Ms. Handibode: One Hundred Days Strong

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Last week was a big one! We celebrated the 100th day of school—a milestone the kindergarteners have been working toward since the very first day. From day one, they have been practicing counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s, and this week, all of that daily effort paid off in a big way. The children rotated through stations where they drew pictures of what they would want when they turn 100, imagined how they would spend $100, and dreamed up what they would wish for if they had 100 of something. They made 100th-day headbands, played Race to 100, completed 100 exercises, and challenged themselves to sit quietly for 100 full seconds. They even enjoyed a special 100th-day snack. It was a joyful, memorable afternoon, and none of it would have come together without the generous behind-the-scenes support of our parent volunteers—thank you!

We were also delighted to welcome Zion’s mom as a guest reader. She shared a wonderful book called Looking for Smile, and the children loved having a special visitor join us for story time. This tradition of parents and family members reading aloud to the class is one we treasure.

Our cultural study has taken us to Africa, the second-largest continent in the world. As we do with each continent, we first found Africa on the globe, then located it on the world map, and now we are diving into its geography, culture, weather, animals, and people. The children have been learning some truly remarkable facts: Africa is home to 54 countries and more than one thousand languages. The Nile, the world’s longest river, flows through it. The Sahara, the world’s largest desert, stretches across its northern region. Mount Kilimanjaro rises so high that glaciers form at its summit—even near the equator. Africa is also the only continent through which both the prime meridian and the equator pass. And of course, it is home to the world’s tallest animal, the giraffe, and the largest land animal, the African elephant.

Extending Learning at Home

Pull up a map or globe with your child and find Africa together. Ask them to point out the Nile River or the Sahara Desert, or see if they can tell you something that surprised them about the continent. You might also visit your local library for picture books about African animals, geography, or cultures—there is so much richness to explore.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 23
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers – Charley W.
  • Wednesday, February 25
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Katie D.
  • Thursday, February 26
    ⋅ Birthday Celebration – Charley W.

Next Week

  • Monday, March 2
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers – Olivia S.
  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Wednesday, March 4
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Kate B.
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.
    ⋅ Birthday Celebration, Olivia S.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.

Mrs. Lopes: Our Journey Through Asia Continues

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, our study of Asia came alive as we focused on China and discovered something fascinating: not every language is written the same way. While we use letters to represent sounds, Chinese uses symbols—characters—where each symbol represents an entire word or idea. The children were captivated by this concept, and it opened a wonderful conversation about how many different ways people communicate across the world.

To bring this discovery to life, we introduced a new work to our shelves: the Buddha Board. Children can practice writing Chinese characters using only water and a special brush—the marks appear as they write and then slowly fade, inviting them to try again and again. It is a beautiful exercise in focus, patience, and fine motor control, and the children have been drawn to it throughout the week.

We also explored the celebration of the Chinese New Year—its traditions, its colors, and its vibrant imagery. The children were then invited to channel their creativity by making dragon masks or lion dancer puppets. Both the dragon and the lion are symbols of good luck and strength in Chinese culture, and the children brought real care and artistry to their creations.

Last Tuesday, we celebrated the 100th day of school—a milestone the kindergarteners have been working toward since the very first day. From day one, they have been practicing counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s, and this week, all of that daily effort paid off in a big way. The children rotated through stations where they drew pictures of what they would want when they turn 100, imagined how they would spend $100, and dreamed up what they would wish for if they had 100 of something. They made 100th-day headbands, played Race to 100, completed 100 exercises, and challenged themselves to sit quietly for 100 full seconds. They even enjoyed a special 100th-day snack. It was a joyful, memorable afternoon, and none of it would have come together without the generous behind-the-scenes support of our parent volunteers—thank you!

Extending Learning at Home

Look up a few simple Chinese characters together with your child—start with ones that are meaningful to them, like the symbols for “sun,” “moon,” or “tree.” You might also explore images of Chinese New Year celebrations online and ask your child to share what they know about the dragon or lion dance. Even a short conversation about how other cultures celebrate the new year can deepen and extend what they are discovering in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Wednesday, February 25
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Petra H.
  • Friday, February 27
    ⋅ Love’s Half Birthday Celebration

Next Week

  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Wednesday, March 4
    ⋅ Hadley’s Half Birthday Celebration
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.

Mrs. Sargeant: A World of Learning

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

 

Last week was filled with celebration and discovery. The children were thrilled to exchange valentines with their classmates, and the pride on their faces as they delivered a card to each friend’s mailbox bag was truly special. Every child took the time to write their own name on their cards—a meaningful moment of independence that doubles as beautiful writing practice. It was grace and courtesy in action.

We also celebrated the 100th day of school. The kindergarteners have been counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s since the very first day, and that daily practice led to a full afternoon of 100-themed activities. They drew what they would want at age 100, imagined what they would buy with $100, and listed what they would wish they had 100 of. They played Race to 100, completed 100 exercises, and tested their patience sitting quietly for 100 seconds. It was a joyful milestone, and the children rose to every challenge.

