2025-2026 Session 3 Newsletter

This past session may have been brief, but it was filled with joy, focus, and meaningful moments. Over three festive weeks, our Eagles from Sparks in K–2 through to our LaunchPad high school learners leaned into seasonal celebrations with enthusiasm and purpose. The studios were alive with creativity, collaboration, and a shared excitement as learners prepared to showcase their work.

Now, as our Eagles enjoy a well-earned two-week break, we invite you to reflect on the moments that made this session so special. From festive learning experiences to a joyful exhibition shared with families, there is much to celebrate. Keep reading to see how each studio embraced the season and brought their learning to life.

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Sparks Elementary  Middle School/LaunchPad

Sparks Studio

Session 3 Newsletter

Monday, December 1st, 2025, to Friday, December 19th, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

Welcome to our Session 3 wrap-up! This session was filled with holiday magic and intentional learning as our Eagles dove into the wonders of engineering and the natural world. From the icy reaches of the poles to the festive lights of Livermore, our learners embraced the "Hero’s Journey" with curiosity and joy, closing out 2025 with remarkable growth and community spirit.

Systems and Contract Building

As we began the session, the studio focused on refining our "Studio Contract." Learners revisited their shared promises to one another, ensuring that our environment remained one of deep respect and high accountability. By self-managing their daily systems, from morning launches to clean-up, the Eagles strengthened the foundation of their learner-driven community. Sparks even earned a small studio celebration this session after having filled up our “Sparkle Jar," meeting a goal set at the beginning of the school year.

Fairytale Engineering Quest

Our afternoon Quest took a whimsical turn with "Fairytale Engineering." Learners were tasked with solving real-world problems for classic characters: building sturdy houses for the Three Little Pigs that could withstand "wolf-force" winds and helping Snow White avoid eating the poisonous apple. Sparks further used a good deal of imagination to write their own stories, including scene-setting, character creation, and plot development. An exciting tale, titled “Antarctic Animals,” was written and illustrated by Sparks over the course of the session, including a Lobster, Arctic Fox, and Orca Killer Whale who overcame a villainous Red-eyed Seal that was trying to take over the land. This immersive experience blended storytelling with the engineering design process, encouraging critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

Character Badges

Character growth is at the heart of the Acton model. This session, learners earned new Character Badges, celebrating their mastery of traits like "Courage," "Growth Mindset," and a "Loving Heart." These badges are not just awards; they represent a learner’s commitment to personal excellence and their ability to serve as a role model within the studio.

CORE

During morning Core hours, learners continued their self-paced mastery of math, reading, and writing. Using differentiated worksheets and hands-on Montessori materials, each Eagle worked toward their personalized goals. With a special focus on writing stories this session, Sparks have shown great improvement in their writing skills and reading comprehension. We are proud of the intention shown this session, with many learners pushing through challenging concepts to reach their "Mastery" milestones before the holiday break.

Discovery Time

Discovery Time provided a space for learners to follow their own "sparks" of interest. Whether it was diving into a new book, practicing a complex puzzle, or engaging in collaborative play, this dedicated time allowed for the independent exploration that fuels a lifelong love of learning. Learners especially loved playing with polar animal miniatures that inspired many of the characters woven into their fairy tale stories mentioned above.

Writers Workshop: Antarctica and Arctic Regions

Our cultural and geography studies took us to the ends of the Earth. Learners explored the unique ecosystems of the Antarctica and Arctic regions, comparing the adaptations of polar bears and penguins. They investigated the science of ice and how animals survive in extreme climates, bringing a global perspective to our studio discussions. Sparks also did a brief study on how to tell the temperature using a thermometer as part of their polar region studies.

Physical Education

Even as the weather cooled, our Eagles stayed active. PE this session focused on teamwork and coordination through big group games that included older studios. Games such as a “Snowball Relay Race” with cotton balls and spoons, and “Where The Wind Blows,” involving learners running according to specific traits, bonded learners of all ages. Volleyball, soccer, and parachute games also continued to engage Eagles during the session.

