Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: December 9-13, 2024
Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbird Families,
As the semester winds down, we can’t help but feel so grateful to share such beautiful forest days with your generous, creative, curious children. In just a few short months, they have stretched their limbs (literally) and their limits. Children who approached the forest with timidity in August are now running, jumping, and climbing about. Others who were uncertain about using their voices away from their grown-ups are now confidently conversing with teachers and peers and able to voice their needs and wants with polite clarity. We are so grateful for the support, communication, and collaboration from our Hummingbird families. It is a joy to partner with you in caring for your children.
Last week brought wind, rain, and warm sips of tea! For many of the children, our tea party was a unique sensory experience as they experimented with the sharp taste of ginger in our cookies and the warmer-than-usual temperature of their beverage. Many students commented that the tea warmed their bellies and asked for 2-3 refills, while others took a sip or two and then defaulted to their water bottles.
The children seem to be especially captivated by our last story of the semester, Little Mouse Finds a Winter House. In the story, Mother Earth comes across a small mouse on a walk and gently instructs the mouse to find a winter house. The mouse looks near and far and finally nibbles through a pumpkin to burrow himself inside for the season. The cold winds bring leaves, then snow, covering the pumpkin like a blanket. Mother Earth promises to keep close watch over him all winter long and sings him to sleep with a loving song. This is an incredibly simple story, yet it is packed with meaningful imagery that reflects the inner experience of most animals and humans as we look for warmth, comfort, and loving protection during the darker, colder months. If you would like to experiment with sharing simple nature stories at home with your children, we are happy to provide direction and resources!
During the last few days of school, we will balance maintaining our class rhythms while sprinkling in a few special, seasonal moments and activities. On Wednesday, 12/18, and Thursday, 12/19, your children are welcome to attend school in their pajamas. If your child would like to bring in a special stuffed animal on these days as well, they are more than welcome to! We will begin the morning with a candlelit painting activity followed by warm cocoa.
Wishing you all a safe, rich time of togetherness over the break. Happy Holidays and see you all in the new year!
Announcements and Reminders for Hummingbirds:
12/20: Grades Assembly - 11:15 a.m. (All families are welcome to attend)
12/20: Last Day of Fall Semester (Half Day dismissal, 12:00-12:15 p.m.)
12/23 - 01/06: Winter Break (No School)
01/07: Spring semester begins
The break is a great time to check your child’s boots and other gear and ensure they fit your child properly; young children grow quickly! Please be sure to send them back to school with all the needed Garden School layers and gear.
With Gratitude,
Ki Alycia
