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Harvest Festival: A Perfect Autumn Day

What a beautiful get together we recently had at Mountain Song! We played in the garden, painted rocks, read stories, did stand-up comedy, and sang a little karaoke. We also gathered to hear the traditional tale of Stone Soup and brought its message to life with nearly 10 different soups! Families contributed fresh vegetables, herbs, and simple ingredients to create a variety of nourishing ingredients. All soups were then combined and simmered over an open flame. You never new what vegetable combination you were going to get. Soon, a line of families stretched toward the fire, each carrying a bowl from home to share in the harvest meal.

In Waldorf education, seasonal festivals help children experience the rhythms of nature through storytelling, meaningful work, gratitude, and community traditions. Stone Soup reminds us that when each person offers what they can, something wonderful can emerge.

A heartfelt thank you to Parent Circle, our volunteers, and every family who helped make this day so special.

Two Ways to Connect, One Evening
- Open to the public -

In a world that is constantly changing, how can we help children grow into thoughtful, creative, and capable human beings?

Join Karl David Johnson, M.A., Mountain Song's Director of Pedagogy, for a community conversation exploring the importance of imagination, creativity, and the many ways children learn and develop intelligence.

Drawing on insights from modern brain research and Waldorf education, Karl will explore how education can nurture independent thinking, curiosity, and the inner capacities children need to meet an ever-changing world.

Community Talk with Karl Johnson
"What Do Children Need to Meet the World?"

Cultivating Imagination, Creativity, and Multiple Intelligences in Our Children

Wed, November 4th | 5:30–7:00pm
Mountain Song Gym

This conversation is intended for parents, educators, and community members alike. Whether you're familiar with Waldorf education or simply curious about what helps children thrive, we invite you to join us.

____________

Director of Education Candidate Q&A

Wed, November 4th | 4:00–5:00pm

Mountain Song Cafeteria

Meet our two Director of Education finalists:

• Shannon Lang & Annie Stone • 

Join the Mountain Song Board of Directors for an opportunity to meet the candidates, hear from them, and learn more about the selection process for our next Director of Education. Families, staff, and community members are welcome to attend.

Stay afterward for Karl Johnson's community talk, beginning at 5:30 pm.

Glow Dance is Coming Soon

Friday, October 30th | 5:30-7:30pm

Get ready for an evening of music, movement, costumes, and glowing fun at Mountain Song. Our eighth-grade class is hosting this year's Glow Dance, bringing families together for a festive evening while raising funds for the eighth-grade class trip. We will celebrate outside, but have alternative options if it gets too cold!

The current forecast looks promising, with temperatures in the 50s during the dance. Bring a warm jacket, add layers beneath those costumes, and come ready to glow!

Admission: $5 per student (adults free)

• $5 pizza
• free popcorn

• more snacks for purchase!

Parents and guardians do not need to purchase an admission ticket, but must remain to supervise their children. Food will be available for purchase. Please no masks, weapons, or blood.

Día de los Ancestros
Honoring Those We Love
October - November

Throughout late October and early November, Mountain Song students will celebrate Día de los Ancestros, drawing upon the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos to remember loved ones, honor ancestors, and reflect on the continuing cycle of life.

Unlike Halloween, Día de los Muertos is a celebration centered on remembrance and connection. Through music, storytelling, traditional foods, and handmade decorations, students will explore the meaning of this important cultural tradition.

Under the guidance of Maestra Stefanny, students across the grades are preparing paper marigolds, colorful artwork, songs, and decorations for a special school altar. Our middle school students are also helping prepare for the October 30 assembly.

Please Celebrate with Us

Decorate on Friday, Oct. 23, 3:30-4:30 in the gym
Donations due by Monday, October 26


Make Marigold Flowers

We are looking for parents and community members who would like to help create paper marigolds and other decorations. These can be wonderful projects to make together at home. Instructions are here.

Honor a Loved One

Families are invited to contribute a photograph of a loved one, including a beloved pet, to be displayed on our remembrance altar.

Contribute Supplies

Donations of paper plates and cups are appreciated to support the celebration.

Join the Celebration

A morning assembly celebration is planned for Friday, October 30, with classroom celebrations continuing through November.

Maestra Stefanny Velasquez

svelasquez@mountainsongschool.com

Give, Take, Reuse
Friday, November 13 | 2-5pm

One family's outgrown treasures can become another family's new favorites! Join Parent Circle for Mountain Song's Community Clothing Swap on Friday, November 13, from 2–5pm in the gym. Families are invited to share gently used clothing and shoes for all ages, from infants to adults, and discover something new to love.

