February 2023
Peek Inside Lower Elementary
BLACK BEAR
Dear Families,
It is so exciting to be back! I would like to start thanking all of our community for the patience and support offered during this time. I am happy to see how well the children have connected to Ms. Mary and how smooth the transition has been.
A new semester is well underway with research projects, lessons and nature walks in preparation of our Big Trip that continue to be part of the children’s day. In addition, the preparations for our sleepover will begin soon, with the children being part of the planning and executing.
Please keep an eye for communication about the up coming sleepover! We are looking forward to hard work, much learning and lots of fun!
Thank you for your commitment and trust!
Warmly,
Ms. Rebeca and Ms. Carmen
COYOTE
Coming soon!
Peek Inside Upper Elementary
FALCON
Dear Falcon Parents,
February has been a month filled with work and fun activities for the children!
The upper elementary students have started preparing for the sleepover and are almost ready for it to be a success. We are really focusing on creating a tight-knit upper elementary community where cooperation, acceptance, and respect are shared by the children regardless of being in the Falcon or Roadrunner classroom.
Some of the highlights this month include: a very successful volunteer day at Feed My Starving Children; a packed house for the children-led musical, The Greatest Showman; the children in their last year of elementary doing shadow days at Creo Farm; and getting through testing week.
In the classroom the work continues and we look forward to all that the children will accomplish in the upcoming months.
Kindly,
Ximena and Carla
ROADRUNNER
Dear Roadrunner families,
February has come and gone quicker than we were prepared for. The classroom was in disbelief during our busy week of testing knowing that there are only three months left in our time together this school year! Although the first day of school feels so far away, it seems as if our time together has been so short. This month has been busy with play rehearsals, testing preparations, sleepover planning, and the everyday practice of lessons and researches. Earlier in the month, the children researched native plants to Arizona to prepare for our nature walk that was to take place at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Then, they created models to present to the group, which led to an exploration in technology. One student brought in his 3-D printer from home to try and create the model of his plant. Although printing the plant model was unsuccessful, it was still fascinating to watch as he gave explanations and demonstrations to his peers. Once we were at the Arboretum, the children did not want to leave. They loved the scenery, the hiking and most of all experiencing a new place with their peers. I aim to provide more hiking opportunities soon to help children feel more connected with nature and each other. We recently started looking into the anatomy of vertebrates. Most of the class attended a fish dissection lesson in which we talked about the design and functions of a fish’s body. While the experience brought in awareness and awe of a creature many children have experience eating, it was also another opportunity for children to bond in a new experience.
“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony, and the beauty in nature.”
-Maria Montessori
As always, thank you for your trust and support, and most of all the wonderful beings we get to share our days with.
Graciously,
Ms. Lauren and Ms. Juany
