Membership Application - Join or Renew TODAY for 2016-17

Hello!  Hope your summer is going well so far!

Well, we are already gearing up for another great year at MLC!  

Our online Membership Application form has been updated and is ready for the 2016-17 year.  

We would like to ask all of our members, who know they will be returning in the fall, to please fill out this form as soon as possible.  It only takes about 2-5 minutes, and it would help us tremendously to begin getting our ducks in a row for next year.  

We only have a few short months to get many things accomplished!

Thank you!

MLC's Annual Summer Kick-Off Carnival

WHO: Calling MLC members of all ages!

WHAT: Our Annual Pre-Summer Carnival - There will be scooter races, flag football, face painting, and several carnival games with prizes.

WHERE: UPDATE: Location has been changed to Breezy Lodge, Arrowhead Park, 29357 310th Street, Neola, IA 51559

WHEN: April 15, 2016 from 10 to 11:30 am.

RSVP: Members MUST RSVP for this event by APRIL 8th using the form below. (If you are reading this inside your email, you will need to visit our web post to RSVP.)

ADMISSION: We are asking that each family please bring 6-12 treats to share.  This could be fruit, finger foods, cookies, brownies, bars, etc.

Lunch will be provided - hot dogs, chips and beverages!

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED:

This event will require many hands to be successful.  On the RSVP form, please choose an area where you would like to help.  Thanks!

RSVP BY APRIL 8th!

March 17th Field Trip - Nebraska Humane Society

MLC Members will be heading out for a field trip to the Nebraska Humane Society on Thursday, March 17th, at 11 am.  

This is a behind the scenes look at how they operate the humane society. The tour is an educational experience that will cover many topics. The tour will take 45 minutes to an hour.

It is recommended for grades 2 and up, but they are willing to accommodate our group. (We just ask that 'littles' be carefully watched.) 

Date: Thursday, March 17th (NOT Friday, as previously planned)

Time: 11 am (please arrive 10-15 minutes early, so our tour can begin at 11)

Location: Nebraska Humane Society, 8929 Fort Street Omaha, Nebraska, 68134

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS TRIP, PLEASE RSVP BELOW!

Field Trip to the Circus - Feb. 19th

MLC is joining the circus going to the circus!!!  

On February 19th, the Shrine Circus has invited us to attend their performance at 1 p.m. The Shriner's have decided to sponsor our admission, so this event is free of charge for MLC families.

While it is free for us, it is important to note that many sponsorships and donors to the Shrine Circus have made this possible.  We are grateful for their generousity and kind invitation to this event.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This performance has been designed for those in our community with special needs and/or physical disabilities.  They have been kind enough to allow our homeschool group to join them for this performance.  It is only because the Shriner's feel we are capable of keeping our kids under control that they asked us to join them for this special event.  If you plan to attend, please be mindful of those needing extra care or time in moving about the building and while seated.  Again, this program is designed for them and we are simply guests at their event.  Please talk with your children about kindness and respect for those with physical and/or mental disabilities while at this event.  It is important that we represent the homeschool community in a positive way.

DETAILS: 

• Circus performance is on Friday, February 19th at 1pm. at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.
• There is a posibility that we might be offered an optional 'behind the scenes' tour prior to the circus.  There is also a possibility that this won't pan out.  More details will be posted here on this website post as they surface next week. 
• All members wanting to attend, MUST RSVP by Monday, January 1st.  This is just a few days away, so please RSVP right away.  (I apologize for needing such a quick turnaround, but we were not able to confirm our invitation until yesterday.)
• Those that RSVP will need to obtain their tickets from Lisa Orsi prior to the show.  It is unclear if an emailed copy will work, or if you will need to make arrangements to pick those up.  Either way, tickets are required for this performance. Ticket information will be posted next week right here on this web page.
• RSVP BELOW (If you are reading this in your inbox, the RSVP form will NOT appear, you need to go to our actual website posting to RSVP.)

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.

Field Trip - The Rose Theater - January 28th

The Mindful Learning Center is partnering with The Rose Theater to offer our students a LIVE musical adventure!   We will head to the Rose Theater on Thursday, January 28, 2016, to see the production The Lightning Thief, adapted from the Percy Jackson book series by Rick Riordan.

