We offer a unique opportunity to families who wish to gather together for play, craft, celebrations, games, and circle.  Shining Star School has two morning sessions, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, where families are invited to attend with young children. 

Community is fostered as the families who attend a session become friends, form play circles, and establish the ties that bind.  We share common interests in Waldorf education and child-rearing, and advice is freely given and received in these comfortable mornings, while children play with the blocks and dolls.

2008-2009 sign ups happening now! 

       Friday Mornings 9:30 to 11:30 AM,

LOCATION:  Linden Tree K Room 602 NE Prescott, Portland, 97211 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Fall 2008-2009 Jenna Rice and Susan Rice will lead these wonderful weekly sessions, again!  Hooray!

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SESSIONS FOR FAMILY PLAYGROUPS ARE DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS:

__ Fall Session  Sept-October, 8 weeks  Focus: Harvest & the Dragon Season,  Fee:  $90 for 8 weeks

__Advent Session:  Nov-Dec, 6 weeks  Focus: Advent Season & Light Festivals, Fee  $70 for 6 weeks

__Winter Session:  Jan-March 8 weeks Focus:  Quiet Earth, Cool Weather.  Fee $90 for 8 weeks

__ Early Spring Session:  March-April 5 week session, Focus:  Earth Awakes!  $60 for 5 weeks

__Full Spring Session:  May-June 7 week session, Focus:  Gardening & Friend Bee, $80 for 7 weeks.

Family Name:

Names and Ages of All Children who will attend:

Phone:

Address:

Email:

Sessions Desired: ____FALL TERM  or _____WHOLE YEAR

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NOTE LAST YEAR MOST FAMILIES SIGNED UP FOR FALL AND PAID FOR THE WHOLE YEAR AND CAME EVERY SESSION.  It is hard to enter these sessions mid-year, just a warning here.......please sign up early.  8 families accepted, first come first served.

Fees:  $390 for the entire year's courses  MUST BE PAID UP FRONT FOR WHOLE YEAR Or you can Pay for the First Fall Session and sign up for Further Courses as Openings are Available.

Checks to Shining Star School and mail to:

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Shining Star School, 602 NE Prescott, Portland, OR 97211

FAQ:

Who can come?

The entire family can come!  Sometimes grandparents or special friends come, too.  We welcome children and parents of all ages. Nannies often come with children when parents are working. 

How often do we meet?

Families choose to meet 1 day per week to attend a session that lasts about 2 hours.

What do we do?

The group leader will introduce traditional crafts to parents, this year we worked on knitting, so all the adults created knitting needles and learned the basic stitch. Later we used woolen felts to create flower fairies and finger gnomes.  The children have free play for the first 45 minutes while the parents visit and work on their handwork. Often, parents find themselves playing with children, especially the youngest children, which is enjoyable for everyone. This coming year, parents will also take turns to teach us crafts and skills.

What do the children do?

After free play, the leader gathers up everyone into a circle and we sing songs, play fingerplays, learn new games or circles, and enjoy a social moment.  More play, outdoor play, making little crafts, having a great time.                                               

What else do you do?

We offer painting for the children and cooking as a community .  So far we have made Dragon Bread, Stone Soup, and Holiday Cookies.  Parents and children work together to cook and serve, then enjoy our creations.

Is there a snack?

Yes, each family brings a small snack to share, popular items are fruit, nuts, and home made muffins or pretzels.  We offer water to drink and sit at the table together as a community.

Do you go outdoors?

Yes, we often take walks in a neighborhood or play outdoors where the playgroup is meeting.  Please come prepared to go outside.

Is there anything else?

Yes, after our outdoor time, we come back into the room, where the leader has a puppet table or marionette show set up and she tells us fairy stories.  After that, everyone goes home.

What does this cost?   See above for fees per session   

What about celebrations?

We offer traditional Waldorf festivals including the Starry Night Lantern Walk, the Winter Garden Spiral of Lights, and Merry May Day.  All the families in the school gather together to welcome in the events with singing, crafts, and potluck meals.  What fun!

How do I sign up?Our family playgroups are full for the remainder of 2008.  Please apply for Fall 08 as of March 1, 2008.