Garden Gazette December 15, 2023

Bulletin Board

Events, opportunities and resources for our Garden community.

In House Registration

January 2024

January is in-house priority enrollment for all current and alum families. If you have a student attending The Garden for the 2024-2025 school year, you can register them and hold their spot prior to our open enrollment in February.

Look for an enrollment message after we return from Winter Break.

Auction Kick-Off

Saturday, February 3
from 12-2 pm

at Mirrormont Country Club

 

The Mousehole

Okay, a little bragging before we get to a week recap…Wasn’t the Winter Celebration so fabulous?! The Garden staff absolutely thought that it was one of the best ever! We hope you enjoyed it as well. We loved that we could send home the children’s family gifts. Many of the staff members still have their kiddos’ family gifts from when they were at The Garden, or in Brook’s case, her own family gifts are still on her tree! We feel they are pretty special and hope you loved them as much as we did. We’d love to hear from you! Many thanks to you and your extended families for attending our Winter Celebration. What a great turnout and what a great community! – and don’t even get us started on all the cookies and treats, YUM! We especially love that the Cricket class had a cookie exchange the morning of the Winter Celebration and brought a tray of everyone’s cookies to share in the evening. Great idea! Hope you had a fun weekend and relaxed after a little bit of a late Friday night.

What a cozy last week of school we had for 2023. We started in pajamas and ended in pajamas! Monday morning was such a treat to have the Crickets start inside by the cozy fire. We continued with all the classes and made festive stamper books, designed our own snowmen, and made fun snowmen out of our playdough. All the classes enjoyed playing ‘jammie games’ and reading holiday stories. We played with our snugglies, had a few PJ dance parties and painted with silver and gold at the easel. We asked each of our friends at circle what their favorite part of the Winter Celebration was, and we cleaned out our cubbies for the end of 2023.

When we start 2024, we ask that you refresh your extra set of clothes for the kids’ cubbies. Lots of kiddos get new clothes over the break, so please make sure all of their layers are labelled with their name. We still have a few gloves, layers, hats, and sweatshirts in the lost and found (top shelf) section of the Lending Library. Check it out! There are also water bottles, toys, pacifiers, and other goodies in the top shelf. We’d love to have it empty!

Speaking of the Lending Library, did you all know that we have an amazing collection of board books and stories that you can peruse and take home. Our Lending library was built by an alum Garden Dad and dedicated in honor of a Garden Mum who lost her battle with cancer. We love our Lending Library. Please borrow, donate, or enjoy while you are here early for class.

January is the month that we typically celebrate our summer birthday kiddos with a half birthday circle. Make sure that you are on the calendar, and we will make sure that we celebrate with all of our kiddos.

We hope you had a lovely Hannukah, and we are looking forward to a beautiful Winter Solstice. For all of those that celebrate, we wish you a lovely Christmas, a glorious new year and can’t wait to see you in 2024.

From the Teachers: While learning the song “Peace like a River” for our Winter Celebration last week, we thought it would be fun to discuss Peace, Joy and Love with our Ladybugs. Peace and Joy seemed to be a little abstract for them, though some kids mentioned that their parents like peace and quiet. We talked about Joy being really really happy and Peace is when it is calm and quiet.

Arianna – Mama asks for peace. I love Olivia. I have peace at my home and at my school. I am really really really happy when I play with Olivia. 

Cambrie – I don’t giggle. Mommy doesn’t make me giggle, Beck doesn’t make me giggle, Ainsley doesn’t make me giggle and Daddy doesn’t make me giggle. Beck is walking now! 

Camden – Mario Brothers make me really really happy. I love Mario. I love Daddy and Mommy and my brothers and my Grandma. My blanket keeps me warm. 

Coco – I feel really really really happy when I hug. I have peace like a river. I love Grampa Davey because he makes me something to eat. I like it when it is really quiet, but I like it when it is loud AND quiet. Eddy makes all the noise at my house upstairs. I’m loud too sometimes. 

Elliana – Elliana loves playing with blocks. She builds really tall towers. 

Hudson –  I love Mommy and Daddy. 

Koa – I love my mommy because she is pretty cool. I like peace and quiet all day but especially at bedtime. We’re gonna really really really watch a movie about a snowman. That makes me giggle.

Lily – I love my dogs because they play with me a lot. I love my daddy and my mom because they read me stories. I don’t know when I like it to be nice and quiet

Madison – I feel really really really happy when I am with my mom. 

Quentin – I love Mommy because she makes me nuggets sometimes. I love Daddy too. I have a green blanket that makes me cozy and warm. Quentin is a crazy boy. That makes me really really laugh and be happy. 

Sana – My white blanket makes me feel calm and peaceful. I love Dad and I love my Mama. 

