Kindergarten Chickadees: April 29 - May 3, 2024
Kindergarten Turtles: April 29 - May 3, 2024
Kindergarten Honeybees: April 22 - 26, 2024
Greetings, Honeybee Families,
Thank you for participating in our school auction. It was lovely to see all the beautiful projects together—a true reflection of our vibrant and creative community here at The Garden School. Our school grows because of our families' continued support and efforts. Thank you!
On Tuesday, the children watched the Third Grade class put on a heartwarming play based on the book Charlotte’s Web. The children were so engaged, and it was extra special for students who got to see their older siblings in the play. As soon as we returned to our classroom, some of the students were inspired to put on a play of their own.
The children also watched a puppet play of our class’s story we shared over the past two weeks about the little mouse and the mushroom. The mouse was seeking shelter from the rain and found the mushroom, which could barely cover him. One by one, various creatures came over to seek shelter as well. To their great surprise, the mushroom fit all five of them until the rain stopped. They gazed in wonder while a frog sitting on top of the mushroom giggled and asked them, “Don’t you know what happens to mushrooms when it rains?” He hopped away, laughing. The children responded, “It gets bigger!” It made for a delightful puppet play.
Announcements and Reminders:
Please send two full water bottles to school daily; students feel the warmer temperatures and drink a lot of water!
Upcoming Events:
4/30 First Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/01 Second Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/11 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
5/14 Sixth Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/15 Field Day / Half Day for Kindergarten
5/17 Last Day of School - Full Day
Peace & Light,
Ki Fatima
Kindergarten Chickadees: April 22 - 26, 2024
Osiyo, Chickadee Families,
It was beautiful to see everyone at the annual auction fundraiser last Friday! Hopefully, everyone enjoyed the event and is excited for our final few weeks of the school year.
Last week, students used the cardboard egg cartons donated by class families to make a unique project: mushrooms! They used beeswax crayons and craft glue to create these whimsical decorations, which can also be used in fairy gardens, doll houses, and other play activities at home. This activity can easily be replicated at home using crayons, paints, and a variety of craft supplies. This week, students will have the option of making more mushrooms during free play time each day. The children also observed mushrooms and various other plants growing around the school, such as honeysuckle and wild blackberry flowers.
Next week, students will begin wrapping up second-semester projects. This week, the children will make covers for their drawing and painting books. The books will be bound, and then the students will be ready to take them home and show their artistic experiences and growth over the winter and spring. The students will have time to explore and play in and around the creek in the mornings and to participate in additional activities in the afternoons, such as nature dough, painting with chalk, and experimenting with bubbles.
Announcements and Reminders:
Please send two full water bottles to school daily; students feel the warmer temperatures and drink a lot of water!
Please help your child have a peaceful, rested start to their school day by ensuring they receive at least 10 hours of sleep each night, eat a filling breakfast with carbs and protein, dress for the weather, and have a relaxing ride to school free from screens, media, or music that might excite their nervous system. Classical or soothing instrumental music or music intended for small children is a great way to occupy the morning ride if needed. Children’s audiobooks and story podcasts can also make a commute with children peaceful and relaxing. Silence or talking together is another positive way to enjoy the morning ride together.
Upcoming Events:
4/30 First Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/01 Second Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/11 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
5/14 Sixth Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/15 Field Day / Half Day for Kindergarten
5/17 Last Day of School - Full Day
Thank you for sharing your children with us, and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
Kindergarten Turtles: April 22 - 26, 2024
Greetings, Turtle Families,
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Auction Fundraiser on Friday. It was a success and so much fun! It was lovely to see all of the class projects and the amazing donations and to have a chance to meet, chat, and “shop” together as adults. Thank you for all your support in completing our class project and for all you do to support our school!
Our story last week was about a wise Grandfather Rabbit. He is very old and knows the ways of the winds and the rain, the sun and the moon, and he knows how to outsmart coyotes. A coyote has been scaring all of the rabbits in Cottontail Village, and Grandfather Rabbit comes up with a plan. He sends his friend, Jaybird, to tell Coyote about the biggest rabbit of them all who lives in the hole by the Great Oak Tree. He always comes out of his hole just as the sun is rising. Coyote hides and waits to catch the biggest rabbit of them all. Just as the sun is rising, Grandfather Rabbit, beating his drum, emerges from the hole, and his HUGE shadow and loud “footsteps” scare Coyote away. From that day forward, all the rabbits in Cottontail Village call him Thunder Longshadow. The children enjoyed the story and the drum beats that went along with it. This week, we will have a puppet show of the story on Monday and Tuesday, and then the children will perform a play on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. To go along with our story, we have been watching our own shadows as we walk in line. On Thursday and Friday, we used our sidewalk chalk to trace each of the children’s shadows and see how they changed throughout the day.
