Annual Yearly Progress

AYP: Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) is a measurement which the ADE (Arizona Department of Education) uses to determine performance rankings for all 1800+ public school in Arizona. Test results from the AIMS (Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards)-DPA (Dual Purpose Assessment) tests determine whether a school is performing, excelling, highly excelling or under-performing. Attendance rates and graduation rates are also factored into the AYP. Mountain Oak School has again met the AYP and in grades four through eight is meeting and/or exceeding the reading, writing and arithmetic standards. Grades two (second graders take the Terra Nova test only) and three have also done very well approaching these three concrete skills.

Last spring the AIMS-DPA (Dual Purpose Assessment) tests were given to students throughout Arizona, and at MOS, in third through eighth grades to determine their knowledge and understanding of the AIMS Academic Standards in reading, writing, and mathematics. The AIMS-DPA also compares a student’s performance nationally. The data derived from the AIMS-DPA is used to guide instruction and measure school performance. Test results from our MOS student’s performance will be mailed out during this next week to each family. Meanwhile, it is important to remember that the results of a test are but one indicator only and not the measure of a child’s total abilities and/or character. Our children at MOS are thriving is so many ways which is why this is a whole child-centered approach rather than a test-driven one. At the same time, we’re very proud, indeed, of how well our students are able to perform on these aforementioned tests.

- Merrill Badger, Principal

Happenings:

Tues., Sept., 13th, 6th grade parent meeting, 6:00pm.

Wed., Sept. 14th, 1st grade parent meeting at 3:00pm. Sign your child up for aftercare.

Thurs., Sept. 15th is class picture day for 1st & 2nd grade classes.

Sept. 20th is picture day for Kindergarten & any make-up photos.

Join us and bring a friend to our OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, Sept., 24th. from 12noon til 2pm.

SCHOOL NEWS

Board Bulletin Board

Much of the vital work at MOS is done by parent volunteers within the committees. Many parents have already signed up and the first meetings have been held or will soon be held. Helping out on a committee is a wonderful way for parents to actively participate in their children’s education, it is also a great way to get to know other people within our school community. For those who are interested and have not already signed up to help out on a committee it is never too late to sign up in the office. The following is a list of MOS committees and a brief description of their purpose:
Marketing—Public Relations, Advertising, Community Outreach, Enrollment
Fundraising—Organizes fundraising efforts to bring in additional revenue for MOS.
Budget/Finance—Monitors the budget—incoming revenue/expenditures for MOS.
Personnel—Advertises for, interviews potential candidates for faculty positions, writes contracts and makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Festivals—Works with teachers and their classes to help prepare for and organize school festivals both
in-house and whole community.
Buildings & Grounds—Identifies areas of the school buildings and grounds that need improvements or
repairs, creates action plans, cost estimates and timelines for work needing to be done.
NCLB—Works with the Educational Director and Superintendent on MOS’ NCLB plan.
Specialty Classes Support—Works with Educational Director and Specialty Class teachers to identify ways
to support these classes, and what additional materials or equipment are needed and how to obtain them.

On Wednesday, August 31, DeeAnn, Albert, Jon and Melanie, four members of the MOS Board of Directors, and also Alicia, our Superintendent, attended the Valley Leadership School Board Workshop in Phoenix. Everyone enjoyed attending and benefited by learning more about running board meetings, Open Meeting Law, and more. Our school representatives met and heard Tom Horne, the State Superintendent of Schools speak about studies showing that children who have arts and music in their curriculum have significantly higher test scores and academic achievement than those who do not. He was introduced to Waldorf Education and the fact that our school’s curriculum, which has been around for about 80 years, with schools all over the world, has arts and music already built into it!

The 2005–06 school year marks Mountain Oak School’s 7th year and the first year that the school has reached its goal of having a K–8 school. This is cause for celebration and we are throwing a party, complete with cake, ice cream and balloons! Everyone is invited to join us on Saturday, September 24! Bring your friends, neighbors or anyone you know who might be interested in seeing our excellent school, to this Open House and Celebration. Everyone will have a chance to visit the classrooms and meet our wonderful teachers. Board members and Administrators will also be on hand to answer questions. Immediately following this celebration will be a community retreat to present MOS’ Five-year vision. Here is your chance to find out what plans are in the works and to offer your ideas and input. Watch for further details on this event in upcoming Tuesdays.

The next Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 15, beginning at 5:45 pm, at MOS, upstairs in the 6th grade classroom. The agenda for this meeting will be posted on the bulletin board outside the administration building by Monday, September 12, at 5:00 pm.

School Picture Day

• 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.

Superintendent’s Notes

Greetings,

Congratulations to the Mountain Oak School Community on attaining your goal of a Waldorf inspired charter school serving students Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. As you graduate your first class of eighth grade students in the spring many people who are part of your living history have great reason to be proud of bringing your dream to fruition.

Congratulation to the students, teachers, staff, and parents who all have made significant contributions to the children’s AIMS (Arizona s Instrument to Measure Standards) scores. Everyone may take pride in these fine scores that compare the academic accomplishments of children throughout Arizona.

I join you to assist in the expansion and growth of Mountain Oak Charter School. I will be writing grants, and working on the purchase of facilities. We will also explore the possibility of a Waldorf inspired High School.

My background includes teacher, counselor, director, principal, grant writer, and superintendent of schools. I have lived and worked in Arizona, Georgia, Germany, and California. I am a native of Arizona and very pleased to be living in Prescott.

I look forward to developing a five year plan for growth and expansion with all the stakeholders of Mountain Oak School.

Best wishes,

Alicia La Salle

Prescott College Bioneers 2005
Poster and Essay Contest

PARENT UNIVERSITY

‘Learning & The Brain’
Thursday, September 22,
6-7:30 pm.
Featured Guest:
Teri Mahaney, Ph.D.,

Teri will share her research and methods for student success, success with relationships, money, etc. to name but a few topics of interest. She is a former community college dean and university associate professor dedicated to supporting student learning.

Don’t miss this fascinating evening!

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.

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!!