Sloane – I love Mommy and Daddy. I have a stuffed animal in my crib. That makes me feel calm. 

Wells – I love Mommy and Daddy. Jackie makes me laugh. 

 

Ainsley – 

What does Peace Mean? Love

When was a time you felt peace? When I play with mom and dad and sister and brother. 

What does Love mean? When someone is super nice.

When was a time you felt Love?All the time. I feel love for my mom and dad.

What does Joy Mean? I don’t know

When was a time you felt Joy? When I hug my mom and dad. 

 

Audrey – 

What does Peace mean?  When you have love.

When was a time you felt peace? When I go to the park with Buba.

What does Love mean? When you feel peace in your heart.

When was a time you felt Love?  When I play with Rylie and Tatum at school.

What does Joy Mean?  Feeling really happy.

When was a time you felt Joy?  When Im playing, I feel it in my heart. 

 

Bella – 

What does Peace Mean? (She signs peace) Its quiet and a good feeling. 

When was a time you felt peace? When mom is singing at my house. 

What does Love mean? Love is a heart.

When was a time you felt Love?  At night time. 

What does Joy Mean?  I don’t know… when dad says “I’m all done!”

When was a time you felt Joy?  When I snuggles Gigi and I thought she was mommy!

 

Claire –  

What does Peace Mean? Quiet

When was a time you felt peace? I play with Bella and Maddy so loud inside, but outside Maddy is quiet, and I feel peace with her. 

What does Love mean?  It means you are beautiful.

When was a time you felt Love? When Mommy is next to me.

What does Joy Mean? Happy and Love.

When was a time you felt Joy?  When I’m at a hotel with my family and it’s really cold and we try and make it warm by testing all the buttons!

 

Ellie – 

What does Peace Mean? Being happy.

When was a time you felt peace? Plying with mama, Chloe and Emma in the Living room

What does Love mean? To be happy.

When was a time you felt Love?  At quiet time in my room.

What does Joy Mean?  It means play!

When was a time you felt Joy?  When I’m playing with my family.

 

Johannes – 

What does Peace Mean? Being Quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? When Mommy says “I need PEACE!”

What does Love mean?  Feeling I have with mommy and at school.

When was a time you felt Love? When I go to school.

What does Joy mean? I make Joy!

When was a time you felt Joy? When I play cars with Mason.

 

Julius – 

What does Peace mean? It is a Hallelujah! Peace is Africa and the World!

When was a time you felt peace? When I went on the Starwars airplane.

What does Love mean? Love means you are done.

When was a time you felt Love? I felt it with mom, dad, my sister and Johannes, Rumi, Mason, Teacher Thea and Everyone!

What does Joy Mean?Joy is a cowboy who lives at a farm. 

When was a time you felt Joy? I’ve never seen him.

 

Korzen – 

What does Peace mean?  QUIET!

When was a time you felt peace? When Aba plays dodgeball with me. I also felt peace visiting Mimi and Mimi’s sister.

What does Love mean? Peace, it has to be quiet to feel love. 

When was a time you felt Love? When Aba is at my house.

What does Joy Mean?  I don’t know.

When was a time you felt Joy? I don’t know. 

 

Lowen – 

What does Peace mean?  A river.

When was a time you felt peace? No.

What does Love mean? Something you think.

When was a time you felt Love? On the tire swing Rumi says “ I love you” and that makes me feel really happy. 

What does Joy mean? I don’t know

When was a time you felt Joy?  No.

 

Maddy-

What does Peace Mean? Being super Quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? When I turned 4.

What does Love mean? When you love someone you hug them and tell them you love them.

When was a time you felt Love? When I hug my mommy

What does Joy Mean? When you Joy someone.

When was a time you felt Joy? When I was a baby I felt Joy.

 

Mason – What does Peace Mean? When my mommy and my daddy say “My Honey”. 

When was a time you felt peace?  Mommy and daddy like monster trucks too.

What does Love mean? Hearts

When was a time you felt Love?  When my mommy and daddy say it to me.

What does Joy Mean?  Happy.

When was a time you felt Joy? When I play with Mommy and Daddy

 

Maya – 

What does Peace mean? Peace means QUIET.

When was a time you felt peace?  Daddy says “Peace and Quiet”.

What does Love mean? Love means being quiet.

When was a time you felt Love? When I’m quiet.

What does Joy mean?  It means being happy.

When was a time you felt Joy?  When I’m eating breakfast!

 

Oliver – 

What does Peace Mean? Being Nice.

When was a time you felt peace? I think I felt peace when I was a ladybug but I don’t know when.

What does Love mean? Love means Peace!

When was a time you felt Love? When Mommy plays with me.

What does Joy mean? Mommy. Im not sure why. 

When was a time you felt Joy? When I do jokes with daddy. We do jokes together!

