MLC Planning Meeting THIS Friday, May 20th - Please Attend

WHAT and WHEN: 
MLC is having a Planning Meeting THIS Friday, May 20th at 10 a.m. 

This will be our 2nd attempt to hold a Planning Meeting.  The first meeting (held last Friday) had a surprisingly low attendance, with only 2 people replying by email -as requested- that they could not attend.  Roughly 1 member from each TEAM attended, with the Founding Members accounting for 1/2 of the attendance.  

WHO: 

We would like to see as many returning members at this meeting as possible.

If you are unable to make it to the planning meeting, please send us an email at MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com, so we can be sure to connect you with your other team members at some time. 

We realize that many of you are busy during this time of year or simply have little desire to help with the planning process of our co-op.  Both situations are understandable and recognized as a hurdle to jump every spring/summer.  However, we would like to be clear that in order for this co-op to run smoothly, the tasks of planning and execution should fall on every single member.

WHERE:
We will meet at the Dream Land Playground near the beach located in Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs. Here is a link to Google maps for directions.  Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and a picnic lunch if you like. There are restrooms on site.

HOW:

After we have settled in at the park, and the children are playing nicely with their friends, we would like to present each Team with a small packet of information to get you started.  It's very well laid out and super easy to follow.  Basically, fill in the blanks and your Team has officially 'planned' next year!  There's nothing to it, it's fun to get the creative juices flowing and bounce ideas off of each other.

So, go ahead, create a Pinterest board, grab a notebook, and search the web for  homeschooling co-op ideas and bring those ideas to the park!

Hope to see you all there! 

Picnic in the Park (1st Team Planning Meeting)

Hello!  We miss you all!  

With busy Spring schedules, wouldn't it be nice to take a break to see some familiar faces?!

MLC is having a Picnic in the Park on Friday, May 13th at 10 a.m. We will meet at the Dream Land Playground near the beach located in Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs. Here is a link to Google maps for directions. Bring a lunch and a blanket or lawn chairs. There are restrooms on site.

We would also like to use this park day to begin planning for next year!

After we have settled in at the park, and the children are playing nicely with their friends, we would like to present each Team with a small packet of information to get you started.  It's very well laid out and super easy to follow.  Basically, fill in the blanks and your Team has officially 'planned' next year!  There's nothing to it, it's fun to get the creative juices flowing and bounce ideas off of each other.

So, go ahead, create a Pinterest board, grab a notebook, and search the web for  homeschooling co-op ideas and bring those ideas to the park!

We would like to see as many returning members at this meeting as possible. If you are unable to make it to the planning meeting, please send us an email at MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com, so we can be sure to connect you with your other team members at some time. Communication is key! Thank you!

Announcements 4.8.16

Today was our last class day of the school year. THANK YOU to all of our wonderful member families for the work, creativity, dedication, flexibility, and good humor you've contributed to MLC this year. We are grateful and humbled to be working alongside so many fantastic people, and we appreciate all the effort you put into helping us create a good experience for all of our kids.

Next week is our summer kick-off party. If you plan to come but have not signed up, please do so BY TONIGHT.  We need a head count so we know how much food to buy. We still need helpers with several games and activities, and we are also asking families to bring a dozen cookies or the equivalent if they're able to do so.  Full details and an RSVP form are at the original post HERE.

We have a few end-of-year housekeeping details to point out:
1. If you have any receipts for which you need reimbursement, please give them to our treasurer Penny no later than the party next week. We need to close out our books for this year.

2. If any name tags have made their way to your house, we'd appreciate it if you could bring them back next week, as well. The fewer new ones we have to buy next year, the better.

3. If you or your team have any classroom supplies that belong to MLC, especially non-consumable/reusable supplies like scissors, please also return those to us by the party next week. We'd like to sort through what we have and prepare to turn supplies over to next year's teams. The more supplies we can retain and reuse, the more money we save.

