2023-2024 Session 3 Newsletter

Happy Holidays from Acton Academy East Bay! We have truly enjoyed the holiday festivities here, and our Eagles had a wonderful Session 3 filled with personal artistic discovery and winter celebration. Though the session was brief, lasting just three weeks, the Eagles made the most of every day, working hard to accomplish their goals.

Throughout the session, our Eagles expanded their self-awareness, creativity, compassion, and communication skills. In Quest, they learned about healthy micro-habits of happy and productive people, and their critical reading and thinking skills were strengthened during their writing periods. The Giving Back project, the No-Sew Blankets and Coat Drive, added a meaningful message of sharing, kindness, and community to this short session.

We look forward to sharing what we've been learning during these past three weeks in Session 3. Happy Winter, and Happy Holidays!

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Sparks Elementary   Middle

Sparks

Student Newsletter Session 3

November 27th - December 15th, 2023

Morning Launches

Morning launches are a great opportunity to have discussions about the best ways to behave and learn the reasons we need to behave in a certain way and how good it is to practice this behavior more often. In these three weeks of session 3, we focused on one thing, the importance of helping others, how this positive attitude affects us, and the wonderful joy that follows our action.  We also discussed various possible ways we could help others such as donating money, time, and effort. In addition, we looked at the great impact we could make on others.

Matteo, “ I love morning circle time “

Work Time

During our daily 2-hour work cycle, our Eagles focus on the fundamentals of Math and Reading.  Their work plans were individually designed for each learner and helped them set expectations and the pace for the week.  For example, in math, some work on 3-digit divisions, as others work on 1-digit addition and subtractions. Each enjoys their own level of learning and is inspired by others to work hard and achieve more. 

Using progressive Montessori materials and pen-to-paper practice, these distinctive hands-on learning materials that we introduce sequentially according to each Eagle’s developmental needs, help improve their focus and foster their love of learning. 

Mustafa, “ I can do Math all day”

Pax, “ I am so good at Math “

Discovery Time

For our three-week Session, we focused on learning about some December Holidays. Eagles were introduced to five Holidays. Going with the calendar we started with Hanukkah, St. Lucia’s, Yalda, Christmas, and Kwanza. They learned how different people celebrate and the traditions, important icons, food, religious aspects, and origins of each holiday.  Many Eagles were introduced to celebrations and traditions they had never heard of and even explored how one holiday can be celebrated so differently around the world.

Writing

In Writing, Eagles practiced Descriptive writing every day. The idea is to give them a chance to hone their writing skills by way of description. It is also a great chance for our Eagles to use their creative skills. They practiced how to write in a more vivid way to be able to paint an image for the reader. They were also introduced to letter writing. They wrote letters to family and friends and some wrote to Santa. 

Geography

Sparks Eagles are becoming increasingly interested in Geography. They love learning from maps and enthusiastically anticipate their next discovery. In Session 3, we learned about the Arctic Region. They learned a lot during this short time. They learned about the countries, temperatures, animals, survival methods and adaptations. They were also introduced to the Arctic indigenous peoples “The Inuits.”

They were so excited about all the information that they decided to create a Kahoot quiz to present to their parents.

Art

Learning about the Holidays was very enjoyable for our Eagles. For each Holiday, they made a piece of art that symbolized that holiday. They colored, crafted, decorated and painted with water paints. 

Reeva said, “I love all the art we made”

Music

The Eagles spent Session 3 preparing for their winter music concert which they presented during the Exhibition. They focused on Christmas songs that they are used to hearing during the season. Accompanied by Ms. Prezleigh’s guitar, Eagles sang three songs: Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. 

Field Trip - Tri-Valley Ice Skating

Our Eagles look forward to every field trip each session and this one was no exception. Getting the opportunity to enjoy quality time outside of the studio, engaging in new experiences, and making fun memories together is an important core value in their educational journey.

With laughter, nervousness, bravery, and triumph, our Eagles had an unforgettable time ice skating at Tri-Valley Ice in Dublin.

Spirit Week

It was the last week of the Session. Acton Eagles enjoyed wearing their outfits according to the day. There was Pajama Day and Ugly Sweater Day. On Santa’s Workshop and Winter Wonderland Day, they dressed up as characters like elves, reindeers, Santa Claus and the Grinch.

The last day of school was a joyfully special day for all. They had several exhilarating games and collaborative activities, bonding, baking, dancing, and having a feast together.  Our parent representatives prepared engaging fun activities. Their help and participation brought the community closer together and added a special touch to our festivities.

Our learners especially enjoyed their Secret Santa gift exchange studio-wide as it expanded the bonding experience and brought them all closer together.  It was heartwarming to see the excitement they had while opening their presents and how grateful they were for each other. It was a truly festive week.

Exhibition

Session 3 Exhibition showcased their achievements and efforts in all aspects of their education from arts to writing. Eagles brought a winter concert to the stage with seasonal songs and cheer. Guests were delighted to see the growth and joy in their Eagles, and the Eagles were proud to showcase their development as they sang beautifully together. They were proudly sharing with their parents all they have learned throughout the session. They closed out their exhibition by proudly accepting the badges they worked hard for over the past three weeks.

