Dear Parents,
Here we are again, at the close of the year. Long nights, twinkling lights, and the cold winds. I sit here in the early morning hours, a candle lit, sipping a mug of coffee and eggnog, and my thoughts naturally drift to the children. A serene scene it would be, except I keep giggling with mirth-filled memories of the past month. Can’t help it. One cannot write something meaningful about gratitude and peace while chuckling, so I will instead just share love and joy. My heart is full.
While you sip your coffee, you may also have joy as you peruse there photos from the beautiful Santa Lucia celebration. Thank you, Essi and Heather.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- School Resumes Mon, January 9
- ‘Screenagers’ showing, Thur, Jan 19, 7:00 pm. This is a very interesting film about raising the modern child who is growing up around so many screens. Highly recommended. Reserve tickets here.
- Experience UP, Sat, Jan 28. This is your chance to be an Urban Prairie student for a morning. Click here to select classes before they fill up.
- Second Grade Parent Evening, Tues, January 31, 7:00-9:00 pm. Put this in your calendars now! Among other things, we will be talking about the second grade assessment process.
CLASSROOM HIGHLIGHTS
Our long bunny story came to a close on Wednesday. I may bring it back later in the year, but for now it will rest. At lunch I recited “A Visit from St Nicholas” (a.k.a. Twas the Night Before Christmas), and at the end of the day, right before dismissal, I told them the story of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. I told it last year, and I believe I will make a tradition of it. At first they were all quietly (or not so quietly) posturing because they wanted me to see they remembered the story, but then they settled back and just enjoyed it.
Between the month-long bunny story and the experience telling Hershel, I’ve been reminded of the great power of story. As I tell a tale, it feels like I’m giving a precious gift. That gift unfolds differently for every child, immediately and over time. Regardless, there is always a moment while I’m telling when we are all living into the imagination of the story itself, and the emotions evoked wash over us. There is something pure then, the closest I come to experiencing grace, and we get to have it almost every day.
Best,
Hannah