have loved ones in the military.
We are fortunate to have a strong military presence in our community, and children often share similar feelings as they experience deployments, frequent moves or concern for their loved ones. This group allows students to meet other children in similar circumstances and to share their experiences.
If you would like your child to participate, please contact our Dean of Students, Cori Karasiuk at ckarasiuk@mountainsongschool.com. The group will begin on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and will run for six weeks.
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Food Pantry Donations Needed |
Art by one of our MSCS 8th grade students |
Our food pantry is running low! Please consider picking up some extra food the next time you shop. We’re especially in need of food high in protein as well as individually packaged snacks. |
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Bring Your Compost to School |
Art by one of our talented MSCS students |
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We invite you to bring your compost to the school garden. Simply dump it over the fence next to the chicken coop before or after school. Please bring only food scraps from fruits and vegetables (no meat or oils, egg shells, plastics, or trash – not even compostable trash). This collective effort will not only help our school garden but also contribute to a better global climate.
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We hope to see you at our next Urban Air Fundraiser this Monday, February 5th! Our school receives 20% of the cost of each admission all day long, so make sure you mention Mountain Song!
Monday’s Skate City Fundraiser was a huge success! We had 110 skaters and raised a total of $330 for our school. Thank you EmmaLee Slimski for organizing these fun nights for our community!
Mark your calendar for the last two fundraising nights of this school year!
March 4 Skate City
April 1 Urban Air
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Landsharks Running Club
Register today!
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Mountain Song’s Landsharks Running Club returns this spring! Landsharks is a non-competitive youth program that introduces running to young athletes in a safe and fun environment. The focus is on self-improvement, being an encouraging teammate, and making new friends.
Practices will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. at Thorndale Park Track meets will be held on April 21, 28, and May 5.
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One of the most impactful ways you can support our school is to help ensure we have a student in every available seat this year. Please spread the word about Mountain Song with your friends and neighbors. Feel free to grab a flyer or brochure from the office to leave at your local library or favorite coffee shop.
VOLUNTEER IN THE GARDEN
MAKE A DONATION
JOIN A COMMITTEE
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2023-2024 Calendars and Schedule |
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Please find the 2023-2024 school calendars and daily schedule for grades 1-8 at the links 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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