Hello Families, 

As we are leading up to the week-long Fall Break ahead, we have been thinking about why we take time out of school to be with family and friends. Many friends know that Thanksgiving is around the corner which means lots of yummy food to eat, a table to gather around and time to spend with family. For some families, it might just be a regular week off or maybe an opportunity to travel! No matter how your family spends the week, we hope you all have plenty of time to connect, rest and have fun ♥

A few reminders: 

  • Fall Break is next week: November 20th through the 24th. (No School or Childcare)

  • There will be a sale of alebrijes at the UAC next week by master woodcarver Jesus Calvo! You won’t want to miss this sale! You can find details below.

The Three Sisters: Harmony and Collaboration in nature

Indigenous people of Turtle Island (North America) planted corn, beans and squash together. Why these three crops? Corn stalks provided support for the beans to grow and climb. The beans provided special bacteria in the soil that helped the corn roots grow tall. The squash and pumpkins provided ground cover so that weeds could not grow and would keep the soil moist. The legend of the crops, known as the “three sisters” – sisters who would never be apart from one another- sisters who should be planted together, harvested together and celebrated together. Isn’t it amazing that nature works together in these ways?

The story of the Three Sisters (squash, corn and beans) reminds us that Fall is a time of harvest and abundance. When we tend to our gardens, food grows. If there is plenty to go around, we share it with people we care about.

A Gratitude Poem

We learned a poem that we say before we eat lunch together each day! It reminds us that our food had a loooong journey before it made it to our lunch boxes. Many foods started from seeds, that were tended by farmers, that were harvested by fieldworkers, that were driven to grocery stores, where our grownups buy the food, then cook the food, then serve the food!

Thank you precious Earth, for this beautiful food
that will nourish our body
and help us grow
May people all over the world, and all living things:
Have good food to eat, a home to live in, and many reasons to be happy.

During our celebration of gratitude, we recited this poem for our families and even did a coloring activity to inspire family at home to learn it too. You can invite your child to recite this special poem when gathered with family and friends or when it’s time to share dinner or a special meal 🙂

Ostaliheliga!

We read a book called “We are Grateful-Otsaliheliga” (pronounced oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac. This book tells the journey of a Cherokee family and their tribal nation as they express thanks for things big and small. Magnolia friends brainstormed things they are grateful for at circle time.

Around Magnolia

A birthday celebration for Poppy, V.I.P. Day, Music with Chrissy, Art with Julianne, and more!

A special thank you to ALL of our wonderful Magnolia families for all of your extra support this week with celebrations- we appreciate you! Otsaliheliga!

♥Emily.Mitra.Darius