Announcements 10.23.15

• Thank you to everyone for your patience and flexibility as we juggled things around for this morning's visit from the Council Bluffs Fire Department. Thank you to Becky Gafford and the PreK-K team for arranging for the visit!

• Name Tags: If you were not at MLC last week and aren't yet up to speed on our new name tag system, please take a look at the details in last week's announcement post. 

• If you or your kids don't yet have name tags, or if you couldn't find them in the bins, please email us at mindfullearningcenter@gmail.com.  A few people let us know this morning that they don't have tags, but things got a little busy today and we didn't get those names written down. Please shoot us a quick email if you still need tags so we can make sure that we get everyone covered. 

• A long-sleeved athletic shirt was left in the Fellowship Hall after closing. It's white with green stripes down the outside of the sleeves, size XL. It's hanging on the coat rack just inside our usual entrance at St. Paul's. 

• If you did not get a chance to read the updated info for Teams, please read that over. If you are not already on a Team, you can choose the area where you would most like to help on our TEAMS tab at the top of this website.

• Upcoming dates on our CALENDAR:

         Friday, October 30: regular classes with no observance of Halloween

         Friday, November 6: No MLC classes

         Friday, November 13: Term 2 Field Trip - details pending

Updates and News for All TEAMS

First off, the Founding Members want to shout out a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our TEAM members this year. It's an adjustment process and a learning experience for everyone, but in general we feel that it's working extremely well so far, and that's all because of the effort and dedication that YOU are all contributing. 

Based on some feedback that we've received and some observations that we've made, we want to offer a few thoughts that seem good to share as we look ahead to Term 2:

• Several teams have added new members in recent weeks. The most current and up-to-date list is always on the TEAMS tab on the website. If you're a returning member who helped get your Team started back in the spring, your Team may have new members that you aren't aware of yet. Obviously, your teaching plans were probably pretty well settled before the year began, but it's still important to get new Team members involved in some way. All Teams should help get their new members up to speed, find ways for them to contribute, and keep communication flowing within their Team. 
• If you find that your family needs to be absent from MLC, especially if the absence is last-minute or unexpected, your Team members are the ones you need to contact. If you're absent and were supposed to teach or do some other key job that morning - again - your Team is your safety net. Each Team should be prepared to cover for each other in a pinch.
• To that end, each Team should also have one or two emergency back-up plans set aside for last-minute teacher absences. Those back-up plans don't necessarily need to 'match' the planned class topics - they can be a one-off alternate activity. Ideally, they should also be something that almost anyone could step in and lead with little or no advance preparation. As a hypothetical example, a Trivial Pursuit/Jeopardy type activity might be a good emergency plan for some age groups. 
• Each team is responsible for maintaining a 'kit' of any school supplies that are needed for your classes. The kit should be in a container labeled clearly with "MLC" and stored neatly in your classroom. We don't want to impose on St. Paul's space any more than necessary, but we also don't really want those supplies going home with members each week. The kit doesn't do your Team any good if it's at your house and you're unexpectedly absent, right? 
• If your emergency back-up plan (as mentioned above) requires any materials, those should be kept with your kit, too. In our hypothetical example, the emergency plan doesn't do any good if the Trivial Pursuit cards are at the home of the person who is absent.
• Receipts for any purchases that you make for your Team should be turned in to Penny Julian. The receipts MUST be marked with your Team so they can be applied to the proper budget. No reimbursements will be made unless the Team is indicated.
• Please be aware that most of the classrooms we use are full during BOTH CLASS PERIODS. If you are teaching Second Period, your classroom will probably also be in use First Period, as well. You're still welcome to drop your materials in the room, but you won't be able to set everything out in advance, as the tables will be needed.
• The upcoming visit from the CB Fire Department is a great example of different Teams working together to share resources. Since several Teams have classes based around the theme of 'Our Community' this year, it's a good idea to collaborate on any guest speakers we invite.

As always, we're very open to useful and constructive feedback. 

We are so, SO GRATEFUL for the flow of great ideas we're seeing this year, for the fun activities and learning that are being offered to all of our kids, and for the willing, enthusiastic, collaborative attitudes we're seeing in so many of our members. We cannot say it enough - you guys are all AWESOME, and we're humbled and delighted to be working with such an amazing group of homeschooling families. 

Announcements 10.16.15

• If you have paid your dues and would like a receipt, please see our treasurer, Penny Julian. 
• A jacket was left behind at St. Paul's after classes. It's a boys size 7-8 orange sweatshirt hoodie from Gymboree. It's hanging on the coat rack inside our usual entrance at the church.
• We could use some household items for crafts. If you can save and donate cardboard egg cartons, 20 oz. soda or water bottles, toilet paper and paper towel tubes, and twistable milk jug caps, please see Jen Fjare and/or Rachelle Johnson.
• Term 2 begins next Friday, October 23. The CB Fire Department will be putting on a demonstration for classes from PreK to 5th Grades, so our schedule will be changed slightly next week. Please make sure all kids bring a jacket as the demonstration will be outside.
• We're holding normal classes on Friday, October 30, with no observance of Halloween.
• If you are new or have not had a chance to familiarize yourself with our bell and dismissal system, we ask you to read up on them here. 

