Dear Joyful Families,

Last week we enjoyed celebrating Martinmas by kindling our inner light as the days grow shorter and colder. We shared a sweet story about a child who asks Father Sun for the last flames of autumn, which he keeps safe in a little lantern house. In the story, as in our class, the child fashions a lantern out of watercolor paper and blue and yellow paint, cuts tiny windows into the lantern, and places a candle inside. He then carries his lantern into the night singing sweet lantern songs. Last week, the children were sent home with their lanterns and invited to celebrate Martinmas at home with their families by having a simple lantern walk. If your family has not done so yet, we encourage you to celebrate! It’s an absolutely magical (and in my opinion, quintessential) early childhood experience.

This week is the week before Thanksgiving break, and we will be looking forward to a Friendsgiving celebration with the children at school! Please make sure to sign up to bring a contribution to the potluck. We are also celebrating the birthdays of two of our students before the break, Johnny Max and Amelia. This week is shaping up to be quite celebratory. Enjoy!

Reminders:

Thanksgiving break is next week.
Please consider donating nonperishable food items and personal care products for the Never Alone food pantry in Woodstock. Please follow this link to find a list of items most urgently needed, and to find the "Donate Now" button if it is more convenient or preferable for you to contribute in that way.

In gratitude,

Ki Jessica & Ki Gabby