Beyond the celebrations, the children have been deeply engaged in their work on the shelves. Many have been drawn to the 100 Board, using it to reinforce their growing number sense through hands-on practice. Others have been captivated by our study of Africa, working to learn the names of African countries and creating their own maps of the continent. We also spent time discussing the Lunar New Year and the traditions associated with this celebration, connecting our classroom to the wider world.

Extending Learning at Home

To extend our Africa study, find the continent together on a map or globe and see if your child can name any of the countries or share a fact that surprised them. For Lunar New Year, look up images of the celebrations together and talk about how different cultures around the world mark the new year. And if your child has been working with numbers at home, try counting collections of small objects by 5s or 10s—it reinforces exactly the kind of mathematical thinking we are building in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 23
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Hennessey
  • Tuesday, February 24
    ⋅ Celebrate Violet’s Half Birthday
  • Wednesday, February 25
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Forgione

Next Week

  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.

Ms. Marissa: Sink or Float?

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Last week was full of discovery! We kicked things off with a beloved classroom experiment: sink or float. The children were genuinely surprised by just how many objects sank and how few they could find that floated. What makes this experiment so special is that it isn’t just a quick demonstration — it requires the children to follow many steps from start to finish, building concentration, patience, and careful observation along the way.

The rainy weather kept us indoors more than usual, but that didn’t slow us down. When we couldn’t head outside, we made our way to the gym for movement time with hula hoops and balls. We also took full advantage of our Primary Open Space, which has quickly become a favorite. This space is rich with sensorial activities, gross motor opportunities, and even fort building with the nugget foam pieces. It has been a wonderful setting for practicing turn-taking and building community.
We were also happy to celebrate a half-birthday this week! If your child has a summer birthday, a half-birthday walk at school is a beautiful way to mark the occasion.

Extending Learning at Home

Try a sink or float experiment at your kitchen sink! Gather a mix of small household items — a coin, a sponge, a grape, a plastic spoon — and ask your child to predict before dropping each one in. Talk about what the items that float have in common. You may be just as surprised as we were!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

Next Week

  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.

Ms. Marissa: Celebrating Black History Month

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Last week, our morning circle time was dedicated to celebrating Black Americans in history. Throughout February, we’ve been learning about remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to our world. The children discussed Lonnie Johnson, Garrett Morgan, and Katherine Johnson, learning about their incredible achievements and innovations. The children were especially amazed by Lonnie Johnson’s Super Soaker invention! 

Valentine’s Day provided a wonderful opportunity to focus on friendship, grace and courtesy, and love for our families. The children made cards for one another, practiced noticing the kindness of others, and learned how to be extra special friends. This celebration beautifully reinforced the care and compassion we cultivate in our classroom community every day.

This time of year, we’re really seeing the mixed-age classroom thrive in beautiful ways. The kindergarteners have fully settled into their roles as classroom leaders—now in the final stretch of their Primary years. They model grace, courtesy, and mastery of materials for their younger friends. First-year children have developed so many skills, but still benefit from guidance from their older friends, who are always happy to step in and help. The second-year children have the best of both worlds! They know the lay of the land and are looking forward to their time as classroom role models next year. This dynamic creates a supportive, family-like environment where everyone has something to offer and something to learn.

After experiencing sub-zero temperatures, last week felt like spring! The children truly enjoyed getting outside, and the warmer weather has given us more opportunities to explore our beautiful campus and connect with nature.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kindergarten parents please look for a letter in Thursday’s take home folder, explaining the 100th day of School celebration.
We will be celebrating this big day on Tuesday, February 17th.

This Week

    • Monday, February 16
      ⋅ No School | President’s Day
    • Tuesday, February 17
      ⋅ Kindergarten 100th Day Celebration

Mrs. Sargeant: Exploring Africa and Discovering Rocks & Minerals

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week, we began our study of Africa, the second largest continent. The children gathered around our continent map with great interest as we discussed the remarkable features of this diverse landmass. We learned that Africa is home to 54 countries and that over one thousand languages are spoken by the people who live there. The children were fascinated to discover that the Nile, the longest river in the world, flows through Africa, and that the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, is located on this continent. We discussed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, and the children were amazed to learn that glaciers can be found at its summit even though the base is near the equator. We also talked about the incredible animals found in Africa, including the world’s tallest animal, the giraffe, and the largest land animal, the African elephant. Alongside our Africa study, the children have been exploring rocks and minerals. They’ve been using magnifying glasses to examine the specimens closely, studying their colors, textures, and unique characteristics.

