Mindfful Mom's Night - Tuesday 11/10/15

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Stokes in the Old Market at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 10th, 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.

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.

01.09.15 Announcements

Thanks to everyone who bundled up against the cold and joined us for the start of Term 3! Welcome to a few new and newly returning members!

Just a few CALENDAR reminders to point out: 

• Mom's Night Out is this coming Monday, January 12th. We're planning to go to Omaha's Greek Islands restaurant. More details and an RSVP form to follow soon.
• We meet again for classes next Friday, January 16th.
• We'll be holding Swap Shop in two weeks, on Friday, January 23rd.

Our Valentine's Day Party is also approaching on Friday, February 13th. We'd like to ask for three or four moms to volunteer to plan the party. There is a budget available for treats and decorations. Any interested moms should let one of the Founding Members know that they'd like to participate.

See you next week!

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!

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.

11.21.14 Announcements

We only have two more events on the calendar for 2014:

• Mindful Mom's Night Out on Monday, December 8th. Watch the website for the destination announcement closer to that date.
• Regularly scheduled classes on Friday, December 12th. That's the final day of Term 2.

Term 3 begins on January 9, 2015. A Helper Sign-Up Sheet for Term 3 was started this morning and will be available again at classes on Friday, December 12th. Helper spots are first-come, first-served, so sign up early to reserve your preferred spot. All members who participate in a term are required to sign up somewhere on the sheet, and helper spots are for the full 4-week term.

If you have not already done so, please review this week's earlier post about communication within MLC here. 

Communication is Key

This is just a friendly reminder about the ways in which MLC communicates with our members.  We have had several members express that they either did not receive information about our events or didn't know where to find the information.  There are several reasons why you may not be getting our emails or reminders.  We will go through them here...

OUR MAIN LINE OF COMMUNICATION is through our website.  When you become a member, we subscribe you to our NEWS feed, so that you receive all of our latest posts in your inbox.  IMPORTANT NOTE: YOU MUST ACTIVATE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION or you will be missing out on having our NEWS posts come to your inbox.  Many of you have NOT activated your subscriptions.  If you haven't, you should have received an email within the last few days asking for you to click on a link within the email to activate.  Please do this!  For example, this post on the website would come directly to your inbox if your account were activated, so that you don't have to check the website for our latest NEWS.

Secondly, we have the CALENDAR on our website.  This has often been a point of confusion for some, so let's clarify.  ALL CURRENTLY PLANNED MLC EVENTS ARE ON THE CALENDAR.  These dates were chosen in advance of the 'school year' and set aside for MLC events.  The ONE component of our events that will almost always be decided at the 'last minute' is the destination of our events.  For instance, our term field trip dates are already planned, but where we are going might be a mystery until the week of the event.  We will always do our best to give adequate notice, but you may have to check the NEWS feed or the CALENDAR for event details, locations, and times just before the event takes place.  This system allows you to put the event on your own calendar months in advance of the event, then check back for details prior to the event.

FACEBOOK: Many of our members use Facebook, but just as many DO NOT USE Facebook.  Facebook is simply an extra place to post our information, but should NOT be relied upon or used as a substitute to our website NEWS feed. If you are on Facebook and using MLC's page, you may review our Facebook Policy HERE.

IMPORTANT: It has come to our attention that there are some people who are attending MLC who have not yet registered as members.  If you have not registered your family online, please do this now by applying for MEMBERSHIP.  It only takes a few minutes to apply, and this way we have your information to be able to communicate with you.  If you are not signed up, this would explain why you are not receiving our emails.  All members, even returning members, will need to submit this form each year.  This will ensure we have up-to-date records every year.  (Many of you would have done this before September.)

Another reminder: If you have not paid your annual fee of $30, please do so this Friday at the co-op.  If we do not have your payment marked in our records, you will receive an email reminder.  If you have paid and we are in error, please just let us know.  This money is used for parties and events, and a donation is made to the church for the use of the facility.

Hopefully this clears things up a bit!  If you have questions or need technical support, please send us an email at MindfulLearningCenter@gmail.com

Mindful Mom's Night Out

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Jams Bar and Grill, 7814 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, at 6:30 pm on Monday, November 10, 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.

