Hemlock Class
Welcome to the final newsletter of this year. December is a wonderful and joyous season, filled with opportunities for celebration and happiness. It is truly a time to be jolly and merrier. Although December often feels like a short month, it is also one of the busiest, bustling with activities and events. As the air outside grows colder and brisker, we find warmth and laughter inside together, cherishing the moments we share.
We began the month with our beautiful Christmas tree sparkled with twinkling lights. Children were busy making Christmas tree ornaments with teachers which decorated our Christmas tree. Children made this season gift and wrapped it carefully and couldn’t wait to give it to you. All these ornaments and gifts made our spirits bright and shiny.
Our circles were filled with holiday traditions. We talked about St. Nicholas, the German tradition of shoe polishing, filled with nuts, oranges, apples, and nuts. Children tasted “Lebkuchen” cookies. The Advent wreath explanation, why 4 candles, meaning behind them. We talked about why wreaths are circles and we use evergreen leaves in them. The tradition behind the star, Nativity story, Christmas tree, Angels and Bells. We talked about how Sinterklass changed into Santa Claus and the story behind the stockings and why nut crackers were invented and how they were used in olden and modern days. We are excited to know that Christmas tradition is celebrated around the world by reading books. We talked about Reindeer or Caribou, one of the Christmas traditions, Rudolph the Red nose reindeer and its habitant. Children enjoyed singing Jingle bells, Rudolph, frosty the snowman, we wish you merry Christmas.
We learned about Hanukkah traditions, including the eight-candle Menorah and dreidel activities. We also explored Kwanzaa, discussed its significance in African American culture, learned about the mkeka mat, and read books on both holidays.
Book exchange is our favorite tradition among children. Thank you to all parents who sent books to make this event memorable and enjoyable. We hope the children enjoy their new books during this break, and we especially appreciate those who contributed extra.
On our last day, the children enjoyed Christmas songs and made Christmas trees and Hanukkah candle art. The party was lively, and they had fun creating their own edible Christmas trees with pretzels, apples, cranberries, cheese, and apple juice.
Azalina celebrated her 5th birthday! Happy birthday to her.
December was full of activities, and the children enjoyed making ornaments and gifts. We hope you like them and wish you a safe, enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to seeing you and your children in New Year 2026!
“We give the child nourishing food so that his his/her little body may grow, and in just the same way we must provide him/her with suitable nourishment for his mental and moral growth. Just as we cannot directly help his/her body to grow manhood or womanhood, so we cannot form his/her mind or character for him/her. “
——————-Dr. Maria Montessori
Buckeye Class
December was a busy and festive month in the Buckeye classroom! We began the month by putting up our Christmas tree, adorned with twinkling lights. This set the tone for our focus on light—a central theme of many holidays celebrated during this time of year. The children learned why lights, particularly candles, play such a meaningful role during the darkest month of the year, and we briefly discussed the winter solstice.
In the first week, the children enjoyed making little shoes out of toilet rolls, which they placed under the tree in hopes that Saint Nicholas would leave them a treat (which he did!). Mrs. Ross shared how this tradition is celebrated in her home country, the Netherlands, every year on December 6th. The second and third weeks, we first learned about “Christmas around the world”, and about Hanukkah. A big thank-you goes out to Alexander and Kristi Zevin, Maggie’s parents, for joining one of our circle times and sharing about the celebration of Hanukkah. The children learned that a long time ago, the Jewish people found a tiny bit of oil to light their temple lamp, which only should have lasted one night. It stayed lit for eight days and that’s why people celebrate for eight days by lighting one candle each night of Hanukkah and remembering that even small lights can do big things.
The children had a fantastic time creating crafts with holidays as a theme, and were able to make several tree ornaments and collages. There also were materials on the shelves for the children to explore the parts of a reindeer (and other animals), and learn about the Christmas story by using three-part-cards and creating booklets. You might have seen some of these booklets with red striping come home. A favorite was the “baby Jesus” work – a nativity scene with small figurines.
Of course, December would not be complete without holiday music! The children enthusiastically sang holiday classics like Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. As always, a highlight this month was our book exchange. Thank you all for bringing in books to make this possible! Hopefully, your child came home with a new book they will enjoy reading over the winter break.
On the last day before break, the children celebrated with our much-anticipated pajama day. They sipped warm cocoa, and snacked on popcorn while watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In the afternoon they enjoyed a cookie Ms. Samantha had made with them the previous day. December was a joyful and activity-filled month, and we hope you enjoyed the holiday gift the children created for you together with Ms. Ekström!
We wish you all happy holidays, a relaxing winter break filled with family fun, and a wonderful start to 2026!