We enjoyed watching the Third Grade play on Tuesday. It was so nice to see the students shine as they performed their dress rehearsal for the school. The Turtles were all entertained and asked repeatedly throughout the week to watch it again. We visited the creek on Thursday and Friday. The children enjoy the time at the creek so much. They all play so nicely together, busily digging and building. The creek has a calming effect on the class, and our time there is fun and peaceful.
On Tuesday, we celebrated Adeline’s 6th birthday. Adeline’s Mom, Dad, and sister visited our class and shared fun memories from each year of her life. Classmates, teachers, and her parents shared a wish for the coming year. Happy Birthday, Adeline!
Announcements and Reminders:
Please send two full water bottles to school daily; students feel the warmer temperatures and drink a lot of water!
Upcoming Events:
4/30 First Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/01 Second Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/11 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
5/14 Sixth Grade Class Play 5:30 p.m.
5/15 Field Day / Half Day for Kindergarten
5/17 Last Day of School - Full Day
Grace and Peace,
Ki Kim
Kindergarten Chickadees: April 15 - 19, 2024
Osiyo, Chickadee Families,
The Chickadee students worked hard and showed off their incredible fine motor growth last week as they strung beautiful, multi-colored gems onto our class auction project. Some students sanded the maple branch used for the base of the wall hanging and polished it with beeswax. They all agreed that stringing the beads was their favorite part. The children were proud of their work and are excited for their parents and the community to see their project this Friday! Although they worked hard, the class also had great fun building forts and trucks and painting with all three primary colors for the first time. Some students also got to explore the woods across from the sixth-grade platform!
Warmer weather is here, which means the Chickadees will soon enjoy Creekcess again! Starting this week, please send hard-soled, closed-toed water shoes in your child’s backpack. We will enjoy the creek as much as possible. The Chickadees’ scheduled creek days are Mondays and Tuesdays, and the students can typically visit the creek if the morning is warm and it has not rained in the preceding 48 hours. Students who do not have water shoes may still visit the creek area and play in the sand. We will also send home clothing changes to be replaced with warmer-weather clothes. Please send shorts, pants, short-sleeved shirts, socks, and underwear. As we begin revisiting the creek, clothing will come home more often to be washed and replaced. Please check backpacks daily!
We look forward to seeing you at our school Auction on Friday!
Announcements and Reminders
Please send your child with two full water bottles each day. This is especially important as the weather gets warmer.
Please join us for The Garden School’s annual Hope Blooms auction fundraiser! This is a beautiful, fun time for the grownups in our community to visit, eat, and look at the fantastic handmade and donated items available to bid on. We look forward to seeing you this Friday, April 26th at 6:00 pm.
Upcoming Events
4/23 Third Grade class play
4/23-4/25 Fifth Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser and Half-day Dismissal
4/27 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4/30 First Grade class play
5/01 Second Grade class play
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
Kindergarten Honeybees: April 15 - 19, 2024
Greetings, Honeybee Families,
A BIG thank you to all our parents who participated and helped create our beautiful auction project. It is so delightful to see all our class’s talents combined in one project. The children also got to play with our “Honeybee Land '' house and landscape before we turned it in, and it was a hit! They even mentioned how it all started as just a “piece of yellow.” It’s lovely that they were able to experience the slow process of creating something meaningful and working together to make it happen. Well done, Honeybees!
We also enjoyed the highly anticipated creek play times this past week. The children carried down pots and shovels and went straight to building sand castles, making small rivers in the sand, collecting blue clay, and playing in the water. The sounds of the water flowing over the stones and pebbles sure had a soothing effect on the children, and they played so contentedly.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the annual fundraiser on Friday. Our “Honeybee Land” is beautiful!
Announcements and Reminders
Please send your child with two full water bottles each day. This is especially important as the weather gets warmer.