Speaking of teams, if you plan to return to MLC next year and have not yet chosen a team, you can do so on the TEAMS tab of our website. Choose the age group you're most comfortable with, and 'stake your claim' early! Details on park days/planning meetings will be posted soon.

Finally, we're asking current MLC member families who plan to return next year to fill out a new membership form as soon as you're able. We start with a clean slate each year, so we ask you to fill out current information every time you renew your membership.  The simple form can be found under our MEMBER tab. 
       CORRECTION: the membership application/renewal form can be found under the APPLY tab. The Member tab linked above lets you sign up for the Team of your choice.

03.11.16 Announcements

• Our Term 4 Field Trip is this coming week, but has been moved to Thursday, March 17. Details are available on the original post. Please RSVP as soon as possible if you plan to attend.

• There are now no scheduled MLC events for Friday, March 18.

• We do meet for regularly scheduled classes on Friday, March 25m which is Good Friday. Please see our CALENDAR for a list of remaining MLC events this spring. 

• Our Summer Kick-off Party is next month. We could use around 15 adult and/or high school age volunteers to help with games and activities. Details including an RSVP form and volunteer sign-up form will be posted shortly.

• Thank you to all parents who were able to attend our informational meetings during classes last Friday. For anyone who was not able to join us, we will be repeating the meetings during both first and second periods on March 25. If you are planning to be part of MLC next year (and we hope that you are!) please try to attend that morning if at all possible. We're talking about our plans and changes for next year - ideally, we'd like to have a parent from every family attend. 

Announcements Feb 1, 2016

Just a few quick reminders:

No classes this week, Friday, February 5. 

If you would like to join us for the February 12 Valentine's Day Party, we need your RSVP no later than this evening. We are still in need of a few adult or high school age volunteers to help with crafts and activities.

If you would like to join us for the February 19 Field Trip to the Shrine Circus, we also need your RSVP no later than tonight. Please take note of the special situation outlined in the original post, and be watching for further updates.

Term 4 classes resume on Friday, February 26. 

Some students from the 3rd-5th Grade class on Council Bluffs History have asked for this link to a cache of old photos posted online by the Council Bluffs Public Library.

Valentine's Day Party - Feb 12th

Hello!  MLC will hold it's annual Valentine's Day Party on Friday, February 12th, 2016, at 10 a.m. at the Council Bluffs Public Library.  This party will be in place of co-op classes that day.

This event is FREE to MLC Members, but you must RSVP for this event if you plan to attend.  This will ensure that our party planners have enough goodies for each child.

Each child is asked to bring 20-30 cards for their peers.  These do not need to be store-bought.  Please encourage your kids to make their cards!  Last year the kids had a blast at this event!

This party is for kids of all ages.  While some of the activities and crafts are geared for the younger kids, we encourage all MLC students to come and join the fun.  Older students could certainly help facilitate all of the activities that are simultaneously going on in one room!

If you would like to join us for this event, please RSVP below by February 2nd.

1/8/16 SNOW CANCELLATION - NO CO-OP TODAY

While the Council Bluffs School District may be open, MLC has decided to close our doors today.

Due to the road conditions we will NOT have co-op classes today, January 8, 2016.  

We will resume classes next Friday.  Stay safe and warm!
If you have friends who attend MLC and may not get this message, please call them.  Thank you.

Snow Possibility...

(UPDATE: 11/20/15 at 8:32 am) No snow yet!  Looks like classes will run as planned.

Here is the current local advisory:

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY:

Issued at: 7:21 am CST on November 20, 2015, expires at: 3:00 AM CST on November 21, 2015

...Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 3 PM this afternoon to 3 am CST Saturday...

timing...a mix of rain and snow will develop by mid afternoon...becoming all snow this evening. The snow will continue through the evening...ending after midnight.

Accumulations...total snowfall of 1 to 4 inches is expected.

Other impacts...visibilities may drop to less than a half mile at times in snow...and roadways are expected to become snow covered this evening. Travel may be impacted. Precautionary/preparedness actions... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities...and use caution while driving. 

