Brainstorms, Snowstorms, and Story Arts: Turning Challenges Into Triumphs

spark studio

Parks & Recreation
Unity, Challenges, and Creativity!

This week in Spark, we began by honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and reflecting on how we can continue his dream of unity. We discussed the importance of being good listeners and striving to understand each other better. It's a simple yet powerful way to practice unity in our daily lives.

We also had a fun, snow-filled day! We were able to join together for a half-day before the snow arrived. While the roads were a bit frightful, the play was delightful. Learners faced icy challenges with enthusiasm, and one Learner even took on all three challenges in one day! It was inspiring to hear how they persevered and shared their accomplishments with the group.

During our read-aloud, we stumbled upon a fun math challenge. Ms. Emma shared a book about the life of Vincent van Gogh, and we learned something surprising: he only lived for 37 years! Despite his short life, his art continues to impact the world today. We all agreed—it’s amazing how his work still lives on.

We also began the exciting process of dividing into teams for our “all-inclusive” park designs. Collaboration will be key as we bring our ideas to life, and we’re all eager to get started on this creative project!

And of course, this week’s letter is “P”! There are so many possibilities to explore with that one.

Looking forward to more adventures next week!

lower elementary studio

This past week was filled with snowflakes, laughter, and adventure! While the snow may have caught us by surprise, we hope it offered your family a chance to slow down, embrace the season, and enjoy quality time with your Learners—both inside and outside the classroom.

Before leaving school on Tuesday, Learners made their predictions about when the snow would arrive and how much we’d get. And the results are in! Congrats to our accurate predictors: Calvin, Wyatt, Yana, London, Ian, Tiger, Mrs. Brooke, and Ms. McKenna.

In addition to our snowy fun, Learners engaged in exciting learning activities, including exploring the lifecycle and dangers of fleas in our veterinary medicine Quest and participating in a Shark Tank-style elevator pitch competition for Story Arts. What a week!

We’re so proud of our Learners for embracing the season with enthusiasm and curiosity. Here’s to more learning and fun in the days ahead!

upper elementary studio

Thank You for Your Flexibility
Thank you, parents and caregivers, for being so understanding with the unexpected winter weather this week. We realize that these days off can be a challenge, and we deeply appreciate your patience and support as we adjust.

Check-Ins Update
We’ve heard your feedback about the challenges with the Google Doc check-in system, and we’re making changes to ensure better communication. Moving forward, learners will send a regular check-in email to keep you updated. Here, you’ll find the new weekly schedule for check-ins. If you’d like more clarity about your learner’s progress or social/emotional well-being, feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you for your continued patience as we refine our Studio systems to work more effectively for learners, families, and Guides alike.

Vet Med Quest: Design Thinking in Action
Our Vet Med Quest is in full swing! This week, learners are in the ideate stage of the design thinking process, brainstorming creative ways to design first aid kits for unhoused pet owners. These kits are being thoughtfully crafted to address basic pet care needs. I encourage you to start a conversation with your learner about homelessness and how it can look different for each individual or family experiencing it. These discussions can help deepen their understanding and empathy as they continue their work.

Leadership Workshop for 5th Grade Families
As part of earning their Leadership Badge, 5th-grade learners must complete a Leadership Workshop. They’ve decided to host this workshop on Monday, February 3. If your learner cannot attend that day, don’t worry—I’ll offer one more opportunity before the end of the year.

For families with 4th-grade learners: If you feel your learner would benefit from this workshop, please email me, and I’ll add them to the list.

Reminder: Device Policy
A friendly reminder that devices such as tablets, iPads, and similar items are not allowed at school. If your learner must bring a phone to school, it will need to remain in their locker during the day. We appreciate your support in ensuring the Studio remains a focused and distraction-free environment for all learners.

As always, thank you for your support in helping us create a meaningful, learner-driven environment. If you have any questions or need clarification about anything shared here, feel free to reach out.

middle school studio

This week, our learners showcased their ingenuity, empathy, and teamwork through a variety of hands-on activities and challenges.

After a thought-provoking video call with Project StreetVet, our learners brainstormed ways to reduce costs and enhance the quality of care items for homeless pet owners. They designed revised kits, complete with detailed prototypes, and pitched their ideas to the Studio. Each team dove into researching the cost of every item, fostering financial literacy and problem-solving skills.

In Civ, learners stepped back in time to ancient Egypt, recreating some of the challenges faced by the builders of the great pyramids. Using sugar cubes and working within strict limitations, they built their own miniature pyramids. This tactile exercise highlighted the extraordinary achievements of ancient civilizations and sparked deep reflection on human ingenuity.

An optional Virtual Learning challenge added an extra layer of excitement to the week. Learners who completed it were rewarded with HeroBucks, celebrating their initiative and perseverance.

Story Arts brought a heartwarming touch as learners collaborated on mini-biographies about their fellow Studiomates. Through outlining, storyboarding, and drafting, they practiced active listening and storytelling while fostering empathy and strengthening relationships. This exercise encouraged learners to see and appreciate each other’s unique stories and perspectives.

From brainstorming real-world solutions to fostering connections through storytelling, this week was a powerful reminder of the creativity and heart that thrives in our Studio.

high school studio

Wow, what a snowy week! Despite the weather keeping us apart for some of it, we made the most of our time together by diving into Story Arts. Excitingly, the high school is buzzing with creativity as we kick off pre-production for our very own film project!

This week, several incredible experts visited to guide us in the right, professional direction, sharing valuable insights to elevate our work. From understanding industry standards to gaining clarity on our specific roles, these sessions helped lay a strong foundation for our production journey.

In addition to learning from the pros, we also took a deep dive into self-reflection—analyzing our contributions to the team and how we can grow as collaborators and creators. Each department dedicated time to researching their unique roles and responsibilities, while also exploring the tools and equipment we’ll be using throughout the project.

Next week, we move into Quest—a new stage of exploration and creation. Stay tuned for more updates as our film takes shape, and as always, thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us!

Here’s to creativity, teamwork, and storytelling, no matter the weather!

Session 5: Year 7, WeeK 25 In Review