April 2024
Peek Inside Lower Elementary
BLACK BEAR
Dear Black Bear Families,
In our Black Bear community, the month of April has been a time of growth and transformation, mirroring the blossoming of springtime. The children eagerly continued to engage in gardening with Ms. Laura, planting new seeds and nurturing young plants as they foster a deep connection to nature and the cycle of life. Through this experience, they learn valuable lessons about responsibility, patience, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
As the seeds they planted begin to sprout and flourish, so do the children's curiosity and sense of wonder, sparking a journey of continued learning and exploration.
In parallel with the natural world outside, within the classroom, there's a sense of community building as students collaborate on projects, share discoveries, and support one another's growth. Ms. Carmen has continued with lessons in Spanish introducing creative and fun activities.
Our spirit of community was further celebrated during the Spring Social, held at the Creo farm, where families came together to enjoy delicious food and ample space for fun and exploration. The children ran through the fields, played games, and reveled in the beauty of the season.
As the school year draws to a close, we continue to learn and build community, with a bittersweet anticipation in the air, as we reflect on the progress made and the memories shared, while also preparing for the exciting adventures that lie ahead.
-Ms. Rebeca and Ms. Carmen
COYOTE
Dear Coyote Parents and Families,
Spring has brought a wonderful burst of life and learning to our Coyote community! We've been immersed in exploring the wonders of nature, with hands-on experiences that have truly captivated our children's curiosity.
From cuddling chicks and ducklings to observing a baby turtle and various insects, the children have been engaged in unique encounters with different forms of animal life. We've even welcomed two baby bunnies (S’mores and Oreo) into our classroom and made them our class pets.
In addition to our animal adventures, our students have been marveling at the colorful array of blooming flowers, diving into activities like labeling flower parts and classifying the different varieties found in our outdoor environment—a perfect blend of science and nature exploration. Ms. Laura has also been very active in getting the children engaged in gardening projects, such as planting seeds and harvesting the many fruits and vegetables we have in our garden.
Amidst all this excitement, we're also diligently wrapping up ongoing projects and honing core skills in various subjects, ensuring everyone is prepared for the upcoming summer break.
Beyond academics, we're nurturing a sense of community and responsibility. Through group discussions and agreements, we're fostering a culture of care for our environment and each other. It's heartwarming to see each student embracing their role in making our classroom a harmonious and respectful space.
Thank you for being a part of our vibrant Montessori family. Together, let's continue to nurture a love for learning and a spirit of kindness in our children.
Kindly,
Ms. Mary and Ms. Evelyn
Peek Inside Upper Elementary
FALCON
Dear Falcon Parents,
April has swiftly passed us by! The children have diligently continued their studies, engaging in lessons across all subjects. Many have delved into in-depth explorations, ranging from various countries to sports.
Among the highlights of the month were witnessing the Solar Eclipse, enjoying a baseball session with World Series Champion Miguel Montero, retired Pro MLB player for the Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks, creating collage art with Ms. Natasha, and crafting Mother's Day gifts with Ms. Carla.
As we approach the final month of the school year, we eagerly anticipate the culmination of the elementary journey for some students, marked by their Capstone Project presentations. Let's make the most of these last weeks of the school cycle, embracing opportunities for continued learning and creativity.
Warm regards,
Ximena Camarena
ROADRUNNER
Dear Roadrunner families,
We cannot believe we are nearing the end of our school year and are savoring the time we have left together. The beginning of our month was a nice transition from our trip to Washington as we enjoyed some spectacular moments together. In early April, the children explored and created a variety of ways to view the solar eclipse event. This included creating pinhole cameras and finding objects to view and record how the shadows changed during the eclipse. We also collectively had the opportunity to view the live coverage from NASA as the event unfolded.
This month we also had a scrimmage baseball game with both Upper Elementary classrooms. It was such a powerful and impactful bonding experience. It was beautiful to see the children support each other despite which team or classroom they were from. A guest participant in our game was former Diamondback catcher, and World Series champion with the Cubs, Miguel Montero. He enjoyed sharing his love of the sport with our students and offered to sign some baseballs for them, which should be coming in soon.
Many works and research continued this month along with some presentations. One group even carved a wooden model of a shark for their presentation with Ms. Becca. Our sixth-grade students also dove deep into their Capstone projects this month and spent many afternoons at the local library collecting research and beginning their compilation for their final project.
We look forward to our remaining weeks together.
Best,
Ms. Lauren and Ms. Juany