10.31.14 Announcements

Oops! I forgot to post a recap of last week's announcements. Just a few calendar reminders for everyone:

• We do not meet this Friday, November 7th. The first Friday of each month is left open for members who wish to attend Hope meetings.
• Next Monday, November 10th is Mindful Mom's Night Out. Watch your emails for further details.
• Next Friday, November 14th is our Term 2 Field Trip. We're ironing out the final details and will post more information soon.
• Our next regular class day at St. Paul's is Friday, November 21. That's the 3rd class day of the term, so we'll be holding Swap Shop. It's a great chance to clear out some clutter in time for the holidays!

We look forward to seeing as many MLC families as possible at our upcoming events. Have a great week homeschooling, everyone!

Mom's Night Out

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Shuck's Fish House and Oyster Bar, 1218 S. 119th Street, Omaha, NE, at 6:30 pm on Monday, October 13, 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. 

10-10-14 Announcements

1. Thank you to everyone who brought items to share at our first Swap Shop of the year. We hope that many families found useful items to take home. Our next Swap Shop will be on Friday, November 21.

2. A calendar reminder for all members: Next week, Friday, October 17, will be a regular class day at St. Paul's, NOT a field trip as previously scheduled. We are using next Friday as a make-up day for the classes we needed to cancel a few weeks ago.

3. Mindful Mom's Night Out is this coming Monday, October 13 at 6:30 pm. We'll be visiting Shuck's Fish House and Oyster Bar. Further details to follow soon - we hope you can join us!

4. Term 2 will be starting soon! Thank you to everyone who signed up for Term 2 Helper spots this morning. We will have the sign up sheet available again next Friday, and hope to have all the spots covered by then, so that we are organized and prepared in advance of the first day of the new Term. Thanks to everyone who has been pitching in to help make things run.

See you next week!

Mindful Moms Night Out

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at BLUE Sushi Sake Grill in Omaha's Old Market at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 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. 

09-12-14 Announcements

We are going to begin posting a weekly recap of pertinent announcements, for those who were absent or were unable to hear the announcements.

1. Thank you to everyone who attended our first day of classes, and thanks to everyone who helped out this morning. We're excited to have a larger number of students this year, and we will be making a few adjustments over the next couple of weeks in order to help things run more smoothly. Thank you in advance for your patience as we smooth out the rough edges.


2. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to fill out a MEMBERSHIP Application and REGISTER your students for classes.


3. MLC will hold Swap Shop again this year. Swap Shop is a FREE, MLC Members-only garage sale, where you can bring useful but unwanted items from home to share with others who might be able to use them. No money changes hands. You do not have to bring something to take something.

We do ask that any items that don’t find new homes go back home with their original owners at the end of the day. In other words, please take your leftovers back home with you.

We are going to hold Swap Shop on the THIRD CLASS DAY OF EACH TERM, so that you know when to expect it. Those dates are already on MLC’s CALENDAR, and we will remind everyone during announcements as we approach those dates.


4. Our first Mindful Mom’s Night Out for the new year is in just a few days, on Monday Sept. 15th. This month's destination will be announced shortly, so watch your inboxes. We hope you can join us for an evening of food and fun!


5. If you’re new to our calendar, we meet most Fridays except major holiday weeks and the first Friday of each month. We skip that first Friday so that members can attend HOPE meetings if they choose. So, we will meet again next Friday, September 19 for classes.

You can view our complete CALENDAR here on the website. If you’re a Google Calendar user, you can request that we share our calendar with you.

Mom's Night Out - Roja Mexican Grill

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Roja Mexican Grill, 1212 Harney Street in Omaha's Old Market at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2014. The menu can be found here.

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. 

Mindful Mom's Night Out - Wilson & Washburn

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Wilson and Washburn, 1407 Harney Street in Omaha's Old Market at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2014. The menu can be found here.

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. 

Mindful Mom's Night Out - Twisted Fork

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Twisted Fork, 1014 Howard Street in Omaha's Old Market at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 10th. The menu can be found here.

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. 

Mindful Mom's Night Out - Stokes Bar & Grill

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Stokes Bar & Grill, at 12th and Howard in Omaha's Old Market at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13th.  Stokes menu can be found HERE.

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. 

Mindful Mom's Night Out - Barley's Bar & Grill

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at Barley's Bar & Grill, 114 West Braodway in Council Bluffs at 6:30 p.m. on November 11th.

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.
RSVP using the form below.

Mindful Mom's Night Out - Oct. 14th

Mindful Mom Members will be gathering at "O" DINING & LOUNGE, 1015 FARNAM STREET OMAHA, NE 68102  at 6:30 p.m. on October 14th.

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.

Click here for O's menu options online.
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.
RSVP using the form below.