Loose Leaf Notes

~ The following appeared in The Floyd Press on October 6, 2011

Blue Mountain School hosted a Harvest Festival for students, parents and friends on Thursday September 22nd.   It was the school’s first event of the 2011/2012 school year and gave school director Shelly Emmett an opportunity to show visitors the school’s new expanded early childhood classroom, which has moved into a building of its own.   “We’ve had a waiting list,” Emmett said about interest in Blue Mountain’s School early childhood program.  The class, taught by Stefanie Schafer, is made up of 3 ½ to 5 year olds who attend 3 to 4 full or half days.

The afternoon festival activities included a corn toss game, apple cider making and a play performed by students, based on the Greek mythology of the queen of the underworld, Persephone, whose appearance in spring represents new growth and whose yearly return to the underworld represents the end of the harvest time and the dying of plants in winter.

Vicky Town, who introduced herself to those in attendance as a “traveling storyteller,” directed and narrated the play.  Town is currently working at Blue Mountain, a contemplative progressive independent school, in collaboration with the school’s music teacher Kari Kovick.  The play performance included a trio of singing students who wrote songs for the occasion under the guidance of Kovick.

More celebrations are in store for the school as it commemorates its 30^th year anniversary this year.   The anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the school’s dynamic development over the past generation and attain some goals that will ensure the longevity of Blue Mountain School for another generation to come, Emmett has said.   ~ Colleen Redman

Note: Visit bluemountainschool.net for more information.  Watch video clips of the play HERE and  HERE