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The Weekly Owl
January 28, 2026
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IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS:
- Talent Show Auditions:
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February 10: Kindergarten - 1st Grade
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February 11: 2nd - 3rd Grade
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February 12: 4th - 6th Grade
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February 12: Preschool Olympics 9:30 a.m. (Building 1 Event)
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February 13: Valentine's Day Dance (2nd - 6th Grade Students)
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February 16: Presidents' Day - No School for Building 2; Optional Care for Tawny and Spotted (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
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February 26: Living Museum (Building 2 Event)
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It's Re-Enrollment Time!
Re-enrollment for the upcoming school year is now open. Current families can confirm re-enrollment status through FACTS. This helps us plan class placements, staffing, and resources for next year. To communicate your 2026-2027 decision, please log into your FACTS account and complete all required steps by the designated deadline. If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, our office is happy to help.
| | | | The Importance of Early Math Skills | | |
Have you ever stacked blocks with your toddler and counted them together? Or sung “One, two, buckle my shoe”? Simple activities like these do more than just entertain, they help your child build important early math skills. In fact, children begin developing mathematical thinking in infancy through everyday interactions you’re likely already doing.
Why Early Math Matters
Sometimes we put a lot of emphasis on early literacy, such as letters or sounds, but it’s important to remember that early math is just as essential. Young children begin building number sense, pattern awareness, spatial reasoning, and problem‑solving skills long before they enter school. These early math experiences form the foundation for future learning and help children develop confidence in exploring the world around them. Most of this early math happens naturally through play and simple daily routines.
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Everyday Math Activities
Try these easy, engaging activities that support early math skills during a typical day:
- Explore shapes during your next grocery store trip, such as circles on fruit, rectangles on cereal boxes, or triangles on signs.
- Search for patterns in your environment, like rows of cans, alternating colors of playground equipment, or flower petals.
- Clap rhythmic patterns and let your child copy them. This builds listening, sequencing, and early patterning skills.
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Sort laundry together by color or match socks to encourage classification and problem‑solving.
Books to Build Math Skills
Curl up with one of these fun, math‑friendly reads:
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Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
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Zac the Robot: A Book About Shapes by Stephanie Lanier
Incorporating simple learning moments into your everyday routines makes a big difference in your child’s early math development and keeps playtime fun, meaningful, and full of discovery.
| | | Learning the Impact of Historical Americans | | We're approaching our February Project-Based Learning (PBL) theme: “Which Americans Throughout History Have Impacted Our Country?” Throughout the month of February, students will learn about the impacts of Black Americans and past U.S. presidents on our country. To wrap up this exciting unit, we will host a Hall of Fame Living Museum on February 26. To enhance this event and bring it alive, students will dress as a person from their unit of study and highlight the life and accomplishments of the individual. Students will proudly present to their peers and parents, so mark your calendar to attend this event on February 26! | | | |
We are wrapping up our mid-year MAP testing window with make-up testing. If your child was out on their scheduled day of testing, then he or she will be pulled independently to complete their test this week and/or next week. Please refer to your child's teacher for specific tests dates.
Thank you to our students and staff for their hard work and flexibility throughout the testing window. MAP assessments provide valuable insight into student growth and help guide instruction. MAP reports will be sent home the week of February 9. We encourage families to review the results and reach out to teachers with any questions. We appreciate your continued support as we use this data to drive student learning and growth.
| | | New Dress Code Policy, Heading Off-Campus, & More | | |
Middle school students are up to some big things! Take a look at the important updates and announcements below.
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Uniforms: Middle schoolers will follow a new dress code policy. Uniforms are not required, but students must be Collage colors.
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Economics: We continue our PBL focus on running our store. Students will be making items to sell to other students. We'll have more store-related details to come, so stay tuned!
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Florida Theater: We're looking forward to heading off-campus to visit the Florida Theater on Thursday.
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Career Day: We had an amazing time at Career Day. Students were treated to a presentation from a nutritionist and a Taekwondo instructor, complete with board-breaking experience!
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Testing Make-Ups: MAP testing make-ups are scheduled for next week.
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Mental Health Moment of the Week:
Decision Making Builds Independence
Decision making is a developmental skill that improves with practice. Children benefit from age-appropriate opportunities to make independent choices, even when those choices lead to challenges. Leading guided discussion with your child about the impact of decisions on themselves and others supports learning and growth. Some choices to consider offering include selecting their outfit for the day, choosing how to spend free time, or deciding on the order of chores to be completed.
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Note from Nurse Chelsea
Calming the Nervous System
Seasonal focus: Chamomile and lavender
- Try chamomile tea before bedtime (cooled for young kids).
- Use lavender scents in a diffuser or sachet for calming routines.
- Practice 3 deep breaths before transitions.
- Keep bedtime routines predictable and consistent, even on weekends and during vacations.
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Eat the Rainbow: Cucumbers
Lower school students continue learning through Collage's Eat the Rainbow program. Students are exploring foods by color each month. This month's color is green.
Learn more about cucumbers:
Nutrient Spotlight: Cucumbers are mostly water, but are full of vitamin K and even contain a small amount of potassium.
Health Benefits: They support digestive health, improve hydration, and can lower blood sugar levels.
Kid-Friendly Tips: Slice cucumbers into rounds or sticks and serve with hummus or yogurt dip. Add slices to sandwiches or wraps for a cool crunch.
| | We encourage families to join in at home. Let's all make healthy eating fun and colorful! | | PARENT COMMUNITY ALLIANCE (PCA) NEWS | | |
Looking for a simple way to support Collage? Join our PCA Volunteer List!
Volunteering is a great way to get involved, meet other families, and make an impact. From fun nights to fundraisers, we rely on our amazing volunteers.
Whether it’s helping with set-up, check-ins, clean-up, or behind-the-scenes tasks, there are plenty of ways to lend a hand. When an event is scheduled, we’ll send out a sign-up form outlining the roles needed—just choose what works best for you!
📌Click here to learn more.
Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook at CDS Parent Community Alliance.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567861563027.
Bridget L. Van Landingham
President, CDS Parent Community Alliance (PCA)
| | THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: | | | | |
