2024-2025 Session 5 Newsletter

Eagles spread their wings and reached new heights in Session 5! Engaging in an entrepreneurial mindset, learners began planning out their ideas for the annual Children's Business Fair! Eagles also had special opportunities to visit and learn about an array of businesses in Downtown Pleasanton, as well as to hear from parents who came in to share about their jobs for "Career Day". Learners truly took a deep look into how a functional business both operates and succeeds.

Jump to your Eagles' section of our Studio Blog by clicking here:

Sparks Elementary  Middle School

Sparks Studio

Session 5 Newsletter

Tuesday, February 18 - Friday, March 21, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

Session 5 was filled with excitement as Eagles went into Entrepreneurship mode and began planning out ideas for the upcoming Children’s Business Fair! Sparks also had a wonderful time studying the continent of Europe and identifying many inventors throughout history from this part of the world. Learners also spent mornings launching off the day with themes around identifying feelings, being intentional, and having a growth mindset.

Systems and Contract Building

Sparks have implemented a new studio system this session of tracking how often questions are being asked of guides versus each other. Eagles have been challenged to consider the types of questions they are asking, as well as how they attempt to find the answers. A tally chart posted on the wall has provided a visual representation of how often Sparks push themselves to help each other, rather than relying on guides for all the answers.

Entrepreneurship Quest

Session 5’s Entrepreneurship quest helped Sparks to consider practical matters when it comes to planning a business. Eagles discussed and wrote out their ideas for the business they would like to create, along with the startup costs needed, and the amount they are hoping to make to ensure the business is a success. Learners also drew sketches of their ideas and practiced sharing before the group how they plan on attaining the materials and ingredients necessary, along with how they will advertise their business.

Badges

Sparks earned many badges this session, the newest being for the Entrepreneurship Quest. Eagles also continued to work on building Reading, Writing, and Math skills. Gym, Art, Music, and computer learning abilities were further expanded as well. Sparks are proud of the strides they have made in their learning.

CORE

Sparks have continued to build upon their Reading, Writing, and Math skills. A special focus this session has been on understanding how to use adjectives correctly, as well as how to recognize money values accurately. Eagles have been identifying which types of words are used to describe nouns, along with how much each different type of coin is worth. Learners have played games and solved challenging problems to determine the monetary value of a penny, a nickel, a dime, and a quarter.

Sparks also continue to improve in their typing skills during computer work time each day, along with expanding upon reading and math abilities when using their Nessy and Dreambox programs.

Discovery Time

Discovery time provides hands-on activities which help Sparks to further develop reading, writing, math, geography, and science learning. From tracing large letters, to plugging digraph blends into words correctly, to creating pictures with a myriad of shapes, to identifying the names of various birds, Eagles have had ample opportunities to explore many different subjects in an engaging way.

Geography: Europe

Sparks enjoyed studying Europe! Eagles learned about many famous landmarks in this continent, along with the names of a great deal of well-known cities. Learners have journaled about the wildlife in this region, and have identified a variety of inventors and inventions that originated in this part of the world. A special glance at European birds and foods was also a highlight of this session!

Physical Education

Sparks have continued building their soccer skills this session, along with enjoying some paddle ball and hula hoop time. Eagles keep strengthening their hand-eye coordination and balance abilities as they use a variety of special equipment to expand their physical aptitude. Learners have also been running more laps each week, following their daily stretches and warm-ups.

Music

Music with Ms. Prezleigh this session brought Eagles an opportunity to explore the genre of Reggae. With a particular focus on Bob Marley, Sparks have been learning so much about rhythm and tempo. Learners have also been able to use new instruments, such as a new piano, a tambourine, and a xylophone. 

Art

In Art, Sparks completed a special project called “Habitat Heroes”. This Tri-Valley Water Conservation Art Contest included submitting artwork showcasing the importance of swapping thirsty grass for a water-wise garden using plants that are native to California and naturally drought-resistant. Eagles submitted beautiful watercolor paintings of the California Wild Rose. Learners also loved painting birdhouses and creating coffee filter butterflies to welcome Spring!

