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Fine Arts Teacher Amanda Millhouse < Back Fine Arts Teacher Amanda Millhouse has been working in education since 2012. She started as a paraprofessional in a public school setting, and later became a lead teacher in a Montessori school. Amanda joined Circle of Seasons in 2021 and soon discovered that its Waldorf approach is the perfect fit for her love of nature, the arts, learning, and helping children discover their true potential. Amanda has a wide variety of skills and interests including art, history, and science, and she is happiest when learning something new. She has studied the fine arts, Art Therapy, and Education at Cedar Crest College, and looks forward to continuing her own education in the future. Amanda’s mother was a talented artist and jack of all trades who always encouraged her to try new things and use her creativity. Since she was little, Amanda has always turned to making things as a way to relax and express herself, and she is thrilled for the opportunity to share her love of art with the talented students at COS. When she isn’t at school, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and twins Lucy and Henry. Her family enjoys playing with their dogs, reading, drawing, and enjoying nature. amillhouse@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Parent Resources and Forms Family Handbook Emergency Contact and Approved Pick-up Form Non-discrimination Statement Extended Absence Request Form Future Ready PA Index Educational Records Request Bussing Video Recording ARP ESSER Plan Information Title IX Information Parent Circle Page Parent/Family Engagement Policy Parent Complaint Policy Student Assistance Program (SAP) McKinney - Vento Homeless Assistance Act Special Education PSSA Information and Documents COS Schoolwide Comprehensive Plan 2022-2025 COS Schoolwide Title I Plan 2024-2025 Age Eligibility Revision Strategic Plan

Third Grade Class Teacher Alexis Smith < Back Third Grade Class Teacher asmith@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Second Grade Class Teacher Sarah Johnson < Back Second Grade Class Teacher A love for exploring the environment and inspiring young children through artistic expression shaped Sarah's goal of becoming a Waldorf educator. Sarah earned her B.S. in Elementary Education (Grades 1-5) from Mount St. Mary's University after student teaching at an environmental charter school. For her senior project, she presented an independent study exploring the benefits of environmentally focused education and the Waldorf method in guiding creative, critical, and independent thinkers through community. Now, she is overjoyed to be beginning her journey in the Waldorf pedagogy at the school which inspired her to become a teacher. She is passionate about hands-on learning and creating a community to guide students in expressing themselves, with loving hearts, strong voices, and brave minds! While not in the classroom, Sarah can be found hiking in mountain forests, wading in lakes and creeks, or curled up with a cup of tea and her cat. Sarah is often singing, playing her guitar, or at the piano. She has a large collection of succulents and enjoys every opportunity to craft something colorful, through knitting, chalk, or paints! She is very excited to break out her bright yellow honey bee rain boots and dinosaur overalls to trek through the grounds of COS, inviting her students to explore their place in nature and together, strengthen both their stride and their song. sjohnson@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Intervention Teacher Lorraine Lidon < Back Intervention Teacher Lorraine graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor of Arts as a Teacher of the Handicapped. She earned a Masters of Education as a Reading Specialist and second Masters of Education in Environmental Education. After 30 years of teaching in New Jersey Public Schools, she recently “retired”. Over those years, she taught various grades and subjects, from Integrated Preschool – 8 th grade reading/language arts. During the summer months, she worked as a seasonal naturalist with Wildlands Conservancy, primarily with the Bike and Boat program. It was through her work at Wildlands that she first heard about COS and was excited to know there was a school whose vision and philosophy matched her own. When she’s not teaching or working, she love spending time with her three grown children and her dog, Zoey. Lorraine loves kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, wildflower gardening, reading, and learning new things. llidon@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