 

Orion – 

What does Peace mean? Up in the forest. 

When was a time you felt peace? When Mommy says its peaceful.

What does Love mean? I don’t know.

When was a time you felt Love? When Mommy kisses me.

What does Joy mean?  It means LOVE!

When was a time you felt Joy? When Mommy kisses me!






Rumi – 

What does Peace mean? Mommy talks about Peace in the world.

When was a time you felt peace?  I don’t know. I know peace but I don’t know how it goes.

What does Love mean?  Mom and Dad.

When was a time you felt Love?  At bedtime. 

What does Joy mean? I don’t know.

When was a time you felt Joy?  Playing with Lowen makes me really happy. 

 

Rylie – 

What does Peace Mean?  Peace means you are being trying.

When was a time you felt peace? No, never.

What does Love mean? When you like someone. When you really like someone!

When was a time you felt Love? I feel love inside my body when im playing with Ainsley!

What does Joy mean? Joy likes fountains because they have peace!

When was a time you felt Joy? When I’m around fountains I feel love and Joy!

 

Tatum – 

What does Peace mean? The Ocean!

When was a time you felt peace? Yes, a long time ago.

What does Love mean? Happy! Being Happy!

When was a time you felt Love? Yes, When I’m sleeping. When I dream of elephants!

What does Joy mean? When you feel mad!

When was a time you felt Joy? When I close my mouth.

Ada – 

What does Peace mean? Peace means little green things that you eat. 

When was a time you felt peace? When I play by myself and when I eat gingerbread.

What does Love mean? Love is my big sister

When was a time you felt Love?  When my sister is being nice to me.

What does Joy mean? It means happy. 

When was a time you felt Joy? When Im playing and bouncing.

 

Adrian – 

What does Peace mean? It means “Show me love”.

When was a time you felt peace? A lot of times, when I’m with my dad and mom. 

What does Love mean? Love means “like a lot”.

When was a time you felt Love?  A lot of times. 125 ways when im with dad.

What does Joy mean? Joy means fun and your laughing really hard. 

When was a time you felt Joy? When I was with my dad. 

 

Bear – 

What does Peace mean? Peace and Quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? With my mom and dad.

What does Love mean? It means “I love you.”

When was a time you felt Love?  I love my whole family.

What does Joy mean? Joy means very happy

When was a time you felt Joy? When Im with my brother, he makes me laugh a lot. He’s funny. 



Cali – 

What does Peace mean? It means being quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? When I eat ice cream I feel peaceful. 

What does Love mean? Love means smelling good and caring.

When was a time you felt Love?  I feel love at gymnastics and when I play with my family.

What does Joy mean? Joy means excited.

When was a time you felt Joy? When mom gives me presents. 

 

Charlotte – 

What does Peace mean? When someone is quiet..

When was a time you felt peace? In the morning when I wake up.

What does Love mean? It means my mom putting me to bed. Love means being happy.

When was a time you felt Love?  I feel love when my mom gives me hugs and kisses.

What does Joy mean? Joy means extra happy.

When was a time you felt Joy? When I went on a carousel ride. 

 

Cooper – 

What does Peace mean?  To be quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? I’ve never felt it.

What does Love mean?  I love you.

When was a time you felt Love? I love grandma, Grandpa Mitch, Mom, Dad and Calla.

What does Joy mean? Really really happy.

When was a time you felt Joy?  Mamma makes me really happy.

 

Dylan – 

What does Peace mean? Like a river.

When was a time you felt peace? Never. Actually, sometimes I feel calm, when Im in the car.

What does Love mean? It means I really love you.

When was a time you felt Love?  I love Mamma, my sister, my dad, my grandpa and my grandma.

What does Joy mean? Bubbly happy.

When was a time you felt Joy? When I play with Eddys cousin.

 

Eddy – 

What does Peace mean? Peace means being quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? I feel at peace when I take some space and stay calm and quiet.

What does Love mean? Love means snuggling and hugging.

When was a time you felt Love?  I feel loved when mom and dad hug me and when we have movie nights as a whole family.

What does Joy mean? Having happiness.

When was a time you felt Joy? I feel joy when I play wild.



Harper – 

What does Peace mean? When you feel calm.

When was a time you felt peace? I feel peace when Im playing in the rope on the in the kitchen and with Rylie. 

What does Love mean? Love is when someone fills your bucket. 

When was a time you felt Love?  When my family gives me hugs and kisses.

What does Joy mean? Joy means feeling good.

When was a time you felt Joy? When I go to the pool.

 

Jack – 

What does Peace mean? It means “Be quiet.”

When was a time you felt peace? When mommy lets me on my tablet and she is working.

What does Love mean? I love mommy and daddy. It means to be good.