Community Service

Each year, Acton East Bay takes part in community service projects to instill generosity, service, responsibility, and community. This year, we made No Sew Blankets and hosted a winter clothing drive to help our community members stay warm. The No Sew Blankets project required our learners to measure and cut fabric, and tie two fleece blankets together one knot at a time.  

The activity brought all the studios together with peers sitting around each blanket and happily tying the knots together. After completing each blanket, Eagles were excited to track their progress by putting a star on the Board and placing them on a pile of completed blankets. We are thrilled to share that we exceeded our original goal of 50 blankets. 

For the warm clothing drive, our community donated numerous new and gently used coats, jackets, hats, sweaters, and socks. 

We are proud that both service projects gave each Eagle a chance to reflect on the many characteristics of a Hero

Closing

Session 3 was a fun-filled session with incredible opportunities for Eagles to learn, engage, reflect, and give back. 

We are very thankful to our dedicated Eagles, families, Guides, staff, and community for the continued support and extraordinary commitment to Acton Academy East Bay.

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a restful winter break. We look forward to reuniting with you all in 2024!

Elementary Studio

Student Newsletter Session 3

November 27th - December 15th, 2023

Mindfulness Quest

This Quest is a combination of artistic and mindful activities that aim to pave the way for self-discovery, self-reflection, creativity, inner happiness and peace, and clarity in conversations. They started every Quest with a short 10-minute guided meditation. Eagles found the practice challenging in the beginning; they struggled with maintaining a good posture and following the instructions. However, they showed tremendous improvement after two weeks of consistent practice. Many reported back with positive results, such as the improvement in their focus, deeper thought processes, and a profound sense of appreciation for their lives.

Eagles were also given different journal prompts, including gratitude listing and stream-of-consciousness writing. Their prompts helped foster their self-awareness and inner peace because they asked them to reflect on their lives. Eagles were delighted with the richness within themselves. They also played multiple communication games, such as tell and draw, group storytelling, and discussion. The purpose of these games was for the Eagles to slow down before their responses and truly listen to what the other person was sharing with them.

Each Quest ended with a DIY activity that gave the ES Studio a safe space for both self-reflection and self-expression. They created greeting cards for their friends and family, made ornaments from paper or yarn, and expressed themselves through drawing and coloring. They also made a little village out of clay. A lot of them faced numerous obstacles with each medium, yet they managed to work their way through the problems and completed their projects.

This Quest ended with tremendous fulfillment and fun. We are looking forward to more exciting adventures in Quest in session 4!

Writers Workshop

Acton Elementary held a critical reading unit during the Writers Workshop hours. As a studio, we shared some readings on moral dilemmas and ethical issues and put them to discussion and deliberation. The objective was to promote critical thinking and encourage our learners to examine an issue from various perspectives and apply their understanding to personal experiences. Following our group reading and discussions, individuals would proceed to independently write articles

“The relationship between freedom and responsibility is strong. In our school, for example, we can sit basically anywhere we want and I feel like, but we also have a lot of responsibility. We have to save our freedoms. But I like responsibility because it makes me feel free. This is because I work hard and when I get my freedom, I value it.” - Cameron, 10

“Some psychologists think that revenge can extend the pain of the first annoyance. This means to me that even if someone hurts you, you don’t really have to hurt them back because this cycle may never end.” - David, 10

“If doctors are not ethical, they just do everything wrong. They might do something dangerous. They can hurt somebody really badly. I would never trust doctors this way. If you don’t trust doctors, everybody gets sick and they have nothing to do about it. Even medicine will be dangerous because doctors are not ethical anymore.” - Kara, 8

Community Service Projects

Each year, Acton East Bay takes part in community service projects to instill generosity, service, responsibility, and community. This year, we made No Sew Blankets and hosted a winter clothing drive to help our community members stay warm. 

Special thanks to our amazing families for their generous donations for the purchase of blanket supplies and materials. The No Sew Blankets project required our learners to measure and cut fabric and tie two fleece blankets together one knot at a time.

This activity brought all the studios together with peers sitting around each blanket and happily tying the knots. After completing each blanket, the Eagles were excited to track their progress by putting a star on a Board and placing them on a pile of completed blankets. We are thrilled to share that we exceeded our original goal of 50 blankets.

For the warm clothing drive, our community donated numerous new and gently used coats, jackets, hats, sweaters, gloves, and socks. 

In addition to the positivity our Eagles aimed to spread, both of these service projects opened up a variety of discussions about friendship, the importance of giving back, the characteristics of a Hero, and much more. These discussions proved to be an impactful aspect of our giving-back project, encouraging the Eagles to continuously reflect and discuss their experiences.

Field Trip and Festivities

Our Eagles look forward to every field trip each session and this one was no exception. Getting the opportunity to enjoy quality time outside of the studio, engaging in new experiences, and making fun memories together is an important core value in their educational journey.

With laughter, nervousness, bravery, and triumph, our Eagles had an unforgettable time ice skating at Tri-Valley Ice in Dublin.

