Dear PJS Families~
Our all school gathering last Monday evolved from a simple observation: Our days are getting shorter. Why is light important this time of year? What winter celebrations (via our families) give importance to lights? These are the questions that led our group discussion. Students shared their individual perspectives of the importance of lights across holiday traditions this time of year. Sebastian commented on the need for light, as our days (sunlight) have become much shorter. Through our discussion, students discovered that many cultures across the world celebrate holidays that use lights to decorate and/or celebrate. Students shared with the group the holidays their families celebrate. In addition, several students provided examples of how light is demonstrated in their family cultural traditions, from Blanca sharing about St. Nicholas and the lights showing each week of advent, Asher telling about the lights on the menorah for Hanukkah, and Kai describing Christmas tree lights for Christmas. There were several more examples. I asked students to continue to pursue this important inquiry with their teachers and their parents, with the intention of expanding their own perspective. I also invited children to return to school with artifacts related to family celebrations from the winter holidays as they pertain to the concept of light. PJS families are invited to decorate our piano with items that represent the array of winter holidays celebrated in our school community. We will showcase these items on our piano in the Commons. Please let me know if you have an item(s) that you would like to put on the piano for our community to enjoy. There is already a menorah on display. As the piano fills with items, next Monday we will review them with the entire group during our all school gathering & storytelling by yours truly.
Thanks to Mr. Ordonez, the PJS Giving Tree is here! Please send your child to school with items to decorate our beloved tree, a longstanding PJS tradition.
In the spirit of giving and in the midst of winter holidays, at PJS one way we celebrate is with our Giving Tree. Our Giving Tree invites PJS families to donate small items such as mittens, hats, scarves or even warm socks. These items will be hung on the tree until our Winter Holiday Celebration, next Friday December 18th. After this community wide gathering, the items will be collected and then donated to HomeFront, a non-profit organization providing assistance to local families in need.
This week PJS families will be receiving annual fund solicitations. There will be a large box in holiday wrap under the Giving Tree. Children and/or adults are invited to slip PJS Annual Fund remittance envelopes in this "AF Gift Box". Please consider donating towards our Annual Fund. The funds needed are directly applied to programs, teacher salaries, and the operations in the 2015-2016 academic year. Thank you again for your consideration!
As the days get shorter, PJS sparkles with the spirit of giving, holiday lights and cheer.
Thanks for your support in making this all possible.
Before you depart this Windows to Our World Blog, please see the attached link for a book list celebrating "Light" for you to enjoy at home with your child. We will be exploring some of these books at school as well. There is even a section where you can contribute to our shared understanding of "Winter Celebration of Lights." http://www.windowstotheworld.weebly.com/wtw-blog
Warm Regards,
Silvana
Our all school gathering last Monday evolved from a simple observation: Our days are getting shorter. Why is light important this time of year? What winter celebrations (via our families) give importance to lights? These are the questions that led our group discussion. Students shared their individual perspectives of the importance of lights across holiday traditions this time of year. Sebastian commented on the need for light, as our days (sunlight) have become much shorter. Through our discussion, students discovered that many cultures across the world celebrate holidays that use lights to decorate and/or celebrate. Students shared with the group the holidays their families celebrate. In addition, several students provided examples of how light is demonstrated in their family cultural traditions, from Blanca sharing about St. Nicholas and the lights showing each week of advent, Asher telling about the lights on the menorah for Hanukkah, and Kai describing Christmas tree lights for Christmas. There were several more examples. I asked students to continue to pursue this important inquiry with their teachers and their parents, with the intention of expanding their own perspective. I also invited children to return to school with artifacts related to family celebrations from the winter holidays as they pertain to the concept of light. PJS families are invited to decorate our piano with items that represent the array of winter holidays celebrated in our school community. We will showcase these items on our piano in the Commons. Please let me know if you have an item(s) that you would like to put on the piano for our community to enjoy. There is already a menorah on display. As the piano fills with items, next Monday we will review them with the entire group during our all school gathering & storytelling by yours truly.
Thanks to Mr. Ordonez, the PJS Giving Tree is here! Please send your child to school with items to decorate our beloved tree, a longstanding PJS tradition.
In the spirit of giving and in the midst of winter holidays, at PJS one way we celebrate is with our Giving Tree. Our Giving Tree invites PJS families to donate small items such as mittens, hats, scarves or even warm socks. These items will be hung on the tree until our Winter Holiday Celebration, next Friday December 18th. After this community wide gathering, the items will be collected and then donated to HomeFront, a non-profit organization providing assistance to local families in need.
This week PJS families will be receiving annual fund solicitations. There will be a large box in holiday wrap under the Giving Tree. Children and/or adults are invited to slip PJS Annual Fund remittance envelopes in this "AF Gift Box". Please consider donating towards our Annual Fund. The funds needed are directly applied to programs, teacher salaries, and the operations in the 2015-2016 academic year. Thank you again for your consideration!
As the days get shorter, PJS sparkles with the spirit of giving, holiday lights and cheer.
Thanks for your support in making this all possible.
Before you depart this Windows to Our World Blog, please see the attached link for a book list celebrating "Light" for you to enjoy at home with your child. We will be exploring some of these books at school as well. There is even a section where you can contribute to our shared understanding of "Winter Celebration of Lights." http://www.windowstotheworld.weebly.com/wtw-blog
Warm Regards,
Silvana