Clothing donations may be brought to school beginning November 2. Volunteers are also needed to help sort and organize donations November 11 and 12th.

Come share what you can, take what you need, and help give good clothing a new home. Together, we can reduce waste and care for one another!

Middle School Dance
Saturday, November 14 | 5-8pm

Step into an enchanted woodland for an evening of music, dancing, and a little forest magic! Our middle school students are invited to gather beneath the imaginary canopy for a memorable evening with friends.

Saturday, November 14, 5:00-8:00pm

Mountain Song Gym | Tickets: $15

Help Bring the Magic to Life!

Join the dance planning meeting on Monday, October 26, at 3:45pm in Ms. Hannah's kindergarten classroom. Parent Circle is seeking volunteers to help transform our gym into a magical woodland forest. Whether you enjoy decorating, organizing, or simply lending a hand, your creativity and support are welcome.

Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, October 27


Van Gogh School Photographers will return on Tuesday, October 27, to photograph students who missed our first Picture Day or would like another opportunity to have their portrait taken.


Ordering Portraits:

• Preorder Photos Here
• School Code: 30015701
  

For Retakes: If you previously purchased a photo package and would like a new portrait, please send the entire original package with your child on October 27 for an exchange.


Questions? Van Gogh School Photographers can be reached at 303-679-9003 or at customerservice@vangoghco.com.

Session 2 Clubs
Begin October 26th


A new session of after-school clubs is just around the corner! This six-week session begins October 26, with opportunities for students to explore new interests, get creative, and connect with friends.

Club offerings include: Seasonal Craft Club, Trading Card Club, Improv Club, Handmade Gift Club, Social Club, and LEGO Club.

The Colors of the MSCS Week

Mon = Purple Tues = Red Wed = Yellow Thurs = Orange Fri = Green

Have you ever wondered why we associate different colors with the days of the week? In Waldorf education, each day traditionally carries its own color, helping young children experience the rhythm of the week through something familiar and visual. These colorful traditions are one of the many ways Waldorf-inspired education brings rhythm, imagination, and consistency into everyday learning.



A little color, a little rhythm, and a meaningful connection to the week. Additionally, it makes getting dressed a bit easier each morning.

Update: Water Upgrades

Colorado Springs Utilities has begun preparations for water service improvements along W. Bijou and W. Kiowa Streets, with construction expected to continue through December.

Good news for Mountain Song! Our school was connected to the newer water main during construction of the addition, so no interruptions to school water service are anticipated.

Families may encounter temporary road closures, detours, and parking restrictions as work progresses. Please allow extra time during drop-off and pick-up and use caution around construction areas.

During the project, crews will:

• Mark underground utilities with temporary spray paint.
• Use partial or full road closures as needed.
• Inspect the current locations of individual service lines and meters.
• Install new service line connections for homes currently served by the alley water main.
• Connect new service lines to the existing water system.
• Disconnect existing alley-fed service lines after new connections are complete.
• Install a new fire hydrant.
• Disconnect the alley water main from the system.

For questions, contact Colorado Springs Utilities at 719-668-7765 or engage@csu.org.

Stock the Student Pantry

Help keep our Pantry stocked! With the rising cost of food, our students and their families need support more than ever.

Your contributions help ensure students have access to the nutrition and supplies they need throughout the school day to do their best learning. Monetary donations help stock the pantry with snacks, hygiene products, and occasional clothing essentials.

Food donations are welcome, too. We gladly accept nut-free, shelf-stable foods that do not list sugar among the first five ingredients. Student favorites include dried seaweed, protein milk, and meat sticks. Canned goods and other qualifying nonperishable foods are always appreciated and needed.

Every contribution makes a difference in caring for our Mountain Song community. Please contact Kara Wagner at kwagner@mountainsongschool.com with any questions.

Thank you for helping us care for one another!

After-School Playground
Closes Daily at 3:45pm

Mountain Song Community School welcomes families to enjoy the front playground after dismissal as a time for children to play and connect with friends. Parents and guardians must remain present and actively supervise their children during this time.

Our four school-wide tenets, Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible, continue to guide playground behavior after school. Once children have been picked up, parents and guardians are responsible for supervision and helping resolve any conflicts that arise.

After dismissal, only the designated front playground is available for use. The area surrounding the front flagpoles and other school grounds are not open for play. All families must leave the playground and school grounds by 3:45 p.m. The playground may also close earlier due to weather, maintenance, or safety concerns.



Thank you for helping keep our playground safe and welcoming for everyone.

Crafternoons are Back

Wednesdays at 3:45pm

We are so happy to have brought back one of our sweetest community traditions—Crafternoons!

