THE SPRINGTIME OF THE YEAR

Once, when I was traveling high in the mountain passes of Crete, an island mid-way between Greece and North Africa, I happened upon a shepherd who noted that "this is the time of year when Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil." All of us at school have certainly felt this springtime quality, especially during this month of April, as daffodils and other flora paint the Mountain Oak Charter School campus.

Towards the end of this week, we come to another festival which reminds us all of the year's rhythms; MAY DAY. By way of story-line, May Day was in ancient tradition, the celebration of the beginning of summer or BELTANE in Celtic lands, and by Roman tradition sacred to FLORA, the goddess of SPRING. The May Queen is still representative of Flora, or Persephone, her Greek counterpart. The MAYPOLE itself represents, most probably, the tree of life and fertility.

On Friday of this week, MOCS celebrates May Day at Granite State Park from 11:30-2:45. Join with us in the wonderful festivities as we celebrate with the children this changing scenery of the earth's seasons.

- Merrill Badger, Principal

Happening This Week:

May Day Festival this Friday April 30th at Granite Park from 12:00 to 2:30 pm. Pick your child up at Granite park.

Friday morning is our Tea Garden.

This Saturday, May 1st is our Kindergarten Open House at MOCS from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

CPR/First Aid Class Postponed

Due to various reasons the CPR/First Aid Class scheduled for May 5th has been rescheduled for September 1st 1-4pm and October 6th 1-4pm.
We apologize for any inconvenience. The price should stay the same and parents and friends are still welcome to attend... so mark your calendar.

SCHOOL NEWS

DID YOU KNOW?

Our fifth/sixth grade class will be participating in a Greek Pentathlon in Flagstaff on May 20, with five other Southwest Waldorf schools. Pentathlons such as the one they will participate in have been happening for nearly 20 years both within and now outside of Waldorf school circles. They are being called ALL IN PEACE festivals. This event is being used around the world to bring children together from differing communities to celebrate athletics and the arts together. The next international festival will happen in QUITO, ECUADOR on May 16th, and will unite indigenous rural children with city children. Our Southwest students have an opportunity to be linked to those students in Ecuador through an exchange that will be facilitated by our MOCS games teacher, Miss AnnaJo Doerr. Friendship bracelets are being made by our students. The ALL IN PEACE care package could use a few more things, a unique banner, and pairs of new children’s tennis shoes and t-shirts. All creative donations welcome!

ENROLLMENT

This is a reminder for parents to bring in those enrollment forms for next year, if you have not done so already. We are excited about the growth in enrollment as many more families are finding their way to Prescott and this method of Waldorf education at MOCS. Indeed, our goal is to have waiting lists in every grade!

Ride Needed. A computer/monitor has been donated to Mountain Oak for use in the middle school keyboarding class next year. The equipment, however, is in Denver and needs a ride to Prescott. Please call Sandra Halldorson (771-9329) if you can help with a ride.

Tell Me About Your Stuff???

Fundraising is wanting to know, just how much "stuff " the Mountain Oak Families have to contribute to a possible rummage sale next month?? Excluding clothes ~Please. This Treasure sale will by all means be like last years grand event. However, it will serve two goals; extra funds to our school and it draws attention (publicity) our way!!

See Laura G about donations.
(541-7815)

Lending Library

Glad to see that many of you have been enjoying the wonderful resources in our lending library. Please take a look to see if you have any un-returned items. Our library is thinned out.

"The Music Man"
is coming to town,
to the Elk's Theater, the Last weekend in April & First weekend in May.

Tickets available in the Office anytime.

Tickets are $5 and MOCS gets a dollar for every ticket sold!
For more info call Susan 776-8885

End of the School Year

The last day of school is Wednesday, June 2nd. Please let us know if you are interested in having a Day Camp for Thursday and Friday June 3rd and 4th. Please take a look at the following opportunities for this summer at MOCS. For further questions please call Laura Gardella at 541-7815.

Earth Day Celebration

Thank you to all the volunteers at Earth Day! Many hands really does make light work!!
Also, a thank you to our children who were out there playing their strings!!