Science

In the science lab, learners experimented with making Insta-Snow. Eagles added water to a special polymer powder to watch white fluffy snow grow and expand at a rapid rate. Sparks were happy to share the outcome of this hands-on activity with older studios, who enjoyed exploring the texture and consistency of realistic-looking snow.

Music

Our studio has been filled with rhythm and song thanks to our new music guide, Mr. Elijah! Meeting once a week, the Eagles have loved getting to know his teaching style and exploring the world of sound. To celebrate the season, this session's highlights included high-energy "karaoke-style" Christmas carols. These gatherings were more than just fun; they allowed the learners to build vocal confidence, practice rhythm, and bond as a community through the shared joy of holiday music.

Art

The studio was brought to life through art this December! Learners created intricate winter-themed projects, focusing on a variety of shapes and colors. From ornate paper snowflakes to a beautifully colored collaborative Christmas tree, the art projects this session showcased the Eagles' vibrant imaginations and fine motor skills.

Deacon Dave’s Christmas Display

A highlight of the session was our trip to Deacon Dave’s “House of the Dove” Exploration in Livermore. Our learners received a special behind-the-scenes look at the engineering and teamwork required to manage over 957,000 lights. They were inspired by the creativity and dedication it takes to bring such a massive community project to life. It was also so special for Sparks to see a light show with a fairy tale theme, enhancing the magic of our Quest.

Field Trip: California Academy of Sciences

Our journey continued with a visit to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. The Eagles explored the four-story rainforest, marveled at the coral reefs, and were enthralled by a Planetarium show about the universe. It was a wonderful real-world application of our science and geography studies, allowing learners to see the animals they researched in person, such as the Blue Morpho Butterfly!

Christmas Celebrations

On December 19, we closed the session with a festive Christmas Celebration. The studio was filled with carols, handmade tree ornaments, Christmas card writing, and holiday cheer. All Eagles came together for a delicious luncheon, a time of gingerbread house decorating, and our annual Secret Santa gift exchange, celebrating the bonds formed during the first half of the year and sharing in the joy of the season.

Exhibition

Our Session 3 Exhibition was a triumph of learner leadership. Eagles presented their Fairytale Engineering prototypes to parents and guests, explaining their design choices with confidence. Writing a story altogether with families was a special time for Sparks, as parents worked with learners to create an imaginary tale as a whole group. Wrapping up with families lining up to assemble 150+ care packages for those in need was an especially meaningful way to come together as a community to show love during the holiday season.

Closing Statements

As we look back on Session 3, we are inspired by the resilience and curiosity of our learners. They have truly embodied the spirit of the Acton Eagle: independent, kind, and always ready for the next adventure. We wish all our families a restful holiday break and look forward to seeing everyone back in the studio for Session 4 in 2026!

Elementary School Studio

Session 3 Newsletter

Monday, December 1st, 2025, to Friday, December 19th, 2025

Hello, Acton Friends and Family!

Session 3 has been an exciting and meaningful adventure for our ES Eagles. Although it was the shortest session of the year, the past three weeks were filled with rich learning experiences, including art exploration, story writing, and opportunities to build meaningful connections. From researching ancient civilizations and famous artists to visiting Deacon Dave’s and exploring the California Academy of Sciences, learners were encouraged to develop curiosity and independence. We are incredibly proud of the way these Eagles embraced each experience with enthusiasm, determination, and a love of learning.

Exploration Deacon Dave's

The exploration of Deacon Dave’s Casa del Pomba, the famous ‘House of the Dove’ holiday display in Livermore. They explored the twinkling lights, festive decorations, and creative displays, soaking in all the holiday cheer. Learners loved discovering the imaginative details and talking with friends about what they saw, making it a fun and memorable outing full of curiosity and excitement!