Looks like snow is in the forecast!  Just a reminder going forward, if Council Bluffs schools close, we will cancel co-op classes.  If the schools are open, but the roads are slippery, we could still cancel.  We will make that call in the morning and post all information here on the website and on Facebook.

Announcements 10.30.15

We've learned that St. Paul's Lutheran Church does its weekly cleaning on Thursdays. So, however we leave the building when we're done on Friday is how their congregation will find it when they arrive for Sunday services. With that in mind, we're gently reminding and asking all of our members to be mindful of how we impact the building while we're using it. If everyone is conscious of keeping things tidy as we go, watching for trash on the floor, pushing in chairs in the classrooms and in the Fellowship Hall as we leave, etc., it will help us be respectful of our generous hosts at St. Paul's.

There may be a few painting projects in Crafts time as the year goes on. If you're able to donate one or more old adult-sized t-shirts for use as painting shirts, we'd be grateful.

Last week, a long-sleeved white athletic tee with green stripes down the sleeves was left behind in the fellowship hall. As we left this week, it was still hanging on the coat rack. If it's yours, please pick it up next time you're at MLC.

A few quick CALENDAR reminders: 

NO MLC next Friday, November 6

Field Trip for Term 2 on Friday, November 13 - details to come soon

Regular classes on Friday, November 20

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.

Announcements 09.25.15

We finally got the first day of classes off the ground!!  THANK YOU to everyone who attended, worked on a team, pitched in, was patient with our growing pains, and generally contributed to a great first day. 

Here are some of the announcements we covered today, in case you missed them:

1. This website is our MAIN line of communication. Any posts created here will be automatically sent to your inbox IF you're subscribed to our news feed. If you're not automatically getting these posts in your email, please use the Subscribe feature at the top right of this website. You will receive an activation email - you must activate the subscription before it will begin working. Let us know if you have any problems or questions.  

2. A few days ago we created a post with some pre-class Announcements. If you didn't get a chance to read that information, and/or didn't get a condensed printed copy at classes this morning, please take a minute to read through it now.

3. Everyone is asked to join us in the Fellowship Hall each class day for Opening Announcements at 9:30, and again for Closing Announcements and Dismissal at the end of classes. Thank you for your cooperation.

4. Upcoming Dates on our CALENDAR:
     No classes next Friday, October 2: open for HOPE monthly meeting
     Remaining class dates for Term 1: October 9 & October 16
     Reminder: Term 1 Core Field Trip was eliminated because of cancellations
     Term 2 classes start on October 23

5. Please have your students who are in PE wear appropriate shoes. They will be running around and being very active, so for safety's sake we ask that they wear shoes that they can move easily in.  You are welcome to send a well-labeled water bottle to gym with your child if you like.

6. We try to ring the bell twice at the end of each class period. Please review the basic order in which we try to switch between classes. Keeping everyone on the same page helps to reduce crowding and confusion in the hallways, esp. with the littlest kids:
     1st Bell:  10:35 & 11:35:   3rd-5th and 6th-12 Grades pass to next class
                                              PreK-K and 1st-2nd Grades clean up
                                              Second Period adult workers report to your area
     2nd Bell: 10:40 & 11:40:   PreK-K and 1st-2nd Grades pass to next class

7. 3rd-5th Graders: When you switch from your First Period class upstairs, to the Gym downstairs, please line up along the hallway wall outside the Gym. The little kids will be leaving the Gym and Lego rooms and passing by you. We need to ask you, the older kids, to stay to the side and make room for the younger kids to get through. Thanks!

8. We will usually post any relevant announcements here on the website each week, after classes are over. We know kids are starting to get restless as classes end, and they can make it tough for parents to hear or remember the announcements, so watch your news feeds for a recap each week.

Thank you again, everyone!! We were super excited to see you all this morning and to get things up and running. See you in two weeks!