• We also started a new name tag and color coding system yesterday. The system may need some fine-tuning as we all get used to it, but if you were absent or didn't hear the announcements, here's the basic idea:
• Each group/grade level has a color. Those colors will stay consistent all year, and are reflected in the ink color used on the name tags. This will help us sort out which younger kids are in which group at a glance.
• Bins that match the group and name tag colors will be on tables in the Fellowship Hall. Those tables will also stay consistent through the year. You can find your name tag in the appropriate color bin when you arrive, and can return your tags to the same color bin before you leave. 
• Adults who are part of an age-specific team can leave their tags with that group's bins. For example, if you're a teacher/helper on the 1st-2nd Grade team, keep your name tag with that group's bins. If you're on the PE, Parties, or Field Trips teams, there is a separate bin for your name tags.
• Kids should sit by classes during opening and dismissal. Adults and also probably 6th-12th graders will need to stand as there aren't enough tables and chairs for everyone. This way parents can help keep the younger kids at their tables and help maintain calm. 
• If you were at classes yesterday and could NOT find your name tag or your child's name tag, please email us at mindfullearningcenter@gmail.com. Lisa is working on making sure that tags have been created for everyone, and this will help her find and fill any gaps. 
• Please, please, please try to remember to NOT take your name tags home. Teachers, help collect tags from your second period students, especially the younger kids. Parents, check your kids before you head out the door. Double check your friends. The fewer tags we have to pay to replace, the more funds we have available for other supplies and activities.
• Let's all try very hard to remember to keep this system going all year. It's easy to keep this up for a few weeks and then let it slide, but it's one of several steps we're taking to help manage our large numbers. We're also hearing from a lot of people that they want help learning all the new faces and names, both returning members learning our new members' names, and especially our new members who have the entire group to learn from scratch. "I find names way too easy to learn and remember," said no one EVER, so hopefully this will help all of us.

Thanks for your help and cooperation as we cook up new schemes to help keep things moving as smoothly as possible. Constructive feedback is always welcome. 

See you next week!

Announcements 10.09.15 - Please read fully to the end

• Mom's Night Out is tomorrow, Monday, October 12 at 6:30. We'd love to see you there! If you plan to come, you MUST comment on the original web post.
• Next Friday, October 16 is the last class day of Term 1. The 3rd-5th Grade 'Navigating our World' class will be using hard candies during a treasure map activity. If your child cannot have the candies, please let us know that morning.
• Term 2 classes begin the following Friday, October 23. We are working on a visit from the Council Bluffs Fire Department that morning, and plan to include ages from PreK - 5th Grade in the activities. More details will follow, but be prepared for the normal class schedule to change for that morning.
• The PE Team plans to take kids outside for as many weeks as the weather allows. Please make sure that your kids have jackets (preferably with their name inside) and appropriate shoes. You're welcome to send a water bottle with your child, but make sure that it's clearly labeled with their name.
• If you have paid your membership dues and would like a receipt, please let Penny Julian know and she will make one for you. Membership cards will be ready soon.

BELL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES:  

We discussed this before classes on Friday, but we ask that all members please, please read through this and make sure that you're familiar with these procedures.

With the increased number of kids, it's important that everyone understands and follows this system. Our normal weekly attendance may be between 100-150 kids. Due to safety issues, etc., we cannot have all of them passing in the halls and using the stairs at the same time.

TWO bells will ring at the end of each period:

• Classes start at 45 minute mark (9:45 and 10:45)
• First bell rings at 35 minute mark (10:35 and 11:35)
• 3rd-5th Grades and 6th-12th Grades pass to next class
• PreK-K and 1st-2nd Grades - 5-minute heads-up
• Second period teachers and helpers, go to your classrooms
• Second bell rings at 40 minute mark (10:40 and 11:40)
• PreK-K and 1st-2nd Grades pass to next class.
• If no one is available to ring bell, teachers please watch the clock and pass at the correct times

Teachers: Please understand this bell system, and be prepared to end classes punctually.  This is important for all ages, but especially for 3rd-5th Grades passing between first and second periods. They need to MOVE as soon as possible after the first bell, and line up along the hallway walls outside of the gym. This keeps the hallways and stairs open for the little kids, and keeps most of the traffic on the stairs going one direction at a time - important for safety!! It also clears the upstairs classrooms for second period teachers to get in and get ready for the younger kids to arrive.

ALL teachers need to bring ALL students to the Fellowship Hall after Second Period. Classes will sit together at assigned tables, and teachers will help keep kids quiet and calm until after announcements. There will probably NOT be enough chairs for adults to sit - adults will be standing and helping to keep the students settled. If teachers have clean up to finish in their classrooms, they need to do that AFTER dismissal.

