January 19
Winter Assembly “Winter Magic” 8:30 a.m.
January 23
MSCS Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.
January 24
Art Night 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Middle School Parent Information Night 4:30 p.m.
January 31
Kindergarten Parent Information Night 6:30 p.m.
Deadline for Intent to Enroll forms for inclusion in MSCS Lottery
February 9
School Tour for Prospective Families 8:30 a.m.
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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Chalk art by 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Tomal Keiser |
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Dearest Mountain Song Community,
After a few days of reprieve, COVID came back for me, so I write this letter from home. Despite my circumstances, I am full of joy!
We have so much to celebrate this week, first and foremost… the approval of a 5-YEAR RENEWED CHARTER CONTRACT by our authorizing board – the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI). This is the longest term that CSI approves, and this is the first time Mountain Song has achieved this contract term. This shows just how much confidence CSI has in our school. It also tells me that state education leaders recognize the need for more students educated in the Waldorf tradition.
In addition, Mountain Song is the subject of a research case study on the implementation of our K-5 Social-Emotional Learning grant project. The study is conducted by a research team from University of Colorado Boulder. Mountain Song is one of only seven recipients of the pilot project grant through a fund set up (prior to the pandemic) to test the concept that investing in the mental health of elementary-aged children is beneficial. The program is under discussion by the state legislature to be more widely funded, and I believe there will be opportunities soon to write to our legislators to support this. In the meantime, here is a link to a fact sheet about the program.
Thank you for being part of this community. We’re truly doing something special within these walls. Thank you for being here for it!
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Teresa M. Woods, Ph.D.
Executive Director
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Mountain Song’s Charter Renewed for 5 YEARS!!! |
We are thrilled to announce the Colorado Charter School Institute Board unanimously approved a 5-year renewal contract for Mountain Song, the maximum renewal period available, a distinction rarely bestowed upon CSI charter schools.
No one knows the charter renewal process quite like former MSCS Board president and current reading interventionist, Ms. Jennifer Barnes.
“Having been through three charter contract renewal periods as a Board member, I can tell you that it is a very time-consuming, long and detailed process,” said Barnes.
“To achieve a 5-year renewal is a rare and difficult accomplishment and I send my thanks to MSCS Board Secretary Katie Hopkins and Dr. Teresa Woods for carrying the weight of this complex project, and I send my thanks to the Governing Board for seeing this through. While MSCS had compliance issues in the past as we learned how to ‘sail the ship while we built the ship,’ the new leadership and vision of CSI under Terry Croy Lewis along with the leadership and professionalism of Dr. Woods at Mountain Song has turned a compliance-oriented relationship to a highly collaborative relationship. No other leader of MSCS and most other leaders of the other CSI charter schools have been able to earn this relatively rare 5-year renewal.”
Thank you to the many people who participated in the renewal process. Cheers to a new day at Mountain Song Community School!
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Join Us for “Winter Magic”
Friday, January 19th, 8:30-9:15 a.m.
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Save Your Seat By January 31st |
We are excited to plan our classes for the upcoming school year, and we need your assistance!
In order for us to save a spot for your child in our classes and to project next year’s enrollment, please seat HERE by January 31st. If you are planning not to return, please come by the office or email Mary Ann Major at mamajor@mountiansongschool.org and request a withdrawal form.
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Art Night
Wednesday, January 24th
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Mark your calendars! We are opening our doors for Art Night on Wednesday, January 24th from 4-6 p.m. to showcase the amazing talents of 1st-8th students, staff, and other local artists. We are featuring visual art of all medium and musical performances. Please invite friends, neighbors, grandparents, and anyone who may be interested in learning more about our wonderful Mountain Song community!
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January School Tours & Parent Information Nights |
Chalk art by 1st grade teacher, Ms. Amy Tezak |
We invite families, both current and prospective, to learn more about Mountain Song Community School and our Waldorf-inspired approach to education. Please join us for our January Parent Information Nights… and invite your friends and neighbors!
Middle School
January 24, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. (can be attended when you come for Art Night)
This evening will include parents of currently enrolled 5th graders and interested families. Karl Johnson, our Pedagogical Director, will host this evening. Sign up HERE. Families will also have the opportunity to enjoy Art Night before or after this session.
Kindergarten
January 31, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
This evening is for families interested in our play-based Kindergarten. Sign up HERE.
For more enrollment information for current & prospective families, please visit our enrollment page.
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Alliance for Public Waldorf Education Conference |
This past weekend, our staff joined fellow educators online and in-person for the 2024 Alliance for Public Waldorf Education Conference. They discussed deepening our work, innovating the curriculum, and maintaining balance between public school mandates and responsibilities while holding true to Waldorf pedagogy and principles.
Our own Ms. Jennifer Barnes brought her experience as a former special education teacher and current dyslexia therapist to her fellow educators, helping them understand the urgency of early screening and remediation for children who have dyslexia.
As Ms. Barnes explained, from gestation through age three, our brain is building all of our neurological connections and gray matter. From age three to six, the brain prunes unused damaged weak connections. So, if a child has a learning disability such as dyslexia, which 1 in every 5 children has, waiting to recognize and remediate is very detrimental to them. She also explained how the neurological processes that occur during encoding/decoding and the physical mechanics of how our brains learn to read and evolve through our lifetimes.
Over the weekend, she explained what to do, when to do it and why it matters. Thank you, Ms. Barnes, for sharing your wisdom!
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No Coffee & Conversation Today |
There will be no Coffee and Conversation today as we’ll be enjoying “Winter Magic,” our special assembly this morning. |
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Update to This Year’s School Calendar |
Ms. Lori Kemmler 3rd grade classroom |
The MSCS Board of Directors recently approved a minor (but important) revision to this year’s CMAS testing schedule in April. Please note the new testing dates and which grades will be in and out of school.
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April 10 - 12: CMAS Assessment Days. NO SCHOOL for Grades 6-8. Normal School for Grades K-5.
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April 17 - 19: CMAS Assessment Days. NO SCHOOL for Grades K–5. Normal School for Grades 6-8.
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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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Skate City Fundraiser
January 29
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We hope to see you at our next Skate City Fundraiser on January 29th. from 5-7 p.m.
Admission is $7 and you can rent skates for $4! If at least 50 skaters attend, we'll raise $150 for our school that night!
Evenings like this provide our families with healthy, fun and screen-free entertainment at reduced prices, while also building community and raising money for our school!
Mark your calendar for our other upcoming fundraising nights!
February 5 Urban Air
March 4 Skate City
April 1 Urban Air
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Landsharks Running Club
Financial Aid Available
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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 are on April 21, 28, and May 5.
Financial Aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who can provide current proof of WIC, TANF, SNAP or Medicaid.
Please follow the link below for more information as well as for instructions. Landsharks will stop taking Financial Aid applications on January 30, 2024 at 5pm (or earlier, if funds run out)
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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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