April 2026
Peek Inside Lower Elementary
BLACK BEAR
April has been a vibrant month in our Black Bear community, filled with work, discovery, and connections. The time spent in the garden with Ms. Laura, whose guidance has helped the children explore our Biology lessons, continues to be a highlight of the children’s experience and understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Our daily nature walks gave us practice for growing awareness of ourselves and the world around us and as preparation for our much-anticipated Big Trip to the mountains!
The Big Trip was a joyful extension of our work into the natural world. The practice of independence, self-awareness, respect, and camaraderie that we have nurtured throughout the year came together beautifully. It was the perfect opportunity for each child to apply what they have learned, from making thoughtful choices and working together, to showing care and respect for one another. The trip was a natural culmination of all the skills and values we've been cultivating, offering a hands-on experience to celebrate growth and community. The children rose to each challenge with courage and excitement—hiking together, enjoying meals together, sharing stories by the campfire, and supporting one another with kindness and respect. These moments of adventure and connection helped us strengthen our sense of community and deepened our appreciation for the beauty around us.
To wrap up the month of April, we had the amazing opportunity to visit the Farm at Agritopia to experience the Farm Hands programwhere the children learned about seeds, dug for worms, made “Butterly Salads” and spent a lovely time outdoors with their community!
As we look ahead to the final weeks of the school year, we continue to be grateful for the trust and support of our families. Together, we look forward to more meaningful experiences and lasting memories.
With appreciation,
Ms. Rebeca and Ms. Carmen
COYOTE
Dear Coyote Parents and Families,
We stepped into April with one of the most anticipated experiences of the year, our Big Trip. It is always a joy to see the children in a new environment, where their independence and collaboration naturally come forward. Throughout our time away, I especially loved watching their enthusiasm during the science explorations, as well as the way they supported one another with kindness. These shared experiences help strengthen our community and create lasting memories.
Back in the classroom, our curiosity carried seamlessly into our study of space as we followed the Artemis II mission. The children were eager to learn about the Space Launch System, the purpose of the mission, and the astronauts preparing for this journey. This sparked thoughtful questions and inspired many to pursue independent research, deepening their understanding in meaningful and self-directed ways.
The classroom has also been full of new lessons and continued exploration. The children are taking great pride in their work and are excited for the opportunity to share their learning during Show Me Night. It has been especially rewarding to see their growing confidence as they take ownership of their learning.
As we move toward the close of the school year, it is truly special to reflect on how much the Coyotes classroom has grown. Each child has developed in their own unique way, and it is a privilege to witness their continued growth, both academically and personally, as they prepare to move forward in their elementary journey.
Warmly,
Ms. Samantha and Ms. Maria
Peek Inside Upper Elementary
FALCON
Dear Falcon Families,
It’s hard to believe we are entering our final month of school! Our classroom has been full of meaningful work, hands-on experiences, and exciting opportunities for students to apply all they’ve learned this year.
Math
Students are reviewing key concepts from across the year, with a strong focus on connecting their understanding from Montessori materials to clear, abstract representations on paper. This transition helps solidify their reasoning and prepares them for continued mathematical thinking and problem-solving.
Language
In Language, students are putting the finishing touches on their short stories. We are revisiting the 5 steps of the writing process—brainstorming, outlining, drafting, editing, and publishing—while strengthening topic and closing sentences to create more cohesive writing. Our spelling work is centered on homophones and homonyms, helping students build both accuracy and meaning in their written communication.
History & Literature
Our study of the American Revolutionary War continues, paired with our class novel Johnny Tremain. Students are making meaningful connections between historical events and the characters’ experiences, deepening their understanding of this important time in history.
Capstone Projects
Our sixth graders are actively preparing for their Capstone presentations. They are practicing their speaking skills and creating poster boards and models to support and enhance their presentations. We look forward to sharing their hard work soon!
Going Outs
We have several exciting outings that connect directly to our classroom studies:
A visit to Agritopia Farm, where students learned about food preservation. This experience will tie into a special project as we create handmade gifts for Mother’s and Father’s Day.
A trip with our fourth graders to Arizona Worm Farm to explore soil, composting, and sustainability.
Big Trip to Yosemite
Our Big Trip to Yosemite National Park was a huge success! Students did an incredible job applying their knowledge of plants, animals, and ecosystems in a real-world setting. It was wonderful to see their curiosity, independence, and teamwork shine throughout the experience.
Community Outreach
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our clothing drive—it was a tremendous success! Your generosity made a meaningful impact in our community.
As we head into the final weeks of school, we are excited to continue building on this momentum and celebrating all the growth your children have made this year.
Let’s make it a wonderful last month together!
Warmly,
Ms. Emily and Ms. Carla
ROADRUNNER
Dear Roadrunner Families,
It’s hard to believe how quickly the end of the year is approaching. Nonetheless, April has been a full and meaningful month in our classroom.
One of our highlights of the year was our much-anticipated trip to Yosemite. It was truly an unforgettable experience. The students were in awe of the natural beauty, the huge trees and impressive size of the sugar pinecones. The time spent together in such a unique environment created lasting memories. We only wish we could have stayed longer!
This month was also our return visit to Agritopia, where students continued their studies connected to Victory Gardens, U.S. history, and sustainable food practices. During this visit, children created seed bombs using cucumber seeds, harvested green onions (and brought bulbs home for replanting), and explored the farm more deeply. They learned how temperature impacts plant growth, particularly how peach trees require a certain number of cold days to produce fruit, which did not occur this year. Students also observed dill plants and even sampled popcorn flavored with dill! A special thank you to Ms. Gloria, a Michelin Star chef, who shared her expertise by guiding students in making pickled vegetable with a homemade brine and was kind enough to share the recipe with us. It was an exceptional hands-on learning experience that brought many of our lessons to life.
Back on campus, students worked diligently to complete their Art Walk projects. The final pieces were truly impressive, showcasing both creativity and depth of thought. It was heartwarming to see such a wide variety of artistic expression across the classroom. During the Art Walk, students also hosted a bake sale. While organizing the sale came with a few challenges, the students persevered and ultimately raised over $200, an accomplishment they were very proud of.
Our sixth graders have been especially focused this month as they prepare for their final Capstone presentations. They are refining their papers, organizing presentation notes, and adding thoughtful embellishments to share their learning next month.
In the classroom, our 4th and 5th grade students have been strengthening their writing skills through a focused review of text structures during writing workshop. In science, we began a hands-on project exploring plant biology by growing basil both from seeds and through propagation. In math, students continue to build fluency and work toward greater automation of foundational skills. Although we’ve had brief U.S. history lessons woven throughout the month, much of our time has been dedicated to these rich, end-of-year experiences and projects.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We are looking forward to finishing the year strong together.
Warmly,
Ms. Lauren and Ms. Juany
