Weekly Update: Exploring Antarctica & Building Skills Together

Amy Acton Salado

January 23rd, 2026

2 minute read

Happy Friday!

Please stay safe and warm this weekend!
Any updates or changes due to weather conditions that may affect campus operations will be communicated via ClassDojo and email.

🐧 Primary Studio

This week in Primary, we continued learning fascinating facts about Antarctica! Some favorite discoveries included:

Antarctica is actually a desert
It is the only continent without reptiles
It is the coldest place on Earth
It has a mysterious blood-red waterfall
Worms are the most common land animal

Next Tuesday, we’re hosting a Penguin Pajama Party in the studio! Learners will enjoy popcorn and watch either Disney Nature’s “Penguins” or National Geographic’s “Secrets of Penguins”.
If you prefer that your child not participate in the movie viewing, please let me know.

Also, please be sure to check your email for details about our February 2nd field trip. Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

♟️ ES Blue Studio

ES Blue had a fantastic week learning from each other about chess—exploring the board, the pieces, and the rules of the game. We’ve also been discussing our upcoming Exhibition and what learners are excited to showcase for their families.

Some heroes rediscovered how helpful Montessori math materials can be when planning and organizing their work. Learners also engaged in thoughtful conversations around behavior expectations and boundaries—what is okay, and what they will and will not tolerate in the studio.
✨ Shout-out to Banyan for leading the conversation and keeping everyone on track!

🐞 ES Green Studio

This week, ES Green heroes built and began maintaining insect habitats, which they will observe throughout the session. The studio also celebrated major Read-a-thon milestones—way to go, readers! 📚👏

⚙️ Upper Levels

Upper Levels learners explored the science of levers and pulleys, drawing inspiration from Isaac Newton and Johannes Kepler. Through hands-on problem solving, learners investigated how force, motion, and mechanical advantage shape the world around us, testing ideas and refining their thinking through discussion and experimentation.

📅 Upcoming Dates

January 19: School Closed
January 26–30: Spirit Week
February 2: ES Blue & Primary Field Trip
February 5: Upper Levels Exhibition
February 6: ES Blue & ES Green Exhibitions

Thank you for your continued support—we love sharing these learning adventures with you! 💙