A GREAT STORM
The Waldorf curriculum, whether it be through
Fairy Tales, Biblical & Native Indigenous Stories, or Cultural-Historical
renditions from all the World's great civilizations and literature,
tells the stories of great floods and storms, as well as the great
personal, social, and sometimes political, changes that accompany
them. In the wake of destruction and devastation, new changes
enter into the life of the community, society and culture. The
fabric of life is woven anew.
From the lips of many children this week, I heard their comments
and conversations regarding 'Hurricane Katrina'. While Arizona
may seem far from the Gulf Coast States, our children are aware
of this unfolding catastrophic event. Thousands of families from
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have been displaced by the
hurricane. Many have joined family and friends in other states
across the nation. The devastation of Hurricane Katrina is a national
disaster and Arizona will also see its share of these displaced
families. The Arizona Attorney General, Terry Goddard, and State
Superintendent of Public Schools, Tom Horne, have said, "Arizona
will extend every available resource to educate any student who
relocates to Arizona temporarily or permanently." On Friday,
September 2, 2005 Mountain Oak School, as well as all school districts
in the state, was contacted by the Arizona Department of Education
with the following communication from Attorney General Goddard
and State Superintendent Horne:
"The destruction Hurricane Katrina brought to Alabama, Louisiana,
and Mississippi has caused thousands of families to flee across
the nation to seek safety and shelter. We anticipate that many
families will find refuge in Arizona. We need to make their registration
in Arizona schools as convenient as possible.
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, these
children must be immediately enrolled in the school district where
they are temporarily residing. The Act defines "homeless
children and youth" as individuals who lack a fixed, regular,
and adequate residence. They include those who are sharing the
housing of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship;
living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due
to lack of alternative accommodations, or living in emergency
or transitional shelters.
Local school officials must ensure that homeless children are
immediately enrolled in school, even if the child lacks the records
normally required for enrollment (such as previous academic records,
immunization records, birth certificates, proof of residency,
or other documentation). Schools should use their best judgment
when determining grade placement for these students who do not
have scholastic records and may be unable to produce them. States
and districts must provide homeless children with access to all
programs...........and all related services available to other
students.
Arizona's schools have an opportunity to make a positive difference
in the lives of these displaced families. Let's do our part to
welcome them into our State and make this process as painless
as possible."
Events surrounding this great storm and hurricane will certainly
continue to unfold and develop. The Prescott MOS community will
be ready to play our parts as stewards of education and advocates
for children and childhood.
- Merrill Badger, Principal
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Happenings:
Tues., Sept., 6th, 4th grade parent meeting,
6:30-7:30pm.
Wed., Sept. 7th will be a half-day. Early
dismissal at 12:30pm.
Wed., Sept. 7th, Kindergarten Parent Meeting
6:30-8:00pm.
Thurs., Sept. 8th is class picture day
for 5th & 6th grade classes. Check the photo class schedule
for next weeks picture taking on the next page.
Remember to buy baked good after
school; proceeds go to the Red Cross for the Hurricane Katrina
victims and survivors in Louisiana and Mississippi.
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Special Education Services at Mountain
Oak
It is Mountain Oak School’s responsibility to inform the
general public and all parents of students enrolled in our school
of our responsibility to make available special education services
for students with disabilities and how to access those services.
In addition we have a responsibility to provide information regarding
early intervention services for children birth through two years
of age.
We are responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating
all children with disabilities within our school and for making
appropriate referrals to:
Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) for children birth
through 2 years of age for evaluation and services if needed;
and
School district residence for children aged 3 through 5 for evaluation
and services if needed.
We are also responsible for providing a free and appropriate
public education (FAPE) which includes special education and related
services for students with disabilities at public expense, under
public supervision and direction and without charge to the parents.
For all new students to the school, the classroom teacher will
complete screening activities within 45 days of enrollment. The
teacher will look at the child’s ability in the areas of
academics, vision, hearing, communication, social/emotional and
motor skills. If any concerns are noted the child may be referred
for additional help.
If you have concerns about a child you know please contact MarySue
Bourland at 541-7700 for more information.
School Picture Day
This year pictures are going to be done by Albert Kadosh and other
parent volunteers. Albert has been taking beautiful pictures of
our students ever since he and his family came to Prescott a few
years ago. MOS is honored and grateful to have Albert do our school
pictures this year as a fundraiser!
Picture Day Schedule:
Grade Picture Day/Date Deadline for Order
- 7th & 8th Grade Tuesday, September 6 /Friday, September
2
- 5th & 6th Grade Thursday, September 8 /Friday, September
2
- 3rd & 4th Grade Tuesday, September 13 / Friday, September
9
- 1st & 2nd Grade Thursday, September 15 /Friday, September
9
- Kindergarten & Make-up Day, Tuesday, September 20 /Friday,
September 16
Please send payment to your child teacher or come to the office.
Credit cards are accepted.
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Letter from 7/8th Grade
By Sophie Lynn Petrie
For the past two weeks, the seventh and eighth grades have been
venturing into the beautiful, colorful world of perspective drawing.
We’ve been learning how artists of the medieval ages drew
and then how paintings evolved when the sun of the renaissance
days dawned upon the earth. We’ve started researching perspective
drawing web sites on our new computers. Today was our first day
of ballroom dancing, we shall continue through-out the year. We
shall learn dances such as the swing, the foxtrot, the Maranga,
the Tango and so on.
Congratulations to Dyson Posey for making Chairman of the class,
Faith Meade for making Treasurer and Sophie Petrie from making
Secretary.
AFTERCARE NEEDS HELP!
We are seriously short of staff in our aftercare program and
we need your help! We have a 5½ hour shift, 12-5:3:00,
or 3 hour shift, 2:30-5:30. It is an opportunity to be an integral
part of supporting the children of Mountain Oak. AND it pays well!
Please call Dianne at 541-7700 or 541-9580.
Kindergarten Needs Bowls!
The Kindergarten needs 24 wooden salad bowls for snack time.
If you have any that your could spare, please drop them off with
Ms. Therese or Ms. Renate in the Kindergarten!
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Computer Networking Help Want
to find a way to use your skills to help Mountain Oak School?
Are you good at computer troubleshooting and networking? Talk
to Beni in the office!!
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