DECEMBER 2023
Peek Inside our Children’s House Community
BOBCAT
Dear Bobcat Families,
Winter is here!! Our children have enjoyed seeing how our orange tree leaves have been changing colors. They also enjoy working in our outdoor environment while wearing their winter clothing. Please remember to label each item sent in with your child as this greatly helps us assist them in managing their belongings and keeping track of them. We would appreciate if you could take your child’s jackets or sweater back home on a daily basis.
I will share with you a document that shows a set of guideposts to raising caring, respectful, and ethical children, along with tips for putting them into action.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/parent_ethical_kids_tips_.pdf
We wish you all a happy holiday season!
Warmly,
Ms. Hany and Ms. Joselyne
CACTUS WREN
Dear Cactus Wren Families,
Happy December to everyone! The Fall semester is ending, and it has been amazing to share these past months with you. It was wonderful to see all the families at our December Community Night and share with you your child’s language journey in the class. This past month the children have been working hard in the class, and it has been amazing to see their progress over the past semester!
Thank you, families, for an amazing Fall semester, and for that you do, your support is deeply appreciated! We hope everyone has a peaceful, and a restful break and we wish you all happiness and health in the new year. Happy holidays Cactus Wren Families!
Warmly,
Ms. Laura & Ms. Tania
GRAY FOX
Dear Gray Fox Families,
As the winter chill sets in, I hope this newsletter finds you in the warm embrace of family and the joyous spirit of the holiday season. December is a month of contrasts — from the festive gatherings to cozy winter wear. Let's dive into the heart of the season and celebrate the richness it brings.
Balancing Act: Healthy and Unhealthy Foods with the holiday season upon us, the delicious treats and feasts is hard to resist. While indulging in festive delights, let's also make a conscious effort to balance our plates with nutritious options. Remember, moderation is key to savoring both the taste of the season and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We talked about it in the form of work, healthy and unhealthy food sorting.
Family Gatherings and Festivals December is synonymous with family gatherings, where laughter and love fill the air. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or other festive occasions, these moments create lasting memories. Share the joy of your family traditions and the spirit of togetherness that makes this time of year truly special.
Winter Wear for School: As the temperatures drop, don't forget to bundle up your little ones in cozy winter wear. To ensure these items find their way back home, kindly label them with your child's name and labeling helps us reunite students with their belongings.
Happy Holidays: Embrace the Festive Spirit Wishing you all a season filled with joy, love, and countless moments of happiness. May the holiday spirit bring warmth to your hearts and create treasured memories with your loved ones. From all of us at Creo, have a wonderful and safe holiday season !
Warmly,
Ms. Rama & Ms. Rocio
JACKRABBIT
Hello Dear Jackrabbit Families,
Thank you dear families who attended our jackrabbit community meeting where we were able to walke you through the language area, we enjoyed having you there! Please continue to read to your child on a daily basis. If your child comes home with a “sound booklet” please practice those sounds with him. Our next Community meeting will be held in the spring.
It is easy to see the children encouraging and inspiring each other, they are so kind and warm to each other and to the adults around them. The children have built this community day by day and it is such a pleasure to observe it. You can also witness kindness during recess, especially when the children invite the new children to play and they also take care of them.
This month a student from Upper Elementary visited us and talked about her butterfly research. The children enjoyed it and were eager to ask questions about her research.
Here is the recipe of the month. If you would like to bake at home during winter break.
Fresh Orange Scones
Ingredients:
1/3 cup sugar
zest of one large orange
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, frozen
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
Instructions:
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees and set oven rack to the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside
-In a medium-sized bowl, gently toss flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a separate small bowl, whisk sour cream and egg until completely smooth. Set aside
-In a large bowl, stir sugar and orange zest together until sugar is moistened and zest is evenly distributed. Pour in flour mixture and toss to combine
-Grate frozen butter into mixture. Using your hands, work in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Gently stir in sour cream mixture until just about combined. Do not over work the dough!
-Again, very gently press the dough against the sides of the bowl a few times and form a ball. The dough will be sticky at first but will come together as you form it
-Place dough on a lightly floured surface and lightly pat into an 8" circle about 3/4" thick. Cut into 8 triangles (like a pizza). Transfer triangles onto prepared baking sheet leaving about 1" between each one
-Bake scones for 15-17 minutes or until the tops begin to golden. Don't take them out too early or they will be too soft. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes on the pan before transferring onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely
We have been singing Holiday songs in Spanish, and one of their favorite songs is “Copo de nieve”, here is a link if you would like to sing with your child.
The children also love singing:
Caramelo by Gallina Pintadita
Mariana by Gallina Pintadita
What a wonderful year the Jackrabbit classroom is having, we are thankful for all the learning experiences that 2023 will leave us with. We wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
With much love and gratitude,
Ms. Yadira and Ms. Karen
