2024-2025 Session 7 Newsletter

What a wonderful year it has been with the Acton Eagles! Session 7 brought on many periods of reflection and celebratory events as the learners here ended the academic year with excellence. They pushed through to complete their hard-earned badges and are ready for summer! We explored new spaces together at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, played group games in the warm weather, and kept it cool with a big Carnival water balloon fight!

We can't wait to see you for the next academic year, Eagles. Have a great Summer!

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Sparks Elementary  Middle School

Sparks Studio

Session 7 Newsletter

Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 - Friday, June 27th, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

As the sun sets on another vibrant school year at Acton, we reflect with hearts full of gratitude and pride. We are so proud of every learner for their hard work, bravery, and growth, not just as learners, but as compassionate, capable young people.

Systems and Learn To Be

One of the most impactful aspects of our program is the intentional time devoted to building interpersonal skills such as empathy. During this session’s Learn to Be discussions, Eagles explored themes like cooperation, gratitude, bravery, and staying solution-focused. Using fables like The Ant and the Grasshopper and engaging in thoughtful group conversations, learners reflected on the kind of heroes they are becoming - ones who listen deeply, act with kindness, and step forward with confidence, even in challenging moments. They also practiced giving each other space, listening to understand rather than respond, and demonstrating everyday leadership through their interactions.

Marine Biology Quest

Our final Quest of the year was nothing short of epic! Diving into Marine Biology, learners explored the mysteries and magic of the world beneath the waves. This wasn't just about memorizing facts; it was a hands-on, multidisciplinary journey into ecosystems, conservation, geography, and creativity. Eagles studied the layers of the ocean, the differences between freshwater and saltwater habitats, and the vital role the Great Barrier Reef plays in global biodiversity. They examined the causes and effects of tides, ocean currents, and climate impacts, all while making connections between science and stewardship. Alongside their academic research, Sparks used their new skills to sew sea creatures, build models of reefs and habitats, and craft personalized aquariums to showcase their learning. They collaborated on a reef mural that brought a sense of pride amongst the learners.

Discovery Time

During Discovery Time, learners sharpened their skills in language arts, mathematics, and logic while staying engaged through puzzles, reading comprehension exercises, and hands-on challenges. They enjoyed critical thinking games, practiced sentence structure and grammar (including mastering the difference between adverbs and adjectives!), and used problem-solving strategies to tackle math operations involving time, money, multiplication, and decimals. Connect-the-dot activities reinforced number sequencing, and some learners even began identifying subjects and predicates, an impressive step in their writing journeys! Discovery Time also nurtured independence, with Sparks taking ownership of their goals and working toward mastery at their own pace.

Geography: Australia

This session, our geographical lens zoomed in on the fascinating continent of Australia, with a special focus on its oceans and reefs. Learners identified famous landmarks, practiced cardinal directions, and located the Great Barrier Reef. They made connections between land and sea, exploring how Australia’s geography influences its wildlife and climate. Mapping exercises and research into native species helped learners appreciate the vast beauty and ecological importance of this region. The integration of geography into our Marine Biology Quest made learning come alive.

Art

In Art, creativity met science! Sparks used paint, fabric, markers, clay, and found materials to bring their knowledge of marine life to life. They designed a colorful coral reef, constructed 3D aquariums, decorated sea creatures, and experimented with texture by painting on bubble wrap. Art was also a way for learners to tell stories about the creatures they learned about and the habitats they imagined. Their artwork became part of our Exhibition showcase, proudly displayed for families and visitors to admire.

Physical Education (P.E.)

With the weather warming up, P.E. was full of energy! Learners played team games, participated in cooperative challenges, and practiced coordination through group activities and yard games. Sparks especially enjoyed dancing their hearts out with colorful scarves!

Music: Karaoke

Music this session was all about self-expression and confidence. Sparks explored the history and culture of karaoke, learning about its Japanese roots and evolution as a popular form of entertainment around the world. They discussed how music can connect people, express emotions, and build confidence. The Eagles had the chance to select songs, practice singing along with backing tracks, and prepare performances for Exhibition. Some learners overcame stage fright and stood proudly in front of an audience to sing, an incredible act of courage and growth. 

Field Trip: LLNL Discovery Center

A true highlight of the session was our visit to the Discovery Center at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory! Learners engaged with hands-on science and technology exhibits designed to inspire the next generation of thinkers and doers. Sparks loved testing out the Earthquake simulator, building multiple tower designs to withstand the shaking platform.

Exhibition

Session 7’s Exhibition celebrated everything our learners had accomplished. Families gathered to witness the culmination of weeks of work, as Sparks confidently presented their Marine Biology projects, explained their aquariums, and performed karaoke numbers. Eagles received certificates acknowledging their hard work, and we were lucky to hear speeches from Acton alumni, living proof that the seeds planted at Acton continue to grow far beyond the studio.

End Of Year Party

To close out the year, we hosted a Carnival Celebration filled with color, joy, and community spirit! Learners rotated through stations including t-shirt decorating, lawn games, face painting, and, of course, water balloon fun. Every learner went home with a keepsake, a full heart, and the memory of a wonderful day shared with friends.

