Engaging Literacy
At this stage of development, our Early Learners are acquiring foundational skills that will become the bedrock of their academic experiences. For this reason, you’ll often find Collage staff using hands-on “games” and activities to teach letters and letter sounds. Without question, children try harder and perform better when their learning experience is fun and pressure-free.
Holiday Projects
While we place a premium on academics and skill development, we also enjoy taking time to allow our students to enjoy seasons and holidays by being creative and making things. Celebrating seasonal and cultural holidays from around the world allows our students to gain exposure to diversity and appreciate new ideas from people and places they may never have seen before.
Large Group Involvement
Keeping children interested and invested in their own learning is a core facet of our educators’ responsibilities. As days turn to weeks, our staff continue to find new ways to keep children feeling excited about learning, including intentionally spending time grouping the entire class together for shared experiences.
Good Reading Habits
With our IRLA reading program, children are given opportunities to work on specific reading goals, read books targeted for their individual level, and conference with their teacher about their reading progress. This program not only helps children develop healthy reading habits, but structures their lessons in such a way as to guide their growth while maintaining their positivity and confidence.
December 18th: Spirit Week Begins
18th: Ugly Sweater Day
19th: Holiday Pajama Day
20th: Holiday Colors (Red/Green, Blue/White)
21st: Favorite Holiday Character
22nd: Optional Care Day (Elementary students not on-site)
IT'S HERE!
December 11th-15th
Collage’s Book Fair is a great chance to encourage your children to continue to dive into their love of reading. A wide selection of exciting books is now available at our book fair, and students and families are welcome to walk through and peruse the selection.
Below is a link to a webpage for details about the Fair:
Curriculum Corner: Curriculum Night
We look forward to seeing everyone at Curriculum Night this Friday! We are excited to showcase our curriculum and the progress our students have made this school year. Teachers will pass out activities for you and your child to do at home to reinforce skills taught at school, along with our Winter Reading Challenge. Students who complete 10 squares on the challenge will earn a prize from Mrs. Danielle! Also, Science Fair projects will be on display in the hallway! In addition, the Book Fair will still be open for you to purchase books. Your child’s teacher has created a wish list of books they would like for their classroom, which would make a great Christmas gift! Be sure to bring your appetite because we will have food trucks and Aloha Sweets on site! Below are the times for curriculum night:
4:00-5:30- Curriculum Showcase in Classrooms
5:00-7:00- Science Fair Night
5:00-7:00- Food Trucks Available – To Be Frank, Coffee Peddler (with Hot Cocoa) and desserts, and Aloha Sweets
4:00-7:00 Scholastic Book Fair Open
Holiday Habits
Here are some fun and interesting health-related holiday facts:
Holiday Calories:
· The average person may consume thousands of extra calories during the holiday season, often attributed to festive meals, snacks, and treats.
Holiday Stress:
· While the holidays are meant to be joyful, they can also be stressful for many. Managing stress is crucial for overall health during this time.
Peppermint’s Impact:
· Peppermint isn’t just a tasty holiday flavor- it’s also known for its potential health benefits, including aiding digestion and reducing stress.
Holiday Spices:
· Many holiday spices, such as cinnamon and cloves, not only add flavor to dishes but also have potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties.
Winter Vitamin D:
· With less sunlight during the winter months, people may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Consider getting vitamin D from dietary sources or supplements.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
· Some people may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder during the winter months, a type of depression linked to changes in seasons and reduced exposure to sunlight.
Hanukkah Health Traditions:
· In Jewish tradition, the fried foods commonly eaten during Hanukkah, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), symbolize the miracle of the oil in the Hanukkah story.
Hydration Challenges:
· Cold weather can sometimes lead to decreased water intake. Staying hydrated is important for overall health, even in colder months.
Remember that moderation is key during the holiday season, and incorporating healthy habits into festivities can contribute to a more balanced and enjoyable experience.
IMPORTANT DATES and REMINDERS
12/15: Science Fair + Curriculum Night (5-7pm)
12/18: Spirit Week Begins
12/22: Winter Break Begins (school closed for Elementary, ELC on-site, optional care for 3s and 4s)
