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Mission Statement: To provide affordable early education childcare services in an accessible “green” facility for the long term benefit of Big Sky children.
The new Morningstar Learning Center will be located at 1041 Ousel Falls Road on a site which was generously donated by Simkins Holdings. The facility will be licensed to enroll approximately 125 children. Morningstar will offer full time and fully licensed early education and childcare services for 0-5 year olds. After school hours, certain areas of the building will be available for Girl Scout meetings, birthing classes, adult education and many other community oriented activities.
Morningstar has registered this project to be LEED® certified under the US Green Building Council guidelines. Systems engineered for the facility include geothermal HVAC and hydronic solar. The interior finishes and furnishings have been selected without toxic volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and others that contribute to poor interior air quality in conventional buildings. Good interior air quality and day lighting have been demonstrated to enhance learning experiences for school age children and Morningstar is providing this benefit to the youngest and most vulnerable children in our community. The renewable energy systems contemplated for the building, i.e. geothermal HVAC, will also lower building operating costs and translate into lower tuition costs.
Morningstar has been operating its fully licensed Interim Preschool in a leased location in the Meadow Center since the Fall of 2007. This past summer, Morningstar expanded its leased facility to be able to enroll infants and toddlers. In the early part of 2009, Morningstar applied for construction financing through the USDA Rural Development Communities Facilities Direct Loan Program. Now, more than a year after the application was submitted, Morningstar expects to have a response from the USDA sometime during the month of February. If the USDA’s decision is favorable, pursuant to the recommendation of the independent consulting firm that prepared the feasibility study, the new facility could be under construction later this spring.
Morningstar Learning Center is leveling the playing field for all Big Sky children entering kindergarten, by offering affordable, accessible early education childcare services. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlights several recent studies that found that good preschool programs not only offer learning opportunities over and above what most homes can provide, but also improve math, reading and social skills that can last several years and give children a “leg-up” when they enter elementary school.
Morningstar’s Preschool program adheres to the National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC) benchmarks and guidelines. Overlaying the program are the ongoing themes through play and lessons that teach the children about the environment, conservation, recycling and other topics relating to sustainability. So in addition to preparing the children for kindergarten and their educational careers, Morningstar is educating them to become a new generation of environmental stewards under its motto of “learn green ~ live green”.
Morningstar has been actively pursuing a Head Start partnership, which will allow families in the community with lower incomes to enroll their 3-5 year old children in Morningstar’s quality preschool program. Morningstar hopes to be able to announce that program later this Spring.
Organization and Executive Management
Morningstar is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation that is governed by a fully committed volunteer Board of Directors consisting of the following community members:
Laura Sacchi, Executive Director
Tim Anderson
Allison Dolan
Jeff Helms
Aletha Korchinski
Steven Rager
Robbeye Samardich
Morningstar Learning Center is exceptionally grateful to the Simkins Family, the Big Sky Area Resort Tax Board, the Gallatin County Commissioners, the DreamCatcher Endowment, Moonlight Basin, and all of the individual and business donors that are helping Morningstar achieve its important mission in the Big Sky community!!!
But Morningstar still needs your help! Please consider a tax-deductible donation of any size! Please contact Laura Sacchi for more information at 406-570-9651 or by email at laura.sacchi@usa.net. Please visit Morningstar’s website www.morningstarlearningcenter.org for updates on the project and upcoming events.
For enrollment information, please call 406-995-2565. Morningstar’s Interim Preschool and Infant and Toddler Program are currently offering various enrollment options for children ages 6-months and o
