Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: October 21 - 25, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families, 

We spent another beautiful week in the Bluebirds class. On Monday and Thursday, the children started to use two colors in their watercoloring paintings. They learned how to clean and wipe their brushes before dipping them into a different color. They created amazing paintings, and we will use these paintings to craft fall garlands. Outside, the children have been working with wooden mallets. They had fun using these mallets to hammer down golf tees on stumps, repair their pretend houses, and fix their pretend cars. It is an excellent way for young children to practice their motor abilities.

This week, we are going to sing a sweet song, My Lantern, My Lantern and share a new story, George's Lantern in the class to commemorate the Lantern Festival. Later in the week, the children will go on a treasure hunt to see what the kind witch from our Halloween story has hidden in the forest. 

Announcements and Reminders for Bluebirds:

  • 11/01: Teacher in Service (No School)

  • 11/06 & 11/08: JB Indoor Lantern Walk from 12:00-12:15 p.m.

  • 11/12: Early Childhood Curriculum Night at 6:00 p.m.

  • 11/13: Evelyn’s Birthday Celebration


Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: October 14 - 18, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families, 

We were delighted to see you last Saturday during our Kingdom of Halloween festival. The event was magical, and the experience was incredible. We hope you and your children all had a great time. Thank you to those of you who were able to join in at our Community Meeting last night, too. 

We had some chilly weather last week. Thank you very much for dressing your children in layers. They all looked so cozy in their autumn gear. In the classroom, the children continued to work on their lantern projects. They decorated their watercolor paintings with beeswax crayons, adding beautiful intricacies. We've noticed more collaboration among students. They helped each other and worked together to construct buildings, set up the train table, care for the baby dolls, and play in the dollhouse. It's been a treat to see the children build friendships with each other. In the forest, jumping in the leaf piles and hiding behind the hanging silk have brought so much joy to our little Bluebirds. On Friday, we had a very special time celebrating Alexandra’s birthday. We were grateful to spend this wonderful day with Alexandra and her family, and thank you for the delicious birthday treats. 

This week, we will continue to tell our seasonal story, Willow the Witch and add a pumpkin rhyme to our circle time. This Wednesday, we will celebrate Neev’s birthday, and we look forward to sharing a meaningful day with Neev and his family. 

Announcements and Reminders for Bluebirds:

  • 10/23 Neev’s Birthday celebration.

  • 11/01 Teacher In-Service (No School)

  • 11/06 & 11/08 JB Indoor Lantern Walk from 12:00-12:15 p.m.

  • 11/12: Early Childhood Curriculum Night at 6:00 p.m

  • Access our classroom songs here.

  • Keeping young children’s hands and feet warm is important in cold weather in the forest; water-resistant gloves/mittens and wool socks are recommended in winter. 


Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: October 7 - 11, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families, 

It has been a wonderful week in the Bluebirds class. First of all, thank you for coming to school and attending our conferences. I enjoyed talking to all of you and look forward to continuing to help the children grow and thrive.

Last week, we finished telling the story Young George and the Baby Dragon. It was a story about helping friends in need and being brave when faced with hardship. There was a fire-breathing baby dragon near a gnome village, and the gnome king asked his friend George to help. George agreed to do his best, and he brought back the baby dragon from the forest. It turned out that the baby dragon had hiccups, and she wanted to come to the gnome king for treatment. However, whenever she approached the village, she would breathe fire with each hiccup. The gnome king was very kind and used his healing stone to cure this baby dragon. Afterward, the dragon felt thankful and decided to remain with the gnomes in order to protect the earth. This story of friendship and courage was well received by the children. On Wednesday, we celebrated Noelle’s birthday. We were grateful to spend a meaningful morning with Noelle and her family. Thank you so much for sharing delicious birthday treats with us!

This week, we will continue to work on and add more details to our Lantern Walk project. A sweet Halloween story, Willow the Witch, will be introduced in the class. On Friday, we are going to celebrate Alexandra’s birthday. We are excited to have her family join us on this special day! 

Announcements and Reminders for Bluebirds:

  • 10/18: Alexandra’s Birthday celebration.

  • 10/23: Neev’s Birthday celebration.