Field trip: California Academy of Sciences

The Eagles had an amazing adventure during their recent field trip to the California Academy of Sciences. Learners explored vibrant rainforest habitats, fascinating marine life, and interactive science exhibits, observing animals up close and discovering how ecosystems work together. From colorful fish and playful penguins to towering trees in the rainforest dome, every part of the museum sparked curiosity and inspired thoughtful questions. The trip was a fun, hands-on way for the Eagles to explore science while practicing observation, critical thinking, and teamwork.”

The excitement continued with a mesmerizing Planetarium show, where the Eagles traveled through the stars to learn about planets, constellations, and distant galaxies. They were captivated by the immersive experience, imagining life in space and asking questions about the universe beyond Earth. The field trip offered the perfect mix of exploration, learning, and inspiration, leaving the Eagles with unforgettable memories and a deeper love of science.

Quest: Art History and Appreciation

Eagles explored the exciting world of art, learning about a variety of famous artists and their unique styles. In week 1, learners discovered the abstract shapes of Piet Mondrian, the impressionist landscapes of Claude Monet, the bold colors of Georgia O’Keeffe, the expressive techniques of Jackson Pollock, and the vibrant patterns of Alma Thomas and Vincent van Gogh.

In week 2, the Eagles continued their artistic journey, exploring pop art and contemporary styles with Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat, symbolism and abstraction with Frida Kahlo and Wassily Kandinsky, and pointillism and color harmony with Georges Seurat and Henri Matisse. Across both weeks, learners not only studied the works of these renowned artists but also experimented with their own creative projects, fostering curiosity, self-expression, and a love of art.

Writers Workshop: Fictional Memoirs

The Eagles embarked on a creative and educational journey through time with their Writer’s Workshop project: creating fictionalized memoirs set in ancient civilizations. Each learner assumed the role of a character living in a civilization of their choice, developing unique personalities and perspectives. Using a wide range of library resources, Eagles researched their civilization’s history, important figures, food, clothing, significant events, and social and political systems. This research served as the foundation for their memoir entries, allowing students to write rich, imaginative stories grounded in historical facts.

A special feature of this project is the emphasis on visual content. Every paragraph of each memoir includes relevant illustrations, maps, flags, charts, drawings, stickers, or other visual elements that enhance the storytelling and bring the civilizations to life. Throughout the session, learners practiced writing, storytelling, and research skills, while also developing creativity and attention to detail. By blending historical knowledge with imaginative writing and visual design, the Eagles created memoirs that are both educational and uniquely their own. This project encouraged curiosity, self-expression, and a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures and people of the ancient world.

Music

Music played an important role in this session as we celebrated the holiday season. Mr. Elijah led the Eagles in a festive performance that kicked off the Exhibition with laughter, rhythm, and heartfelt singing. Learners honed timing and confidence skills that reach far beyond the music studio. The community’s joyful response to the performance strengthened connections and highlighted the shared spirit and humor among the Eagles.

Robotics

Ms. Heidy joined us for robotics in our shortened session, giving Eagles the chance to explore coding concepts while practicing problem-solving. Learners followed a structured process: identifying a challenge, brainstorming possible solutions, testing their ideas through coding, and then reflecting on what worked and what could be improved. This approach helped Eagles see how problem-solving skills apply both in programming and in everyday life. Ms. Heidy’s lessons continue to spark curiosity in engineering and computational thinking, encouraging Eagles to think like programmers and creative problem solvers. Thank you, Ms. Heidy, for inspiring learners to tackle challenges thoughtfully, experiment boldly, and grow their confidence in coding and critical thinking!

CORE & Deep Books

Throughout this session, Eagles have been developing greater focus on their CORE subjects, building independence, and taking ownership of their academic growth. At the start of the session, ES Eagles had turned in their first Deep Book, beginning a badge project designed to encourage meaningful reading paired with essay writing to strengthen their writing skills. Deep Books go beyond simple reading; learners are expected to identify themes and engage thoughtfully with the text. As the session comes to a close, many Eagles completed their first Deep Book essays and are excited to dive into their next selection.