French Teacher Irene Blough < Back French Teacher Irene Blough earned her Bachelor’s Degree in French from St. Joseph’s University and her Master’s Degree in French from Temple University. She has been teaching a combination of French and Spanish for the past twenty years. She is honored to join the staff at Circle of Seasons whose staff approaches teaching with love and devotion, as well as with the enriching methodology of the Waldorf education. She is excited to begin this journey with her new colleagues and students, and is delighted to have the chance once again to delve back into French, to learn some German from her new colleague, the famous, Sprau, and to continue to share what she has learned from her experience with Spanish. This year, some of her favorite activities have been put on hold; dancing, traveling, and singing in a choir, but she is grateful that her mother has recently joined her and her husband in their home. She is now improving her Greek cooking, enjoying being in the garden, and going for more walks. She is looking forward to starting to teach at Circle of Seasons because she can’t wait to experience what it’s like to see kids happy to come to school and to watch them develop their gifts in a setting that values nature and creativity. iblough@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Intervention Teacher Ariel Sly < Back Intervention Teacher Ariel found her love for children young. She started working in a daycare as a toddler classroom teacher while she was still in high school. She continued working in childcare while furthering her degree, with a focus on Elementary Education and American Sign Language. Eventually, she helped open a new childcare center and became the Director. After running the center for a few years, she realized she missed working closely with the children. She became a TSS and worked one-on-one with students with disabilities. Although she loved this career path, she needed a more steady schedule. Ariel found her love for children young. She started working in a daycare as a toddler classroom teacher while she was still in high school. She continued working in childcare while furthering her degree, with a focus on Elementary Education and American Sign Language. Eventually, she helped open a new childcare center and became the Director. After running the center for a few years, she realized she missed working closely with the children. She became a TSS and worked one-on-one with students with disabilities. Although she loved this career path, she needed a more steady schedule. Ariel found COS and knew it was perfect for her. She loves the Waldorf approach to learning and preserving childhood. Nature, Art, and Music are big parts of her life, so she knew this school was the perfect fit to continue her love for teaching. She started as a paraprofessional and moved into the Intervention Teacher position where she can closely work with students to help them excel! In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Another passion of hers is making music. She is a lead singer and acoustic guitar player who finds that making music helps her to decompress. Other hobbies she enjoys are hiking, kayaking, gardening, macrame, and painting/drawing. asly@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

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Student Assistance Program (SAP) The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a system of early intervention for students who are experiencing barriers to successful learning or personal growth. At risk students may be exhibiting signs of emotional or behavioral concerns, or substance use. Our team of SAP members is trained and certified to identify barriers, gather objective data, implement school based programming, and make recommendations to help families access support from outside agencies. The team does not diagnose or provide treatment, but working from student strengths, develops a comprehensive plan to address student needs. Parent and guardian permission is necessary to begin services, and active parental participation is integral to the success of SAP interventions. Referrals to the Student Assistance Program can be made by anyone in our school community with a concern about a student. Referrals can be submitted by parents, teachers, and students. All referrals remain anonymous. Referral forms can be accessed through the link on this page, or at the COS front desk. Please submit forms in the locked gray box at the front desk. For more information, please contact one of our Student Assistance Program team members at 610-285-6267. The COS Student Assistance Program team includes: Jill Jenkins, School Counselor Kate Elias, Dean of Students - Middle School Casey Faurl, SEL Teacher Center for Humanistic Change Representative PA NETWORK FOR STUDENT ASSISTANCE SERVICES COS SAP REFERRAL FORM

