by Renee Owen | Sep 27, 2012 | News
September 27, 2012
Dear Parent,
The 2011-2012 End-of-Year Parent Survey was administered via the web on July 18 to August 8, 2012. A total of 59 parents completed surveys for 65 children. This was a very good participation level – the highest we have ever had. Thank you so much for your time and your valuable feedback.
Below is the full data for each question, a visual graph of some of the key questions, as well as a short summary of some of the identified trends from your comments.
School Satisfaction Ratings Table of Results
Classroom Satisfaction Levels Table of Results
School Satisfaction and Classroom Satisfaction Summary Bar Graphs
In addition to the number-ranking questions, there were three open ended questions:
If you could change one thing at Rainbow Mountain, what would it be?
Did you or your child have any concerns this year that are either unresolved or were never shared with a teacher or the Director?
Do you have any concerns about next year?
Survey Summary
Scores were, in general, quite high. Across the grades, parents felt their child made good social, emotional, and spiritual growth. The highest rating was in the area of safety, indicating parents and children feel a sense of safety at Rainbow. Not surprisingly, the lowest score was in regard to our facilities, which are in need of expansion, and the playground was specifically mentioned as a weakness. We listened. While we know that the opening of the new Orchard House and the new playground this year will vastly improve our facilities, we also know there is much more work to be done in the years ahead.
Parents of older children felt their children were very well prepared, which is important, since they are moving on to high school. Most parents with children in the lower grades also ranked academic growth high. Of the written comments from parents of the middle elementary grades, Math was specifically mentioned. Even before receiving the survey, we were aware of this sentiment, which is one of the reasons we began evaluating Singapore Math. We are piloting Singapore Math in 2nd and 3rd grades this year, and planning to bring in a Singapore consultant to help us determine how to best transition to a new Math program.
In administration and on the faculty, we are asking these questions constantly, and your survey results encourage us to continue to probe: “Is our learning curve steep enough, or too steep, in the 3rd – 5th grades?” “Are the methods we are using for academic subjects as effective as possible for this very important age?” We are working intensively to answer these questions and to further improve each child’s learning experience.
Thank you!
Of course, there are multiple factors that play into each child’s experience, parents’ perceptions, and the final outcome. Your survey ratings and comments were extremely helpful. The survey answered some questions, opened up new questions to explore, and helped us prioritize goals for the future. Thank you for your time, diligence, and thoughtfulness.
We would also like to thank volunteer board member, John Keller, for administrating and conducting data analysis of the End of Year survey. Thanks, everyone!
Sincerely,
Renee Owen
by Renee Owen | Sep 24, 2012 | News
Sandra McCassim, Assistant Executive Director:
How can I help you? Although I assist our director, Renee Owen, in many areas, fundraising will be a strong area of focus for me this year. If you’d like to help with fundraising or have some great ideas, I’m the person to see!
One of my goals for the 2012-2013 year is to kick off the school year with a strong Annual Campaign Drive so that we can have a great, new playground structure on our campus as soon as possible!! Another goal is to make this year’s Imagine fundraising event even more successful and, if possible, more fun!
My email is smccassim@rmcs.org, or call me at 828-582-2973.
Mary Earle-Sigler, Administrative Assistant:
How I can help you? I take your tuition payments, answer your questions, put you in touch with the person you need to see, get a message to your child or their teacher and keep you informed via the weekly Rainbow Reminders email.
My number one goal for this year is to be sure you know what is going on in the community. Look for my messages on emails, chalk boards and bulletin boards.
My email is info@rmcs.org or reach me by phone at 258-9264 extension 10.
Margaret Gerleve, Business Manager:
As Business Manager I send out your tuition bills, make sure they get paid, and pay the teachers! I can help you with any questions related to your tuition and payments. We are researching using a professional tuition management company; one of the many advantages is that parents will have online access to their accounts. Watch for further information as this progresses. Currently we do offer direct debit from your bank account, which eliminates the task of dropping off a check. Contact me if you would like to start direct debit. If you are paying by check, you can leave it in a classroom office mailbox, deposit it in the secure, drop box on the outside of the main office, or bring it to Mary in the main office. You can also pay your tuition by credit card, with a 2% fee.
My goal this year is to work together with parents and staff to keep the money side of things flowing smoothly!
My email is mgerleve@rmcs.org, phone is ext. 25 at the school number 258-9264.
Max Mraz, Facilities Manager:
I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve the Rainbow community. This is my first year on the staff at Rainbow Mountain but I have been a Rainbow parent for years. I am inspired by the potential I see everywhere on our grounds. I want to help you with any questions, concerns or ideas regarding our campus or Tom Sawyer Work Days.
My goal for this school year is to have our campus reflect the beauty and spirit of our community. If you are inspired to help transform our school into a magical setting for our children to thrive in please contact me.
My email is maxmraz@gmail.com or leave a message for me at the office; 258-9264 extension 10.
by Renee Owen | Sep 10, 2012 | Director's Blog
I had the pleasure of joining Omega for centering today. After lighting the candle and taking a few breaths, Susan asked us to take out our journals and write a question we are contemplating about the future. Then Susan pulled out “A Book of Answers.” We went around the circle, each saying our question aloud, then opening to a random page in the book to read the answer. Some answers were very funny, but most (even the funny ones) had some ironic twist and/or a deep sense of wisdom. We are all ooo-ing, awe-ing, and laughing as we heard each answer. When we came to my place in the circle, I asked the question, “What will the new name of Rainbow Mountain Children’s School be?” When I opened the book the answer said something like, “Do not wait for answers. Find out!”
Here are some of the other questions and answers I remember:
Q: Will I be successful with my music?
A: You can’t do everything. Focus on what you truly want.
Q: Will there ever be world peace?
A: Concentrate on one thing at a time.
This was a wonderful centering. It certainly inspired some deep contemplation. I know I am going to be working more deligently on “finding out” what our new name is going to be. I will have an update for you all in a couple of weeks about the progress!