IMPORTANT TRIP DETAILS:

• If you would like to join us, please RSVP below by January 12th at 12p.m.
• One parent/teacher is admitted free of charge. Additional adults are welcome for $5 each.
• $5 per child 3 years and older (2 and younger are free if sitting on a lap or you are free to purchase a seat for your younger child for $5) 
• Payment must be received by January 19th.  No refunds. Please make checks out to MLC and send to 710 William Street, Omaha, NE, 68108. Payments will also be accepted at co-op.
• We will meet in the lobby at 12:40 to confirm our reservation and be escorted to our seats by the ushers by 12:45.  Punctuality is simply vital for this type of event.   Latecomers and/or 'No Shows' reflect poorly on our entire group and latecomers will be seated only at the House Manager’s discretion.
• The production begins at 1:00. 
• Parents must accompany their children unless another attending adult (over the age of 19) has agreed to accept responsibility for them.
• Please allow yourself time to find parking, and bring quarters for the parking meters. The theater does not offer change for the parking meters.
• Rose Theater productions will be cancelled if Omaha Public Schools have a weather related closure.  If this happens, our reservations and tickets will be held for another performance.
• Any questions about this trip can be emailed to MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com

Skatedaze Field Trip - 11/13/15

This Friday, MLC members are invited to a FUN field trip!  We will be at Skatedaze from 10am-3pm.  It is located at 3616 South 132nd Street in Omaha.

At Skatedaze, there is truly something for every age!  There is a super "Playdazium" for children under 10 (great for toddlers), bouce houses, roller skating and arcade games for everyone, bumper cars, laser tag, a simulator ride and much more!  Moms are able to chat and have a good time, too!  Moms are allowed to walk on the roller skating rink if their children need assistance.  Skatedaze is completely set up for a fun family-friendly experience for all ages.

NOTE: Kids must wear SOCKS if playing in the playdazium! 

Admission is $5 per child ages 1-18 (under 12 mos is free)

Adults are $2 if not skating, $5 if skating

Some attractions cost extra.  

Food is not included, but they have a very nice and reasonable concession stand with everything from Nachos to Grilled Chicken Sandwhiches.  

Feel free to come at anytime between 10 and 3.  However, we can't guarantee everyone will be up for staying until 3, so probably better to come earlier!

For more information about Skatedaze, please visit their website at http://www.skatedaze.com/index.php

**************NOTE****************

Due to the possibility of a large sized group, the staff has asked us that we give them a 'ballpark' attendance number so that they may be properly staffed for our visit.  It is NOT necessary that you RSVP to attend this field trip.  However, if you THINK you might like to attend, please RSVP below (on the website) so that we may give the Skatedaze staff a fairly accurate headcount by Wednesday, if possible.

If you are reading this post in an email form, you must click on the link (the title) to go to the MLC website to use the RSVP form.  Thank you. 

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.

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

MLC Picnic in the Park

We had such a wonderful time in the park with so many smiling faces, that we have decided to
extend this event throughout the summer!

Our next picnic will be June 26th
We will meet at Lake Manawa State Park Playground at 10:30 a.m.

We will plan a few more dates and post them to the CALENDAR.

Bring your blankets and a picnic!
Hope to see you there!

(Be sure to scroll down on the NEWS page for MLC Zoo Days information!)

Fun at the Zoo!

Join other MLC members for a fun day at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.


Mark your calendars, 
MLC's Zoo Day will be 
June 19th.
Members will meet at 9:30 a.m. outside the main entrance.

If you have a Zoo membership, please bring it with you.  Memberships include one free guest, so maybe we can pair up those who do not have a membership with those who do.  For this reason, we will meet outside the gates.  For those who do not have a zoo membership, to see current addmission costs, click here.

MLC Pre-Summer Picnic in the Park

Hello MLC Members! First, we want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the co-op this year.  MLC's Co-op was a success because of all of your help, time, and talents!

To kick off the summer, we would like to invite everyone to a Pre-Summer Picnic in the Park this Friday, April 17, 2015, beginning at 10:30 a.m. 

Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch for your family and join us at Lake Manawa State Park Playground area.  The playground area is located near the beach on the south side of the lake.

(If we have to postpone this event due to weather, updates will be posted on the website on the morning of the event.)

Hope to see you there! 

Term 3 Field Trip - IWCC Fine Arts Center

Have you ever been to a play at a theater and wondered about the lights, curtains, or set pieces? Have you ever been to a live concert and wondered how the sound system or the backstage areas work? Now's your chance to find out!

