Join us for our annual all-school theatrical production featuring individual class performances nestled into the greater structure of the sixth grade play. This year prepare to be whisked away into “The Dream Parade” on a mythic journey through the brilliant shadowlands of the subconcious. Your whole family will be transported to a mystefying world where imagination and dreams come to life and slip into our basic reality.
Don’t miss this one of a kind, meticiloulsy crafted children’s theater production. Invite your friends and their children on this quest to find out what it truly takes to become your very own hero.
Thursday, May 19th
Morning Show: 10:30am
with performances from Preschool through 8th grade
Evening Show: 6:00pm
with performances from Kindergarten through 8th grade
All performances are free, open to the public, and will take place in the Rainbow Community Center at 60 State St, Asheville, NC 28806.
Join Rainbow in a city wide effort to strive not to drive for a solid week from May 15 through May 22nd. Instead of driving to work, school, community meetings, the grocery store or the gym, for example, try taking the bus, walking, carpooling with friends, or biking!
You will be rewarded for your efforts on May 18th from 8am to 9am with coffee and treats right on Haywood Road. Stop by on your way to work! Omega Middle School students will be hosting a commuter station at 574 Haywood Rd to treat people who are walking or commuting via bike, bus, or carpool!
Check out this interview with Dan Siegel on the psychology and sociology of our environment. At Rainbow I often stress that helping students cultivate a deep and personal relationship with the natural world is our only hope of saving it, as they will only protect what they love. Dan Siegel shares that same sentiment adding the notion of “mwe.” When we learn to see ourselves as integrally connected to all things and to one another, we will end the destruction of our time and begin taking care of one another and the planet that sustains us. It all begins with love.
From January through March 42 students from as young as six-years-old to as old as thirteen-years-old gathered every Friday to create magic together. The magic invoked was theater at its finest complete with pirates, heroes, and villains. This fun twist on the old Treasure Island classic by Robert Louis Stevenson featured Josie, an adventurous and courageous young girl, as the main character. The theme of the play was one of empowerment, imagination, and actualization as Josie learns that in the end it truly is always her adventure no matter what obstacles and challenges come her way. As the performance drew nearer it became clearer and clearer that these youngsters were transforming and evolving not only as confident young actors and techies, but also as an extremely multi-aged and connected ensemble. Whispered cues were hurriedly exchanged backstage as actors reminded each other of their blocking, while stagehands stepped into their less visible yet powerful roles of supporting the production as a whole. By the time the curtains closed on that epic first and last performance, those 42 students stood together as friends, artists, storytellers, performers, and family. Huzzah and congratulations to these brave pirates!
I love, love, love the design projects that you chose! You all “went big” – nobody played it safe and picked something easy. And here you go, making change in the world. This is why teenagers rule. – Niki Gilbert
The students’ innovative ideas to create change within the school and greater community were so inspiring! I can’t wait to see the continued impact they will make in the community! – Sandra McCassim
I liked how each of the students had a voice. The process that was used required research, work and much thought. They taught us, the parents, and I loved it! – Dianne Caldwell
The creativity was amazing. It was so inspiring to see Omegans dive in and work hard! You all will be the change that we want to see in this world!! – Ali Banchiere
I was struck by the breadth of issues students had identified; from concerns within our Rainbow community, like bathroom beautification and parking lot safety, to global problems, like global warming, and many in between. – Tracy Hildebrand
In our work we are constantly having to come up with creative solutions to the challenges we face. After observing how the kids used the Design Process to facilitate out-of-the-box ideas, we plan to incorporate this structure into our brainstorming sessions at work. Way to go kiddos! Go out and change the world… it needs you! – Molly Irani
I felt that due to the feedback the students collected throughout their process from classmates and parents, their inventions and ideas were realistic and useful. They were professional and proud in their presentations. – Jen Lauzon
I enjoyed learning a little more about each Omegan; what interests you, what moves you to act on your feelings, interests, and passions, and how you explain your process and share with others. I was inspired by your creativity and innovations. I am hopeful for our future with young people like you doing great things in the world. – Caryn Hanna
Projects like yours do not always work out perfectly. Just like the Wright Brothers making designs, we work on some things, they fail, and we change them. I loved how you were clear and honest about both what did work and about things that didn’t work or might need to be changed. This shows that real learning – and inventing – was happening! – Chris Weaver
Skills learned in the Design Fair will serve a for a lifetime. – Stewart Stokes
I loved how enthusiastic the kids were about their topics as well as how well they presented them. Having them think in this way is really critical as citizens of this planet! Thank you kids! – Jennifer Lazinsk
Several of the presentations gave examples of how each of us could change our daily behavior to improve our environment and here at home we have already changed several things. Others made me more aware of social issues that had not occurred to me and presented doable solutions. I have been to many adult presentations on various issues and the difference was unbelievable. The energy and enthusiasm as well as the wealth of information was inspiring. – Sherry Hill
I was totally blown away by the composure, confidence and maturity displayed by the Omegans at the design fair… At each stop I felt engaged, informed and inspired. It was very moving to see these young changemakers in action. I have no doubt these young people are on their way to being adults who move through life truly “walking the walk” not just talking the talk. – Rachel Hagen
I was so inspired and impressed to see the variety of conundrums being tackled in such innovative ways for the design projects. The sixth graders were also very impressed, and are already talking excitedly about what they’d like to do for their own design projects. – Jenny Armocida
I was impressed with the courage to confront big issues in practical ways. For instance, climate change is a scary proposition but seeing the kids ready and eager to find solutions in immediate practical ways was inspiring. Equally so with issues of gender and animal safety and on down the list. – Billy Goodrum
I could hear murmurings from guests as they left the room saying it is people like these students that will better our world. I felt inspired. I felt proud. I felt humbled. – Susan Waddel
In their first trimester electives, Omega students had the choice to take either Home Economics, Theater of the Oppressed, Advanced Art Techniques, Creative Writing Workshop, or Choral Explorations. These four brave 7th and 8th graders chose to deepen their understanding of vocal technique, harmony, and choral arrangement in Choral Explorations with Sue Forde, our wildly creative music director. They performed their original song “Love is More” to an amazed audience during our Annual Winter Program. The Jaegens’ insightful lyrics and playful melody delighted and inspired all in attendance. Love is overused, abused, confused with admiration, attraction, creation, temptation, obsession, emotion, relation, confusion, delusion… The song starts with this somber note on the misuse of Love and then continues to motivate us to build a new and more compassionate relationship to Love itself.
Join us for our annual all-school theatrical production featuring individual class performances nestled into the greater structure of the sixth grade play. This year prepare to be whisked away into “The Dream Parade” on a mythic journey through the brilliant shadowlands of the subconcious. Your whole family will be transported to a mystefying world where imagination and dreams come to life and slip into our basic reality.
Join Rainbow in a city wide effort to strive not to drive for a solid week from May 15 through May 22nd. Instead of driving to work, school, community meetings, the grocery store or the gym, for example, try taking the bus, walking, carpooling with friends, or biking!
