December 18-January 5
No School - Winter Break
*please note Kindergarten returns to school on January 16
January 4-5
Staff Professional Development Days - NO SCHOOL
January 11
1st-5th Grade Parent Information Night 5:45 p.m.
“An Enlivened Education: Cultivating Imagination, Creativity & Intelligence in Our Children”
by Mr. Karl Johnson
January 15
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
January 16
Kindergarten Returns to School
January 17
Prospective Families School Tour 8:30 a.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.
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Dearest Mountain Song Community,
It certainly feels like winter now! I hope everyone enjoyed their Snow Day yesterday!
For me, Winter Faire is always the official kickoff to the season. It was so touching to watch our students lovingly make beeswax lanterns, yule wands, magnets and ornaments to give as gifts. Seeing them light up as Father Winter made his entrance, sprinkling the school with snow, was a sight to behold! And, of course, the music that our students create takes my breath away! Be sure to visit our Festivals page to watch the video from this special day.
Winter Faire was also a successful fundraiser for our school! Combined with all of your support, that of our sponsors FirstBank and Sparks Willson, and our silent auction, we raised more than $7,600!
A special thanks go to our inspiring Festivals Co-Chairs, Arielle Castle and Liz Tomal-Keiser for organizing and orchestrating this special day! They were supported by a vibrant Winter Faire Committee, including Hannah Lewis, Cori Karasiuk, Kristine-Joyce Lijuaco, Miranda Barness, Lori Kemmler, Amy Siebert, Adam Wright, and others… including you! We are so grateful.
As Winter Break begins, I hope you’ll look back on your own life and reflect… Which memories still make you feel warm? Which ones bring you peace? Which ones bring a smile to your face, even decades later? We hope you’ll do less this season and enjoy the moments more. If you’re looking to glean inspiration from the lovely teachers, staff, parents here at Mountain Song, take a look at our article in Colorado Springs Kids Magazine on page 21!
Happy holidays, my friends!
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Teresa M. Woods, Ph.D.
Executive Director
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The Winter Solstice marks the first day of winter, and this year it falls on Thursday, December 21st at 8:27 p.m. After the solstice, the daylight hours get longer and longer until Summer Solstice. The word “solstice” means “sun stand still.” That’s because for a few days following the solstice, the sun’s path remains the same, making it look as though the sun is standing still.
Here at our Waldorf-inspired school, we find meaning in these rhythms and cycles. If you’d like to mark this special day with your family, here are a few ideas from some of our wonderful teachers!
“We light the house only with candles and holiday lights and we make a fire in the backyard. We write down things we want to let go of and throw the paper into the fire. There’s oodles of yummy food, hot cocoa and warm drinks. We chat, laugh, and remember our loved ones who have passed. Then we do a little ‘yippee’ because the sun is coming back!”
-Ms. Gina Nicoletta-Budler, Marigold Kindergarten Teacher
“We will be making wishing cones! We roll up pieces of paper filled with gratitudes and wishes then stick them into a pinecone. Burn the pinecone with the wishes in a fire and know that it will bring peace in the changing seasons.
-Ms. Arielle Castle, Bluebell Kindergarten Teacher
“Every year our family builds a fire to symbolize the light and fire that burns within us all, even through the coldest days and darkest nights. We drum, dance, sing, and drink something warm. Then, we write, or draw, one thing that we want to release (a bad habit, a memory that isn’t pleasant, any heavy emotions that we have been carrying). It helps to bring the sense of truly letting go, and moving on. Then, we go inside, snuggle up, and share one thing that we look forward to doing in the spring. This year we’re making beeswax candles that we can continue to light each evening after the solstice, as a reminder of the magic we shared that evening!”
-Ms. Allyson Bartling, Handwork Teacher
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Parent Information Nights
An Enlivened Education
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As we begin to make decisions for next school year, 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!
Kindergarten
January 31, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
This evening is for families interested in our play-based Kindergarten. Sign up HERE.
First-Fifth Grades
January 11, 2024 at 5:45 p.m.
An Enlivened Education: Cultivating Imagination, Creativity and Intelligence in our Children
This evening is intended for both current and prospective families interested in learning how a Waldorf-inspired education benefits our children and the world. Karl Johnson, our Pedagogical Director, will host this evening. Sign up HERE.
Middle School
January 24, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
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.
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We are thrilled to announce that Mountain Song was the recent recipient of a national grant to add honey bees to our Agricultural Arts program! The grant, sponsored by the Whole Kids Foundation and the Bee Cause Project, will provide $1,500 to help us bring this exciting new opportunity to our students. We plan to purchase our bees from Rocky Mountain Bee Supply, one of our friendly neighbors located right here in Old Colorado City, who will also offer ongoing support and advice to us. Although we will be searching for additional funds to help create a security fence around our hive, this is a wonderful step forward for our Ag Arts program. We know that bees are something our students and families have been asking about for years, and we are thrilled to be able to make this a reality!
To show our appreciation for Mr. Adam, let’s pitch in and give him holidays off. Please sign up for a shift in the garden HERE!
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Coffee & Conversation
TODAY 8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
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Chalkboard Art by Ms. Miranda Barness |
We hope to see you today for Coffee & Conversation! We will delve into the importance of art in bringing a sense of wholeness to our world. Dr. Woods will lead us through a Winter Solstice art experience – come join us whether you have artistic experience or not!
And please bring your own coffee!
Assembly 8:20 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. (in the Gym)
Coffee & Conversation 8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (Homeschool Room)
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Support the Cardona Family! |
The fire happened just hours before movers were scheduled to come help the Cardonas move into their brand new house. If you’re looking to support this wonderful family during this challenging time, please consider donating to a Go Fund Me organized by one of Mr. Cardona’s coworkers.
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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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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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In case you missed it on social media… |
Posted December 15, 2023
For a peek into the classroom, we hope you'll follow along on Instagram and Facebook!
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GIVE MR. ADAM THE HOLIDAYS OFF
MAKE A DONATION
JOIN A COMMITTEE
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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 for Landsharks will open before registration, on January 2, 2024 at 9am. 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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Milibo Art Theatre Presents:
Santa’s Elves Annual Talent Show
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Looking for some holiday fun with your family? Look no further than the Millibo Art Theater, owned by MSCS founding family, Jim Jackson and Birgitta De Pree!
Refurbish the Elf returns to the North Pole just in time for the annual Talent Show judged by the Big Guy himself. All of the other elves have talent galore and show off their incredible dancing, singing, aerial acrobatics, and Elfen magic. Refurbish can’t even decide what his talent is. Will he find it in time for the Big Show? Big laughs for the whole family!
December 9th through 23rd
Saturdays at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm
Sundays at 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm
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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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