Please join us for The Garden School’s annual Hope Blooms auction fundraiser! This is a beautiful, fun time for the grownups in our community to visit, eat, and look at the fantastic handmade and donated items available to bid on. We look forward to seeing you next Friday, April 26th at 6:00 pm.
Upcoming Events
4/23 Third Grade class play
4/23-4/25 Fifth Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser and Half-day Dismissal
4/27 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4/30 First Grade class play
5/01 Second Grade class play
Peace and Light,
Ki Fatima
Kindergarten Turtles: April 15 - 19, 2024
Greetings, Turtle Families,
What a lovely Spring week. The temperatures were warm in the afternoon, and the children were so happy to wear shorts and short sleeves! Our class spent time at the creek on Monday and Tuesday and truly enjoyed playing in the water and the sand. The creek and beach have been unexplored all winter, so there was storm clean-up to do, but the children were diligent helpers, and we had the beach cleaned up in no time. The children excavated and built with sand and sticks. Some children spent time making waterfalls, while others made a “water park for Water Striders” (the little bugs that scoot across the top of the water). We look forward to many days at the creek before the end of the school year. Please check your child's backpack for wet clothes each night and send in a new change of clothes when wet ones come home.
Our auction project is complete and turned in. Thank you to everyone for helping with it! It was truly a whole-class community effort. The children had an opportunity to play with it on our platform this week before we turned it in for the auction for a little quality assurance testing 😀. The children all said it was fun to play with.
Below is another verse from our circle that the children enjoy. When we do this verse, the children hook arms with a partner and walk in circles while the bird gathers straw and feathers to build its nest. This was a difficult activity when we first began, but with practice, they are all able to do this without assistance now.
A bird sat in the willow tree
And sang a song so sweet for me
She hopped and hopped so merrily,
Then flew away, tra lee tra lee.
I watched her bring back straw and feather,
She wove it in and out together,
She worked all day and did not rest,
Until she made her sturdy nest.
She sat upon that nest so long,
And only sometimes sang a song.
One day, there were four babies there,
Now, she sits in the willow tree,
She sings her song, but not for me....
We are looking forward to seeing you at the annual fundraiser on Friday!
Announcements and Reminders
Please send your child with two full water bottles each day. This is especially important as the weather gets warmer.
Please join us for The Garden School’s annual Hope Blooms auction fundraiser! This is a beautiful, fun time for the grownups in our community to visit, eat, and look at the fantastic handmade and donated items available to bid on. We look forward to seeing you next Friday, April 26th at 6:00 pm.
Upcoming Events
4/23 Third Grade class play
4/23-4/25 Fifth Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser and Half-day Dismissal
4/27 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4/30 First Grade class play
5/01 Second Grade class play
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being a part of our community.
Grace and Peace,
Ki Kim
Kindergarten Honeybees: April 8 - 12, 2024
Greetings, Honeybee Families,
It was wonderful to be together again after our spring break. New flowers bloomed in our forest classroom while we were away. The students went right to work in the mud kitchen and got busy building forts. We shared a story about a little red hen who called on her friends, the cow, horse, and cat, to help her plant the wheat seeds she collected. Unfortunately, none of them volunteered to help her plant, sow, harvest, and make the bread each time she asked. However, when it was time to eat the bread, they all wanted to participate.
When the children saw we had three new jump ropes in our class, their faces lit up; they enjoyed taking turns jumping rope! On our indoor day, the children came together and built little books for themselves, each other, and their family members. Some decorated their books by fraying the edges of their paper; each was uniquely designed. Thank you for dropping off the auction items. Everything's coming together so nicely. The children are delighted each time we receive something new. Next week, we will introduce our new spring circle. Below is one of our new spring songs:
My lady Spring is dressed in green,
She wears a primrose crown,
And little baby buds and twigs
Are clinging to her gown.
The sun shines if she laughs at all
And when she weeps, the raindrops fall.
My lady Spring,
My Lady Spring,
My lady Spring.
Announcements and Reminders
Please continue to dress your children in layers every day. It is ok to provide layers in their backpack if they feel too warm in the morning. The forest is cooler, especially when it is damp or cloudy. An expected temperature in the 60s and even lower 70s feels significantly different in different conditions and we can not predict what layers will feel most comfortable. As a rule, students should always have lighter and thicker pants, short and long-sleeved shirts, and a sweatshirt or light jacket. Additionally, students must have full rain gear and rain boots every day. The outdoor classroom remains wet for several days after rain.
