Blog

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

What a joyful week we’ve had, full of preparation, anticipation, and celebration!

We wrapped up our lessons for the session and had our final Literature Circle before heading off on our two-week break, finishing up our assignments together. We baked four delicious loaves of banana and zucchini bread (with chocolate chips, of course!) for our December birthday breakfast on Wednesday, chosen by our birthday honorees. We worked hard to transform the Upper El/Middle School hallway into a gingerbread house, which our adorable toddlers and primary students especially enjoyed. We even found time for sledding, snowball fights, and building snowmen—all while getting ready for the Winter Showcase.

On Thursday, we celebrated with our holiday party in our PJs, exchanged “Secret Holiday Pudding” gifts, and watched Annie on the Promethean Board. To top it all off, our amazing students, led by the equally amazing Megan Kirk, delivered a stunning, emotional performance on Friday to send us off into winter break.

Thank you so much for the yummy treats you sent in for our party and for the thoughtful gifts you gave to Sara and me. I wish you a beautiful holiday season filled with love and peace!

See you in 2026!

Ms. Vicki’s Weekly update

Posted on by Vicki Downs

This week, our classroom was full of energy, movement, and joy! We made it a priority to get outside as much as possible, and when the weather didn’t cooperate, we happily used the gym to help everyone get their wiggles out.

In the gym and outdoors, the children enjoyed riding cars, jumping, climbing, and practicing throwing and kicking balls. These activities help build balance, coordination, and confidence while giving everyone a chance to move their bodies in fun and healthy ways.

Inside the classroom, we spent time reading books about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. The children loved listening to the stories, looking at the pictures, and learning that families celebrate in different ways.

We also enjoyed plenty of calm, focused activities throughout the week. The children painted, completed puzzles, built tall towers, and explored many other classroom materials. It was wonderful to see their creativity, concentration, and teamwork as they played and learned together.

It was a busy and exciting week filled with movement, learning, and creativity. Enjoy the pictures!

Reminders:

  • Thursday the 18th is pajamas and pancakes.
  • Friday the 19th is the Winter Showcase at 10:30. Toddlers do not participate in the show but we do attend. If you would like your child to sit with you please let me know. If you would like them to stay with the class, please stay out of sight so they aren’t upset during the concert. Dismissal is at 11:15.

Ms. Rhodora: Practical Skills and Winter Wonders

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

Last week, the children engaged deeply with new practical life activities designed to refine their movements and build concentration. The food preparation area continues to be a hub of activity, where children practice real-life skills with purpose and care. We introduced soap grating, where children carefully grate bars of soap into flakes, and suds whipping, where they transform those flakes into fluffy whipped soap. These activities not only develop fine motor control but also provide a sensory-rich experience that children find deeply satisfying.

The metal insets remain popular, allowing children to practice precise hand movements while creating beautiful geometric designs. Mirror polishing has also captured the children’s attention—they take great pride in seeing their reflections become clearer as they work. Eggshell pounding offers another way for children to refine their hand-eye coordination while experiencing the transformation of materials.

Understanding Animals in Winter

Alongside our practical life work, we have been studying how animals survive winter through hibernation, migration, and adaptation. This study connects beautifully to the seasonal changes the children observe outside our windows each day, making their learning immediate and relevant to their own experiences.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Invite your child to help with real kitchen tasks like grating cheese or whipping cream
  • Practice polishing skills at home with child-safe cleaners on mirrors, silverware, or shoes
  • Notice together how the winter weather affects the animals and plants in your neighborhood

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
This Week
Monday, December 15: Classroom Hanukkah Celebration
Thursday, December 18: Classroom Christmas Celebration
Friday, December 19: Winter Showcase* (Buses begin at 9:15 a.m., Concert begins 10:30am), Half-Day Dismissal for All Students 11:30am
* All Primary children participate in the Winter Showcase. Please check the dashboard for more information.

Winter Break
Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 2026

Mrs. Lopes: Learning How Our Bodies Work

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, the classroom was filled with curiosity as we continued our study of the human body. The children explored the fascinating functions of our organs and how each one plays a vital role in keeping us healthy and strong. We introduced a new body apron work where the children carefully matched each organ to its proper place on the body. This hands-on material allowed them to visualize where organs like the heart, lungs, and stomach are located while learning what each one does.

