Rainbow Mountain’s media policy is very open — we merely recommend parents become aware of the affects of media exposure on children and attempt to limit it.
I highly recommend watching this short film from the Marin Waldorf School. Even though we are not a Waldorf School, we have many similarities with the Waldorf approach, including similar views bout the media.
I found the photos of classrooms and children very akin to our atmosphere at Rainbow. The message about the media is a good reminder and inspiring.
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!
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!”
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.
“From the mouth’s of babes…” What a POWERFUL speaker. This girl reminds me of some of the young people who have graduated from Rainbow Mountain.
~Renee Owen (Executive Director)
PS. The video is slightly out of focus, but totally worth it.
One of the most exciting events of the year….The Rainbow Mountain Science Fair…is fast approaching on February 10. Is your child working on collecting their data yet? For some inspiration, here is a video demonstrating how even the simplest science fair project often has intriguing and unexpected results. You won’t want to eat another non-organic sweet potato after watching it!
By the way, Rainbow Mountain students score exceptionally high (averaging 80th – 90th percentile compared nationally) on standardized science tests. (Something we don’t usually publish, because we aren’t real into standardized tests.) Attend the Science Fair on February 10, and be prepared to learn something new from our amazing students.
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.
