THIS FESTIVE TIME OF YEAR
In last week's edition, we noted the eight-day 'Festival of Lights' known as Hanukkah which is celebrated this year the evening of December 7 and runs through December 14. Now, the mood of anticipation builds toward Christmas Eve and the 25th of December. But another festival of note begins right after Christmas and that is Kwanzaa.

Like Hanukkah and Christmas, Kwanzaa celebrates family, community and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated around the world from December 26 to January 1 by millions of people of African descent. The week-long holiday was developed by an American scholar and activist, Maulana Karenga in 1966. Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations, and the name comes from the Swahili for "first fruits of harvest." Kwanzaa is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance and each symbolizing one aspect of African-American community of development.

Umoja (OO-MO-JAH), or unity, stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."

Kujichagulia (KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH), self-determination defines common interests and making decisions that are in the best interest of family and community.

Ujima (OO-GEE-MAH) or collective work and responsibility, reminds people of obligations to the past, present and future, and the role they must play in the community, society and world.

Ujamaa (OO-JAH-MAH), cooperative economics, emphasizes collective economic strength and encourages the necessity to meet common needs through mutual support.

Nia (NEE-YAH), encourages reflection in order to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

Kuumba (KOO-OOM-BAH), creativity, makes use of creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.

Imani (EE-MAH-HEE), or faith, focuses on honoring traditions, drawing upon the best in oneself and striving for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming self-worth and the ability to succeed and triumph in times of struggle.

Each night, one or more of seven candles arranged in a candleholder-one black, three red, and three green-is lighted, and one of the seven principles is discussed. Gifts, such as books or heritage symbols relating to the history, culture or community of African-Americans, are exchanged. They are primarily given to children, but other family members can exchange gifts, as well.

...As we acknowledge and celebrate this season of festivals, the entire school board of directors, faculty and administrative staff is grateful to all the parents who choose to send their children to Mountain Oak School. On behalf of all of my colleagues, we wish the MOS family and community of friends a healthy, merry and festive holiday season.

- Merrill Badger, Principal

Happenings:

Thursday, Dec. 16th is our Parent University from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the 5th grade classroom. A presentation and an informal group discussion on 'Waldorf High School'. Joining us that evening will be a graduate of a Waldorf High School.

Kindergarten Holiday Social - Thursday, Dec. 16th at 11:30—12:00 noon.

The Kindergartens are having a "Holiday Social" in their classrooms this Parents, grandparents, and younger siblings are invited in to share some cookies and fruit, sing and receive a gift. Please bring a plate of fresh sliced fruit to share and a pillow to sit on.
-Ms. Therese and Ms. Renate

Friday, Dec., 17th is our K-2nd Winter Garden of Lights Festival.

Friday, Dec. 17th is an early dismissal at 12:30 pm.

Have a wonderful Holiday vacation and we will see you in January 2005! Enjoy your break from Dec.,18th—Jan., 2nd!

SCHOOL NEWS

Garden of Lights Festival Boughs and more needed...

Only 3 days left!!! to collect boughs for our Garden of Lights Festival. We need a pile of fresh green boughs brought to school and placed by the shed by THIS THURSDAY AT 3:00 P.M. Please help us make this festival come alive by visiting the tree farms and your forest and gathering some nice boughs to add to the pile. There are many ways to help out, and there are many blank sign up spaces to fill out. Please check it out to see what you might be able to do or donate. The sign up sheet is located on the kindergarten window. Still needed: fire marshals, deep blue or green sheets, a nice metal container for sand, 2 boxes of fireplace long matches, people to help us set up on Thursday afternoon and to clean up on Friday afternoon. Join the fun and sign up now! - the festival committee

Search Committee Update

We have begun to look ahead to new hires for the 2005-06 academic year. At this time, our only identified need is for a first grade teacher. A position announcement has been submitted to WaldorfWorld.net web site and several have been sent to Waldorf teacher training programs across the country. Copies of the position announcement are also available in the MOS main office. If you have any questions, please address them to Mark Riegner, Search Committee Chair (parent of Gabriel in 2nd grade and Micah in 5th grade).

Morning Gate Duty

Our faithful morning Gate Duty Volunteer Brian Wyatt is taking a well deserved rest after a full year and a half of watching out for our safety. He is leaving some big shoes to fill on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 7:45 to 8:15 am. Please talk to Miss Francis or Miss Beni if you are interested and able to take on this important welcoming role. A very big thank you to Brian for his dedication and thank you to all the other gate duty and playground volunteers. Our kids are so lucky to have you and you are all the best!

String Notes “Name the Bass”

Mountain Oak's new and beautiful STRING BASS arrived on Thursday morning! We spent our whole orchestra class oohing and ahing and exploring the instrument. Chas is our new bass player, and he can already play a scale and the bass part to Cripple Creek! Go Chas!!

Countless thanks to all you generous moms and dads who made this wonderful event possible and especially to Birute for spearheading the whole project! Look to see the bass in action on our next assembly program in March!

In the meantime - a contest to NAME THE BASS! All Mountain Oak students and teachers and parents (brothers, sisters, cats, gerbils - you get the idea) are invited to put your great ideas for a name for our big, new, important instrument in Miss Barbara's mailbox in the office. At the end of January, the string orchestra folk will vote and we'll put its new name tag on the bass. ALL NAME IDEAS FROM YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED!!!

If you want to visit the bass, it lives in the 5th grade classroom.
-Happy Holidays, Miss Barbara

GIVING TREE DONATIONS
Tis the season for giving...Our school is donating socks, gloves, scarves, and hats to the Open Door, which provides clothing and more to local families in need. Please help them out by bringing in your items to your classroom by Friday, December 17th.

Could you feel the Love and Appreciation?

Saturday night was a great evening expressing appreciation for our teachers and all the many parts of our school body. It also was an evening of strengthening the social fibers between the new and old parents in our community. Weren't those stage hams something else! Do tell them how much the gifts they brought were a joy and greatly appreciated! Now would be the time to express any feedback you have for next years event. Timing is everything!! A big thank you to all the families and friends that generously contributed to our fundraiser.
The following is a list of businesses that donated. Please give them your biz if you can. Let them know you are from Mountain Oak School...show your school spirit!

Creative Touch Interiors, I Am Windows, Jen brown @Apropos Hair Salon, Martha Jensen--Feng Shui Practitioner, Romans
Deli, New frontiers, Home Depot, Prescott flower shop, Prescott Pantry, Thai House, Garcias Restaurant, Pangaea's and The Promise Land.

"Faculty appreciation party review"

What a great party!! I had a blast!
Thank you to Laura G. and Birute,
and everyone who helped put it on. The food was delicious, the company enjoyable, and the entertainment - rocked!

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