Please send your full-day students with a blanket for rest time if you have yet to return theirs following the break.
Insects are making their return! Please begin sending insect repellant in backpacks.
Upcoming Events:
4/23 Third Grade class play
4/24 Second Grade class play
4/23-4/25 Fifth Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser and Half-day
4/27 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4/30 First Grade class play
Thank you for all that you do and for sharing your precious children with us.
Peace & Light,
Ki Fatima
Kindergarten Chickadees: April 8 - 12, 2024
Osiyo, Chickadee Families,
Last week, the Chickadee class heard a traditional Choctaw story about an eclipse. In this story, which takes place in what we now call Oklahoma, the Choctaw people notice the sun disappearing and the sky becoming darker. The people relied on the sun to help grow their crops and to live by, and were concerned that it was disappearing. When they look up at the sky, the people notice that a large, hungry black squirrel named Fvni Suna is eating the sun, nibbling at it a little at a time. The people discuss their predicament and decide they will make loud noises to scare Fvni Suna away. They grab all their pots and pans and look up at the disappearing sun, banging them together and yelling to create loud, startling sounds. Others throw sticks at the squirrel to scare him away. Finally, the people succeed in frightening Fvni Suna, who jumps down from the sky, allowing the sun to shine again. Since squirrels are forgetful, sometimes Fvni Suna forgets and tries to eat the sun again. Then, the Choctaw people bang their pots and pans, yell, and throw sticks until the squirrel jumps down again. The students will continue hearing this story this week with an interactive puppet show on Thursday and Friday.
Last week, students planted their marigolds and parsley in outdoor planters. They drew with wet chalk in the outdoor classroom and observed how this was a different experience from drawing with dry chalk before the break. The children showed great joy and enthusiasm in puddle jumping, mud digging, and recipe preparation as they played outdoors. This week, the students will complete our auction project, a beautiful sun catcher wall decoration made of healing chakra stones. Students worked hard to sand and polish a beautiful branch and string gems. Pictures of the work will be in next week’s Messenger.
Announcements and Reminders
Please continue to dress your children in layers every day. It is ok to provide layers in their backpack if they feel too warm in the morning. The forest is cooler, especially when it is damp or cloudy. An expected temperature in the 60s and even lower 70s feels significantly different in different conditions, and we can not predict what layers will feel most comfortable. As a rule, students should always have lighter and thicker pants, short and long-sleeved shirts, and a sweatshirt or light jacket. Additionally, students must have full rain gear and rain boots every day. The outdoor classroom remains wet for several days after rain.
Please send your full-day students with a blanket for rest time if you have yet to return theirs following the break.
Please ensure your children eat a filling breakfast daily that will sustain them until snack time at 10:30 a.m.
Insects are making their return! Please begin sending insect repellant in backpacks.
Upcoming Events:
4/23 Third Grade class play
4/23-4/25 Fifth Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser and Half-day
4/27 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4/30 First Grade class play
5/01 Second Grade class play
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
Kindergarten Turtles: April 8 - 12, 2024
Greetings, Turtle Families,
We had a wonderful week in our outdoor classroom. It was rainy at times, but Spring has truly arrived. Our kale, Swiss chard, and gladiolas started growing over the break, and it is exciting to see them get bigger each day!
The children felted soap this week. We wrapped a bar of soap in wool roving, fluffing it out and wrapping it one way and then the other until we couldn’t see any soap through the fluffy wool. Then, we poured hot water on it until the fiber was very wet. Next, the children turned the bar in their hands, rubbing each side over and over again until the wool felted, conforming to the shape of the bar. The children enjoyed this activity as their hands got super sudsy, and they could smell the clean fragrance of the soap. They each brought their bar home in a Ziplock bag. These bars can be used at bath time or for hand washing; just sit them somewhere they can dry between each use.
Mr. Matan visited our class on Wednesday with a project. The children worked with him to saw logs into segments. They used the hand drill to make holes in some of the segments. It is exciting to use the hand tools and do purposeful work. The children’s pride was evident, and a few of them were eager to keep working even when we had to transition to another part of our day. We will continue working on this project over the coming weeks.
Another favorite song from our new circle is My Lady Spring. Already, we hear the children humming and singing it as they play.
