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The Weekly Owl
January 21, 2026
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IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS:
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January 27: Career Day for Elementary
- 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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A Reminder on Dress Code Requirements...
As we continue to experience colder months, we kindly remind families to ensure students arrive at school dressed appropriately for the weather while adhering to school dress code. Students spend time outdoors during arrival, recess, and dismissal, so warm layers such as coats, sweaters, hats, and gloves are encouraged.
Please note that all winter clothing should continue to align with our dress code expectations. This includes appropriate outerwear that is safe and comfortable for movement and learning that aligns with our dress code. While students may wear jackets and sweatshirts outdoors, dress code guidelines remain in effect once inside the building. Please refer to our school dress code policy online for guidance. Elementary and middle school teachers will be advised to send home dress code violations for those students out of dress code.
Please keep in mind:
- Shirts worn by all students must be monogrammed collared shirt with the Collage Day School logo. These shirts can be either light blue, navy, white or hunter green. The only time when alternate Collage Day School shirts may be worn are on physical education days.
- Pants and skirts worn by all students must be khaki, grey, navy, or white.
- Girl’s skirts should be no shorter than three inches above the knee. Girls may wear fitted shorts or leggings under their skirts.
- Long sleeve shirts or leggings worn under uniforms for warmth must be solid in color—white, gray, or navy.
Your support helps us maintain a safe, focused learning environment while keeping students comfortable throughout the school day. Thank you for partnering with us and helping students be prepared for winter weather.
| | | | Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! | | |
Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is coming up January 26–30! This year’s theme, “Read, White and Blue: Celebrating 250 Chapters of America,” honors the nation's rich literary and historical heritage as we mark 250 years of American stories and voices.
This statewide initiative, led by the Florida Department of Education, aims to raise awareness about the importance of reading and inspire students and families to make literacy a joyful part of everyday life.
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Families play a vital role in nurturing a love for reading from the very beginning. Here are simple and fun ways to celebrate literacy at home:
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Create a cozy reading space: Set up a small corner with pillows, books, and soft lighting to make reading feel special.
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Connect books to real life: Read stories about American landmarks, traditions, or historical figures, then explore these topics through crafts or local outings.
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Let your child choose: Empower your child by letting them pick books that match their interests, even if it is the same one over and over!
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Celebrate progress: Keep a reading chart or sticker board to celebrate each book read together.
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Here are two suggestions to get you started:
Parade Colors by Barbara Barbieri McGrath (infant/toddler)
| What Is America? by Michelle Medlock Adams (preschool) | | | The Valentine's Dance & Spring Enrichments Are Here | | |
Attention 2nd-6th grade students! Mark your calendars for our Valentine’s Day Dance on Friday, February 13. This special event will give students an opportunity to celebrate friendship, enjoy music, and make lasting memories with their classmates in a safe and supervised school setting.
Students can look forward to dancing, themed decorations, food, and plenty of Valentine’s goodies for purchase. We encourage students to dress festively while continuing to follow the school dress code.
Additional details regarding time, tickets, and grade-level participation will be shared soon. We can’t wait to celebrate together and make this a memorable event for our students!
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We are excited to announce that enrollment for after school enrichment opens this week, with classes beginning the second week of February. Our enrichment program is designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence, while giving students the opportunity to explore new interests beyond the classroom.
This session features exciting new enrichment offerings, including hands-on STEM experiences, creative arts, movement-based classes, and skill-building opportunities that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and self-expression. Whether your child loves to build, create, move, or imagine, there is something for everyone!
Spots are limited and classes tend to fill quickly, so we encourage families to enroll early. Don’t miss this opportunity to extend your child’s learning in a fun, engaging, and enriching way after school.
More details, including class descriptions and enrollment information, will be shared on our school website this week. Click here to register!
| | | Students Combine Art and Commerce | | |
Students continue blending creativity with real-world learning. In art class, they’ve been exploring new techniques, expressing their ideas, and having fun bringing their imaginations to life by creating wood sculptures. Many students even merged their materials to build large skate parks and obstacle courses.
Combined with creative art, students have been learning important financial skills, such as budgeting, saving, and making smart choices with money. Classes will open a store at the end of every week for students to spend their Collage dollars on student-made items. It’s exciting to see students enjoy hands-on activities while building skills they’ll use for years to come.
Reminder: Please help us support your students by checking planners daily for homework and other important information.
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Resource Spotlight:
Getting Inspired and Building Confidence Through Art
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This month in art, upper school students have been creative and expressive, inspired by famous artists from around the world.
Lower school students are developing fine motor skills and building confidence while keeping the focus on the process rather than the product.
As we move into the month of February, be on the lookout for heart-themed artwork displayed throughout both buildings!
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Mental Health Moment of the Week:
What Does Anxiety Look Like?
Anxiety can present in many different forms. Sometimes it shows up as asking a lot of questions or frequently looking for reassurance. Other times, anxiety is experienced physically, such as through stomach aches, headaches, or a racing heart. Take a moment to notice how anxiety may be showing up for your child, both emotionally and physically.
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Note from Nurse Chelsea
Winter Hydration - Beyond Water
Seasonal focus: Herbal teas, soups, pears
- Warm herbal teas (chamomile, rooibos) count as hydration.
- Soups and broths support with fluids and minerals.
- Pears help gently hydrate and support digestion.
- Keep water bottles accessible, even in cold weather.
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Eat the Rainbow: Tart & Tangy Green Apples
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 Green Apples:
Nutrient Spotlight: Green apples contain fiber, vitamin C, and plant antioxidants.
Health Benefits: This sweet fruit supports digestion and helps keep our hearts healthy.
Kid-Friendly Tips: Enjoy green apples sliced and dipped in honey, diced and sprinkled on top of a salad, or juiced into a delicious drink!
| | 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: | | | | |