Field Trip: Downtown Pleasanton Businesses

Eagles had the amazing opportunity to visit a series of local businesses in Downtown Pleasanton as part of their Entrepreneurship quest! Sparks were able to check out a toy store called “Five Little Monkeys”, a bookstore called “Towne Center Books”, and a paint-your-own pottery studio called “Color Me Mine”. A delicious pizza lunch was then enjoyed at “Zachary’s”, followed by an ice cream dessert at “Meadowlark Dairy”. Learners were able to ask questions throughout the day to gain invaluable insight into the world of business.

Parent Career Day Presentations

Session 5 also included a meaningful “Career Day”, which allowed Eagles to learn about many different careers, as parent volunteers came into the studio to share about their work. Sparks were able to listen to presentations from a Paralegal, a disease detective, a project executive, and a data analytics entrepreneur! Learners eagerly participated in a meaningful question and answer time at the end of each presentation.

Festivities: Spirit Week

Sparks enjoyed a fun-filled Spirit Week to close out the session in a special way. From wearing all green and making leprechauns for St. Patrick’s Day, to a twin day to match a friend, to a pajama day, to a jersey day, to a studio themed dress up day, this week was full of excitement for the Eagles!

Closing Statements

Sparks have learned so much this session, becoming more business savvy and continuing to build so many essential life skills. Thank you families, as always, to Acton families for all of your support and active participation to keep the Acton community thriving. Enjoy your Spring Break!

Elementary School Studio

Session 5 Newsletter

Tuesday, February 18 - Friday, March 21, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

As we come to the close of Session 5, we are thrilled to share the growth our ES Eagles have made from their entrepreneurial adventures to their creative explorations in writing. We are proud of everything they’ve accomplished, and we’re excited to see how they will continue to thrive in the coming months leading up to our Children’s Business Fair. Here’s a recap of all the exciting activities that have filled our time!

Genre: Science-Based Fiction

In Writer’s Workshop, the ES Eagles have been exploring the world of science-based fiction. After selecting a topic of interest, they researched these subjects in great detail. The ES Eagle’s individual scientific topics ranged from ghost sharks, and space exploration to hurricanes and more. Through their writing, they’ve not only practiced their research skills but also developed their creativity, crafting stories that are both imaginative and informative. The studio focused on structuring their work with clarity and organization, working together to provide feedback on each other's creative pieces.

Quest: Entrepreneurship Quest

The Entrepreneurship Quest has turned ES Eagle’s eyes to the horizon as they plan ahead for this year’s Children’s Business Fair! They’ve been designing their own businesses from the ground up, beginning with brainstorming ideas and creating visual representations of their products and/or services. The “Shark Tank” presentations were a highlight, as the Eagles shared their business plans with the studio and received constructive feedback from their peers. These feedback sessions allowed them to refine their ideas and adjust their strategies of persuasion. Through this Quest, they’ve been practicing their pitches, perfecting their sales strategies, and getting ready for the upcoming Children’s Business Fair this May 3rd. With their products developed and pitches approved, the next step is product production on a scale that is marketable to the public. We look forward to exploring their businesses in the future! Any of these businesses have the potential to become this Eagle’s next big hit, and we love to support that process.

Physical Education (P.E.)

In P.E., our Eagles have been staying active and challenging themselves in both individual and team sports. They completed their 1-mile run tests and participated in team games such as Octopus and Night at The Museum, which helped build their endurance and teamwork skills. They’ve also been focusing on soccer drills to improve their coordination, agility, and game tactics. This has challenged their teamwork and communication skills. While still in development, there have been signs of improved discussions with Peace Table talks being used more consistently as a result of these practices. As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work, so let's work together to encourage these young learners to develop stronger interpersonal skills as they grow here at Acton.

Music

Our music lessons this session have been an exciting blend of reggae and new notes with the use of the metallophone, ukulele, and piano! The recent addition of our piano and metallophone, donated graciously by the Mestel family, has elevated our Eagle’s experiences as musicians and adaptable learners. With new instruments come new challenges in musical appreciation. The ES studio learned a lesson on new ways to respect and care for the instruments that are brought here to our Acton studio, as each item is precious to their musical experience. As we encourage respect between Eagles and those around them interpersonally, we want to emphasize the importance of maintaining this respect for the environment and items around them too. With a growing appreciation for their surroundings, new experiences (and maybe instruments) could make an appearance in these Eagle’s future.

