October 2026
Peek Inside our Children’s House Community
Hello Bobcat families,
Dear Bobcat Families,
Happy Fall! We hope you and your families are enjoying the crisp autumn air and seasonal changes.
Welcoming New Friends
We are so thrilled to welcome Ryder, Sebastian, and Adeline to the Bobcat Children’s House! We are delighted to have them in our community and look forward to watching them learn, play, and grow alongside their peers.
Autumn Storytime & Season Changes
During our circle time, we read A Tree for All Seasons by Robin Bernard. The children were captivated as we explored how a maple tree changes throughout the year and learned about all the marvelous things happening in and around it as the seasons shift.
Our New Class Pets!
We have a delightful new addition to our classroom—a pair of budgies named Blueberry and Yellow Star (though some of our friends affectionately call her Banana!).
The children have loved taking care of our new feathered friends by changing their water, feeding them, and singing songs to them. We’ve noticed that Blueberry and Yellow Star have truly made themselves at home, happily chirping back while the children sing! A big thank-you to Claire’s family for donating these lovely budgies to our classroom.
Practicing Kindness
Throughout this month, we have been focusing on what it means to be kind to one another and the many ways we can practice kindness in our classroom community. During circle time, the children shared wonderful examples, including:
Respecting space: Walking mindfully around friends' work rugs.
Active listening: Listening quietly when a friend or guide is speaking during circle time.
Care of the environment: Putting away our works neatly after using them so they are ready for the next person.
Care of others: Using gentle, soft voices inside the classroom.
There are so many ways we can express kindness—both in our interactions with others and within ourselves!
Autumn Songs
In keeping with the season, we have also been enjoying singing "5 Little Pumpkins" in Spanish (Cinco calabazas) during our circle times!
Recommended Reading for Parents
Last year, I read Raising Mentally Strong Kids by Daniel G. Amen, MD, and Charles Fay, PhD. It is a fantastic resource filled with practical strategies on raising resilient, confident, and self-reliant children by combining brain science with practical love-and-logic parenting tools. I highly recommend it to any parent looking for inspiring and supportive approaches to guide early childhood development!
📌 Important Reminders
Extra Clothes: If we send soiled clothing home, please remember to send a fresh, full change of clothes back with your child the following day.
Lunchboxes & Independence: In line with our Montessori emphasis on independence, please practice opening lunchboxes and food containers at home with your child. If certain containers remain difficult for them to manage on their own, kindly consider switching to option(s) they can open independently.
Uniforms & Jewelry: Please ensure shorts are worn under all dresses for outdoor play and classroom activities.
Show and Share: Show and Share takes place on the last Friday of the month. Please help your child select a meaningful book or special object to bring—no toys, please.
Tablet Sign-In: Please remember that the tablet check-in/check-out is an official legal record and must only be completed by an authorized adult.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in creating a peaceful, nurturing environment for our children!
Warmly,
Ms. Hany and Ms. Rocio
Dear Cactus Wren Families,
October has been filled with cool mornings and amazing growth! We are happy to welcome our new friend Kingston to Cactus Wren. Ms. Miriam has also been a great member added to our Cactus Wren community. The children enjoyed baking cheddar cheese biscuits and making overnight oats with her.
After our nice Fall break all the children were excited to be back and share all the fun things they got to do and experience. We also gave some grace and courtesy reminders to get back into routine after our time away from school.
This month we learned about pumpkins! We learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin, parts of a pumpkin, and the names of different types of pumpkins. The children enjoyed hearing the names, and some of the names even made them giggle, for example Baby Boo, Long Island cheese and Warty Goblin.
We want to give a big thank you for all the help and support that we have received for the charity event. This is a wonderful event and the children enjoyed helping put the projects together.
Friendly Reminder:
Show and Share is the last Friday of every month, and participation is optional. Please make sure that you send your child to school with items that are real and meaningful. Toys are not appropriate, and books should be non-fiction.
Warmly,
Ms. Ana Karen and Ms. Miriam
Dear Gray Fox Families,
Dear Gray Fox Families,
Happy October! As we enjoy the beautiful fall season, our Gray Fox classroom has been filled with opportunities for discovery, hands-on learning, and meaningful experiences. The children are enjoying the cooler weather and spending time outdoors, where they can explore nature, observe seasonal changes, and enjoy the fresh air.
Exploring Pumpkins and Gourds
This month, our classroom has been celebrating the beauty of fall with a variety of pumpkins and gourds. The children have been observing their different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures while learning about the parts of a pumpkin, including the stem, skin, flesh, and seeds. These hands-on experiences encourage observation and an appreciation for the natural world.
Baking Together in the Classroom
Baking continues to be a favorite activity in our classroom! Through these practical life experiences, children practice measuring ingredients, pouring, mixing, following a sequence of steps, and working together. Baking also supports concentration and early math skills.
This month, we would love to share a simple and delicious recipe inspired by one of our classroom baking activities. It is a wonderful recipe to try together at home!
Cheddar Cheese Biscuits with Heavy Cream
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup heavy cream, plus a little extra if needed
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese and mix gently.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough seems too dry, add a small amount of extra cream.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together. Avoid overmixing.
Pat the dough to about ¾-inch thickness and cut it into biscuits using a biscuit cutter or a small round cup.
Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden on top.
Allow the biscuits to cool slightly before serving.
These warm, cheesy biscuits are a delicious addition to a fall meal. Invite your child to help measure, pour, mix, and prepare the ingredients. These simple moments in the kitchen can become wonderful opportunities for learning and connection!
Singing and Learning Through Music
Music continues to bring joy and energy to our classroom. The children enjoy singing songs related to fruits and vegetables, connecting music with our conversations about food, nature, and the world around us. You may hear some familiar tunes at home, including:
“Mango Fandango” – Mango Fandango
Another classroom favorite – Let's go to the market song
Feel free to sing along with your child at home!
Enjoying the Fall Weather and Building Independence
The children are making the most of the lovely fall weather, enjoying outdoor activities and exploring the changing environment. As temperatures become cooler, we are also encouraging everyone to practice putting on jackets, managing zippers and buttons, and preparing themselves for outdoor play as independently as possible.
Please remember to send a jacket appropriate for the changing weather and take it home each day so it can be kept clean and ready for the next school day. Labeling your child's belongings is always helpful!
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. It is a pleasure to watch the children grow in confidence, develop new skills, and discover the world around them each day. We look forward to another wonderful month of learning and exploration together!
Warmly,
Ms. Rama and Ms. Britany
Hello Jackrabbit Families,
Hello Dear Jackrabbit Families,
What a great month we had at the Jackrabbits, we hope everyone had a fun and restful Fall Break. Now that the weather is changing, the children have been enjoying more our beautiful outdoor environment, as well as spending time gardening and taking such care of it. We have been reading about pumpkins, and we also have on our museum table some types of pumpkins which the children have been enjoying.
A few reminders:
-The children need to bring back their clear plastic work folder after they empty it at home once a month.
-If your child was sent home with a bag of clothes, please bring back the next day a change of clothes for your child (all clothes need to be labeled with your child’s name).
Our conferences and observations have started, and it has been wonderful to share your child’s progress. We want to thank each and every one of you for your trust and support, we feel grateful to be part of your child’s journey.
Thank you Jackrabbit Families!
Kindly,
Ms. Yadira and Ms. Karen
