Happy Hall @ Santa Inez Newsletter | May
- Shawna Mccune
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Director's Message
A big thank you to all the wonderful parents who contributed to Teacher Appreciation Week! Your thoughtful gestures—from the handmade drawings and beautiful flowers to the generous gift cards—truly made our teachers feel special, loved, and supported. It meant so much to us, and we’re incredibly grateful for your kindness.
Looking ahead, we’re starting to gear up for an exciting season! Summer is just around the corner, and we’re also preparing for our TK Graduation. We can’t wait to celebrate all the amazing growth and milestones with you—these upcoming events are sure to be filled with joy and memorable moments!
Program Highlights
Engagement Activities
May has been an incredibly exciting and enriching month here at Santa Inez! Our classrooms have been filled with energy, enthusiasm, and the joyful sounds of learning and discovery. Each day has offered new opportunities for our young learners to grow, explore, and connect with one another in meaningful ways.
One of our key focuses this month has been practicing name and letter recognition. We've incorporated a variety of engaging methods into this practice—from colorful flashcards and name puzzles to interactive songs and storytelling games. In addition to literacy, we've been working diligently to strengthen fine and gross motor skills through a variety of hands-on activities. Cutting with safety scissors, assembling building blocks, and maneuvering small objects have helped enhance dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Meanwhile, larger-scale movement activities like dancing, hopping, and obstacle courses have kept us active and agile. These experiences are not only fun, but also foundational for developing the physical skills necessary for writing, self-care, and overall physical wellness.
This month, our learning journey also took a thrilling cosmic turn as we launched into an exploration of outer space! Our space-themed activities captivated the children's imaginations and introduced them to the vast and fascinating universe beyond our planet. We talked about the sun, moon, stars, and the eight planets in our solar system, using books, models, videos, and crafts to bring the wonders of space to life. We imagined what it might be like to travel in a rocket ship, walk on the moon, or float in zero gravity like real astronauts. The children asked thoughtful questions, created beautiful artwork of the night sky, and even pretended to be astronauts exploring distant planets during imaginative play. Their excitement was contagious, and it was a true joy to witness their curiosity light up with each new discovery.
Throughout all of these experiences, what has stood out the most is the sense of community and collaboration that continues to flourish within our classroom. The children have been learning how to work together, take turns, offer help, and celebrate each other’s successes. Whether building a tall tower, dancing in a group circle, or listening attentively to a friend's story, they are developing social and emotional skills that are just as important as academic ones.
As we wrap up this lively and memorable month, we are filled with gratitude and pride. It has been heartwarming to watch each child make progress, form connections, and embrace the joy of learning. We look forward to what the coming weeks will bring, knowing that every day at Santa Inez is another step in a beautiful journey of growth, discovery, and wonder.
Reminders
At Happy Hall, the safety and security of our students is always our top priority. As a friendly reminder, we kindly ask that you use the front door code to enter only for yourself and your child.
While it’s natural to want to be courteous and hold the door for others, we ask that everyone refrains from doing so to ensure that only authorized individuals are entering our facility. This small act goes a long way in helping us keep our school community safe.
Thank you for your understanding and for being a dedicated partner in keeping our students and school secure.
Looking Ahead
May 23: Minimum Day- Pick up by 1:00 pm
May 26: Memorial Day- No School
June 6: Closed for Conferences and Summer Set Up
June 9: First Day of Summer
Stay Connected
Check out our photo galleries:
Thank You!
Erin Olivas
Program Director
Happy Hall @ Santa Inez