Field Trip: Downtown Pleasanton Businesses

Our field trip to Downtown Pleasanton was an eye-opening experience for our Eagles. They toured several local businesses, including Little Five Monkeys, Towne Center Books, and Color Me Mine, where they got a firsthand look at how small businesses are developed, operate, and flourish. The Eagles asked insightful questions and had meaningful conversations with business owners about the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. The trip not only inspired them but also gave them a deeper understanding of how businesses function in the real world. They even had a chance to purchase items at each of these locations, and wrapped up the day with some ice cream at Meadowlark Dairy. We thank the businesses for giving us a special view into their world, the experience was a fun and educational day for all!

Parent Career Presentations Day

The parent volunteers who participated in Parent Career Presentations provided the Eagles with invaluable insights into the world of work. From paralegal work to project management, the Eagles had the opportunity to hear firsthand about a variety of careers and ask questions about the parent’s unique paths. This experience sparked curiosity and helped the Eagles see the many possibilities available to them in the future. A huge thank you to our wonderful parents for sharing their time and knowledge with the Eagles—it truly made a difference!

Festivities: Spring Spirit Week

Spring Spirit Week brought a vibrant burst of energy and excitement to the classroom! Each day had a fun theme—All Green Day, Twin Day, Pajama Day, and Jersey Day—which gave the Eagles the opportunity to express their creativity and team spirit.

Children’s Business Fair

As we near the end of Session 5, the ES Eagles are gearing up for their exhibition of their work at the upcoming Children’s Business Fair. The learners have been hard at work finalizing their business ideas, perfecting their prototypes, and refining their pitches. They’ve practiced how to present their products, handle customer questions, and showcase their entrepreneurial skills. This event will be hosted on May 3rd at Emerald Park in Dublin and will be a wonderful opportunity for them to demonstrate everything they’ve learned throughout the session and take pride in the hard work they’ve put in. We will see you there!

Closing

As we enjoy Spring Break, we encourage the ES Eagles to take a moment to reflect on their progress this session and to continue pushing forward in their learning, both academically and interpersonally. There’s still so much more to explore, and we’re eager to see how the Eagles will continue to shine in the final sessions of the school year.

Thank you to all of our families for your continued support and involvement. It’s been a wonderful session, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. Wishing everyone a relaxing and restful Spring Break!

Middle School

Session 5 Newsletter

Tuesday, February 18 - Friday, March 21, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

This session our MS Eagles have worked tirelessly to bring their business ideas to life while embracing leadership opportunities, creative challenges, and community engagement. As we close out this session and head into Spring Break, we want to take a moment to reflect on all the incredible work and experiences the Eagles have had.

Genre: I Mean Business

Our Eagles dove deep into the art of business storytelling! They explored what it means to craft a compelling brand, create a unique selling proposition, and develop an engaging product narrative. From brainstorming business names to designing eye-catching logos, they demonstrated their ability to communicate their vision clearly and persuasively. This process challenged them to consider not only their personal passions but also market demand and competition, helping to sharpen their critical thinking and marketing skills.

Eagles also engaged in market research to identify their target audience and refine their approach. They examined the strengths and weaknesses of competitors, identified gaps in the market, and adjusted their branding strategies accordingly. These real-world exercises helped them build confidence in their ability to analyze trends and make informed decisions, preparing them for the challenges ahead. Their work culminated in a business portfolio, one that could be used as a template for future business-building entrepreneurs to understand how these Eagles planned and developed their business goals.

Quest: Entrepreneurship Quest

Throughout the session, our Eagles embraced the challenge of designing, refining, and pitching their business ideas. Their hard work was put to the test in a "Shark Tank"-style presentation to our head of school, Ms. Kate, where they confidently pitched their products and received approval for their ventures. Every Eagle’s first-choice business was accepted, and we cannot wait to see these ideas take shape at the Children’s Business Fair on May 3rd!

The journey from concept to execution has been an enlightening experience for the Eagles. They engaged in multiple feedback sessions to refine their ideas and build realistic business plans. They considered cost analysis, pricing strategies, and product presentation, ensuring they have a strong foundation for success at the upcoming fair. We can’t wait to see their success at the business fair!