  • 11/06 & 11/08: JB Indoor Lantern Walk from 12:00-12:15 p.m.


Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: October 1 - 4, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families, 

Last week was magical for the Bluebirds. In our forest classroom, a gorgeous barred owl soared through the sky before landing on a tree. The children were surprised and thrilled to see this magnificent bird in nature. One day, a student discovered a little green tree frog on the playground. As it hopped over the fence, curious minds gathered around for a fun observation. 

The children participated in a variety of art activities in class. They painted with autumn hues and created nature necklaces. We introduced needles for the first time as a handwork tool. When making their necklaces, children worked diligently to string wooden beads and leaves together using blunt needles and yarn.

This week, we'll begin an autumn circle with the song "The Leaves Are Falling." We will also start to work on our lanterns for the Lantern Walk. On Wednesday, we are going to have Noelle’s birthday celebration. We are delighted to celebrate this memorable occasion with Noelle and her family.

Announcements and Reminders for Bluebirds:

  • 10/10 Half Day. Bluebirds pick-up time will be from 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.

  • 10/10-10/11 Fall Conferences.

  • 11/06 & 11/08 JB Indoor Lantern Walk from 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: September 16 - 20, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families, 

Welcome back to school! We are happy to see everyone coming back well rested. Before fall break, we celebrated the Day of Courage by making star wands. The children painted stars, picked out sticks in the forest, and laced beads on pipe cleaners to decorate the wands. Each one of our little Bluebirds worked patiently and was excited to play with their magical star wands in the forest. The story Young George and the Baby Dragon was well loved among the children. We will continue to tell this story as a way to recognize each child's inner strength. Additionally, we celebrated Josef and Paxton’s birthday in the classroom. We were grateful to spend these meaningful moments with Josef and Paxton’s family. Thank you so much for sharing delicious birthday treats with us!

This week, we will begin by painting with watercolors. The students will use fall colors to express their creativity. Before fall break, we began a new circle song called "Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow," which we will continue to sing this week. Fall conferences are just around the corner. It is an excellent time for us to discuss your children's growth. Thank you for signing up. I am looking forward to meeting with you. 

Announcements and Reminders for Bluebirds:

  • 10/9: Noelle’s Birthday Celebration. Please bring your children’s snacks from home to go with the birthday snacks. 

  • 10/10: Half Day. Bluebirds pick up time will be from 12:00 p.m.-12:15 p.m.

  • 10/10-10/1:1 Fall Conferences (adults only). Please sign up here. If you need a different time, please let me know.


Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: September 9 - 13, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families, 

It had been a wonderful week in the Bluebirds class. The children chopped vegetables and fruits on Monday and Thursday to help prepare snacks. After watching teachers’ demonstrations and practicing, the children improved their control over their choppers, and they felt very pleased that they could help. Autumn seems to have arrived. Orange and brown leaves blanket our forest classroom. The children enjoyed collecting the leaves to use as baking ingredients in the mud kitchen. Our neighboring class, the Turtles, generously shared some wooden boards with us so that we could make car ramps. The children enjoyed releasing the cars and seeing them speed down on wheels. We experienced some rain later in the week. Thank you so much for dressing your children appropriately on rainy days. With the protective rain gear, the children had a blast playing outside. 

To celebrate the Day of Courage in our classroom, we will start a new story called Young George and the Baby Dragon. This week, the children will finish making their beautiful and magical star wands, which they will play with in the forest. On Tuesday, we are going to celebrate Josef’s birthday, and on Thursday we are going to celebrate Paxton’s birthday. We are excited to share these special days with Josef and Paxton and their families.

Announcements and Reminders for Bluebirds:

  • 9/20 Day of Courage-Half Day: Bluebirds pickup time will be from 12-12:15.

  • 10/10 Half Day: Bluebirds pickup time will be from 12:00-12:15.

  • 10/10-10/11 Fall Conferences: Please sign up here. I am looking forward to meeting you! If you need a different time, please let me know.

Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: September 2 - September 6, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families,

Thank you so much for attending our Curriculum Night. We very much enjoyed seeing all who were able to join us and sharing about our class. 

