First Day of School, 2014

Here we are all bright and sunny! First day of the 2014 - 2015 school year. It's been a long journey for the school since we moved from Winthrop at the end of June. A new location, a new director, new teachers. We are renewing ourselves as a community with many new parents and children. The last two months have shown us the depth and nature of our community. Parents, staff, partners, friends all hoisting boxes into and out of storage containers, unpacking, storing, painting, cleaning, building. It's been a whirlwind of activity punctuated with periods of stillness and uncertainty. And yet, as the days unfolded into weeks and then into months and then back down again to days and hours, we made the transition. We created a beautiful, cheerful, child friendly learning environment. This morning, we met to hold our traditional opening circle, parents and children holding hands, and extending welcome. We bowed to each other using the Japanese Aikido invitation to work together: Will you help me? As the new director, I feel deeply grateful for the support and passionate commitment, for all the ways this community answers that question. When we ask, we get help. I hope to make regular posts here to keep our wider community aware of what we're doing, and to pass along our collective gratitude for all this beautiful Valley has to offer.

Hana and Tova, hooray!

There is nothing sweeter than a newborn baby, except when you know that baby and her name is Tova and she's the daughter of one of your most favorite teachers, ever! That's how it goes and how it went, yesterday, when Hana Baker and her brand new (well, a month new) daughter visited the school for a check-in. The students could barely contain their excitement while awaiting her arrival - who let that cat out of the bag?! The anticipation was almost too much for some of us.....and then they arrived and life was beautifully full of love and happiness again. Oh, we miss you, Hana Baker! We're also so proud of you and Tyler, it's going to be FUN watching little Tova grow and grow.

Methow Valley Community School

School is a buzz!

The fall days of warm sunshine, bright blue skies and amazing foliage make outdoor education days even better than usual.....when all things go according to plan, that is. Wednesday morning began with a frantic call to Luke (aka Diesel God). Luckily Luke makes house (or in this case, school) calls and came to the rescue, outfitting Big Blue with a new battery in time for the Younger Crew's departure to Sunny Pine Farm. Thanks to Cara, Joe, and Luke for finding a solution! Sunny Pine Farm is home to farmer, goat herder and cheese maker (as well as alumni parent) Ed Welch, and a vast assortment of other two and four legged family members. Samples of delicious goat's milk and creamy cheese were tried by all - yum!

Big Blue, ready to roll again this morning, set off with a full load of Middle Crew members to hike and explore the Cutthroat Lake area. Peter Neitlich and Bridget Hall are along on the day to explore the wonders of natural science.

Sending good energy and well wishes to crewmate, Nate Hirsch, the Older Crew sings along to Luc and the Lovingtons playing on the radio (Nate will be performing with the band and Jason Mraz tonight....somewhere in the Midwest....) Emily Post is helping Deirdre and the students craft their ceramic mugs, the challenge this year - to construct 3-D faces on the mugs. Thanks to the Almquists for generously donating the clay and firing the glazed mugs!

A huge thank you and appreciation to our amazing volunteers this week; Sarah Fox, Bridget Hall, Lisa Wasson, Sarah Halpin, Teresa Mitchell, Rebecca Shoup, Paul Gitchos, Peter Neitlich, Jessica Deitz, Brooke Lucy, Joe Reichert, Barbara Tennant, Amy Jones. We couldn't do it without your incredible support.

School has begun, again......

September has been a month filled with re-connecting, meeting new and taking on adventures in an ever-strengthening community of learners. Wet and chilly fall weather was the perfect fit for the first week of school, helping kids and teachers settle into indoor routines and the structures of school life after a freedom-filled summer. Bright, sunshine filled days replaced low clouds and rain, just in time for overnight adventures on Whidbey Island and Lost River. Our youngest crew members have been busy as bees, learning songs, chants, animal stories - taking in the wonders of a new, big school.

Crew rooms are filled with "Shared Visions" and "Codes of Conduct", created by the students, to help guide and inspire them throughout the year. Parents, board members and staff members add to the process to create overarching shared philosophy and values by which to live.

A special thanks to new volunteers, both parent and community-based - we are off to a great start and look forward to sharing the adventure with you!

The Younger Crew, just back from gifting squash plants to Classroom in Bloom and planting them with the kindergarten classes at MVE.....piled out of the old white van and danced with glee as the radio blared. Good parking lot fun in the sunshine (of which we've not seen much these past few weeks!). School is winding down......

On Tuesday the Younger Crew welcomed Wenatchee Tribal Elder, Matthew Dicks, to their classroom. Matthew shared stories from his mother and grandmother as well as parts of a documentary he has created about his people.

Matthews visit was a perfect compliment to the legend writing and art projects being finalized by this energetic groups of learners. They are eager to share their learning and accomplishments with friends and family at Young Authors' Night, May 26th at 5:30.