Physical Education (P.E.)

Physical education this session was filled with movement and even a touch of adventure. Eagles took to the outdoors for engaging activities, including flying kites! This emphasized not just fitness in running but also creative problem-solving, coordination, and perseverance—important skills for both business and life. From untangling the strings of the kites, practicing communication, and planning ahead for the proper winds, this activity re-energized the Eagles appreciation for outdoor exercise. Next session may offer even more variety, so long as the MS Eagles are prepared to take on new challenges.

Music

Music continued to be an expressive outlet for our MS Eagles. Whether through instrumental practice, vocal exercises, or rhythm exploration, Eagles honed their musical talents and embraced creativity through the genre of reggae. The incorporation of music into weekly learning routines also helped foster focus, relaxation, and joy in the studio.

The recent addition of our piano and metallophone, donated graciously by the Mestel family, has elevated our Eagle’s experiences as musicians and adaptable learners! With new instruments come new challenges in musical appreciation. As each item is precious to their musical experience, we encourage respect between Eagles, the environment, and items around them. With a growing appreciation for their surroundings, new experiences (and maybe instruments) could make an appearance in these Eagle’s future.

Field Trip: Downtown Pleasanton Businesses

One of the most exciting highlights of the session was our field trip to Downtown Pleasanton! MS Eagles toured a variety of businesses, including Chase Bank, Good Common Sense, and Zachary’s Pizza, gaining firsthand insights into banking, marketing strategies, and customer service. The trip concluded with a sweet stop at Meadowlark Dairy, where Eagles learned about the workings of a family-run business, paired with a cold cone of icecream. This hands-on experience reinforced their entrepreneurial mindset and provided valuable inspiration for their own business ventures.

During these visits, Eagles asked insightful questions about business operations, financial management, and customer relations. They witnessed the importance of adaptability in different industries and took note of the diverse paths to success. This trip provided them with a deeper understanding of the hard work and creativity required to sustain a business.

Parent Career Presentation Day

We were honored to welcome several professionals for our Parent Career Presentations! Eagles learned about careers in law, epidemiology, project management, data analytics, software development, and internal auditing. These discussions provided invaluable perspectives on various career paths and real-world applications of the skills they are developing. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who shared their experiences and wisdom with our Eagles!

Eagles took away important lessons about perseverance, innovation, and the evolving job market. They learned that career paths are rarely linear and that curiosity and adaptability are key to long-term success.

MS Mentors

MS Eagles had the opportunity to practice their mentorship roles through a paired partnership with ES Eagles! Each Wednesday, ES Eagles would join MS in our Socratic studio and work side-by-side to receive feedback on their written work. Challenged to develop their own mentorship style, the MS Eagles practiced their leadership skills and supported the ES Eagle’s progress as writers.

We are glad to be able to offer this unique opportunity to MS Eagles in their Acton experience. We are more than just a learning center, but a holistic educational experience covering Eagles growth as learners AND leaders. More opportunities are to come in Session 6!

Festivities: Spring Spirit Week

Our MS Eagles brought energy and creativity to Spring Spirit Week, embracing daily themes with enthusiasm! From all-green outfits on Monday to the fan-favorite PJ Day, the studio was filled with energy. Spirit Weeks continue to be a cherished tradition that strengthens our Acton community and fosters a sense of joy and belonging. We are thankful for the MS Eagle’s encouragement to make these weeks a more consistent trend in Acton life!

Children’s Business Fair 

Rather than a traditional end-of-session exhibition, this time the Eagles’ hard work will be on display at the Children’s Business Fair on May 3rd! This highly anticipated event will be the culmination of all their efforts, allowing them to showcase their products and put their entrepreneurial skills to the test in a real-world marketplace. We can’t wait to see them in action, and see you there!

Closing

As we wrap up Session 5, we want to recognize the growth, creativity, and resilience our MS Eagles have shown. From business pitches to mentorship roles, from field trips to spirit week celebrations, they have demonstrated curiosity, leadership, and an eagerness to learn.

We encourage all Eagles to take some time to rest and recharge over Spring Break. When we return, we’ll be gearing up for the MS Chicago Trip in Week 2!

Wishing you all a wonderful break, and we look forward to seeing you in Session 6!