There has been enthusiastic discussion about birthstones, with children looking through our reference book to find their own birthstones and those of their classmates. We’ve also witnessed beautiful connections across the curriculum this week. One child noticed that the squares from the bead cabinet are similar to the pink tower, demonstrating an understanding of geometric relationships. Another child enthusiastically interrupted a geometric solid lesson to point out that the knobless cylinders are cylinders as well—showing the joy of making mathematical discoveries! The orange juicing work has been particularly popular on our practical life shelves this week, with children developing their coordination and independence through this purposeful activity.

Extending Learning at Home

Take a nature walk with your child and look for interesting rocks and stones. Examine them together, noticing their colors, textures, and patterns. You might start a small rock collection at home, or use a magnifying glass to look at specimens more closely. If your family is traveling, please consider picking up a postcard for our classroom—we would love to build our geography collection with photos from around the world!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kindergarten parents please look for a letter in Thursday’s take home folder, explaining the 100th day of School celebration.We will be celebrating this big day on Tuesday, February 17th.

This Week

    • Monday, February 16
      ⋅ No School | President’s Day
    • Tuesday, February 17⋅
    • Sharing Bag, Flowers/Food – Arsalan
      ⋅ Kindergarten 100th Day celebration
    • Wednesday, February 18
      ⋅ Guest Reader – Dan D.
    • Thursday, February 19
      ⋅ Celebrate Rayna’s Half Birthday

Mrs. Lopes: Discovering Asia

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week marked the beginning of our exploration of Asia, the largest continent in the world. The children gathered around the continent map with curiosity, tracing their fingers along the vast landmass and identifying Asia’s unique shape and size.

Through our cultural studies, the children learned that Asia spans diverse climates and topographies—from the towering Himalayan mountains to tropical rainforests and vast deserts. We discussed the incredible variety of animals that call Asia home, including giant pandas, tigers, elephants, and snow leopards. The children were particularly fascinated by the unique landmarks and features of several Asian countries, sparking conversations about how people live in different parts of the world.

The new Asia lessons on our culture shelf have drawn significant interest. The children have been exploring these materials during their work periods, making connections between geography, biology, and cultural studies as they discover this remarkable continent.

Extending Learning at Home

Continue the conversation about Asia at home by looking at a world map or globe together. Ask your child to show you where Asia is located and share what they’ve learned about the continent. You might also explore Asian foods at your local grocery store or prepare a simple Asian-inspired meal together, discussing how food varies across different countries and cultures.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 16
    • No School | President’s Day
  • Tuesday, February 17
    • Kindergarten 100th Day of School Celebration
  • Wednesday, February 18
    • Guest Reader – Regine H.

Next Week

  • Wednesday, February 25
    • Guest Reader – Petra H.
  • Friday, February 27
    • Love’s Half Birthday Celebration

Ms. Handibode: What Love Means

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

We asked the children what love means. Their answers are sure to bring a smile to your face. In similar posts that we’ve done in the past, we always say the world would do well to listen to these children. It rings true with this post as well. We hope you enjoy their responses as much as we did!

Adeline: Love is giving hugs, kisses, and pictures to my family and friends.
Brooks: Love is Daddy going to work on Saturdays and nighttime.
Charlie D: Love is giving hugs to my Mommy and Daddy.
Charley W: Love is having calm days.
Connor: Love is giving presents to other people, even if it is gold.
Eloise: Love is giving cards to my uncle, especially Minnie Mouse cards.
Forrest: Love is giving people pictures.
Hannah: Love is when you give someone a piece of your heart.
Jasper: Love is being nice to everybody.
Jaxxon: Love is giving kisses to my Mommy and Daddy.
Johnny: Love is helping Mama and Papa.
Layla: Love is helping my little sister get her stuffed elephant up on the shelf.
Melia: Love is when Mommy reads books to me.
Mila: Love is playing with my sisters.
Morgan: Love is jumping on the trampoline with Dad.
Nitzan: Love is playing with your friends.
Olivia: Love is giving people presents.
Remi: Love is hugging my sister and my dog, Bodie.
Veda: Love is giving people care and helping them.
Wilder: Love is sharing all of your love with others.
Zaki:  Love is giving hugs and kisses.
Zion:  Love is giving people everything you have.

We were also delighted to have Morgan’s mom visit our classroom to read The Invisible String and There’s an Alligator Under My Bed. The children loved having a special guest reader, and these stories sparked wonderful conversations about love and family connections.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kindergarten parents please look for a letter in Thursday’s take home folder, explaining the 100th day of School celebration. We will be celebrating this big day on Tuesday, February 17th.

This Week

    • Monday, February 16
      ⋅ No School | President’s Day
    • Tuesday, February 17
      ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers – Veda N.
      ⋅ Kindergarten 100th Day of School Celebration
    • Wednesday, February 18
      ⋅ Guest Reader – Sasha J.

Next Week

    • Monday, February 23
      ⋅ Birthday Celebration, Sharing Box and Flowers, Charley W
    • Wednesday, February 25
      ⋅ Guest Reader – Katie D.