Closing Statements

As we say goodbye to another year, we do so with immense pride and joy. Our Sparks have grown in knowledge, in confidence, and in character. They’ve tackled challenges with resilience, embraced learning with curiosity, and supported each other with compassion. We’re already excited for the new adventures awaiting us next year!

Elementary School Studio

Session 7 Newsletter

Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 - Friday, June 27th, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

We’re excited to share the incredible progress our ES Heroes have made as Session 7 and the entire school year comes to a close. They’ve done an exceptional job, and we can’t wait to welcome them back after summer break, recharged and ready for Session 1 of the 2025 - 2026 school year. Here’s a look back at all the amazing things we’ve accomplished in the ES Studio!

Writer's Workshop: Creative Fiction Writing

In Writer’s Workshop, the Eagles dove into the world of creative fiction writing. Using the storytelling platform Storybird.com, they selected from curated illustration collections and crafted their own original stories, bringing their imaginations to life.

They learned to structure their narratives using key elements - beginning, inciting event, middle, climax, and ending - to build engaging and cohesive stories they could take pride in. Eagles had fun developing unique characters, vivid settings, and dynamic plots, while thoughtfully choosing images to support and enhance their writing.

Throughout the process, they also practiced giving and receiving meaningful peer feedback, helping one another grow as writers and storytellers.

Quest: Cartography Quest

The Cartography Quest sparked excitement and independence in our Eagles as they embraced the role of global explorers! Through the creation of their own World FactBook, they journeyed across the globe - continent by continent - discovering key cities, landmarks, and historic sites along the way.

As they “traveled,” Eagles took on a series of mini-challenges called voyages, designed to sharpen their cartography skills and deepen their understanding of geography. These tasks encouraged creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. Using Montessori map materials, each Eagle selected a continent and drew their own map, showcasing what they had learned.

Alongside geographic exploration, they studied civilizations, cultures, and traditions, drawing inspiration from folktales and Hero’s Journey stories. Through this immersive experience, Eagles gained a meaningful understanding of maps not just as tools, but as windows into identity, connection, and global perspective.

Civilizations

Throughout the year, Eagles have shown remarkable persistence and dedication in their civilization studies, focusing on The Story of the World – Volume 3: Early Modern Times. Their hard work truly paid off when they completed the entire book by the end of Session 6.

To celebrate this achievement, each student chose their favorite chapter and created an informative trifold project. These trifolds highlighted key aspects of their chosen time period, including details about the people, food, tools, and three major historical events. At the end of the session, Eagles presented their work to the studio, received peer feedback, and used that input to refine their projects.

The final results were proudly showcased at the Exhibition, where you had the chance to see the depth of their learning and the creativity they brought to this journey through history!

Learn To Be

With the introduction of the new writing star system, in which each color represents a ranking for their writing, the Eagles have been working diligently to produce quality work. The Eagles liked this new technique since it allowed them to go back and truly take a look at their work and what they needed to improve upon to get to the highly esteemed “Purple Star” (signifying excellent writing/work). This system taught them accountability in their writing; they constantly checked for grammar, spelling, and other errors that prevented their work from being as good as it could be.

Our Eagles have also been navigating the studio with good interpersonal interactions, organizational skills through weekly binder checks, and academic success through their weekly Guide Meeting goals.

It's been exciting to see them interact effectively during the morning and afternoon launches, expressing their gifted perspectives. They have both supported and pushed each other to be better versions of themselves while on their Hero's Journey.

Physical Education (P.E.)

As the weather warmed up, we reminded our Eagles to stay hydrated and made sure they had plenty of breaks when needed. Despite the heat, they stayed active and engaged during P.E., joining the MS Eagles for team sports and outdoor fun.

This session, they took part in group warm-ups and stretches, reinforcing the importance of preparing their bodies for physical activity. Alongside the physical workouts, we also explored how to navigate and resolve conflicts in tricky situations, building both strength and character.

Eagles enjoyed a variety of activities, including jump rope, four square, badminton, dancing, and basketball shooting drills and competitions. It’s been a fun and energetic way to wrap up the year!

Music: Karaoke

Music with Ms. Prezleigh was an excellent introduction for the Eagles to the world of karaoke (pronounced: kerēˈōkē). Everyone was given the opportunity to choose a song, either in small groups or individually. The Eagles were entrusted with practicing outside of the studio on their own and meeting with their group at lunchtime. Ms. Prezleigh has set up connections to karaoke instrumentals so that the Eagles could prepare for Exhibition Day. The Eagles had a fun time showcasing their talents at Exhibition and had a fun time performing their songs in front of you all!

Field Trip: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Our Eagles had a fantastic time on their field trip to Livermore, where they visited the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory! With the support of our wonderful parent volunteers, they enjoyed an engaging and educational tour of this national research facility.

Throughout the day, students explored how science and national security intersect, and they took part in a variety of hands-on activities that brought the lab’s groundbreaking work to life. A big thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day even more memorable!