Our exploration naturally extended into discussions about nutrition and wellness. The children examined different food groups and engaged in thoughtful conversations about which foods help our bodies grow strong and which ones we should enjoy in moderation. They were particularly interested in making connections between the foods they eat and how those foods support the organs we’ve been studying.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Look at food labels together at the grocery store and talk about what makes food healthy
  • Create a simple drawing of the body and have your child place different colored stickers where they think organs might be located
  • During meals, discuss which foods help different parts of our body (carrots for eyes, milk for bones, etc.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
This Week
Tuesday, December 16: Classroom Hanukkah book reading 9:30 a.m.-Carina A., Hanukkah snack of latkes and applesauce provided by Katie R.
Thursday, December 18: Classroom Twas’ the Night Before Christmas book reading 9:30 a.m.-Courtney M.
Friday, December 19: Winter Showcase* (Buses begin at 9:15 a.m., Concert begins 10:30am), Half-Day Dismissal for All Students 11:30am
* All Primary children participate in the Winter Showcase. Please check the dashboard for more information.

Winter Break
Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 2026

Mrs. Sargeant: Journey to Antarctica

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week brought exciting new learning to our classroom as we embarked on a study of Antarctica, the frozen continent at the bottom of our world. The children explored different types of penguins and seals through books and photographs, learning about how these remarkable animals thrive in one of Earth’s harshest environments. We also discussed the scientists who travel to Antarctica to study this unique ecosystem, sparking conversations about exploration and discovery.

To support this cultural study, we introduced a large penguin floor puzzle that has quickly become a classroom favorite. The children work together to assemble it, developing both their problem-solving skills and their collaborative abilities. We also added cinnamon grating to the practical life area, which the children can then sprinkle onto the apples they cut—a sensory experience that brings warmth and comfort during our winter studies.

In our mathematics area, the children have been exploring geometry through hands-on materials. Using the Triangle Box, they discovered the names and properties of different triangles: equilateral (all sides equal), isosceles (two sides equal), and scalene (all sides different). They also worked with geometric solids, learning to identify and name three-dimensional shapes like the cube, sphere, cone, and rectangular prism.

Grace and Courtesy: Caring for Our Community

This time of year brings particular attention to health and hygiene practices. We have been encouraging the children to properly blow their noses and wash their hands thoroughly, and to catch their coughs in their elbows. When we notice a child needs to blow their nose, we guide them to the mirror where they can independently take care of themselves. This builds both self-awareness and confidence in managing their own health needs.

As a reminder, we kindly ask that children please leave all toys at home. This helps maintain our classroom community and ensures that children remain engaged with the rich Montessori materials available to them.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Look at a globe or map together and locate Antarctica—talk about what it means to be at the “bottom” of the world
  • Watch age-appropriate documentaries about penguins and polar animals
  • Practice identifying triangles in everyday objects around your home (sandwich halves, road signs, roof peaks)
  • Model and practice proper hygiene routines, making handwashing and nose-blowing part of your regular routine

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
This Week

Monday, December 15: Hanukkah Reading and Latke Tasting
Tuesday, December 16: Kaiya’s Half-Birthday Celebration
Wednesday, December 17: Maaz’s Half-Birthday Celebration
Thursday, December 18: Arrindell Christmas Reading
Friday, December 19: Winter Showcase* (Buses begin at 9:15 a.m., Concert begins 10:30am), Half-Day Dismissal for All Students 11:30am
* All Primary children participate in the Winter Showcase. Please check the dashboard for more information.

Winter Break
Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 2026

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

It was a busy and emotional week in Upper El.

Earlier in the week, the students decided to have a Secret Santa-style gift exchange. During our class meeting, they agreed to rename it “Secret Holiday Pudding” to make it more inclusive. Each student completed a questionnaire listing their favorites to help their secret person choose a thoughtful gift.

We also headed down to the edge of our property by the pond to do some archaeological work and retrieve some of the items from our history lesson a few weeks ago, when we studied artifacts left behind over time. The students learned about the different roles people have on a dig team and experienced how much care and patience the work requires. This coming week, they will look at some of the samples they collected under the microscope as our lessons continue.

On Thursday, the class spent the morning making 167 sandwiches. We pivoted a bit this week and chose to share the love closer to school, donating the sandwiches to the Newtown Senior Center. They will be delivered to members of our community who are in need and are unable to leave their homes for various reasons. Thank you to all who contributed ingredients, and to Michael and Priscila for volunteering their time to help us make sandwiches.

The end of our week started with a visit from our adorable book buddies, which always brings a lot of joy to the classroom. Then our middle school friends joined us as we said a sweet and tender goodbye to our little friend, Houdini, and laid him to rest in the woods behind the school. The students held that space with such care for one another.

We spent the rest of the day simply enjoying being together and decorating the hallway outside our classroom to transform it into a giant gingerbread house. The creativity, collaboration, and laughter were exactly what we needed.

I am continually inspired by the love and resilience of these beautiful humans I have the good fortune of working with every day.

