Hello Beaver Families!
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year at The Garden School! I am excited your family will be joining us in this new school year. I look forward to welcoming back some of our previous children and having new, bright faces join our Garden family. The Kindergarten has a new space in the forest this year with beautiful covered platforms where we will spend most of our days. I am delighted to watch this new year unfold with your children. Our class assistant is Ki Kim who recently joined our Garden School family and who we are very grateful to have on board!
Carpool dropoff will be from 8:30-8:50 every morning for kindergarten, the children will meet with their teacher at a designated picnic table. At 8:50 we will walk down the path to the forest and gather for our morning circle which will begin promptly at 9:00. This is an important part of our daily rhythm that really sets the tone for the day so it is important for the children to be present and on time. Our circle will be followed by free play around the forest and an indoor bathroom break. We will return outside for a snack followed by storytelling on our platform. Please refrain from sending sugary treats; we advise something nutritious that will keep the children energized, foods mainly consisting of healthy fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Also, please send the snack separate from the lunch so that your child knows which is which. Our next out-breath will be free play in the forest, we will also have a craft or practical work activity made available for the children during this time for those who feel so inclined. At 12:30, we will gather together for lunch while our half-day children will be accompanied by an adult on staff to the picnic table where they will meet their grownup. After lunch, we will have another indoor bathroom break and return outside for rest time. After about 30-45 minutes of rest, the children have the option to play or work on a handwork activity, some days we may take a nature walk or visit the garden and farm animals. We will conclude our day at the picnic table where pickup is between 3:00-3:15.
On Mondays, the children will have watercolor painting. On Tuesdays, we will have Spanish class directly after our morning circle with the lovely Ki Maria. During the warm season, our class will have Creekcess on Thursdays. Please send an extra change of clothes that day and hard-soled water shoes. Bathing suits are not recommended.
Please make sure your child is prepared for school each day with the following labeled items:
Two full water bottles
A complete change of clothes, including socks and shoes
Hard-soled creek shoes
A pair of hard-soled indoor shoes to be kept at school
Bug spray
Sun hat and sunscreen (optional - the forest is shade covered)
Rain gear (rain suit or rain pants and a rain jacket, boots)
Face masks (if desired, it is a good idea to send two in case one gets dirty or wet)
Feel free to contact me anytime you have questions at fatima@thegardenmarietta.org. You may also reach me via phone or text at 678-356-1880 and I will respond as soon as I am able. May this 2021-22 year be one of joy, growth, and wholesome learning. Thank you for sharing your precious child with me and I look forward to growing memories together!
Blessings,
Ki Fatima
"Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education."
~ Rudolf Steiner