Our lovely Bluebirds fluttered through a delightful week. They enjoyed playing in this crisp and pleasant weather. In the forest, the children loved to run and play hide and seek with each other. Cooking in the mud kitchen is one of their favorite games. Digging, stirring, and carrying a pot of “soup” all strengthen the children’s sense of movement. The children served their friends both tea and delicious food they had prepared while seated at the small picnic table. Observing the children becoming closer to one another was a beautiful sight. 

Taking a nature walk down to the farm was a highlight of the week. While navigating through the forest, the children were amazed to see the leaves float through the air and hear them sing when the wind picked up speed. Before we arrived at the farm, we could hear the goats and donkeys greeting us. They all gathered at the gate when the children offered them kudzu and fresh fruits. The children gently fed our furry friends and petted them with care. 

Our Bluebirds will take individual pictures this Wednesday and Thursday. If your children are in the five-day program, they can have their pictures taken on either day. This week, the children will collect sturdy sticks to make their star wands. Additionally, as a class, we will prepare two gratitude cards for the veterans. The children will collect colorful leaves and glue them on watercolor paintings as a way of saying thank you for their service.

Announcements and Reminders for Bluebirds:

  • 9/19: Paxton’s birthday celebration.

  • 9/20: Josef’s birthday celebration.

  • Thank you for bringing vegetables and fruits each week. Please continue to bring them for your children to chop. When we have special occasions that do not require a vegetable or fruit for the week, we will let you know in advance. 

  • When there is a school-wide early dismissal, JB’s pick-up time will be from 12:00-12:15 p.m.

Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: August 26 - 30, 2024

 Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families,

Thank you so much for joining us on our Curriculum Night. It was our pleasure to share valuable information about Waldorf education and the children's daily rhythms at school with you! 

We spent a delightful week in the Bluebirds classroom. The children enjoyed hearing a new story about a little frog and roses. This tiny tree frog lived in a tall and wide rose bush that was as majestic as a rose castle. One night, Mother Rose was trying to settle her rosebud babies for bedtime, but they did not want to sleep. Little Frog watched as Mother Rose tried to comfort her babies and decided to sing a sweet song. While listening to this beautiful song, each bud baby closed their eyes, snuggled in their petal blankets, and fell asleep. Mother Rose thanked Little Frog for his help and treasured his companionship in the rose castle. As with most of our stories, this lovely story will be told for two weeks. The repetition of a story helps the child internalize the story, and it starts to live deeply within them. For the past few weeks, the students have experienced watercolor painting with great joy. Their fine motor skills are improved through watercolor painting, and small muscle control is developed by holding onto the brushes. Wet-on-wet painting allows the children to engage in a full experience of the fluid and dreamy life of each color. This week, the children will use the golden yellow color to paint stars as the first step in creating star wands. Additionally, during our indoor play, the children spent much time playing with heavy baby dolls. These weighted dolls can provide a calming and therapeutic effect when held on laps, as well as foster nurturing qualities in young children. 

Announcements and Reminders for the Bluebirds: 

  • 9/19: Paxton’s birthday celebration.

  • 9/20: Josef’s birthday celebration.

Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support.

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: August 19 - 23, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families,

The past week went by so fast! Our Bluebird friends have settled into our daily routine. In the mornings, the children enjoy the fresh air and cool breeze in the forest. Each week at school, the children work and play together, allowing them many wonderful opportunities for social-emotional growth. They had fun looking for roly-polies, brewing tea, cooking soup, and making delicious cakes in the mud kitchen. Our outside platform provided the children with a space to build with blocks. While building together, the children developed new friendships and learned how to share and take turns. 

When we enter the building, changing into indoor shoes is the children’s first task. With little help, each child is able to put on their slippers successfully. In the classroom, we sit together to have our circle and story time. We welcome the morning sun and greet each other with a big smile. Afterward, we give blessings for our food and enjoy a snack together. Gathering around the table creates a sense of belonging. The children benefit from the nutritious food served at the table and also from the bonds that are created with their peers and teachers. Fun activities such as free indoor play, arts and crafts, and forest play are following. Free play allows children to explore the world in their own ways and learn from social interactions. By the end of a fun morning, our friends are ready for a restful and relaxing afternoon at home. 

