“This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year’s threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath.” -Margaret Atwood

Upper elementary students had an exciting week as they prepared for the Winter Concert. They worked incredibly hard and showed great enthusiasm during our practices and the performance as we welcomed families and friends to celebrate the holidays with us.

We want to thank everyone who contributed treats to our class party and for your incredibly generous and lovely gifts. We greatly appreciate your support throughout the year. A special thank you goes to the McCann family for caring for our class guinea pigs over the break!

It is no coincidence that we have such an amazing group of students, thanks to their wonderful families. We feel very fortunate to guide these remarkable individuals, and we are grateful to you for trusting us with their care.

Wishing you joyful and peaceful holidays filled with love,

Karen and Sara

And so the Shortest Day came and the year died

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive.

And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing behind us—listen!

All the long echoes, sing the same delight,

This Shortest Day,

As promise wakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, feast, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.

And now so do we, here, now,

This year and every year.

Welcome, Yule!

-Susan Cooper