Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: December 1-5, 2025 (Copy)
Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,
The children have been meeting the shifting season with grace and joyful determination. What a picture of growing will it is to watch them dress themselves for long hours outdoors in 20–40° weather. Not only remembering the many steps of pants… jacket… shoes… hat… mittens, but then learning to move freely within all that warm winter attire. Even with puffy limbs and mittened hands, they still find ways to climb, jump, dig, and explore with steady enthusiasm.
Last week, the children embraced the familiar threads woven through our story time, circle, and artistic work. Polar bears, woodcutters, King Winter, and Jack Frost all made their appearances. One of the children’s favorite moments was watching “Jack Frost” visit their watercolor paintings as teachers sprinkled salt across their cool blue paintings. When salt touches wet watercolor, it draws the pigment toward itself, creating delicate starbursts that look very much like tiny frost crystals. You will soon see these beautiful creations as the children continue preparing a special, handmade gift for their families.
This week, we turn our attention to the Winter Spiral, a quiet, contemplative walk that symbolizes carrying our inner light into the darkness of winter. We ask that families help us hold this space with quiet reverence.
• Wednesday, December 10 (for M–W and 5-day students)
• Thursday, December 11 (for Th–F students)
Please arrive by 12:10. You will pick up your child on the playground with Ki Angela and then come indoors together to meet Ki Alycia in the hallway before walking the spiral.
As we approach the end of our semester, please make note of the following special end-of-semester activities the children will enjoy next week:
Monday 10/15: Candle making & peppermint hot cocoa
Tuesday 10/16: Pajama Day (pajamas will serve as their base layer; they will still need their outer gear for the forest) & warm cinnamon apples
Wednesday 10/17: Stuffie Day (stuffie must fit in their basket) & banana snowmen
Thursday 10/18: Candle making & peppermint hot cocoa #2
Friday 10/19: Pajama Day (pajamas will serve as their base layer; they will still need their outer gear for the forest) & warm cinnamon apples #2
We look forward to sharing this sweet time with your children as we move toward the winter break.
Announcements & Reminders:
Our Admissions Team will be holding tours designed to address community questions regarding the phases of child development and our Waldorf-inspired curriculum. A combined Kindergarten tour and a Grades tour will be offered on:
Wednesday, December 10th, at 9:30 am
Saturday, December 13th, at 10:00 am
Wednesday, January 7th, at 9:30 am
These tours are for our current families to learn more about the respective programs. Please RSVP by emailing Crystal: admissions@thegardenmarietta.org.
December 10 & 11: Hummingbirds Winter Spiral at 12:15 am
December 19: Last Day of Fall Semester-Grades Assembly at 11:00 am, all families welcomed (Half Day)
December 22-January 2: Winter Break (No School)
January 5: Teacher-In-Service (No School)
January 6: First Day of Spring Semester
Warmly,
Ki Alycia
