Membership

Heartsong works through the Community Supported Education (CSE) Model, Similar to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) that farms use. We collectively join a Private Membership Association, which is a name for our group of peacefully assembling citizens gathering for the purpose of education of our families. All families who attend Heartsong sites and private events must be enrolled in the Heartsong Private Membership Association. Member families agree to support the education of children through collectivizing costs of buildings, teachers, supplies and materials. As a PMA, all members are responsible for tending the life and health of the land and school community together.

You can join as a member even if your child has not yet enrolled in one of our programs. Members are invited to in-person and online educational opportunities/workshops, seasonal festivals, work parties, food sharing groups, date-night and other support offered through the membership to bring the village to the school and back to parenting. This is not an environment in which you drop your kids off and say goodbye. This is a community: a place to learn and grow in relationship with your child and other families. We encourage all families to contribute what they can beyond the fees towards the benefits of the community itself.

  • The first step toward membership is an informal interview with one of our lead teachers. This will allow you to ask questions about Waldorf education and understand the PMA model.

    The second step is to come visit the farm. Only visitors with an appointment or current members are allowed at Heartsong. We will set up an appointment during your phone interview if desired. Depending on the season, you and your little ones may join our class for the day, or set up a tour when class is not in session.

    After we have met, you may send an email stating your intention to become a member. If accepted, you will need to read and sign our member agreement and submit it, along with your $65 annual membership fee.

  • Once you have been accepted as a member, you will be able to enroll in one of our year-round programs below. Contact Stephanie to begin this process. You will be sent a number of forms including: Enrollment form, Emergency contact, payment agreement, withdraw process agreement, liability release, etc. This paperwork is to be turned in with a non-refundable deposit of $250 which will go to art and school supplies.

  • Heartsong is dedicated to doing our part to restore thriving among our human family. This includes acknowledgment of a history of heartache and trauma, while building a foundation of love, justice and reconciliation for the unwritten future. We work with member families to make sure the children’s ancestries are seen and represented in the school. This includes brining family festivals into our annual celebrations. It also includes singing songs throughout the year in different world languages including but not limited to Spanish, Japanese, Anishinaabe, and German. Stories and fairytales are from around the world and impart a sense of connection to many cultures as well as conveying an underlying morality in subtle and profound ways. This commitment expands in the grades where we travel the world and explore cultures as part of our main lessons. In upper grades we discuss social responsibility and introduce a deep and honest world history. As children grow in their consciousness about the world, we meet them with the tools and information needed to meet the needs of an international world.

    Diversity also includes working to insure that families of all incomes may participate in our programming. We can offer many options for families including: financial assistance, trade/barter and more to allow families participation in our programs. Please inquire directly with Stephanie via email if money is the reason you are not participating in part or all of our programing.

 
 

  • Member Families can choose Heartsong as safe and loving after care location. Children will play outside, in the greenhouse from 1 pm - 3 pm and in the classroom after 3 pm. We serve children ages 3-14 in our after care program.

    Aftercare is available from 1 pm - 5 pm Tuesday - Friday. We are on the White Salmon School bus line from 141.

    Rates are $10/hour for the first child and $5/hour for any siblings.

  • Every friday, members are invited to drop their kids off at Heartsong from 5 pm to 9 pm. Bring their tooth brushes, jammies and favorite blanket. We feed them pizza, tea and crumpets, dress up, play and quite time after 7:30. Depending on light and weather we play inside and/or out. This event is ideal for children agest 3 - 13.

    Rates are: $40/night for 1 child, $60/night for 2 children and $80/night for 3 children. We cap the nights at 10-12 kids depending on age and sibling groups.

  • The community is one of mutual support. At Heartsong we raise eggs, turkeys, chicken and more throughout the year. You will be the first to know about food preperation and preservation workshops.

    We are also affiliated with the Missing Corner and food delivery there thorugh Azure Standard.

    We have had food exchanges through the membership and have been known to support families through sickness and new baby arrival via meal trains. This is a mutual aid and information process available via the Mighty Network.

  • Heartsong has a little nursery in partnership with Cascadia Edible Landscapes, eatyouryard.com. Members receive a 10% discount on plants ordered through the nursery.

Membership is the first step to enrollment in our programs. To become a member you must have completed the following steps:

  1. Informal interview with teachers

  2. Farm visit

  3. Fill out application

  4. Be accepted as a member

  5. Sign our membership agreement

  6. Pay the $65 annual membership fee