Every Wednesday through November 18th, we will gather at 3:45 pm in the Garden to share an afternoon of creativity, conversation, and togetherness. While the weather is kind, we will enjoy the beauty of creating outdoors among the flowers and changing season. When the colder days arrive, we will carry our crafting indoors to Ms. Hannah’s classroom.

Together, we will be lovingly crafting treasures for Fairy Hill to share at our Winterfaire. There is something truly special about many hands working together — stitching, creating, and dreaming up little gifts made with care.

Children are warmly welcome to join us! Parents will be responsible for supervising their children. For those little ones who would rather play than craft, there will be opportunities for imaginative play nearby.

Crafternoons are more than simply making things — they are an opportunity to slow down, connect, share our gifts, and nurture the beautiful sense of community that makes Mountain Song special. Come one, come all! Bring your creativity, your children, and your joyful spirit, and let’s create something beautiful together. 

We look forward to gathering with you!


Becky Mikita
Wildflower Kindergarten Teacher

bmikita@mountainsongschool.org

A Note From Our Registrar

Hello, Mountain Song!


As our students have settled into the rhythm of this school year, I am already beginning to think ahead to next year! Our enrollment data shows that most families first hear about Mountain Song through word of mouth and then learn more about our Waldorf-inspired approach to education by participating in a group tour. This makes our community one of our greatest resources when it comes to welcoming new families!

Our tours are led by a member(s) of our administration team and are tailored to the grade levels our guests are interested in exploring. Tours are a wonderful opportunity to visit our campus, learn more about our educational approach, and get a feel for the Mountain Song community.

School Tours

Monthly on Wednesdays, 9am-11am

November 11

December 9

January 27

February 24

March 10

April 28

May 19


Please share our tour information with friends, family, neighbors, and anyone you think might be interested in discovering Mountain Song. Your personal recommendations help our community grow in meaningful ways!

If you have questions about enrollment availability or upcoming tours, please reach out to me, mamajor@mountainsongschool.com. I am always happy to help and connect you with more information. Thank you for helping us spread the word and grow our Mountain Song community! 

Kindly,

MaryAnn Major

Registrar/Enrollment Coordinator

Come Rain or Shine

Dear Mountain Song Families,

This year, we are planning to be outside for our Agricultural Arts classes in all types of weather. This means your student will need to be prepared for rain, snow, heat, and cold temperatures throughout the school day. These items will ensure your child is comfortable for learning in our garden. Please send the following clothing items to be kept on their student hooks or in their cubbies all year long:

1) rain/winter coat

2) winter hat

3) winter gloves, preferably waterproof 

4) sweatshirt or sweater 

5) closed-toed, water-resistant shoes or boots

• If your family needs assistance obtaining these items or are willing to donate extra clothing, please contact: Cara Goodwin at cgoodwin@mountainsongschool.com

Thank you for supporting your students' hands-on learning experiences in our school garden. 

Cara Goodwin & Greg Kreger, Agricultural Arts Co-Teachers

Creating Healthy Soil Together


Our Agricultural Arts program is collecting materials to help build healthy soil for the seasons ahead.

Families are invited to donate broken-down cardboard boxes, brown compost materials, alpaca, sheep, or llama wool and fur shavings, and mushroom bricks. These materials will support our lasagna gardens, helping enrich the soil over winter.

Thank you for supporting the continued growth of our school garden!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Weekend Garden Volunteers Needed

We are looking for volunteers to help care for the Mountain Song garden and animals throughout the year, especially weekends when our teachers take a break.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to support our school, spend time outdoors, and enjoy meaningful work with your family. Opportunities include watering the garden, checking on our animals, and helping with special garden projects throughout the season.

If you've never volunteered before, don't worry! Our Ag Arts teachers will provide a brief training to ensure you feel comfortable and prepared.

For questions, please contact Ms. Cara at cgoodwin@mountainsongschool.com.

Leaf a Legacy at Mountain Song

Janis O'Brian10/1

Courtney Yarberry10/5

Dani Bovee10/6

Jessie Stege10/8

Brian Honeycutt10/9

Melissa Aldinger10/9

Yesim Yuksel10/10

Lola Stevens10/18

Libby Toman10/25

Karl Johnson10/25

2026-2027 Calendar (Full Time Students)
2026-2027 Calendar (Village HS)

2026-2027 Calendar (Frontier HS)

School Hours:

Kindergarten 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Elementary School 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Middle School 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Find out what's for lunch HERE

Weather Updates HERE
Board Meeting Agendas HERE


Looking for past issues of the Songbird or to sign up new recipients click here.