This week, we will introduce a new summer circle song called “Over in the Meadow” and a new story about a lovely tree frog and roses. Thank you so much for bringing vegetables and fruits on Mondays and Thursdays. We will continue to practice chopping in the classroom, as it is an excellent opportunity for the children to strengthen their fine motor skills. 

Announcements and Reminders

  • Joyful Beginnings Curriculum Night is September 3, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm, adults only, please.

  • A new school year with new friends and teachers can bring increased sniffles and coughs. Keeping good hygiene is essential for young children. In the classroom, we help the children wash their hands several times during the day and clean our surfaces on a daily basis. At home, please help us teach your children to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing. If your children are not feeling well, please let us know in advance. Thank you!

 Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support. 

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: August 12 - 16, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds Families,

We had a wonderful first week in Bluebirds class. We are gradually building our daily rhythm and getting used to our transition periods as we move to and from our indoor classroom. Each child had his or her own special symbol in the classroom, and they did a wonderful job remembering and finding their symbols. In Circle Time, we learned the song “Morning Has Come” as well as learning each other’s names. During story time, the children enjoyed the story The Kissing Hand. It is a classic story about how a mother raccoon helps her child understand that her love will stay with him wherever he goes, even to school.

The trees in the forest provided us with coolness on hot summer days. It was magical to see children building blocks on the platform, climbing on the dome, and running in the forest. The children are learning to stay inside our outdoor boundaries. During transition periods, we have a special rope for the children to hold onto in line. Each child gets his or her “mousy ear” to hold tightly so that we can safely move from one space to another. The students are doing well as they learn all about our school!  

This week, we will continue to explore our indoor and outdoor spaces. Thank you so much for bringing vegetables and fruits as important ingredients for our shared snack. This week, we will assist our students in chopping vegetables and fruits to help prepare the snacks.

If your children are in the three-day program, you only need to bring a vegetable on Mondays; if your children are in the two-day program, you only need to bring a fruit on Thursdays. Please bring both if your children are in school every day. 

Announcements and Reminders

  • Creating a goodbye ritual can be very helpful at drop off, such as sharing a special handshake with your child or saying encouraging words when you hug goodbye. 

  • Please send two water bottles and bug spray everyday

  • Please label all the belongings. 

  • Joyful Beginnings Curriculum Night is September 3, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm, adults only, please.

Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support. 

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia

Joyful Beginnings Bluebirds: August 5 - August 9, 2024

Dear Joyful Beginnings Bluebird Families,

Welcome to the Garden School! It was wonderful to see everyone at our Meet & Greet last Friday. We are looking forward to going on this new adventure with all of our Joyful friends.

This week is our first week of school, and we will help each child get familiar with our daily rhythm and the environment around us. During Circle Time, we will learn each other’s name and special symbol, and sing “Morning Has Come." The children will explore our forest area and platform. 

In the forest, the children are going to familiarize themselves with the boundaries and learn how to play safely with shovels, big trucks, and natural materials such as sticks and rocks. We are excited and grateful that we have a larger platform in the forest. In the beginning, we will help each child understand that manipulatives and toys, such as wooden blocks, musical instruments, doll houses, and baby dolls, remain on the platform. On rainy and muddy days, we will assist the children with removing their rain boots when playing on the platform and putting them back on when playing in the forest. Please help us remind your children about these guidelines at home as well. We sincerely appreciate your support.

Next week, the children will start chopping vegetables and fruits. Please bring a vegetable on Mondays and a fruit on Thursdays. Thank you!

Announcements and Reminders

  • Creating a goodbye ritual can be very helpful at drop off, such as sharing a special handshake with your child or saying encouraging words when you hug goodbye. Please remind your children to stay at the picnic table with the class at drop-off time. 

  • Please bring two water bottles. 

  • Please label all the belongings. 

  • 9/3: JB Bluebirds parent night at 6:00 p.m.

  • When there is a school-wide early dismissal, JB’s pick-up time will be from 12:00-12:15 p.m.

Thank you for sharing your lovely children with us, and thank you for your support. 

Warmly,

Ki Siyu and Ki Cecilia