On Thursday, October 20th, the Omega class had a Lock-In at Rainbow – but this event might be better-called a Lock-Out because the event was in honor of their current unit.
One Omega teacher, Jason, helped students discover constellations, planets, and other mysteries in the sky. Students began the unit that began at the end of October.
Constellations are so fun because students have to use their imaginations to compose their shapes in the night sky and use the stars as guiding points.
The Omega classroom became its own spaceship to travel to far away places in the starry night sky.
Stardate 20.11.14
Students arrived back in their classroom – after a full day at school – ย atย 6:30 pmย to set up their sleeping space prior to the evening of Myth, Stars and Mystery.
Before the night sky was all aglow, the students settled in to watch a modern day myth: Star Wars. Students transported themselves to a galaxy far, far away to understand how to use the Force for good.
This movie would illuminate the elements of a hero’s journey and myth, as well. Students explored this concept in an English extension of their astronomy unit.
At light speed, students propelled into a world of myth and legend, learning about the stars and constellations.
During the film, students worked to create gifts for the younger grades that would remind all the Rainbow students of the stories in the nightย skies.
Fun Fact: Did you know that for more than 5,000 years, humans have looked into the night sky and saw the same configuration of stars that they do today?ย
Another Fun Fact:ย Humans can only see 5,780 stars in the night sky with the naked eye. There are millions and millions more they cannot see.
Once the movie ended, the students reflected on the connections to the unit of study prior to layering up for an outdoor exploration of the winter sky.
After the students had the opportunity to look thousands of years into the past (this is exactly what happens when you look at the stars),ย they migrated back into their classroom.
They took some time to reflect about their experiences and their learning prior to dozing off and dreaming the myths and legends of the nighย sky. In the photo above, one student readย to another before lights “out.”
The group gathered for a community breakfast in the morning, discussed different cultural myths connected to the zodiac, and prepared for a normal school day on Friday – a great send-off before heading off for break.
If you were on campus this past Wednesday, then ย you’d know that we were bustling with so many events centered around experiential education and holistic learning.
First Grade
Then first grade was hosting the Cold Mountain Cloggers. They have been studying a unit on Appalachia, learning about food, customs, food and dancing! They had a great time learning the steps to effective clogging, a true mountain tradition. Here’s a video of our cloggers:
Omega Students
At the outdoor stageย Omega students were rehearsing for their play. They’re doing a mythology unit, and we caught them on camera. The class was divided into three groups, each one doing a scene from Clash of the Titans. Here was a snapshot from the scene, Story of Perseus. Students were working on lines and their acting, and by the looks of it, they were doing really well!
Second Grade
Next stop was second grade. They were celebrating the culmination of their unit studying the Cherokee. They had a feast, and the students presented on their knowledge of the Cherokee Native American Indians. They demonstrated how to make a fire, and shared various crafts they learned how to make.
Fifth Grade
The fifth grade also had a feast. Students had to make a meal based off of a recipe from colonial times. They had just finished studying the early colonies, making crafts, maps and sharing their knowledge of early U.S. history.
Early colonial US
Song Circle
Students that weren’t part of another activity attended Song Circle around 11:50. They sang a few catchy tunes.
Sixth Grade
Over in sixth grade, students have been working on a project with Homeward Bound. They are trying to furnish an apartment for a homeless family in Asheville. Yesterday, they picked up a couch in north Asheville and delivered it to the school. Students are storing furniture on campus until they will take it to the apartment that Homeward Bound will provide.
They also held a fundraiser recently to help with the costs of furnishing the apartment.
RCS students are doing some pretty amazing things!
Hanf’s game with a photo of some Omega students trying out the game
Mark Hanf Featured in Asheville’s Newspaper
Mark Hanf, one of our new Omega teachers, has been featured in the “Living Section” ย of the Asheville Citizen Times.
He has spent time hiking the Appalachian Trail.
It’s impacted his life so muchย that now he wants to hike the entire length of it someย day with his daughter.
In the meantime, they bothย can “prep” for the hike because she’s only five. The best way to do that? With a board game!
Mark Hanf Creates AT Board Game
Mark and a team of developers worked to create a game that would help people learn best practices and skills in preparation for hiking the Appalachian Trail.
The idea came to him after stopping at a shelter along the trail that had been left littered and otherwise pretty trashed. His first reaction was anger. But then he thought that perhaps others just haven’t had the training he’s had to know trail and hiking etiquette. He had been a Boy Scout.
He cleaned up the shelter and took his idea to create a board game to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy where he received a small grant. From there, the game was born.
He’s also started a Kickstarter Campaign to expand and spread awareness about theย game. Fundraisingย for the cause exceeded theย goal, totaling 1,093 backers and $57,361 raised. Success!
Nick came to the Omega program after having completed public elementary school in 2000. During his tenureย at Rainbow, he formed lifelong friendships and learned skills that have continued to serve him as he’s progressed in hisย education and into hisย adult life.
The best example of this would be the experiential learning that was reenforced with projects and ensuing presentations that he learned at Rainbow.
