March 2025
Peek Inside Lower Elementary
BLACK BEAR
Dear Black Bear Families,
The children have been working diligently to prepare for the next chapter in their journey, as well as to foster independence and leadership skills. With each passing day, we see their focus sharpen and their sense of responsibility grow, learning to make thoughtful decisions and solve problems with confidence. We are incredibly proud of how they’ve embraced challenges and demonstrated a commitment to learning that will continue to serve them in the years ahead.
Our nature walks have been a key part of building both focus and stamina in preparation for the Big Trip ahead. These walks not only provide the children with the opportunity to connect with the outdoors but also help them strengthen their physical endurance and mental clarity. As they observe the beauty of the natural world, they practice mindfulness and patience, which are essential skills as we look forward to our upcoming adventure.
The gardening and harvesting with Ms. Laura have also been an essential part of our preparations. The children have taken great pride in caring for the plants, observing how their efforts translate into tangible results. It’s been wonderful to see them apply what they’ve learned in the garden to their daily lives.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we guide your children through this meaningful and transformative time.
-Ms. Rebeca and Ms. Carmen
COYOTE
Dear Coyote Parents and Families,
March has been a crash course introduction to all things Creo, and I am incredibly grateful to the staff and students for making my transition into the classroom so smooth. Observing before spring break gave me valuable insight into the classroom structure and student routines. I have been truly impressed by the independence, helpfulness, and kindness in the Coyote classroom, and I feel honored to be part of such a wonderful community.
It was a pleasure meeting many of you before the break, thank you for taking the time to introduce yourselves. For those I haven’t met yet, I look forward to connecting at upcoming events like the Maker’s Market on April 5th and Show Me Night in late April.
Getting to know each student has been a joy. They’ve eagerly shared their spring break experiences, academic strengths, and personal goals. I even had the chance to celebrate my birthday with them by making orange muffins together! I look forward to continuing to build relationships and supporting the students as they work toward their goals.
Thank you,
Ms. Samantha and Ms. Evelyn
Peek Inside Upper Elementary
FALCON
Dear Falcon familia,
Going Out: A Visit to Agritopia
Our upper elementary students embarked on an exciting journey to Agritopia, a local neighborhood garden, in partnership with Farm Hands. Guided by the knowledgeable Miss Hickory and Miss Gloria, the children explored the rich history of the land and learned about the farm-to-table process, as well as the organizations that help distribute food to those in need.
During our visit, students observed farm staff carefully picking spinach leaves—an eye-opening lesson on the delicacy of food harvesting. They also enjoyed picking fresh oranges from the orchards and observing beehives that play a vital role in the pollination process.
Hands-on learning continued as students were divided into two groups to explore the role of worms in the garden and the intricate nest-building process of birds. The experience concluded with a fun and tasty lesson—an edible bird’s nest activity! The children created nests using ingredients such as celery for sticks, sliced radishes for small stones, ranch for mud, and fresh dill for a soft lining. This engaging outing serves as both a preparation for our upcoming big trip in just 3½ weeks and an extension of our botany and biology studies in the classroom.
Color Run: Fun, Fitness, and Fundraising!
Excitement and energy filled the air as students participated in our annual Color Run fundraiser! With each lap, they beamed with pride, demonstrating perseverance and school spirit. It was a fantastic event that combined fitness with fun while supporting a great cause.
Classroom Highlights
History: Our studies of ancient Greece are in full swing! Students are diving into the world of Greek clothing, social classes, trade, poleis, education, and more. They have fully embraced the spirit of our simulation activities, even re-enacting oracle readings to bring history to life.
Science: We are continuing our exploration of plant and animal life while delving deeper into the composition of the Earth. Hands-on experiments and the scientific method are guiding our discoveries.
Music: Our young musicians are refining their singing by applying various dynamics and strengthening their understanding of four-beat rhythm patterns. Their skills and confidence are growing with each lesson!
Math: We are making great strides in multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals. Soon, we will be diving into data analysis as we explore different types of graphs.
Language: Writing skills are developing as students learn proofreading symbols and work on typing their final essays on the computer. These valuable skills will help them become confident and proficient writers.
Thank you for your continued support in making learning an adventure! Stay tuned for more updates and exciting events in the weeks ahead.
-Ms. Emily and Ms. Carla
ROADRUNNER
Dear Roadrunner families,
This month has flown by with so many exciting activities. We kicked off the month by reviewing and performing the first 100 digits of Pi, and the children proudly shared the Pi song with the Lower Elementary classrooms. It was fun and entertaining as some children challenged each other to see who could sing the fastest and one student even memorized the first 200 digits of Pi!
Along with their performance, they gifted handmade bracelets, color-coded to match the digits of Pi. Later in the month, they went back to offer lessons to the younger students on making bracelets for those who missed out or wanted to craft their own. A big thank you to all the families who contributed round-themed dishes for our Pi Day potluck! It was a lovely way to celebrate together before heading off to Spring Break.
After break, we dove right back into learning with our ongoing exploration of ancient civilizations. This time, we're focusing on Greek history and how its culture continues to influence our world today. The children have been hard at work on their projects, which they'll present during our "Show Me" night, scheduled for April 29th at 5:30 PM. Keep an eye out for more details about their presentations and ways you can support at home!
In preparation for our upcoming Big Trip, we have started practicing nature journaling. The children have been honing their artistic skills, sketching observations from our garden beds, and learning to capture details from nature. Our visit to Agritopia offered even more opportunities for them to explore a variety of plant life, and it’s been a wonderful way to connect our botany work with a larger community space.
As we prepare for the Big Trip, we will also be visiting Sky Harbor Airport on April 1st for a special tour to help the children familiarize themselves with airport environments. It’s been an exciting lead-up to what’s sure to be a memorable trip!
Amidst all these enriching activities, the children have continued practicing and developing their foundational reading, writing, and math skills. Their progress is showing in both individual and group work, and we encourage you to continue supporting these practices with real life experiences at home.
As always, we are grateful for your continued support and are excited to share in the upcoming experiences with our students and our community.
Best,
Ms. Lauren and Ms. Juany