Join us at 9:30 am on Friday, February 20, 2015 for a guided tour of the Fine Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College. The tour will include visits to music and technical theater classrooms, the scene shop where large set pieces are constructed, the innovative and modular Black Box Theater, and the main theater and stage including backstage operations areas, lighting systems, fly rail system, sound booth, spotlight system, and more.

Most guests who attend plays or concerts never get to see the behind-the-scenes areas and equipment that make those performances possible. Come learn how a busy, working theater really operates! 

More info about the Arts Center can be found here.  Driving directions to campus are here, and a campus map is available here. Follow Iowa Western Blvd. all the way around to Parking Lot 32 on the map. 

IWCC classes will be in recess for staff development on the day of the field trip, so parking should be plentiful. You can park near the main front entrance to the Fine Arts Center (pictured above), and gather in the main lobby to begin the tour.

There is no charge for parking or for the tour, but we do need to ask that you please use the form below to RSVP by 2 pm on Wednesday, February 18, so that we have a decent head count. We hope to see you then!

Valentine's Day Party - Friday, February 13th

Love is in the air!  

We are having a Valentine's Party for all MLC students (and parents) on February 13th at 9:30 a.m.  Children of all ages are welcome to participate.  There will be scheduled fun activities and social time with snacks provided.  There is no cost to members for this event and all materials and snacks will be provided.  (We will provide gluten free and nut free snack options.)

NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE - The Valentine's Party will be held at the Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Avenue in Council Bluffs.  We will meet in Room B at 9:30 a.m.

We are asking students ages PreK and up to bring their own Valentine's cards to share with their classmates.  Students will be making a craft box or envelope to store their cards in, so if they want to participate in this activity, they should bring cards to exchange.  Of course, it is not mandatory that a student exchange cards to attend the party.  Each student should bring somewhere around 15-30 cards.

No need to run out and spend a bunch of money on pre-made cards!  Have your students make some homemade cards with stickers, typing paper, construction paper, crayons, etc.  Get crafty!  Just have them sign their names on their cards, but don't address them to any specific student.  

Hope to see you there!

MEMBERS MUST RSVP BELOW TO ATTEND THIS EVENT

12.12.14 Announcements

CALENDAR reminders for upcoming events:

• There are no remaining events on MLC's calendar for 2014. 
• Term 3 begins on Friday, January 9, 2015.  All four regular class days for Term 3 happen on consecutive Fridays in January, without a break. Please take a close look at our CALENDAR and review those dates.
• We had accidentally missed posting the January 2015 date for Mindful Mom's Night out on the calendar. That's now posted for Monday, January 12. Details on the destination will be posted closer to that date.

TERM 3: There are still several helper spots that need to be filled for Term 3 - thank you to everyone who has already signed up. If you and your family are participating in classes for Term 3, we need to ask that you add your name to the helper list somewhere. You can sign up online using this link under the Members Only tab.

DISMISSAL: We reminded members on Friday that 2nd Hour teachers should bring all kids back to the Fellowship Hall for dismissal. Sometimes we have announcements to share at closing time, and sometimes we don't. Whether we have announcements or not, all students should be dismissed from the Fellowship Hall. This reduces the amount of confusion and excess traffic and noise in the hallways - remember, we're trying to be considerate guests of our hosts, the staff of St. Paul's Church. It is also GREATLY appreciated if every member would take the few seconds to push one or two chairs back under the tables in the hall before leaving. If every member does this, it saves the Founding Members a lot of time during the clean-up chores we do each week.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Terms 1 and 2! We're grateful to our teachers and helpers for creating fun, enriching learning opportunities for our kids, and to the parents who bring their students each week.

The Founding Members would like to wish each of you a blessed holiday season with your loved ones, and we look forward to seeing you again in January!

Term 3 Helper Sign-up

MLC wishes you all have a safe and Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

We have one more co-op class on December 12th, before we break for the holidays.

We would like to have Term 3 helpers assigned soon, so we are ready for January 9th, the first class of Term 3.

Our online sign up sheet has been updated.  You can access it through the MEMBERS page or by using the link below.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP FOR TERM 3

Thank You!

Mindful Mom's Night Out

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at M's Pub, 422 S 11th St, Omaha, NE at 6:30 pm on Monday, December 8, 2014. 

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.

Look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions about the Mindful Mom's Night Out,
please email us at MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com

This event is now on our CALENDAR.
This event requires an RSVP.
Please RSVP using the form below.