Exhibition

Our Eagles had a meaningful opportunity to share their learning journey during the Exhibition! In the days leading up to the event, they thoughtfully planned every detail, and their hard work paid off with a warm, enthusiastic response from the families who attended.

Eagles proudly showcased their civilization banners and interactive stations from the Cartography Quest, offering a hands-on look at what they had learned. The Exhibition was a celebration of their hero’s journey, highlighting their growth, creativity, perseverance, and the strong sense of community they’ve built together.

End Of Year Party

A heartfelt thank you to all the amazing Acton parent volunteers who helped bring the carnival extravaganza to life for our Eagles! With delicious food, exciting games, and plenty of laughter and connection, the day was filled with joy and high energy, made possible by your generous support.

We came together to celebrate the last day of the school year, creating a fun and festive atmosphere that we’ll all remember fondly. To everyone who joined us, thank you for helping create yet another cherished memory. Here’s to many more celebrations to come!

Closing

As we close out this session, we encourage our Eagles to reflect on how much they’ve grown and to continue discovering their strengths while celebrating all they’ve accomplished. We can’t wait to see them return from Summer Break refreshed, recharged, and ready for a new year of learning!

A heartfelt thank you to all our families for your continued support and involvement - it’s been a wonderful year filled with meaningful growth and exciting changes. We wish everyone a restful, joyful, and sun-filled Summer Break, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year!

Middle School

Session 7 Newsletter

Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 - Friday, June 27th, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

What an incredible year it’s been! It’s amazing how quickly time has passed. From dancing along to Rapunzel videos to exploring the historic streets of Chicago, every experience has helped shape our tribe. We’ve witnessed remarkable resilience, leadership, and kindness, and we’re so proud of the Eagles they are becoming. Whether your Eagle is returning or setting off on new adventures, we celebrate all they’ve grown into and all the exciting journeys ahead.

Genre: Fiction, My World

Our final Genre project pushed the Eagles to stretch their storytelling skills in exciting new ways. We revisited a favorite, fiction writing, but with a twist: Eagles exchanged character notes, main events, and conflicts with one another, challenging them to bring someone else’s story to life. This exercise encouraged them to explore fresh writing techniques and embrace the unknown.

During a visit to the Livermore Library, Eagles took advantage of the quiet, focused environment to finish their stories. The final tales, full of mystery, humor, and heart, were proudly showcased at the Exhibition, reminding us all that our imaginations truly have no limits.

Quest: "You're Hired!" Pre-Apprenticeship Quest

What does it take to step into the real world and chase your dreams? Our final Quest gave MS Eagles the chance to find out. Throughout the session, they explored a variety of careers, identified their strengths, crafted polished resumes and cover letters, and honed essential interview skills.

The highlight was the mock interviews with adult volunteers, which were a tremendous success. Eagles arrived dressed in business casual, responded to questions with confidence and composure, and gained valuable insight into the interview process. For many, this was a powerful moment - realizing that who they are today is already shaping the people they will become tomorrow.

Physical Education (P.E.)

This session, the warm weather introduced fresh games like 4-Square and badminton, sparking teamwork and friendly competition among our Eagles. The MS and ES studios frequently joined forces, fostering connections across age groups and building a community rooted in encouragement and shared fun.

P.E. became a place where Eagles pushed their limits and honed their sportsmanship, with self-set rules encouraging responsibility and fair play.

Music: Karaoke

Throughout the year, Eagles have embraced self-expression through music, growing in confidence both in their voices and on stage. Their final performance brought everything together beautifully, featuring solos, duets, and group songs that filled the room with energy and joy.

Seeing Eagles shine with pride after stepping outside their comfort zones was truly unforgettable. Music remains a powerful catalyst for growth, and we couldn’t be prouder of every Eagle who gave their all and sang from the heart.

Field Trip: LLNL Discovery Center

Our visit to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Discovery Center was an exciting dive into the world of science and innovation. Eagles engaged with interactive exhibits and learned about cutting-edge research happening right here in our region. From the Lab’s history to its current advancements, this field trip opened eyes and sparked curiosity across the studio. 

Exhibition

Our final Exhibition was a joyful celebration of the Eagles’ dedication and achievements. Families enjoyed lively karaoke sessions and entertaining mock interviews for quirky, imaginative jobs. These performances were both fun and meaningful, highlighting the Eagles’ growth in quick thinking and teamwork.

The closing badge ceremony honored each Eagle’s unique journey and commitment to personal growth. A special visit from two Acton alumni inspired everyone with stories of how Acton prepared them for their next academic adventures.

End Of Year Party

What a perfect way to wrap up the year, a full-on carnival celebration! Our End of Year Party was a day packed with fun, featuring T-shirt decorating, face painting, yard games, and three epic water balloon fights. Eagles let loose, played hard, and created lasting memories with the friends who have supported them all year long. Each Eagle walked away with a keepsake - whether a decorated craft, a tasty treat, or simply the joy of a year well celebrated and a smile that said it all.

Closing

And that’s a wrap on the 2024–2025 year! Together, we’ve faced challenges, pursued passions, forged friendships, and uncovered new strengths. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We can’t wait to see you again next year!