Dear Second-Grade Parents,

This week’s Winter Spiral was awe-inspiring for the students, teachers, and parents. The anticipation of this beautiful event set the mood for the whole week. On Thursday, each student slowly walked into the spiral to get their candles lit, and on their way out, they carefully chose a star for their candle. The experience evoked a strong feeling of community in the class while highlighting that each student can select how to contribute. Thank you to all volunteers, faculty, and staff who made this magical event possible!

In our language arts block of Golden Legends, the second grade looked at St. Nicholas, whose celebration falls on December 6. We talked about the Christian Celebration of Advent and the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah, an eight-day festival of light. In connection to Hannukah, the students heard the story of a young woman named Deborah who learned to make bright burning candle wicks and the story of a beggar who miraculously (by the help of the townspeople) was able to make Latkes with only one crust of bread. In addition, there was a story of a twelve-year-old boy and his goat who got lost in a snowstorm and a story of the Pitzel Sailors (tiny people) who asked the bees for help to make last-minute Hanukkah-candles.

Reminders:

Dress for rainy weather.
Send a change of clothes (Ahhrgh! Those wet socks!).
Send plenty to drink. Warm drinks in thermoses are welcome.
The fall semester will end on Thursday, December 16. It will be a half-day.
Please consider donating to our Must Ministries Toy Drive. The Amazon wish list of the most needed toys is here and you can also make a financial donation here.
If you are interested in being a substitute teacher for the early childhood and/or grades programs, please contact Ki Lesley at admissions@thegardenmarietta.org

Kind regards,

Gaby Farrokhi