My Lady Spring is dressed in green.
She wears a primrose crown,
And little baby buds and twigs are clinging to her gown.
The sun shines if she laughs at all
And when she weeps, the raindrops fall.
My Lady Spring, My Lady Spring, My Lady Spring
Announcements and Reminders:
Please continue to dress your children in layers every day. The forest is cooler, especially when it is damp or cloudy. An expected temperature in the 60s and even lower 70s feels significantly different in different conditions, and we cannot predict what layers will feel most comfortable. Additionally, students must have full rain gear and rain boots every day. The outdoor classroom remains wet for several days after rain.
Insects are making their return! Please begin sending insect repellant in backpacks.
Please send close-toed, hard-soled shoes for Creekcess.
Upcoming Events:
4/23 Third Grade class play
4/23-4/25 Fifth Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser and Half-day
4/27 Community Work Day 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4/30 First Grade class play
5/01 Second Grade class play
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being a part of our community.
Grace and Peace,
Ki Kim
Kindergarten Honeybees: March 25 - 29, 2024
Greetings, Honeybee Families,
It was a pleasure to meet the children’s extended family and close family friends at our Grandfriends Day. The children worked hard to prepare their classroom and make it beautiful for our special guests. They even raked pathways around our entire space!
We shared a spring story about a mother bird building her nest. She worked hard, day after day, collecting just the right materials to make her nest cozy. She built her home next to a human family home who were so delighted to watch her gather things from around their house. She even used tuffets of hair from the father’s haircut- which induced many giggles. Finally, the day arrived; the children were playing in the garden when suddenly they could hear a “tweet tweet!”
For our craft, the children built their own bird's nest. They searched for the perfect stick to hold their nest. They then wet-felted little eggs; those that couldn’t form into balls were perfect to represent “hatched eggs.” The students also collected moss and little leaves from the forest to decorate their nests made out of wool roving. They put care and thought into these beautiful symbols of springtime.
Announcements & Reminders:
Please have your child bring a light blanket and a small pillow to school upon returning. (Please, no large pillows or blankets).
Continue to send rain gear each day.
The weather can be unpredictable in spring. Please dress your children in layers, and keep hats and mittens or gloves in backpacks for now.
Upcoming Events:
4/12 Student picture make-up day
4/23 Third Grade Class Play
4/24 Second Grade Class Play
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
4/27 Community Work Day 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
4/30 First Grade Play
Thank you for sharing your precious honeybees with us!
Peace & Light,
Ki Fatima
Kindergarten Turtles: March 25 - 29, 2024
Greetings, Turtle Families,
We hope you all enjoyed a restful Spring break! The week before the break was a busy one. It was lovely to have all of the Grandfriends join us on Friday. The children were so excited to host all of the visitors in our class, and everyone had a lovely afternoon.
On Monday, we had windy weather, so we could not be in our forest classroom. This allowed us to explore some areas of campus where we don’t usually spend a lot of time. We spent a couple of hours in the clearing by the farm, and the children wasted no time finding fun things to do. They created a pirate ship from a hollowed-out tree trunk, they hopped across large rocks, and they dug small rocks/treasures out of a hole in the ground. Some students found a shady spot and played clapping games. Their imaginations and playful spirits allow them to create fun wherever they are. On Tuesday, the thunderstorms kept us inside, and we folded window stars together. Afterwards, the children spent time making and decorating paper airplanes. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were beautiful spring outdoor days and we made the most of them
We finished up our Early Spring Circle before the break and will be starting a new circle this week. This circle has a cooperative activity called Little Bird Fly Through My Window that the children enjoy.
Little bird, little bird
fly through my window.
Little bird, little bird
fly through my window.
Little bird, little bird
fly through my window.
Oh, molasses candy.
Announcements and Reminders:
Please send closed-toe, hard-sole water shoes for creekcess.
Dress for the weather with layers and send in full rain gear daily (raincoat, rain pants, and boots)
If your child is feeling under the weather, please keep them home to help keep our community healthy.
Upcoming Events:
4/12 Student picture make-up day
4/23 Third Grade Class Play
4/24 Second Grade Class Play
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
4/27 Community Work Day 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
4/30 First Grade Play
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being a part of our community.
