Seasons Greetings
Belong, Community Belong, Community

Seasons Greetings

I sip my bright green spinach smoothie while waiting for my cinnamon oatmeal muffins to cool. A normal Saturday morning in the Carlson household. As the end of the year quickly approaches I find myself, like many people, thinking about loved ones, both friends and family. It is a time for reflection and giving. I am not a gifter, though there are times I wish I were. I need to give with time, service, and kind words…

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The Montessori Philosophy: Cultivating Peaceful Independence
Curriculum, Discover Curriculum, Discover

The Montessori Philosophy: Cultivating Peaceful Independence

More than a century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori pioneered a method of education rooted in the observation that each child is a unique person who is naturally curious and has a desire to learn experientially. When a beautiful educational environment is intentionally created, children find their passion for learning and are able to fully develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally…

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September 2019 Class Updates

September 2019 Class Updates

Many of the early days in the Owl and Otter classes are about getting those school routines down pat. Consistent repetition of routine has allowed the classes to have their first full morning work periods, staying busy all the way up to 11:00 on some days! Grace and courtesy is the ever-present thread throughout the primary classes, as the students are reminded to ensure that all actions (and words) are coming from a place of kindness…

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Choice
Inspire Inspire

Choice

Often we think that being a role model to children is showing a spectacular example of how a human is successful, confident, and driven. I disagree. In fact, the best instructors that I ever worked with in wilderness therapy were the ones who were outspoken about their mistakes and making amends…

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Homesick
Community Community

Homesick

Homesick. The first thought that pops in my head is the traditional meaning. When I was young I often stayed over at a good friend’s house. My best friend lived for 35 minutes from my house. This of course seemed like an eternity and for our parents was a logistical commitment…

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Holiday Celebrations
Community Community

Holiday Celebrations

This time of year we recognize the many holidays that are celebrated in our country and around the world. While there are cultural sensitivities around saying, “Merry Christmas,” or “Happy Holidays,” children are open to learning about different holiday traditions. In addition, they are proud of the traditions in their own families and excited to share those with others…

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Habits
Belong, Community Belong, Community

Habits

During the Thanksgiving break I took some time to rethink actions I have taken, conversations I have had with others and myself, and reminded myself I can only control my actions, not others’. This was all helped by the reintroduction of running into my routine…

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The Process of Creating
Create Create

The Process of Creating

Sitting on the shelf behind my desk in the art room is a box of crayons. This is not just any box of crayons. It is a very, very old box of 64 Crayola crayons with the sharpener built in the back. I keep this box of crayons out where I can see it every day as a reminder of my childhood, where my love of art began…

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Actitud De Gratitud
Belong, Community Belong, Community

Actitud De Gratitud

Every day I drive into our beautiful school campus, I can’t help but feel grateful. I get to work with amazing children and colleagues and I get to teach and share two of my passions: Yoga AND Spanish! This month I am overflowing with gratitude, on the heels of the amazing fall color and leading up to my personal favorite holiday of all: Thanksgiving…

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Mountain Sun Announces the Natural Play Project
Belong, Community, News Belong, Community, News

Mountain Sun Announces the Natural Play Project

As part of the “Get Set” Early Childhood Initiative, Mountain Sun Community School has partnered with local organizations and is launching the Natural Play Project. Funded in large part by the United Way, MSCS is developing and enhancing its outdoor learning environment in order to provide a space for natural play programs for the diverse families and children of Transylvania County…

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October 2018 Class Updates
Newsletter Newsletter

October 2018 Class Updates

For the International Day of Peace, all of the students made white paper flowers and performed songs of peace for special guests attending Elders Day. The students served snacks and drinks. The Elders were then able to view the classrooms in action…

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National Childhood Cancer Awareness
Belong, Community Belong, Community

National Childhood Cancer Awareness

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month...not a pretty topic what-so-ever. Yet it is one that is dear to my heart as a parent of a child who has been bravely fighting brain cancer for the past four years. My son Holmes was diagnosed right after he turned five years old, and ever since we were thrown onto this journey, we have been advocating for more awareness and more funds to help find better treatments and cures…

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News News

The Eldest Mountain Sun Alumni Continue Their Journey

In 2014, Mountain Sun Community School graduated its first eighth-grade class. Four students completed their education with Mountain Sun that year and went on to Brevard High School. Four years later, these students are moving into the next phase of life as the launch into the wider world…

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2018 Opening Day Announcement
Community, News Community, News

2018 Opening Day Announcement

Teachers, faculty, and staff at Mountain Sun Community School welcomed 81 students back to school on August 22nd, 2018. The highest number of children in 11 years of operation joined together with their families on Brevard Music Center’s Campus to celebrate the beginning of an exciting new year…

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April 2018 Class Updates

April 2018 Class Updates

The Otters are exploring the colors of nature on campus, such as the butter colored daffodils and the purple sprouting violets. Annie and Morgan are teaching the kids to play wiffle ball and soccer. They are making dirt tracks with cars, and pretending to be superheroes wearing colored scarves for capes…

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