Upcoming Dates and Information

  • Please check with your child each day to make sure they have a warm coat, hat, and mittens or gloves for daily outdoor play.
  • Wednesday, 12/17 at 8:30: December Birthday Breakfast for families of children with December birthdays
  • Thursday, 12/18: Class Holiday Party – Students can wear their pajamas and bring their gift for the Secret Pudding gift exchange.
  • Friday, 12/19 at 10:30: Winter Showcase and Early Dismissal

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

It was another fun week in Middle School as we decorated the MS hallway and rehearsed for the winter concert. Students can’t wait for you see it before the Winter Showcase on Friday! 8th-grade students collected and wrapped presents for the Holiday Gift Drive and worked on completing seed bombs, ornaments, and cutting boards for the Fraser WoodShop sale at the Winter Showcase.

Announcements:

  • Thursday, 12/18: Class Winter Party: Pajama Day, Secret Snowflake Gift Giving, and yummy treats!
  • **Please bring in the Secret Snowflake Gift wrapped by Thursday morning, 12/18!**
  • Friday, 12/19 @ 10:30 am: Winter Showcase & Fraser WoodShop Pop-up Shop (Park & grab the shuttle at Sand Hill Plaza!)
  • Check with your MS student(s) to make sure they have their refillable water bottle with them.
  • MS Flower Schedule

Humanities

This week, all Humanities classes worked on completing the plot line and scene summaries for this year’s Middle School play. Students also developed their own character ideas, writing about the type of character they would like to play, how they contribute to the plot, defining traits, and sample lines. So far, the show is coming together great! It will be exciting to finally write dialogue for the script next week.

Additionally, 6th and 7th-grade classes learned more about the Lost Boys from Sudan. They watched two short National Geographic videos documenting what it was like for those who traveled to America and then responded to questions about them. While giving them a different life path, students observed how they navigated such a drastic culture change.

The 8th grade finished reading their class novel, <em>If I Ever Get Out of Here</em>. The final week of reading was full of suspense and also tied up the many conflicts that arose in the story. In the end, the theme of friendship really shone through. Students had some deep discussions throughout this novel regarding Native American culture, racism, and defining true friendship.

Math

Pre-Transition: This week in Pre-Transition, students wrapped up Chapter 3. They completed the Chapter 3 Self-Test and spent time reviewing all key concepts before finishing the week with the Chapter 3 assessment.

Transition: Transition students kicked off the week with a fun Jeopardy-style review of Chapter 3 concepts. They then took the Chapter 3 assessment and ended the week beginning Chapter 5, “Patterns Leading to Addition and Subtraction.” Students practiced adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers.

Algebra: In Algebra, students began the week reviewing Chapter 3 and taking the Chapter 3 assessment. From there, they moved into Chapter 4, “More Linear Equations and Inequalities.” Students solved percent problems using equations and learned how to use graphs and tables to model real-world linear relationships.

Geometry: Geometry students started the week with the Chapter 3 quiz. They continued learning how to recognize and use algebraic postulates, justify conclusions involving angles and segments, and determine the measures of angles formed by parallel lines, perpendicular lines, and transversals.

Algebra II: In Algebra II, students began Chapter 3, “Linear Functions and Sequences.”  They learned to determine slope and intercepts from an equation and identify key properties of linear functions. Students also explored modeling linear combination situations and practiced graphing lines written in standard form.

Science

This week, 6th and 7th-grade students kept working on their unit, Combining and Separating Matter. This week, students supported their learning with class work, readings, and a laboratory session. In this laboratory, students had the chance to use their knowledge to separate a mixture of iron filings, salt, sand, and glass beads. They know a physical combination can be separated by different processes previously studied, such as magnetic force, sifting, filtration, decantation, and evaporation. They were able to separate each of the substances. Before any hands-on activity, students formulated the key questions, the hypothesis, and designed a plan to separate the given mixture. As a first step, they used a magnet to separate the iron filings, and the second step was sifting to separate the glass and plastic beads. The leftover mixture contained salt and sand. Knowing that salt is soluble in water, they decided to use water to dilute the salt and let the mixture settle. Decantation was the next step to separate the sand and the salty solution. They also used filtration to clean the solution and trap the suspended particles(sand) in the filter paper. Finally, they used evaporation to remove the water and get the salt in a solid state at the bottom of the beaker. They were very excited, and they enjoyed every step of the class.

Eighth graders this week learned more in detail about eukaryotic cells (animal and plant cells). They also learned how a group of cells forms tissues, a group of tissues forms organs, and a group of organs forms systems. The hands-on project of this chapter was to make a Cell Cake. Students were able to bake two cakes and decorate them, modeling eukaryotic cells: one of them as an Animal Cake and the other one as a Plant Cake. Eighth graders were very excited learning about the cells, structure, properties, and functions of each organelle that forms a cell. They started baking the cakes from scratch and decorated them with candy simulating each organelle that is part of the cell structure. Students made sure to label each part and explain their function in the life of the cell. At the end of the project, the eighth graders enjoyed eating the cakes that they had made.