Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: November 3 - 7, 2025
Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,
Thank you for joining us for our Lantern Walk! The children were excited and delighted to carry their lanterns as they walked along the candlelit path through the sanctuary. We appreciate the many parents who helped set up and clean up the pathway. Seeing our sweet students experience carrying their own unique and glowing light out into the world is meaningful and touching.
We have been enjoying the story Adventure on Klickitat Island. This tale tells of a boy and his bear who help a group of animals build a fort to keep them cozy and dry during a storm. Therapeutic stories help comfort children as they become increasingly aware of — and sometimes uncertain about — the storms that may stir this time of year. This story also connects perfectly to the house of sticks that the students have been constructing in our outdoor area. Their inner sense of revolving seasons arises in our forest environment as they experience firsthand the shifts in it. The warm sunshine found us on leisurely walks to our Learning Farm, to greet our friendly goats and donkeys.
Indoors, the students had the sensory and will-building experience of warming red and yellow beeswax, making it malleable, and rolling balls which became "babies and cradles" for many. Beeswax is an excellent medium for building small muscles in hands, as is the beneficial practical work of helping to chop up fresh apples, which we eagerly consumed together during our daily "ladybug picnic". The class also spent time drawing with block crayons, and sent much love to Ki Alycia during our morning gathering.
Announcements & Reminders:
We are looking forward to seeing families at the Thanksgiving Luncheon! Students who do not usually attend school on Fridays are encouraged to attend with their families during the luncheon; siblings and extended family are welcome. Please RSVP to Ki Alycia by Wednesday, November 19th, via email with the names of the guests attending. Please also attend the Grade Presentation at 10:30 am to hear some lovely music and see our Grade program in action. When you arrive for the luncheon, your child will be signed out to your care for the remainder of the morning.
As temperatures shift, it can be tricky dressing little ones for our ever-changing Georgia winters. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers or one another for suggestions and recommendations. When in doubt, bring extra layers! We strive for the children to enjoy, not endure, the outdoors in all weather, and wet clothing or chilly hands can quickly halt play. A thin but insulating & moisture-wicking wool base layer and wool socks make a wonderful starting point for winter school attire.
November 21: Grades Presentation in Sanctuary at 10:30 am
November 21: Thanksgiving Luncheon at 11 am (All families and students are invited)
November 24 - 28: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 10 & 11: Winter Spiral (Joyful Beginnings - Fifth Grade)
December 19: Last Day of Fall Semester/Grades Assembly 11:00 am (Half Day)
December 22 - January 2: Winter Break (No School)
January 5: Teacher In-service (No School)
Warmly,
Ki Alycia