Physical Education (PE)

Throughout the session, PE classes kept the Eagles active, engaged, and energized. Lessons were designed to build teamwork skills, improve physical fitness, and encourage the development of lifelong healthy habits. Eagles consistently brought positive energy and enthusiasm to each class, especially during competitive activities such as crab soccer and volleyball. Through these experiences, learners practiced cooperation, communication, and respectful competition, strengthening both their sportsmanship and their ability to work effectively as a team. Overall, PE provided a fun and supportive environment where Eagles continued to grow physically and socially.

Holiday: Christmas Lunch and Secret Santa

The holiday season brought joy and cheer to the studio this year. The annual Christmas Party was full of festive energy as Eagles built gingerbread houses, played Christmas-themed Kahoots, and enjoyed treats together. Earlier in the session, they drew names for Secret Santa and spent days preparing thoughtful gifts for one another. Seeing the Eagles exchange their carefully chosen presents created a heartwarming moment that truly reflected the spirit of generosity, kindness, and community.

Learn to Be

One of the highlights of this session was the Giving Back care package activity. The Eagles dove into packing items, arranging supplies, and creating gifts for families in need during the holiday season. At the Exhibition, they worked alongside their families, demonstrating teamwork and care as they prepared more than 150 bags. Their thoughtfulness and dedication were truly heartwarming, reflecting the spirit of giving that makes this season so special. A sincere thank you to all the parents who participated and supported the project - your involvement made it even more meaningful for our Eagles.

Exhibition

What an incredible Exhibition celebration! The ES Eagles absolutely loved presenting their Art History packets and their artwork Quest through their Pictionary game. They also shared their fictional memoirs with families. The anticipation was palpable. You could hear their voices projecting excitedly as they revealed their stories! The variety of work in Quest, Writer’s Workshop, and Civilizations shows just how much meaningful learning happened this session. Way to go, Eagles!

Close

This session has been an outstanding one. We are extremely proud of the commitment our learners showed in staying focused and completing their work with excellence. From Art exploration to Ancient civilizations, these Eagles consistently displayed dedication, creativity, and perseverance.

We look forward to Session 4!

Middle School / LaunchPad

Session 3 Newsletter

Monday, December 1st, 2025, to Friday, December 19th, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

Session 3 has been a heartwarming and fast-paced experience filled with joy! As we transitioned from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season, the studio was buzzing with curiosity, focus, and festive energy. With only two full work weeks, the Eagles rose to the challenge, balancing academic responsibilities, collaborative projects, and holiday celebrations with maturity and enthusiasm.

Throughout the session, we witnessed Eagles deepen their learning, host rigorous discussions, and dive into hands-on experiences. From stepping into the shoes of historical figures to giving back to the community, this session showcased not only academic growth but also great character development.

Quest: McCarthy Trials and Personal Finance

Middle School (MS)

MS Eagles embarked on a powerful historical journey into the McCarthy Trials, taking on the roles of journalists, lawyers, witnesses, and citizens during the heightened anxiety of the Cold War and Second Red Scare. They explored the essential question: Was Joseph McCarthy a protector of democracy or a promoter of fear?

Eagles combed through primary sources, testimonies, and political speeches, carefully weighing evidence and dissecting motives. Their discussions grew increasingly deep and nuanced as they grappled with the balance between safety and liberty, truth and propaganda.

Launchpad (LP)

LP Eagles spent the session investigating Personal Finance, a topic that sparked deep thinking and reflection on their financial past. They studied investing fundamentals, compound interest, market behavior, and the psychology behind financial decision-making. Learners asked questions about risk, wealth, economic inequality, and what it means to be financially responsible in a world filled with both opportunity and temptation. Their written Money Manifesto became a creative and insightful way to express their financial philosophies.

Genre: Gratitude & Promises and Money Manifesto

Middle School (MS)

The Gratitude Genre challenged MS Eagles to slow down and carve out intentional time each day to reflect on what truly matters. They explored the research on gratitude and how it rewires the brain, strengthens emotional resilience, and fosters empathy. Their journals were filled with thoughtful entries ranging from celebrations of small joys to acknowledgments of personal challenges. These reflections helped them appreciate the people, moments, and lessons that shaped their growth this session.

