Families at the Heart of Anothen
February 2026 | Emily Lyons, Director
Hello Anothen Families,
February is a special month! I love Valentine’s Day because I truly love all of the students here at Anothen. Each child brings something unique and meaningful to our school, and we are so grateful to learn and grow alongside them every day. Thank you for sharing your children with us—it is truly a gift to partner with you in their learning and growth.
You are an essential part of our school community, and we value the strong partnership we have with our families. This month, we are excited to continue building that connection by inviting community helpers into our school day. If you have time in your schedule and would like to come share with our students about what you do—whether it’s your career, a special skill, or a way you serve the community—we would love to hear from you.
If you’re interested, please reach out to me directly, and we will set up a time at the end of the month for you to come speak to the classes! Thank you so much for your continued support and partnership.
the love of the lord
Angie Williams, Education Director
In chapel, students will be learning about the meaning of love and where it comes from. Through Scripture, we will discover that love comes from God—and that God is love (1 John 4:7). God showed His great love by sending His Son, Jesus, so that we may have eternal life (John 3:16). Though He knew we would sin, God loved us first and chose to save us.
Because God loves us, He calls us to love one another. When we show love through kindness, patience, and care for others, God’s Spirit lives and works within us. Jesus’ greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–38).
Children will explore the important truth that love is not just a feeling—it is a choice and an action. In 1 Corinthians 13, we will learn that love is patient, kind, enduring, and above all else, the greatest gift of all.
To help students live out this message, they will participate in a “Love Tree” activity at school, celebrating moments when they show Christ-like love to friends and teachers. Together, we are reminded that love is the foundation of our faith and a gift we are called to practice every day.
Family Conversation Starters
Ask your child: What does it mean that “God is love”?
How did God show His love to us through Jesus?
What is one way you showed love to a friend or teacher today?
How can our family show love to others this week?
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 together and talk about what love looks like at home.
Short Family Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving us so much. Thank You for sending Jesus to show us true love. Help us to love You with all our hearts and to love others with kindness, patience, and grace. Amen.
Family Activity: Love in Action
As a family, choose one way this week to show love together—write a kind note, help a neighbor, share a meal, or pray for someone in need. Start a family journal: After talking about how it felt to show love during the week and how it helped you grow closer to God, have each family member write or a draw picture to represent your love in action.
We want to give a huge thank you to our wonderful Parents’ Support Committee! Your generosity through the Snowflake Fund has brought so much joy to our teachers and reminded them just how appreciated they are. Your thoughtfulness makse our school community shine brighter every day - we are so grateful for each of you!
A Heartfelt Thank You
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Hedgehogs
The Hedgehogs working on gross motor skills during move and grove.
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Foxes
The Foxes creating outside in our mud kitchen!
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Cubs
The Cubs learning how to take care of our garden in Natural Science.
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Birds
In the Birds class they working on name recognition by building their name with playdough!
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Rabbits (PreK)
The Rabbits using their imagination skills during creative play.
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Turtles (PreK)
The turtles class working on number recognition and sorting!
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Monarchs (Bridge-PreK5/K)
The Monarchs explored nature to find objects that resembled different shapes, discovering that learning can be found all around us—like this piece of bark shaped just like a heart.
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GateKeepers (Bridge-PreK5/K)
The Gatekeepers learning about gardening in our Natural Science special.
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Adventurers (Lower Elementary)
The Adventurers working on language arts skills.
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Explorers (upper Elementary)
The Explorers went on a rainy day nature walk. Students played a game called "My Mystery Plant," in which students are given time to find and closely observe a plant before using detailed descriptions to guide other students to guess their mystery plant.
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Navigators (Elementary Enrichment)
The Navigators learning a valuable lesson on how to sew.
Spring fling
coming soon!
Families are invited to join us on March 28th for an evening full of fun, laughter, and connection as we welcome the spring season together. The event will feature a variety of food trucks, lively dancing, classic games, and fishing opportunities, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re dancing along to the music, competing in games, or relaxing outdoors with friends and family, Spring Fling promises to be a joyful night filled with memorable moments. We hope you’ll come hungry, ready to play, and excited to spend time together making lasting memories! RSVP coming soon!
Join us for Parents Day Out at Camp Anothen!
Take a well-deserved break while your kids enjoy a day full of creativity, laughter, and outdoor adventure!
Our beautiful grounds feature a peaceful pond that’s perfect for a little catch-and-release fishing, and we’ll spend time exploring our favorite camp-style activities together. Kids will get to play exciting games like Anothen Ball (our unique twist on Gaga Ball) and join in a camp favorite—Ultimate Hide and Seek—that’s sure to bring big smiles and lots of laughter.
Each moment of the day is thoughtfully planned and led by our caring, experienced staff who prioritize safety, encouragement, and fun in everything we do.
You can relax knowing they’re in great hands—having a great time.