Grace and Peace,
Ki Kim
Kindergarten Chickadees: March 25 - 29, 2024
Osiyo, Chickadee Families,
Seeing so many new and familiar faces at our Grandfriends Day before the break was wonderful. Hopefully, everyone enjoyed Spring Break and an extra special day for the eclipse.
Before the break, students transplanted their kale sprouts into planters. The children also heard a story about Ostara, the Germanic goddess of spring, and the magic bunny. After finding a bird frozen in the forest, a girl asks Ostara to bring it back to life. With the magic of Spring, Ostara can save the animal by turning it into a bunny. The magic bunny can not stay on Earth and finds a new home on the moon. Each year, when Ostara brings Spring to the forest, the bunny accompanies her. This allows the bunny to check on the girl and ensure she is well. The magic bird-turned-bunny leaves a special gift of rainbow-colored eggs each spring. As a special treat, the students each received a few colorful, felted eggs hidden in their wheat grass. The children grew the grass from seeds and took them home before break.
The coming weeks will be filled with adventure and activities such as planting, harvesting, and building. The students will create and participate in obstacle courses, use their senses on nature walks, and learn new playground games. The children will continue blending colors on painting days and building their fine motor and creative skills on drawing days. They will also use the rest of the egg cartons for a special art project!
Announcements and Reminders
Please send a light rest blanket for full-day students.
Continue to send rain gear each day.
The weather can be unpredictable in spring. Please dress your children in layers, and keep hats and mittens or gloves in backpacks for now.
Upcoming Events
4/12 Student picture make-up day
4/23 Third Grade Class Play
4/24 Second Grade Class Play
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
4/27 Community Work Day 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
4/30 First Grade Play
Thank you for sharing your children with us, and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
Kindergarten Honeybees: March 18 - 22, 2024
Greetings, Honeybee Families,
Spring is in the air and the lovely weather seems to be inspiring the children’s creativity and imagination. The students have been making their own plays and taking turns putting on a show for each other. It is very sweet, and all the children enthusiastically sit and watch their peers and applaud them. This past week, the children put on a beautiful play about our Lady Spring story. On Thursday and Friday, they watched the story in a puppet show. It was extra special because we used the beautiful landscape they have been designing as the layout. The students are so proud of their work that they ask to work on it more each day.
We also celebrated our dear Lark’s fifth birthday on Tuesday. It was lovely to hear stories from each year of her life and to hear the heartfelt birthday wishes from her family and friends. Thank you for sharing the beautiful stories and the delightful basket of fruits with our class! Happy birthday, Lark!
Below is one of our popular spring Circle songs that the children love to sing along and do the movements to:
Spring is coming, spring is coming,
Birdies build your nests.
Weave together straw and feather,
Doing each your best.
Spring is coming, spring is coming,
Flowers are coming too.
Crocus, lilies, daffo-dillies,
All are coming through.
Spring is coming, spring is coming,
All around is fair.
Shimmer, glimmer, on the river,
Joy is everywhere.
If you have not already sent your RSVP for Grandfriend’s tea on March 31st, please email fatima@thegardenmarietta.org with the names of your student’s guest(s), their relation to your child, and how your child will go home that day. Please remember it is an early dismissal day.
Announcements and Reminders:
Picture Day is this Wednesday! If your child does not usually attend school on Wednesday, please arrive at 10:00 a.m., as we would love for your child to be included in the class photo. They can also have their individual photo taken at this time so they do not have to dress for photos again on Thursday.
Rest blankets will be sent home at the end of the week. Now that the weather should be reliably warmer, please send a light blanket with your child after the break.
Upcoming Events:
3/27-3/28: School Photos
3/29: Grandfriends Day (Half Day All School Dismissal)
4/1-4/5 Spring Break (No School)
4/8: No School: Solar Eclipse
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
Kindergarten Chickadees: March 18 - 22, 2024
Osiyo, Chickadee Families,
Happy Spring! Last week, the Chickadees observed the solstice by clearing out, weeding, and pruning planters in our forest classroom. Two of these planters currently hold our mint and lemon balm plants, which are growing back after the winter. This week, the students will transplant the kale, which is proliferating, into two other planters. After the break, once they have some additional growing time, the marigolds and parsley will also be moved into planters. The students will also learn a new spring game this week. The Bluebird Singing Game will be a happy addition to the Morning Circle, and it will continue through our new circle when the children return from spring break. This week also offers Chickadee students a variety of opportunities to experience the work of some of the grade classes, such as watching a singing and juggling performance by the sixth graders and viewing the shelters made by the third graders.