Announcements - Please read before classes start

Dear MLC Members,

We want to thank everyone once again for your flexibility over the last couple of weeks, as unexpected, last minute changes have popped up. 

We're looking forward to classes starting this Friday, September 25. Please take a few moments to read through these quick announcements BEFORE FRIDAY. Things will be busy for everyone that morning, so making yourselves familiar with these basic points will help keep everyone on the same page.

DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE:

    9:30-9:45     Opening Announcements

  9:45-10:35     1st Hour Classes

10:35-10:45     Clean-up/Switch Classes

10:45-11:35     2nd Hour Classes

11:35-11:45     Clean-up/Go to Closing

11:45-12:00     Closing/Pick-up Children

1. Opening Announcements: We ask everyone to please join us downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for an opening prayer and announcements before classes start. We try very hard to start promptly at 9:30. Teachers and students are dismissed to their classes from the Hall.

2. Two bells will ring at the end of each class period: 

     10:35 - 3rd-5th & 6th-12th Grades pass to Second Period 

                 PreK-K & 1st-2nd Grades clean up

                 Adult helpers for Second Period, head to your posts

     10:40 - PreK-K & 1st-2nd Grades pass to Second Period

     11:35 - 3rd-5th & 6th-12th Grades pass to Fellowship Hall 

                 PreK-K & 1st-2nd Grades clean up

     11:40 - PreK-K & 1st-2nd Grades pass to Fellowship Hall

 - Keep in mind that the Fellowship Hall may be in use for a class as you arrive for closing. 

Sometimes, all of the Founding Members have their hands full at the end of a class period, and no one is available to ring the bell. Teachers and helpers, keep an eye on the clock, and if the bell doesn't ring as scheduled, go ahead and switch classes at the correct time. With the large number of students we have this year, it's important that we try to stick to the above times as closely as possible, to avoid excess chaos in the hallways.

3. Passing between classes: While MLC is holding classes, the staff of St. Paul's Church are going about their usual work. Please be courteous to our hosts and help maintain safety by keeping noise and disruption in the hallways to a minimum - this is especially important with our increased membership. Teachers and parents, please remind and encourage kids not to run, to use indoor voices in the hallways, and to move to the next class and clear the hallways as quickly as possible. 

4. Closing Announcements: All teachers should bring all classes back to the Fellowship Hall for dismissal after Second Period. No students should be dismissed to their parents from classrooms or hallways. Again, this is important to help manage the large number of students who will be in the building each week.

5. Restrooms: There are bathrooms upstairs, near the top of the stairway. Another small bathroom is at the bottom of the stairs not far from the nursery, and two more are off the corners of the Fellowship Hall. Please take your kids to the bathroom before classes start. We do not take scheduled group bathroom breaks during or between classes, though students are able to use the restroom as needed.

6. Parents: One parent from each member family is required to stay on the premises during classes. Under no circumstances should MLC be considered a drop-off activity! Please see our POLICIES page for further details. Parents who are not helping with a class are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and some social time in the Heritage Room, which is adjacent to the Fellowship Hall. Please be aware that classes may be taking place in the Fellowship Hall or other adjacent spaces, so keep noise levels reasonable.

7. Food Allergies: If your child has any food sensitivities or other allergies, please let us know if you have not already done so. Snacks are not generally served during classes, but we'd like to cover all the bases.

8. Membership Dues: We hope to have at least one Founding Member free during both class periods this Friday, to assist any members who need to pay dues or take care of any other membership details. We will NOT be taking dues prior to the first class starting at 9:45, as there will be new members to welcome and other tasks to see to. Please plan on seeing a Founding Member during one of the two class periods if you need to pay membership dues or if you need help with anything else.

Thanks for taking a minute to get acquainted with the way we do things. We are so looking forward to finally getting our classes started! See you all on Friday!!

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES CANCELLED - PLEASE READ ASAP!!!!

On September 11th, 2015, MLC will meet for  CO-OP CLASSES one super awesome and amazingly fun 
FIELD TRIP!!!??!?!?!

