Kindergarten Honeybees: January 13 - 17, 2025
Dear Honeybee Families,
Winter’s chill has certainly graced us this season, and the children have been delighting in exploring the wonders of the icy world. Last week, despite the cold, we embraced the outdoors, marveling at nature’s transformations. We were able to spend the majority of our time outside in the forest. The children discovered patches of ice glistening on the ground, which they eagerly loaded into trucks and transported as part of their imaginative play. At the pond, we took turns throwing stones and listened together to the resonant, hollow sounds they made when meeting the frozen surface—a perfect opportunity for wonder and connection to nature’s rhythms. Our winter circle time has brought warmth and joy to our mornings. The children have been eagerly learning the songs and verses, weaving both movement and music into their day. These shared moments of reverence and joy help ground the children during this quieter season. On Friday, we joined the Chickadees and saw the presentation by the Southern Museum. They brought model trains, and the children were delighted to see them.
This week, we will continue to embrace winter’s gifts, though the colder temperatures may encourage us to spend more time indoors. Inside, the children will hear a new story about a pair of white winter mittens lost in the snow. Stories, like seeds, nurture their imaginations and gently guide them through the seasonal changes. Our hands will also be busy with cozy indoor activities—painting, imaginative play with silks, and engaging in mindful handwork projects that foster patience, focus, and creativity.
Each spring semester, we are excited for our older students, who may rise to First grade next year, to begin our Golden Knights program. Those students who began Golden Knights will attend for an hour each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for the remainder of the school year. We know they are ready for the new challenges Golden Knights will provide and for time with the older students from the Turtles and Chickadee classes.
Announcements and Reminders for Honeybee Kindergarten:
Conferences are coming up on February 6th and 7th. You can sign up for a time here. Conferences will be in person at the school. If you do not see a time that works for you, please let me know, and we will schedule a different time. Conferences are planned for 20 minutes. If you may need longer for your child's conference, please let me know before scheduling so we can work out a time that respects your time and that of other families. We ask that children do not attend conferences, allowing us to communicate in confidence.
Our classroom is in need of borrowing gloves. If your child has taken gloves home, please kindly return them. Donations of extra gloves would be greatly appreciated and help keep all hands warm during our adventures.
1/21: Early Childhood Curriculum Night - 6:00 p.m. (Postponed due to weather)
2/1: Community Work Day 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2/1: All School Meeting - 12:30 p.m. (adults only, community encouraged to attend)
2/6: Lunar New Year Performance - 11:30 a.m.
2/6: Half Day - Parent Conferences
2/7: No School - Parent Conferences
With warmth and gratitude,
Ki Peden