The schoolย gives students enough space to cultivate creativity with enough personal attention to each student to ensure each one’sย musings and explorations are not without focus.
Now, in business, he isย constantly having to research all his clients’ industries and present possible solutions to communicate and grow theirย brand.
Education After Rainbow
Like quite a fewย Rainbow alumni, Nick finished hisย K-12 education at Asheville High School.
There he developed an interest in design in their graphic communications program. Along withย fellow Rainbow alum, Sam Brubaker, heย applied for and was acceptedย into the NC State University College of Designย and begin there inย 2007.
Whatย Nick is Doing Now
After graduating, Nick accepted his first career job position at Robin Easter Design doing graphic and web design in Knoxville, TN.
He and his partner Tiana moved to Raleigh, NC after three years to be closer to family, where they knew their hearts belonged.
He had already been networking with Laurel Scherer of Asheville Web Fix. As it turns out, she wanted a web designer. Laurel, Nick, as well as project manager, Jim McClure, transformed the organization into what is now Status Forward – a full-service graphic and web design company. They do everything from websites to broader branding efforts.
Nick has been able to do this work from Raleigh and frequents Asheville for business development meetings. In addition, the company continues to move forward: they are constantly challenged by new subject matter as well as having many clients with diverse needs.
Still Connected to Rainbow
Lastly, Nick was in awe of the nostalgia and good feelings that came from meeting his former science/math and fitness mentor at Rainbow, Mark Hanf. He was in downtown Asheville after having worked a day on-site.
Mark brought him up to speed on his teaching geometry through structure building and hands-on learning. Nick remembers the incredibly talented instructors thatย heย learned from at Rainbow.
Each year, we send off bright young men and women to start their high school careers.
Everyย graduating student writes a speech and stands in front of their Rainbow family – parents, staff, and students – and gives us a glimpse of what his or her experience has been like at Rainbow.
These speeches are at once eloquent and erudite, comical and entertaining. Eachย student beautifully demonstrates the learning they have done, honoringย their school year and community with their wisdom.
The graduation ceremony began with a sacred tradition we have here at Rainbow: a Centering.
The Omega (7th and 8th grade) students led this part of the ceremony. The video below shows the centeringย – it’s part of what makes Rainbow so special.
Afterward, our eighth grade graduate, Nitara was the first to give her speech. She revealed how much she’s grown and learned during her tenure at Rainbow. She will be attending Carolina Day School next year.
Next was Andrew, with his insights on how to achieve success and advised everyone that life is what you make of it, and that no matter what you must try.ย Andrew will be attending Asheville Christian Academy.
Francesca followed, sharing her experiences in Omega, how she found her teachers to be amazing. She felt like she really became part of a family when she came to Rainbow, especially during her experience in Omega. Francesca will be attending SILSA for the next school year.
Our wonderful Lily went next, recounting her memories of her time at Rainbow. She attended this school for 12 years and always felt like the Rainbow community was a second family. We will miss Lily, too. She will attend Asheville High School.
Later, Justin came up, explaining how his Omega experience has changed his life and tells about the friends he’s made. His experience has trulyย Omega has changed his life forever. Next year, he will attend Carolina Day School.
Bella was next, sharing some observations that she’s made and how they have provided some powerful lessons – such as learning from your mistakes and life is short – we should all live it to the fullest. She will also attend Carolina Day School next year. Bella received the prestigious Merit Scholarship from Carolina Day, given to only five students each year.
Gwyn started her speech with a Peter Pan quote about “never saying goodbye” – because here at Rainbow, we don’t say goodbye. We say, “We’ll see you soon and we will never forget you.” She will attend SILSA next year.
Michael is “moving forward” and this isn’t goodbye – it’s a new beginning. Ever since he started at Rainbow in third grade, breaking his wrist at the class potluck, he came to realize that his teachers and friends became his second family. He will attend Carolina Day School next year.
Xena, who attended Rainbow for 11 years and calculated how much time she spent at Rainbow in hours, days and months – this was the place that became her home away from home. She’s leaving, as a bird who learns to fly, from the protection of her nest. She’s going to explore the big world outside. Xena will attend Carolina Day School.
Hannah told everyoneย about how Rainbow helped her to blossom and how much she felt welcomed by the community. She will attend SILSA next year.
Mikayla recounted her experiences at Rainbow –ย her love of her teachers and how they accept their students for who they are. Mikayla will also attend Carolina Day School.
Finishing up the speeches was Zoรซ – with her passion, love, warmth and drive to make the world a better place – within her speech was a magical, captivating story that everyone must hear – with such emotion and strength, the entire crowd was moved with her words. She will attend Carolina Day School next yearย and she also received theย Highlander Award,ย given by the Head of School at Carolina Day toย only oneย exceptional student each year.
The eighth grade graduates sang a song for the Rainbow Community. It’s calledย Home by Phillip Phillips:
This graduation ceremony was a success. We wish only the best for our graduates and we know that they will find success in all of their future endeavors.