Children learn best when they start their school day with their basic needs met. When they feel rested, safe, comfortable, and relaxed, with filled bellies and hearts, children can sense and engage with others and the world around them. With these important basic needs met, a child is ready to listen, process information, follow directions, and respond to each other and outside stimuli healthily.
Some guidelines for a successful start to the school day include:
*provide a warm, nourishing breakfast, including protein and limiting added sugars
*create a relaxing bedtime ritual, trying to have your child in bed no later than 8:00 pm
*limit media exposure, especially before bedtime and before school
*avoid over-scheduling by limiting extra classes and activities for children
*keep your child home to rest when they are not feeling well
*wash your child’s face and hands, help them brush their teeth and hair, pull their hair out of their eyes, and ensure they are comfortably dressed for the weather
*set lovingly firm boundaries at home, giving your child the sense that the adults in their life are capable of making decisions that are best for them
We encourage all our families to follow these practices to set their child/ren up for success at school and in the world around them each day.
Announcements and Reminders
Picture Day is this Wednesday! If your child does not usually attend school on Thursday, please arrive at 10:00 am as we would love your child to be included in the class photo. They can also have their individual photo taken at this time so they do not have to dress for photos again on Thursday.
Grandfriends Day is this Friday! You, a grandparent, or other special grownup friend(s) are invited to join your child at school for light refreshments from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Please email Ki Holly the names of adults attending and who your child will be going home with. Name tags will be ready for those grownups joining our class. If your child does not usually attend on Friday, they are welcome to come to the celebration with their special grownup(s) as well!
Rest blankets will be sent home at the end of the week. Now that the weather should be reliably warmer, please send a light blanket with your child after the break.
Upcoming Events:
3/27-3/28: School Photos
3/29: Grandfriends Day (Half Day All School Dismissal)
4/1-4/5 Spring Break (No School)
4/8: No School: Solar Eclipse
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
Kindergarten Turtles: March 18 - 22, 2024
Greetings, Turtle Families,
Thank you to everyone who came to the park on Saturday to help finish our wooden toys for the auction. They are beautiful and unique. It took many little hands, big hands, and lots of love. When you look at them, you can see the teamwork and care that went into them. We are excited to present them at auction, and whoever gets to take them home will have loads of fun playing with them!
The weather in the forest was very Springy! The children enjoyed planting seeds and bulbs in pots and planters. One of our verses in Circle is A Little Brown Bulb (see below). When we say this verse in the Circle each day, one child acts the part of the brown bulb in the center. Many of the children did not know what a bulb was, so we planted some gladiola bulbs in our large planters. We also planted Forget Me Not seeds in small plantable pots. Forget Me Nots are perennials and pollinator plants. The children will bring them home after they germinate; you can plant them at home if you would like. The children also planted some Kale seeds in class. We are planning to add this kale to our soup as it grows and can be harvested.
On Thursday, as we were returning to class from our morning restroom break, a student with a sharp eye spotted a deer in the forest! Our class took an impromptu nature walk to see if we could spot it again, and we did! It was so exciting to see one of the bigger creatures we share our forest with.
If you have not already sent your RSVP for Grandfriend’s tea on March 31st, please email kim@thegardenmarietta.org with the names of your student’s guest(s), their relation to your child, and how your child will go home that day. Don’t forget, it is an early dismissal day.
A Little Brown Bulb
A little brown bulb went to sleep in the ground
In her/his little brown clothes
She/he slept very sound
King Winter roared and raged overhead
But the little brown bulb never lifted her/his head
There she/he slept the winter through.
So very quiet, like me and you
Lady spring came tiptoeing over the leaves.
With finger to mouth as quiet as can be
Little brown bulb shook in her/his bed.
She/he tossed off her/his covers and she/he lifted her/his head.
She/he grew and she/he grew,
Up toward the sun
And she/he opened her/his spring clothes and danced and had fun!
Announcements and Reminders:
Picture Day is this Wednesday! If your child does not usually attend school on Wednesday, please join us at 10:00 am if you are able; we would love for your child to be included in the class photo. They can also have their individual photo taken at this time so they do not have to dress for photos again on Thursday.