That's right, no typos here, we are cancelling classes at St. Paul's and heading out for an adventure-filled FIELD TRIP at Carsten's Farmstead in Shelby, Iowa!!!

MLC is going to pay for everyone's addmission to this event, all you have to do is get yourselves there.  Wonderful thing is that you already had this time slot reserved for MLC!  So, we hope to see everyone there!

****If you want to attend, YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST RSVP FOR THIS EVENT using the form below ASAP before 11:59p.m. on September 2nd****

Why this last minute decision?  Well, this opportunity only comes once a year, and it fell on the same day/same time as our first day of classes.  So, in the spirit of f-l-e-x-i-b-i-l-i-t-y, we thought your children wouldn't mind heading out to the farm for a fun day of learning instead of sitting in a building!  Isn't this why we homeschool?!  ;)

WHO: All MLC Members are invited to attend, but you MUST RSVP BELOW by 11:59p.m. on Sept. 2
WHAT: Carsten's Farmstead Field Trip
WHEN: September 11, 2015 please be in Shelby, at the farm, at 8:40 a.m.
WHERE: Shelby, Iowa - Take I-80 East to Exit 34, then just follow the signs!

NOTE: We are looking into the lunch situation. Not sure if they have concessions or if a sack lunch is needed.  UPDATE: We believe they have concessions at the farm, but this is not confirmed.  There is also a McDonald's, Chester Chicken and a Dairy Queen close by.  Packing and bringing a sack lunch is also a good option.

If you have questions on the day of the trip, please call or text Lisa at 402.981.6907
For more information about this event, you may visit Carsten's Farmstead Website HERE.
RSVP BELOW!!!!

Classes Begin September 11th - ONLINE Class Registration Now OPEN

With a new school year upon us, we would like to take a moment to thank our returning MLC Members for planning this coming school year over the past few months.  It was amazing to see everyone pull together to ensure the success of this co-op.  It's exciting to be coming together once again for another great year!  Welcome back to MLC!

We would also like to welcome "NEW" MLC members and student members to the group this year!  We have a great group of returning members, all willing to help 'show you the ropes'.  So, please, when joining us for the first time, feel free to ask any of our members for help or advice about the co-op's schedule, navigating the building, etc.  If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact a founding member in person or by email at MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com. 

We are excited about the coming months, and with everyone's help, it should be a huge success!

A few important announcements before heading into another great year...

• ALL returning families planning to attend the 2015-16 school year must re-apply for membership on our website.  Please CLICK HERE to re-apply for membership.  After September 11th, we will only send correspondence to those families who have specifically applied for the 2015-16 school year through the online application form.  All other accounts will be deleted.

• Classes will begin on September 11th, 2015.  Classes will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 239 Frank Street in Council Bluffs.

• Our calendar is updated with all of the class dates for the 2015-2016 school year.  If you are a google calendar user and would like our calendar 'shared' with you, please send us an email with your request to MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com

• ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION is NOW available and always accessible from the CLASSES page of our website.

• Join us in a few days for MLC's Open House - AUGUST 21st - CLICK HERE for details.

• Included below is our calendar in list form.  It helps to visually organize the year!

2015-16 MLC CALENDAR
Term 1
9/11/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
9/18/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
9/25/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
10/9/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
10/16/2015	FIELD TRIP / NO CLASSES
Term 2
1023/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
10/30/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
11/13/2015	FIELD TRIP / NO CLASSES
11/20/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
12/11/2015	CO-OP CLASSES
Term 3
1/8/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
1/15/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
1/22/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
1/29/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
2/12/2016	VALENTINES DAY PARTY FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
2/19/2016	FIELD TRIP / NO CLASSES
Term 4
2/26/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
3/11/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
3/18/2016	FIELD TRIP / NO CLASSES
3/25/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
4/8/2016	CO-OP CLASSES
4/15/2016	PRE-SUMMER PARTY FOR ALL AGE GROUPS