Based in Alexandria, VA, The River Farm Cooperative offers a dynamic educational program for children
Currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year.
Operating as usual
04/26/2021
As a small school, fundraisers can make all the difference. Show us some love and check out all the cool 😎 auction items.
https://www.32auctions.com/rfc2021
River Farm Cooperative School Fundraiser 2021 Silent auction 'River Farm Cooperative School Fundraiser 2021' hosted online at 32auctions.
04/20/2021
An hour for recess, kids at play. Spanish lessons. This is the way school should be! We have limited spots left for most grades K-6. First grade is completely full but we have a waitlist. 
04/17/2021
It’s Auction time! Support the school and scoop up some great deals for yourself! Which item caught your eye? 
https://www.32auctions.com/RFC2021
River Farm Cooperative School Fundraiser 2021 Silent auction 'River Farm Cooperative School Fundraiser 2021' hosted online at 32auctions.
01/28/2021
Kids at play and kids IN class. We have a few spots left for 2021/2022.
01/27/2021
The River Farm Cooperative School updated their info in the about section.
01/27/2021
Now accepting applications - now is a great opportunity to learn about our progressive educational program.
01/18/2021
Our kids are back in the classroom, spending time outside and loving in person school! Your child can too! We are accepting applications for the 2021/2022 school year and have just a few spots left. Affordable, cooperative, active and hands on!
12/27/2020
12/07/2020
This is how excited we are to have our 3-6 graders back in class! It called for cake!
Our lower elementary school 🏫 has been back for a couple of weeks and we are thrilled to announce that our upper elementary will be returning to in person on Monday. We have a few spots available! 
6744 S Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA | www.RiverFarmCooperative.com
[email protected]
Teacher-Aid Wanted for Progressive School, Alexandria,VA
The River Farm Cooperative (www.RiverFarmCooperative.com) in Alexandria, VA, seeks a full-time teacher aid for students in a small, mixed-age classroom. This is an incredible opportunity to work in an ideal setting: you’ll have a small class of motivated students and a dedicated parent community.
About the River Farm Cooperative:
Based in Alexandria, VA, the River Farm Cooperative is a secular, parent-run independent private school cooperative for ages 5–14. We encourage each child’s natural desire to learn by helping them develop self-motivation, self-knowledge, and respect for self, others, and the world. While academics are important, our program is unique in that we also emphasize socio-emotional growth, relationship-building, social justice, and curiosity and respect for the natural world. To facilitate this growth, we rely on weekly hikes, daily free time in nature (rain or shine), and 1-2 field trips per month to encourage students to connect with their bodies, their peers, and the world around them.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors and Teachers, the aid will help facilitate online instruction being taught from the Upper Elementary teacher. Assist students with arrival and departure.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 1 to 2 years of experience working with children.
- Background or interest in progressive education (knowledge of cooperative education, John Dewey methods, Francis Parker, or another progressive education pedagogy) .
- An understanding of and appreciation for intercultural differences; commitment to diversity and social justice.
- Interest in nature-based learning, gardening, hiking, yoga and walking field trips (rain, shine, or snow).
- Ability to facilitate students’ learning by discovery and hands-on activities
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
* Willing and able to hike outdoors in all kinds of weather
* Experience with a mixed-age classroom
* Love of, and knowledge about, the outdoors
* A passion for working in a cooperative educational environment
* High-energy, creative, flexible, nurturing, and collaborative spirit
Interested candidates, please send a resume to: [email protected]
11/28/2020
Thanks to the Boy Scouts of America, Colonial District- National Capital Troop 4077 for helping us out today!
Poinsettia’s For Sale Saturday 28th 11-4
11/23/2020
We know you have a busy weekend planned but stop by the school and support a wonderful cause and pick up some beautiful plants. We’re raising money for new equipment and put appreciate your support!
