September 2025
Peek Inside Lower Elementary
BLACK BEAR
Dear Black Bear Families,
Another month has passed, and the children continue to settle into their work routines, gaining confidence in their ability to manage their tasks and their learning. The research projects are unfolding beautifully, with children delving into topics of their choice, exploring questions with curiosity and independence. Friendships are blossoming as they collaborate on these projects, learning to respect each other’s ideas while growing together as a community. The rhythm of the classroom has become more harmonious, with children confidently moving between different activities, building a sense of responsibility and pride in their work.
In our biology lessons, the children have been fully immersed in concrete experiences, with many lessons taking place in the school gardens. Their hands-on exploration of plants, insects, and the natural world allows them to connect deeply with the material, making science come alive through touch and observation.
The recent Peace Day ceremony was a highlight, as it was filled with joy and meaningful reflection. Children sang songs of peace and some presented their thoughts on what peace means to them, demonstrating a deep understanding of kindness and respect.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteer parents who have been diligently working on the Auction project and to the donors—your dedication and support are truly appreciated.
As the Fall season approaches we look forward to more outdoor time, and growing learning experiences in our community!
Warmly,
Ms. Rebeca and Ms. Carmen
COYOTE
This month has been full of energy and curiosity as the children continue to settle into the classroom and pursue their interests.
Several children have been diving into geometry with the geometric solids, extending their learning into creative projects by tracing the shapes on paper. These explorations form an early foundation for future lessons in volume and area.
Art has been woven beautifully into these studies. The children have been working with Mr. Jason while also exploring the bold and varied works of this month’s featured artist, Henri Matisse, in class. His broad range has given the children a chance to experience many different artistic techniques and mediums.
In language, we’ve been focusing on both individual needs and group activities. Grammar boxes have been a big hit, helping the children discover the different parts of speech. They also learned how to use dictionaries as a tool for spelling and vocabulary growth. A highlight was a student-led play about desert animals, tying in with our continued studies of Arizona.
Math work has been lively, with the checkerboard and peg board becoming classroom favorites. The children are tackling multiplication with big numbers and exploring least common multiples with enthusiasm.
At the science table, excitement has been bubbling over with experiments inspired by the Great Lessons. Each child writes up their work before beginning an experiment—sneaking in extra writing practice while also deepening their scientific thinking. Recent studies on the layers of the earth and the properties of liquids have sparked further curiosity and independent investigations.
Research projects have sprouted on topics ranging from weather patterns to—of course—adorable animals. Handwork continues to be a grounding activity, with embroidery and sewing strengthening focus and building brain connections that support reading and writing.
We ended the month with a moving Peace Day celebration. Singing Peace Like a River/Paz Como Río and Light a Candle for Peace alongside the whole school was a beautiful reminder of why we are here: to help nurture a more peaceful world. Seeing the children’s voices join together is always a moment that touches the heart.
While Ms. Samantha recovers, the entire elementary team has come together to make sure the Coyotes are supported and engaged. Ms. Laura has been guiding the children as they prepare for planting season, Ms. Tori has been sharing her guitar knowledge, and Ms. Brook has been giving the children extra reading practice. Ms. Rebeca has been popping in with Montessori lessons and even bringing small groups to Black Bear so they can continue their work seamlessly. And at the center of it all are Ms. Maria and Ms. Dalia—the steady, smiling constants of the classroom who care so deeply for the children each day.
We are so grateful for this team’s flexibility and dedication in supporting the children during this time. Fall Break is right around the corner, and we’re looking forward to even more learning and growth when we return.
With gratitude,
The Coyote Team
Peek Inside Upper Elementary
FALCON
Dear Falcon Families,
It has been a busy and exciting month in our classroom, and I am happy to share some of the wonderful learning happening across our subjects.
Language
In Language, we are learning how to write persuasive paragraphs using graphic organizers and outlines to help structure our thoughts. Everyone is also writing a creative story—some have chosen spooky themes in preparation for Halloween, while others are writing their own version of a Cinderella tale from the perspective of characters like the stepmother or prince. Along the way, we are practicing the important steps of revising and editing. Many students are also reviewing their cursive lettering and building a deeper understanding of story elements such as conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Math
In Math, we have been reviewing long multiplication, long division, fraction equivalence, and operations with decimals. Some students are also learning about the laws of divisibility and mathematical properties such as commutative and distributive. To build fluency with multiplication facts, we are using flashcards, games such as Salute, the checkerboard material, and speed tests. We have also been reviewing the names of polygons and geometric solids, while practicing how to calculate the area of rectangles and triangles.
History
Our History studies have just begun with a unit on early America. We are learning about the indigenous tribes who lived here long before European explorers arrived. In preparation for World Children’s Day, everyone is researching and creating a presentation about the culture of another country. In addition, our sixth graders have finalized their capstone topics for the year and are now locating reliable resources and reading to deepen their understanding.
Science
In Science, we are learning about the body functions of animals and the classification systems used to organize them. Some students are exploring the evolution of certain species using the Timeline of Life, while others are studying the states of matter and how factors like weight or temperature can cause changes.
Classroom Life
Food Fridays have been a big success! The children worked hard to prepare food and deliver it to other classrooms. We are especially excited to try pizza next time! Our “Artist of the Month” is Pablo Picasso, and our “Composer of the Month” is Johann Sebastian Bach. We look forward to exploring their unique styles together. Looking ahead, our tents for the upcoming January camping trip have arrived, and students are already practicing how to set them up.
Community
Peace Day was a wonderful celebration, with many heartfelt presentations that brought joy to our community.
Thank you, as always, for your support at home. Until next month!
Warmly,
Ms. Emily and Ms. Carla
ROADRUNNER
Dear Roadrunner Families,
September has been a busy month, but the most exciting news was the arrival of Ms. Lauren's daughter, Harmony! We are all very happy for her and can't wait to meet her. Congratulations to the Mena Family!
The students have been working diligently collecting facts on their country research projects. Students have had a chance to go to the library to check out sources as well as learn how to utilize the World Book. We've talked a lot about how to organize facts as well as summarize while taking notes.
There has been a lot of exploration in science. We learned about the layers of the earth and how each sphere is unique. A lot of science experiments have been in the works; from constructing a roller coaster out of straws to creating a parachute for an egg drop, it's certain there are some engineers in our future!
A lot of students have been on a scary story writing kick. We have been working on the construction of writing a story, with focus on the writing process as well as editing/peer editing. The stories have been extremely creative; it's been a joy to watch their imagination come to life on paper.
We have started learning about American History. First, there is a whole group lesson and then students are split up into groups to explore and discuss in greater detail; we're excited to learn, discover and create during this unit.
Peace Day was a beautiful time to come together as a school to sing songs and witness presentations. The Roadrunners created a dream catcher, and each student wrote what peace meant to them. We are looking forward to hanging it up in our classroom!
Thank you to all the parents for your support as we've transitioned into my role as the lead teacher while Ms. Lauren is out. I'm truly enjoying getting to know the children; they're all gifts!
Warmly,
Ms. Catie and Ms. Juany