Can we say it again?  ALL teachers need to bring ALL students to Fellowship Hall after Second Period. Sometimes we have closing announcements, sometimes we don’t, but that’s NOT why we’re insisting on this. There are safety and security reasons that make this important. Please, friends - NO sneaking out between the bells and dismissal, and NO pulling your kids out of the lines of students that are being led downstairs. If your family needs to leave early, we ask that you collect your kids from their classes and leave the building PRIOR to the bell at 11:35. 

Also, please don’t congregate in the Heritage Room (coffee room) as we're gathering for dismissal - it creates a traffic problem. Go ahead and move fully into the Fellowship Hall.

Our best suggestion for the nursery at this point is that you grab your little ones on your way past for dismissal, and then return to gather diaper bags, etc. after dismissal is over. That may need some fine-tuning. 

The entire system may need some fine-tuning as the year goes on, but we THANK YOU for your attention, help, and cooperation in the meantime.

Mindful Mom's Night Out - October 12th

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Tish's Restaurant, 1207 S 35th Street in Council Bluffs at 6:30 pm on Monday, October 12th, 2015. 

While there is no doubt we love spending time with our children {isn't that why we homeschool?!}, we are looking forward to an evening without potty interruptions, sticky fingers, and sibling quarrels.  With that said, only nursing babies are allowed to join the Moms on this night.  So, get a sitter and come join us for some good old fashioned face time.

NOTE: This year, we are going to try something a little different... 

INSTEAD OF AN RSVP FORM, please comment below if you plan to attend.  By doing it this way, everyone can see who is planning to be there.  

--------------- It is IMPORTANT that you comment below because it has always been our "unwritten rule" that if one or more person(s) (other than one of the founding members) plans to attend, we will be sure to have at least one founding member available to attend, so that the Mom's Night Out still goes on as planned.  If there is no response, there is a chance that the founding members will not show up, thereby cancelling the outing entirely.  We do not want to leave anyone stranded.  So, please, it is important that you comment below if you would like to attend.  Also, we have a large group of women this year, just over 50 families. This could mean that we need to make a reservation for large group gatherings, and/or the places we visit may need to set aside a room to accommodate such a rowdy group. -------------- 

We are all busy moms, no doubt about that!  We ask that you please be 'mindful' of everyone's time and simply comment below if you plan to join us or even if you are on the fence about going, just join the conversation!

*** If this system does not work, we will go back to using the RSVP form.  If you have any problems, posting a comment below or have questions about this event, simply send us an email at MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com

Look forward to seeing you there!  For those of you who have never attended, Mom's Night has always been memorable, full of laughter, and down-right deserved!!!

This event is now on our CALENDAR.

Vala's Pumpkin Patch - RSVP by THIS Tuesday!

MLC will be heading to Vala's Pumpkin Patch this Thursday, October 8th for Homeschool Days!

As a homeschool group, we qualify for discounted admission:
$7.50/person for those over the age of 3 (children and adults)
Two years and younger are free.
Example: 2 parents, 2 children and 1 infant ($7.50 x 4 = $30 for admission.)

Admission includes a Train Ride, a Hayrack Ride to the Pumpkin Patch, a coupon for $2.50 off a pumpkin, all attractions and live shows.  (Any pumpkin less than 6 pounds is free, which is about the size of a child’s head!)

Vala's requires that our members names are registered several days prior to our arrival.  I need to have a list of names turned in by Tuesday, Oct 6th, before 2 p.m.  I realize this is very short notice, but simply RSVP below to join us!  If you are unable to RSVP by the deadline, you can still join us, but should expect to pay regular admission rates.

Vala's REQUIRES homeschool families to show proof of homeschooling to receive the discounted admission rates.  Members will need to have an MLC membership card to show at the ticket booth, which Lisa Orsi WILL HAVE ready in the Vala's parking lot near the entrance that morning for those who RSVP.  In order to receive a membership card, you must be up to date on your annual MLC membership dues.  You may pay them to Lisa in the form of a check or exact cash on Thursday Morning.  Please have your membership dues in a marked envelope if you are paying with cash.

Members are free to join us without an RSVP, but should expect to pay regular admission rates.  Only those on the list, and who have an MLC membership card, will receive the discount.

Vala's sells food or you may bring a lunch.

Please arrive prior to 8:45 am to park, find our group, receive your membership card (pay dues, if needed) and wait in line to pay at the ticket booth.  Lisa will only be available until 9:10, before entering the park with her family.  If you plan to arrive after 9:10, you will need to make arrangements prior to Thursday to pick up your membership card and pay membership dues in order to receive discounted admission rates.  If you do not present your MLC card, you should expect to pay full price admission.

We had a great time last year and hope to see you Thursday!

Please RSVP by TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6th at 2p.m. using the form below.