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!
Here are the six graduates giving their 8th grade graduation speeches. Each year every 8th grader gets up in front of the community and shows us a little insight into their world. Congratulations to Lucia, Robbie, Forrest, Alec, Jason and Samuel.
From June 18 – 26, Renee will be traveling with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, as one of ten chosen participants on their Educators of Excellence Ecuador Institute. This will be a learning experience for everyone. You follow the team’s blog posts each day of the trip. Through the blog, you can join Renee as she visits the Heifer International Alpaca Ranch, teaches at a rural school, and hikes Isla de la Plata. The group will be learning about the natural history of the fabulous and fascinating wildlife of Ecuador.
The Museum’s vision is to educate teachers about the natural world, so they, in turn, inspire their students to develop a love for the natural world too. “We want our students to see themselves as part of the global web of life!”
Here they were 4 years ago, graduating from Rainbow Mountain!
News Flash: There are 7 high school seniors graduating who previously attended Rainbow Mountain: 6 of them attended RMCS through 8th grade and one through 7th grade. Five of them were at Asheville High School High or SILSA (the all-honors alternative school at Asheville High), and two are out of state. Of the Asheville Seniors:
Paris Sigler: National Merit and top 10 seniors. Paris was accepted to every college she applied to, and decided to attend American in DC. Paris was accepted into American University’s Honor program and received a Frederick Douglass scholarship. Frederick Douglass scholars are selected on the basis of high academic achievement, leadership potential, demonstrated community service, and impressive cocurricular involvement. Shannon Waldman: Discrete Math Honors, Current Affairs Honors, National Honors Society, top ten seniors of SILSA….and the SILSA Principal’s Award. The Principal’s Award is THE award, given to the student who most embodies the traits that define intellectual inquiry. Shannon is going to attend Warren Wilson College, where she won their service scholarship! Devin Hanaway: National Honors Society, top ten seniors of Asheville High. We are waiting to hear what Devin’s college plans are. Melissa Hahn is Valedictorian of ASheville High and National Honors Society. Melissa has been accepted into the music program at U of M, which is very competitive. Kaya Greenfield graduated early and is already attending Appalachian State.
There are two more seniors who are out of state: Dylan Glasgowis in Florida. All we know so far is that he will be attending Appalachian State. Cathy Clarke is graduating from Mercersberg Academy in Pennsylvania. Here are her senior awards:
Cum Laude society, President’s Education Award, Class Orator at Commencement [mom’s note: Next person to use the podium that day was Madeline Albright!], English Composition award, European History award, Yale Aurellian Award, Theater award, 3rd Place-Declamation (annual speaking contest), 3-D Merit Award (Mid-Atlantic Prep League Art exhibition). Plus, she was the first junior editor of Mercersberg’s national award-winning literary magazine! Cathy will be attending Macalester College in Minnesota.
We are so very proud of our alumni, and know that our current 8th graduates will fill their footsteps!
Rainbow Mountain Children’s School’s executive director, Renee Owen, has been chosen as one of ten “Educators of Excellence” in North Carolina to travel to Ecuador this summer with the Museum of Natural Science. The Educators of Excellence Institute programs are designed to give deserving educators an opportunity to learn about the ecology and natural history of other regions. Educators of Excellence Institutes are a learning opportunity for teachers who want to pass on to their students the ability to envision themselves as part of the global web of life.
Renee’s Ecuadoran adventure will be from June 18 – 26. She and her fellow educators will spend time at the Heifer International’s alpaca farm in the highlands of Ecuador, learning about Heifer’s innovative program to reduce poverty in the region. The group will have several days in different regions of Ecuador, learning its natural history. One location is the Isla de la Platas, which is home to many of the same wildlife as the Galapagos Islands. In Palmar, on the Southwestern coast of Ecuador, the group will be working in a rural school teaching classes and working with students and teachers. The team of teachers will meet again in Raleigh, in October, to purchase educational materials for the Ecuador school and design lessons for the 2013 “Educators in Excellence” team.
Congratulations, Renee, for this honor. We are excited for your adventure. If you would like to follow Renee’s trip through Ecuador, the group will be posting a daily blog at http://ecuadorinstitute.wordpress.com. Renee is looking forward to sharing lessons and information about Ecuador and Heifer International with families and students at Rainbow Mountain Children’s School both on the blog and when school starts back up in the fall.
Rainbow Mountain Children’s School’s executive director, Renee Owen, has been chosen as one of ten “Educators of Excellence” in North Carolina to travel to Ecuador this summer with the Museum of Natural Science. The Educators of Excellence Institute programs are designed to give deserving educators an opportunity to learn about the ecology and natural history of other regions. Educators of Excellence Institutes are a learning opportunity for teachers who want to pass on to their students the ability to envision themselves as part of the global web of life.