The last week of this session was joyfully special for all studios. Eagles arrived at a fully decorated studio with a Christmas tree, stockings, and treats for everyone. Eagles brought a winter concert to the stage with seasonal songs and cheer. They had several exhilarating games and activities, bonding, baking, dancing, and enjoying a feast together. They ended the week with a much-anticipated Secret Santa gift exchange and laughed together as they tried to guess who their Secret Santa was.

Closing

Session 3 was a fun-filled session with incredible opportunities for Eagles to learn, engage, reflect, and give back. 

We are very thankful to our dedicated Eagles, families, Guides, staff, and community for the continued support and extraordinary commitment to Acton Academy East Bay.

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a restful winter break. We look forward to reuniting with you all in 2024!

Middle School Studio

Student Newsletter Session 3

November 27th - December 15th, 2023

Art & Culture - History of the Holidays Quest

For Quest, our Eagles focused on Art & Culture - History of the Holidays, learning about different holidays around the world.  They spent time researching various holidays and created art pieces that showcased each holiday's traditional aspects.  Throughout the short session, our Eagles dove deep learning the “why” behind each holiday we celebrate.  They researched important icons, food, religious aspects, and origins of each holiday.  Many Eagles were introduced to celebrations and traditions they had never heard of and even explored how one holiday can be celebrated so differently around the world.

Genre: Poetico

“Poetico" was an introduction to poetry for our Middle School learners.  They were introduced to literary movements, literary devices, some English and some foreign language poems.  After some deep analytical discussion, our learners were able to produce some very powerful poetry and we are proud to share some excerpts with you, here.

“Shall I compare you to a dainty flower?

You the one who dances in the wind

The one who frolics in the fields

With the one full of sun

Shall I compare you to a rainbow?" - Ally, 13

"Through the frosted window,  a winter's embrace,

Snowflakes dancing, painting the landscape with grace.

The air is crisp with a chill in the breeze,

Fireplaces crackling, warming hearts with ease." - Brianna, 12

Field Trip and Holiday Festivities

Our Eagles look forward to every field trip each session and this one was no exception. Getting the opportunity to enjoy quality time outside of the studio, engaging in new experiences, and making fun memories together is an important core value in their educational journey.

With laughter, nervousness, bravery, and triumph, our Eagles had an unforgettable time ice skating at Tri-Valley Ice in Dublin.

The last week of this session was joyfully special for all studios.  Eagles arrived at a fully decorated studio with a Christmas tree, stockings, and treats for everyone.  The Eagles also participated in our Annual Spirit Week.  Giving them an opportunity to dress up for the last week of school in ugly sweaters, festive pajamas, flannel, and even their favorite holiday movie characters to flaunt their holiday spirit. 

For the Holiday Party, our Eagles had several exhilarating games and activities, bonding time, baking challenges, and enjoyed a delicious taco bar lunch together.  A big thank you to our Parent Representatives who helped plan and execute a wonderful holiday party for our Eagles.  They concluded the holiday fun with the much anticipated Secret Santa gift exchange, laughing together as they tried to guess who their Secret Santa was. 

As the last day of the session came to a close, each studio took the time to reflect on the past session, the time spent together, and even did character call-outs to thank a friend or highlight something kind they did. Eagles shared happy memories, talked about what they hope for the future, and closed out their 2023 year spreading love to one another.

Community Service Projects

Each year, Acton East Bay takes part in community service projects to instill generosity, service, responsibility, and community. This year, we made No Sew Blankets and hosted a winter clothing drive to help our community members stay warm. 

Special thanks to our amazing families for their generous donations for the purchase of blanket supplies and materials. The No Sew Blankets project required our learners to measure and cut fabric, and tie two fleece blankets together one knot at a time.

This activity brought all the studios together with peers sitting around each blanket and happily tying the knots. After completing each blanket, the Eagles were excited to track their progress by putting a star on a Board and placing them on a pile of completed blankets. We are thrilled to share that we exceeded our original goal of 50 blankets. 

For the warm clothing drive, our community donated numerous new and gently used coats, jackets, hats, sweaters, gloves, and socks. 

In addition to the positivity our Eagles aimed to spread, both of these service projects opened up a variety of discussions about friendship, the importance of giving back, the characteristics of a Hero, and much more. These discussions proved to be an impactful aspect of our giving-back project, encouraging the Eagles to continuously reflect and discuss their experiences.

Exhibition

Continuing the holiday spirit, our Eagles brought a winter concert to life on stage, they shared seasonal songs, and they even encouraged their families to participate and sing together as a community. Showcasing all the hard work they put into Quest and Genre, our Eagles set up their studio, talked about all they had learned, and highlighted upon some of their favorite learning experiences over the past session. They closed out their exhibition by proudly accepting the badges they worked hard for over the past three weeks.

Closing

Session 3 was a fun-filled session with incredible opportunities for Eagles to learn, engage, reflect, and give back. 

We are very thankful to our dedicated Eagles, families, Guides, staff, and community for the continued support and extraordinary commitment to Acton Academy East Bay.

We wish you a wonderful and joyous holiday season, and a restful winter break. We look forward to reuniting with you all in 2024!