Rest blankets will be sent home at the end of the week. Now that the weather should be reliably warmer, please send a light blanket with your child after the break.
Upcoming Events:
3/27-3/28: School Photos
3/29: Grandfriends Day (Half Day All School Dismissal)
4/1-4/5 Spring Break (No School)
4/8: No School: Solar Eclipse
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
Grace and Peace,
Ki Kim
Kindergarten Chickadees: March 11 - 15, 2024
Osiyo, Chickadee Families,
What a wonderful taste of summer the students experienced last week! Along with the warm weather, new material was introduced to the children for our outdoor classroom: sidewalk chalk! The chalk was met with a great deal of enthusiasm as students excitedly colored and drew on wood, rocks, trees, and even dirt! The children further changed the landscape of our outdoor classroom by adding a deep cavern to our digging area. Students have worked to deepen this hole over many days, and are planning to dig tunnels to their homes so they can visit school whenever they want. Planks of wood have been fashioned into bridges, which students use to walk or drive dump trucks over the gap. More animal friends have taken advantage of the warmer temperatures to visit us at school. The children have been especially happy to see woodpeckers, carpenter bees, and skinks around the campus.
Throughout the year, students learn about the importance and sacredness of all life. This idea encompasses not only other humans but animals and plants as well. The children are encouraged to observe small creatures with curiosity and wonder as opposed to disgust or fear. They are reminded to show kindness to Brother or Sister Tree and to avoid injuring roots when digging. Brother Wind plays tricks when he blows the backpack blanket, and Jack Frost blows his icy breath on our picnic tables on chilly mornings. Ants are left to do their work and slugs to return to their families. In this way, the students are allowed to develop a deep respect and understanding for all life that sets a strong foundation for both arts and sciences once they enter formal academics. While “STEAM” is a newer idea to some methods of education, it has always thrived in Waldorf and forest schools!
Announcements and Reminders:
Thank you for continuing to send your children dressed in layers and with rain and cold weather gear each day.
It is a good time to begin adding insect repellant back to backpacks.
Please ensure your child’s lunch contains elements to provide them with sufficient energy for the day. Protein, long-acting carbs such as grains, and fruits and vegetables are all vital to helping students through their active day at school.
Upcoming Events:
3/27-29: School Photos
3/29: Grandfriends Day (12:30 All School Dismissal)
4/1-4/5 Spring Break (No School)
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being part of our community.
Gvyalieliga,
Ki Holly
Kindergarten Honeybees: March 11 - 15, 2024
Greetings Honeybee Families,
Our Spring Circle is now in full swing and the children are enthusiastically following along with the sweet spring songs and movements. The tulips we planted started to bloom, and some of the sunflower seeds we planted are coming up as well. It’s so wonderful to be able to witness the growth process and the delight of the children when they see a new sprout or blossom.
We all kept busy in the forest. Some of the students made necklaces using seashells; we drilled a little hole inside the shells, and the children strung shells and beads to make necklaces. We also are making good progress on our auction project. We added a little bonfire and bridge to our landscape, and we also extended the river and made a little pond - the children are getting very creative! Our class celebrated dear Sophia’s 6th birthday this past week. Her parents shared sweet memories of Sophia for each year of her life and shared birthday wishes for her. Happy Birthday, Sophia!
Our story is about Lady Spring who rises each morning by the warm sun tickling her face. She puts on her gown made with the colors of the flowers, puts on her slippers made with the color of the earth, and steps outside. Snowdrop flowers spring up wherever she steps. Then, a gust of wind chills her, and she quickly returns home to her bed. This happens day after day until one day, the powerful sun tickled her awake, and she again walked outside. This time, everywhere she stepped, flowers of all sorts sprung up from the earth. The children loved this story, and we can’t wait to see it in a play next week.
Announcements and reminders:
Please dress for the weather. On rainy days or days after it has rained, children need full rain gear and rain boots.
It is a good time to begin adding insect repellant back to backpacks.
Please pack two full water bottles.
Upcoming Events:
3/27-3/28: School Photos
3/29: Grandfriends Day (12:30 All School Dismissal)
4/1-4/5 Spring Break (No School)
4/23-4/25 5th Grade Pentathlon
4/26 Annual Auction Fundraiser - Half Day
Thank you for sharing your precious honeybees with us!
Peace & Light,
Ki Fatima