Launchpad (LP)

LP Eagles explored the connection between personal values and financial identity through their Money Manifestos. They wrote about early money memories, future goals, financial role models, and the moral questions surrounding wealth. They were challenged to compare their financial aspirations to the journeys of favorite heroes and villains, drawing clever parallels between discipline, ambition, greed, and responsibility. These writings support deeper self-awareness about the choices they hope to make as they go into the future.

CORE & Deep Books

Throughout the session, Eagles pushed themselves academically in their CORE work while also carving out time for independent reading. The studio made a quick trip to the Livermore Library, where they selected their second (or third!) Deep Book of the year, browsed independently, recommended titles to each other, and then worked diligently on their CORE programs for the rest of the morning. Their ability to tune in and accomplish tasks in this setting is a privilege for being in MS/LP that we hope to explore more in future sessions!

Music

Music played a special role this session as we embraced the holiday spirit. Mr Elijah guided the Eagles through a seasonal performance that opened the Exhibition with laughter, rhythm, and heartfelt singing. Learnerts practiced teamwork, timing, and confidence, skills that extend far beyond the music studio. The community’s joyful response to the elective brought them closer and highlighted their connection through humor.

Physical Education (PE)

In PE, Eagles continued strengthening physical endurance, coordination, and teamwork. In rain or shine, learners remained committed to showing sportsmanship and giving their best effort. Games and activities allowed Eagles to channel energy to relieve stress and provided a healthy balance to their academic work.

Field Trip: California Academy of Science

Our field trip to the California Academy of Sciences was truly unforgettable. From the lush, misty rainforest dome to the immersive planetarium show, Eagles were captivated by every exhibit.

Learners explored diverse ecosystems as they watched creatures glide through the aquariums or fly through the air! Though we felt the recent loss of Claude, the beloved albino alligator, Eagles carried a sense of reverence and gratitude throughout the day for the special space. The trip brought scientific enrichment and strengthened connections between studios.

Holiday: Christmas Party & Secret Santa

The holiday season brought excitement to every corner of the studio this year! The annual Christmas Party was filled with laughter, creativity, and delicious treats as they built gingerbread houses,  played Christmas-themed Kahoots, and celebrated the day together. Eagles drew names for Secret Santa early in the session and spent days crafting or selecting thoughtful gifts. Watching the Eagles exchange gifts chosen with genuine care created a heartwarming moment that captured the spirit of generosity and community.

Learn to Be: Giving Back Care Packages

Our Giving Back care package activity was a highlight of this session. The Eagles loved the hands-on process of packing items, organizing supplies, and preparing gifts for families in need this Christmas season. They worked together with their families during our Session 3 Exhibition and packed over 150 bags! Their generosity and teamwork were truly heartwarming. Thank you for participating, parents! 

Exhibition

Session 3 Exhibition was a vibrant celebration of learning and creativity as families watched the Eagles demonstrate deep thinking, personal growth, and skill development in each aspect of their academics. MS Eagles stepped confidently into their historical roles during the McCarthy Trial debates, presenting evidence, questioning motives, and wrestling with complex ideas about democracy and fear. LP Eagles showcased their Personal Finance mastery and investing strategies that they have developed during the session through a well-planned display board.

Eagles also shared passages from their MS Gratitude Journals, and LP, their Money Manifesto, offering meaningful personal insights into their writing styles and thinking this session.

The musical performance brought warmth and energy to the evening, while displays of work, portfolios, and creative projects reflected weeks of dedication. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share these Eagles’ excellence with families every session.

Close

Thank you, families, for your steady support and partnership. This session was deeply meaningful because of the curiosity and commitment your Eagles bring to the studio. We are proud of their accomplishments, the growth they have shown, and the community they continue to build together.

We wish you a warm, peaceful, and joy-filled holiday season. See you next year (in Session 4)!