By Rubina Halwani | [email protected]
 
Wasatch Charter School opened its doors earlier this fall. As a part of providing a holistic learning experience for students, parents or other family members are required to provide 30 hours of volunteer support.
 
“There is so much community involvement,” said Emily Merchant, executive director of the school. Merchant said the winter festival, held in early December, had a “packed” audience.
 
Family members have participated with service projects, activity supervision, teaching opportunities, administration and special events. Parents log in service hours online and coordinate service through an online parent group.
 
One mom, Slynn Fleck, volunteered her time to greet and engage with students who visited the school’s hearth. The hearth is a quiet space outside of the classroom for students to take a break and calm down during the day. 
 
“You just relax and share space with that child until they seem ready to return to their classroom,” Fleck said. She also encouraged others to participate.
 
Recently, many parents and students worked together to create items to sell at the school’s holiday bazaar. Many families helped to create arts, crafts and baked goods to sell. Proceeds from sales go to the Wasatch Family Foundation, in support of school programs.
 
Merchant also reflected on the progress of the academic year thus far.
 
“We’re getting routines in place,” she said.
 
She is looking forward to growing the scope of what the school can offer to its community as more resources become available, such as parent and tot classes.  
 
Merchant mentioned the school was currently at full enrollment, approximately 600 students. The school has already received 500 applications for the next school year.
 
Gina Morgan, another Wasatch parent, gave a positive review of the school.
 
“My daughter is now confident, happy, moving forward academically and emotionally in a strong positive way,” Morgan said.