Evaluation Information Evaluations of Students with Disabilities If a parent believes that their child may have a disability, they should write to the Director of Special Education at COS. There are procedures in the charter school by which teams of teachers and parents can meet to discuss any concerns and proceed to evaluation steps, if necessary. Any formal evaluations proposed by the charter school require parental consent. If a child is found to be disabled and in need of special education servi ces, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed with parental participation. In compliance with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Pennsylvania State Special Education Regulations, parents are ensured of confidentiality of all appropriate student and family information. Students who have a disability and do not qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) may need accommodations under the ADA Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAAA). These students will be evaluated to determine what accommodations may be needed to allow them access to any school-related activity. Interested parents should write a letter to the 504 Coordinator at COS. Independent Educational Evaluation According to Part 300 of the Federal Regulations § 300.502 parents may obtain an independent educational evaluation at the charter school’s expense if they disagree with the evaluation completed by the charter school. An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not an employee of the Circle of Seasons Charter School. Parents may be eligible to receive an IEE at the charter school’s expense if the parent disagrees with an evaluation the charter school has conducted. A request for an IEE must be made in writing to the Director of Special Education within one year of the date issued on the charter school’s evaluation report. COS EVALUATION AND REEVALUATION POLICY INDEPENDENT EVALUATION POLICY

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Support our one-of-a-kind Public Waldorf Charter School by making a financial contribution. With your help, we can directly contribute to changing education to benefit our local and global communities. All contributions should be made through the COS Foundation . Thank you for your thoughtful donations! A ll donations are tax deductible (tax id# 47-5655434). WAYS TO GIVE Gifts to the Circle of Seasons Foundation enhance and expand the charter school’s facility and campus, and assure long-range financial flexibility for the school by supporting curriculum and enrichment opportunities for all students and teachers. You can make a gift to the Foundation in the following ways: By Check : Make your check payable to Circle of Seasons Foundation, Inc. By Credit Card : Click the Paypal button below to make a one-time donation or a recurring donation Donate Your Car : Vehicle Donation to Any Charity (V-DAC) is a free, convenient service for converting your extra car, truck or RV into a tax deductible donation benefiting the Circle of Seasons Foundation. You can donate online here (URL is http://www.v-dac.com/org?id=47-5655434 ) or by calling 1-877-999-8322. EITC Donations The Circle of Seasons Foundation has been designated an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and may receive donations from businesses through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. Tax credits may be applied against the tax liability of a business for the tax year in which the contribution was made. For more information, visit the DCED's Educational Improvement Tax Credit web page. (URL is http://dced.pa.gov/programs/educational-improvement-tax-credit-program-eitc/ ) The Foundation can accept EITC donations for the following programs offered to students at Circle of Seasons Charter School: Gardening Program, Grades 1- 5 Instrumental Music Program, Grades 1-5 STEAM Program, Grades 6-8 Woodworking, Grades 6-8 MATCHING GIFTS Many companies offer a Matching Gift Program as part of their employee benefits. According to fundraising experts, at least 10 billion dollars in workplace matching funds go unclaimed every year, largely due to employees not knowing the company will match their charitable gifts. What a great way to increase your financial support of Circ le of Seasons Charter School without any additional out-of-pocket expense! You can double or even triple the value of your contribution by simply notifying your employer of your charitable gift to Circle of Seasons. Plus, you and your spouse may be eligible to submit claims from separate employers for the same gift! Contact the Human Resources office or even a former employer (for retirees) to inqui re about whether or not they have a Matching Gift program. If your company has a paper form, it can mailed to: Circle of Seasons Foundation | 8380 Mohr Lane Fogelsville, PA 18051 | 484.504.9088 *Please note: While you will be recognized for your gift plus your company’s matching gift, only your personal contribution is fully tax deductible. Circle of Seasons Tax ID # is 47-5655434

Curriculum Overview At Circle of Seasons, teachers use a curriculum inspired by Waldorf education, where the whole child is always considered. Teachers, staff, and parents work together to support the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and academic needs of the child. Our goal is to nurture a classroom community supportive of academic learning by helping students develop the positive social values of being respectful, safe, and brave. Personal responsibility and accountability are taught and practiced from a young age. The children support each other’s learning in many collaborative projects and activities. Community is the keystone of our program. As a public charter school, we will meet Pennsylvania State Academic Standards and testing requirements, and comply with health and safety regulations and educational laws applicable to Pennsylvania Charter Schools. Special education services will be fully available and will be provided in full accordance with the law. Curriculum Overview Download