05/26/2020
Free Covid testing today in Arlington VA @ Barcroft Sports and Fitness center until 6pm . No ID required
05/04/2020
Today we kick off Teacher Appreciation week at RFC ! The River Farm Cooperative is a Special place because of our Amazing Teachers! We have three classrooms at the River Farm Cooperative. Mr. Padilla (K-2nd) , Mr. Shamal (3rd - 5th) and Dr. Cathy (6th-8th Grade) . As you see your teacher this week online be sure to Thank them for all that they do
04/21/2020
The River Farm Cooperative School updated their business hours.
03/21/2020
COVID-19 may have shuttered our doors, but our daily online classes are keeping our students on track and connected. Week 1 was a huge success!
03/17/2020
Even though RFC is closed to help flatten the Curve - We are still very much a connected group! Today each of the classrooms is meeting online
This morning we have a guided meditation.
Take a moment to relax your body and head to your very own secret treehouse by following this link:
https://youtu.be/DWOHcGF1Tmc (Guided Meditation - Your Secret Treehouse 16 minutes)
Fun extras related to Ireland…
Are you interested in Irish folklore? When you feel like a break today listen to one of these stories on Youtube:
The Myth of Oisín and the Land of Eternal Youth - Iseult Gillespie - YouTube
https://youtu.be/1nFcXcPldzY
The Irish Myth of the Giant's Causeway - Iseult Gillespie - YouTube
https://youtu.be/aQbyVYUob1o
Classical Kids Storytime: An Irish Folk Tale - YouTube
https://youtu.be/FrJB-JE85ac
Did you accept your Epic! Invitation? If so, you can also take a peek at some of these titles:
Tales from Old Ireland by Malachy Doyle and Niamh Sharkey (Read-to-Me, or Ages 8-11)
Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman (Ages 5-8)
Ireland by Sherra G. Edgar (Ages 7-9) Non fiction
Country Profiles: Ireland by Amy Rechner (Ages 9-12) Non fiction
Did you know you can paint with moss? Here is a fun outdoor activity you may be able to do with items in your home: https://www.pgeveryday.com/home/gardening/how-to-make-moss-paint
Want to learn more about Ireland?
Consider looking for Irelandopedia on Amazon or (at a later date) in your local library!
Fatti Burke offers several Irish titles including Granuaile, the story of a famous female pirate who is the female lead in many
Irish stories.
http://www.fattiburke.com/irelandopedia
If you are Irish you might say Éirinn go Brách, or Ireland Forever, on a day like today. Miss Maggie has family that comes from Ireland and who still live there on a very small island called Inis Meáin. It is one of the only places remaining where Irish is the main language. You can walk around the entire island in four hours! There are no streetlights and sheep, donkeys, chickens and cats roam freely. There are four beaches, several ancient ruins, and people live off the land and the sea. You have to take a boat or a plane to go to the grocery store! If you would like to see what it looks like there take a look at this video Ruairí made for his restaurant, which is one of only two on the island:
https://vimeo.com/76745995
At our house we will be watching Song of the Sea tonight, the story of a selkie. What do you think it would be like to to transform into an animal?
Wishing you all a magical day full of possibilities,
Miss Maggie
Guided Meditation for Children | Your Secret Treehouse | Relaxation for Kids Download our App for free: Apple iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/new-horizon-kids-meditation/id1457179117 #? Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com...
03/15/2020
With COVID-19, the goal of social distancing right now is to slow down the outbreak in order to reduce the chance of infection among high-risk populations and to reduce the burden on health care systems and workers. Experts describe this as "flattening the curve," which generally refers to the potential success of social distancing measures to prevent surges in illness that could overwhelm health care systems.
https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/13/what-is-social-distancing/
What is social distancing and how can it slow the spread of COVID-19? Read the latest guidance from CDC and Johns Hopkins experts on measures to curtail the coronavirus outbreak
03/12/2020
The River Farm Cooperative is monitoring the COVID-19 Virus situation carefully. We are a very small community and are taking precautions
Please Follow CDC guidance
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
Coronavirus | Home | CDC CDC Coronavirus: Coronaviruses are common throughout the world. They can infect people and animals. Five different coronaviruses can infect people and make them sick. They usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness.
03/10/2020
Prepping for the Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated book festival coming up on March 29th 🙂
03/08/2020
03/02/2020
Savitribai Phule
She was India's first female teacher. In a country where women are still not seen at par with men, Savitribai's role as a teacher at a village school in Pune just a year after the Independence is remarkable.