When was a time you felt Love?  Last time when i was done with my rock study drawing, my daddy hugged me. 

What does Joy mean? Joy means on christmas we give.

When was a time you felt Joy? When my mommy gave me Cap’n Crunch in the morning. 



James – 

What does Peace mean? It means liking my mom.

When was a time you felt peace? I feel peace every day every minuet and every night.

What does Love mean? Love means being so happy you love everyone and everything.

When was a time you felt Love?  Every day and every night.

What does Joy mean? Joy means feeling really happy.

When was a time you felt Joy? Every day and every night!



Liam – 

What does Peace mean? When you ask me this question it just makes me go back to the start, and then I think about the start again. 

When was a time you felt peace? I don’t.

What does Love mean? I do not know what you are talking about.

When was a time you felt Love?  Collapses dramatically on the ground.

What does Joy mean? I do not know what you are talking about.

When was a time you felt Joy?  I said, I don’t know what you are talking about!

 

Maverick – 

What does Peace mean? Peace is when it’s stormy.

When was a time you felt peace? I feel peace when I’m playing.

What does Love mean? Love is in my heart and it feels good.

When was a time you felt Love?  I feel loved by me every day.

What does Joy mean? Joy means feeling good.

When was a time you felt Joy? I feel joy when i get screen time in the afternoon. 

 

Mira – 

What does Peace mean? Peace means being quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? I feel at peace watching a show because I’m quiet and focusing. 

What does Love mean? Love means getting hugs.

When was a time you felt Love?  When my mom hugs me. 

What does Joy mean? Joy means excited.

When was a time you felt Joy? I feel joy when I start something new, like the thankful turkeys. 

 

Olivia – 

What does Peace mean? Peace means quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? 

At night when I lay in bed with Pop and Lily.

What does Love mean? When you love someone it means you love them so much.

When was a time you felt Love?  When mama and Papa kiss me to bed.

What does Joy mean? Joy means happy.

When was a time you felt Joy? When I take car rides.

 

Scout – 

What does Peace mean? It means quiet.

When was a time you felt peace? When I was in my bed.

What does Love mean? I think it means happy. 

When was a time you felt Love?  When mommy says “you get gummies”

What does Joy mean? Joy means loving.

When was a time you felt Joy? When my dad took me to the office.

 

Tillson – 

What does Peace mean? Peace means Joy.

When was a time you felt peace? I feel peace when I get to be alone.

What does Love mean? Love means when people really like you.

When was a time you felt Love?  I feel love when my mom says “you’re the best kid!”

What does Joy mean? Joy means being really nice.

When was a time you felt Joy? I feel joy when my sister says “I want to play with you forever and ever!”

Winter Celebration

Ladybugs

Crickets

Honeybees

Gratitude Corner

Heart Icolated

Thank you to our families and extended families and friends who attended our Winter Celebration. We are so blessed to have such an ever-growing Garden Community. We loved looking out to the audience and seeing that our students are so loved that we don’t have enough chairs to hold all those that love them!

Thank you to all of you who gave the staff an extra hug, an extra wink, a little gift, an amazing experience or meal, or contributed to a classroom gift. Thank you so much. We feel so appreciated and feel all your love. We send it all right back atcha! Many of the staff members get choked up when we are trying to say “thank you”, and we all try to figure out why that is. We LOVE our jobs. We LOVE your kiddos, and we LOVE our families. We LOVE our program. When you guys are so generous and gift us such amazing and memorable gifts, it moves us that you also see us and see the value of our program. We love and appreciate you dearly. Thank you.

Our Fundraising Committee has been talking about how wonderful our community has been in giving to The Garden and we’ve been planning our auction kick off in 2024. We are so appreciative of how involved and generous our community has been in contributing to our Belleamie’s Birthday Gifts Campaign, our Front Row Seat Raffle, and our “Movie Night at Teacher Donna’s”. Thank you immensely. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Holiday Nights at Teacher Donna's

~ Office Notes~

Directory

In-house priori

Stop by the office to get your 2023-2024 Garden Directory!

Calendar

Please mark your calendar with these important dates.

December
December 18-January 1: Winter Break

January
January 2: First day back from Winter Break
January 15: no school for Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance
January 19: 12:30pm Open House for new families interested in enrollment

February
February 3: Auction Kick-Off 
January 15: no school for Martin Luther King Jr.

Gazebo

Daily Class Schedule

Ladybugs
Tuesday and Thursday  8:15 – 10:45 am

Crickets
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:15 – 11:15 am

Honeybees
Monday-Thursday 12:15 – 3:15 pm

~ Poems~

Sunshine

School Poems

Part of our daily routine at The Garden is singing or saying a few of our traditional poems.

Find a printable version to our Closing Circle Song, and the poem “We Light This Candle” at the following links.