Membership
Heartsong operates under the Community Supported Education (CSE) Model, which is akin to the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model used by farms. We come together as a cohesive Private Membership Association, representing a group of individuals peacefully assembling to educate our families.
Every family participating in Heartsong programs and private events is required to be a member of the Heartsong Private Membership Association. These member families commit to collectively funding the expenses associated with buildings, educators, supplies, and materials required for the education of our children.
As part of this Private Membership Association, all members share responsibility for nurturing the well-being of both the land and the school community. Any new visitors or prospective members must receive an invitation from an existing member to join our association.
You can become a member even if your child has not yet enrolled in one of our programs. Members have the opportunity to participate in various in-person and online educational events, workshops, seasonal festivals, and enjoyable work parties. As members, you can also access activities like date night, after care and other support provided through our membership to bridge the gap between the school and parenting.
It's important to note that membership doesn't require enrollment in our annual programs. However, this is not a place where you simply drop off your children and say goodbye. It's a thriving community, a space for learning and growing together with your child and other families. We encourage all families to contribute what they can, beyond the membership fees, to enrich the overall community experience.
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Step 1: Initial Application and Conversation
Fill out the Application: The process to join our membership begins by completing our application form, which is conveniently available through Brightweel. This form will provide us with some essential details to get started. [Apply here]
Schedule a Phone Call: After submitting your application, we encourage you to schedule a phone call with one of our knowledgeable administrators. This step is crucial to ensure we fully understand your interests and needs. [Shedule the phone call here]
Step 2: Becoming a Member
Once you've successfully completed the initial steps and decide that Heartsong is the right fit for you, we move forward with the following membership process:
Invitation to Membership: We extend a warm invitation to you to become a part of our Heartsong community, where learning and personal development go hand in hand.
Sign the Membership Agreement: To formalize your commitment, we'll ask you to sign our membership agreement, outlining the expectations and benefits of being a part of our community.
Pay the Membership Fee: We will provide you with the necessary information to submit your membership fee, securing your place within Heartsong.
Exploring Our Offerings
Once you've completed the membership process, a world of educational opportunities awaits you. You can sign up for a variety of programs and activities, including:
After Care
Date Night:
Kindergarten:
Grades:
Farm and Forest Friday:
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After your membership application has been approved, you can proceed to enroll in one of our year-round programs listed below.
To initiate this enrollment process, please fill out the application through the brightwheel app. From there, you will be sent a set of forms, including the enrollment form, emergency contact information, payment agreement, withdrawal process agreement, liability release, and others.
These required documents, along with a non-refundable deposit of $250, are to be submitted. This deposit will be allocated toward art supplies and school materials.
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Heartsong is committed to restoring well-being within our human family, acknowledging past heartache and trauma while forging a foundation of love, justice, and reconciliation for the unwritten future. We ensure children's ancestries are recognized and celebrated, weaving family festivals into our yearly events. Our curriculum embraces diverse world languages, stories, and fairytales, fostering cultural connections and subtle moral teachings. This commitment extends through the grades, exploring global cultures, social responsibility, and honest world history. We equip children to thrive in an international world.
Additionally, we strive for economic inclusivity, offering financial assistance, trade/barter options, and more to enable all families to participate.
Member Programs
We offer programs to support and aid parents in the profound responsibility of raising the next generation. The following programs can be attended on a drop in basis. Members who are not enrolled in annual programming commit to attending four PMA meetings annually and to provide 6 hours of support/work for the PMA. This is in addition to any dues or fees associated with programming you’ve chosen.
Extended Care
Members are eligible to participate in our aftercare programming. We offer outdoor play and indoor craft, game, reading corner and more. This program begins after school including on early release days in the White Salmon School District. This is not a homework focused experience. We are working with the children to balance the work of learning they did during the day.
Date Night
Members are invited to special date night events during the week and on Friday nights. Date nights take place at Heartsong and in the community including at the Society Hotel in Bingen. Member families with children ages 3-13 are invited to participate in Date Night.
Farm and Forest Friday
One day a week program for Grades aged children (5-12). This is a Friday program that is outdoor immersion. Focus is on primitive skills, gardening, farming, building and fun. We bring in guest teachers from around the community for three week blocks of living learning in relationship.
Annual Programs
Parents of children enrolled in Grades and Kinder Forest programs are required to participate in the health and wellbeing of the program as a whole. Each family will be responsible for a specific job in service of our children’s education.
Journey through the Seasons
Engaging the senses, the seasons and the innate wisdom of our shared humanity, families come together for deep observation of the earth and our place in it. Each season offers a practice of intuition, ensouled participation and parental fellowship. We will work together to hold, nurture and support each other and our children through deep observation within an immersive seasonal experiences.
For parents and children pre-birth to 3 years.
Each session is lead by our early childhood teacher, Stephanie Seliga-Soulseed and includes parent orientation, weekly gathering, healthy snacks, participation in seasonal festivals and printed materials.
We are not doing a journey this summer. Check back in September for more information.
Kinderforest
We offer a Little Kinder (huckleberries: ages 3 -4) and a Kindergarten (fir trees: ages 5-7) this year. These programs come together for free play and mutual support during the day.
There are one, two, three and four day options. Three and four day options have cooperative and drop-in rates for families. We also have a sibling discount and offer scholarships on a needs basis.
We are now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 program.
Grades + Farm & Forest Friday
For 2023-2024 Program: We are currently accepting children 7-12 years of age. As the children grow, the programs grow with them.
There are a one, three and four day option in the Grades Program. We also have a sibling discount and offer scholarships on a needs basis.
We are now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 program.
Becoming a Member of Heartsong Living Arts
Joining the Heartsong Living Arts community is a simple, two-step process that starts with your desire to embark on a journey of educational and personal growth. Here's a breakdown of how to become a member and explore the offerings available to you:
Step 1: Initial Application and Conversation
Fill out the Application: The process to join our membership begins by completing our application form, which is conveniently available through Brightweel. This form will provide us with some essential details to get started. [Apply here]
Schedule a Phone Call: After submitting your application, we encourage you to schedule a phone call with one of our knowledgeable administrators. This step is crucial to ensure we fully understand your interests and needs. [Shedule the phone call here}
Step 2: Becoming a Member
Once you've successfully completed the initial steps and decide that Heartsong is the right fit for you, we move forward with the following membership process:
Invitation to Membership: We extend a warm invitation to you to become a part of our Heartsong community, where learning and personal development go hand in hand.
Sign the Membership Agreement: To formalize your commitment, we'll ask you to sign our membership agreement, outlining the expectations and benefits of being a part of our community.
Pay the Membership Fee: We will provide you with the necessary information to submit your membership fee, securing your place within Heartsong.
Exploring Our Offerings
Once you've completed the membership process, a world of educational opportunities awaits you. You can sign up for a variety of programs and activities, including:
After Care: Extend your child's learning experience with our after-care program.
Date Night: Enjoy quality time with your partner while your child engages in enriching activities.
Kindergarten: Nurture your child's early development in our nurturing kindergarten program.
Grades: Explore our Waldorf-inspired curriculum for children of various ages.
Farm and Forest Friday: Dive into the wonders of nature and farming in our Friday program.
And much more, as our community continually evolves to meet the educational and developmental needs of our members. Heartsong Living Arts is here to support your family's unique journey towards holistic growth and well-being. Welcome to a place where lifelong learning flourishes.