It is said that when Savitribai would go to the school, people used to throw cow dung, stones, and rotten vegetables and eggs at her. Still, fighting against all odds, her husband and she went on to open five more such schools
Not For Women Only | Savitribai Phule, The Mother Of Modern Girls' Education In India One of the earliest crusaders of education for girls and dignity for the most vulnerable sections of society, Savitribai Phule broke all the traditional shac...
03/01/2020
Learning from nature helps connect children to their environment, one of the many reasons River Farm Cooperative School is spending time outdoors everyday! 💕
Connecting Math Concepts to the Outdoors for Preschool For many of us, autumn is our favorite time of year. I loved how the children would bring me the treasures they’d found in the outdoor play area. These natural materials invariably ended up in our classroom, displayed in baskets in our Discovery area.
03/01/2020
Woman's History Month is March - on this first day of March we recognize Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony & Lobbying Are the tactics used by suffragists to fight for political power still effective? The only way for women to get the vote, was to convince men in congress to ...
02/24/2020
We have tour spaces available - Upcoming tours
Thursdays 10 AM-Noon . Come check us out and learn about our Progressive Education program in Alexandria VA.
The River Farm Cooperative Tour Registration Want to know more about The River Farm Cooperative School and see the classes in action? Sign up for a small no obligation tour and experience it for yourself! We are located inside the St. Marks Episcopal Church 6744 South Kings Hwy Alexandria, VA 22306
02/21/2020
02/20/2020
The River Farm Cooperative School can offer this to your children. We are an all weather school.😘🤗
Children That Play Outside In All Weather Grow Up Resilient | Wild Earth It seems like an obvious statement, so why don’t kids play outside in challenging weather nearly as much as they used to? Why are schools keeping kids...
02/18/2020
Celebrating You | Black History Month | Disney Channel Celebrating You, Celebrating Me, Celebrating Us. Celebrate Black History Month with Disney Channel!
02/18/2020
The River Farm Cooperative provides Spanish Language instruction two times a week! https://forms.gle/G5VGqs1oXcXPJEd29
02/17/2020
Children’s books are famously bad at embracing diversity. In 2016, the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that out of 3,400 kids’ books, fewer than one-quarter of them featured a main character who was black, Asian, Latino or Native American. So it’s vital that parents share the books that are available with their kids.
24 Children's Books To Read In Honor Of Black History Month And year-round, of course.
02/15/2020
Photos from The River Farm Cooperative School's post
02/15/2020
Valentines Day at RFC
Happy Valentines Day!
02/11/2020
During Black History Month, we're thinking about ways to teach Black history outside of the history of trauma. This article is a great place to start.
"It’s not uncommon for educators to focus on slavery, segregation and other forms of oppression during Black History Month.
But only teaching a Black history steeped in trauma and struggle provides a very narrow view of Blackness and perpetuates the false notion of Black people’s inferiority. This limited teaching of history can actually be violent.
As a result, students come away with a warped understanding of how racial inequity manifests today... One way to start right away is to tell the whole story—not just a small part—of Black history. A first step is to commit to decentering racial trauma during Black History Month."
Instead "...help your students recognize the many ways in which Black people have contributed to, inspired and created American culture while also leading the way in advocating for civic participation, inclusion and equitable spaces."
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/black-history-month-teaching-the-complete-history?fbclid=IwAR2CBcz0VQlpOSJIJRLMlmd1ZEsFm4BoQE9YLEXB69yMGSktAYKoteS2WSo
02/07/2020
Scene from flooding playground. We are an all weather school😘🤗
02/06/2020
Our children at RFC are very lucky! They get a lot of outdoor playtime.
Pretty interesting article written by Nir Eyal.
Stanford psychology expert: These are the top 3 things kids need—but most parents fail to provide Distractions satisfy deficiencies, explains Nir Eyal, a Stanford psychology professor. So when kids aren't given the nutrients that their brain needs, they are more likely to overdo unhealthy behaviors.
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