The Heart of Parenting
April 2026 | Emily Lyons, Director
One thing we are truly passionate about is partnering with you as parents and supporting you as you raise your children (thank you for letting us be apart!). Beginning now — and continuing for those returning in the fall — part of our monthly letter will focus more intentionally on ways we can support you at home with your kids. Today, for our first parent tip, we are talking about the future. You are not just raising a child, you’re shaping a legacy!
It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of parenting, the messes, the tantrums, the to-do lists. But every moment with your child is shaping a memory. A story. A relationship.
One day, they’ll be grown. And they’ll remember…
How you made them feel when they made a mistake.
Whether your eyes lit up when they walked in the room.
If home felt like safety… or stress.
Whether they were heard, even when their voice was small.
So here’s a gentle reminder:
Parent today with the memory you want them to carry tomorrow.
Not perfection, but presence. Not control, but connection. Not fear, but love.
You’re not just raising a child. You’re becoming someone they’ll always remember.
YOU MATTER!
Mrs. Emily
Embracing Spring and God’s Faithfulness
Angie Williams, Education Director
Family Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for always being faithful to us. Help our family to trust You in every season—when things are easy and when they are hard. Grow our faith and help us to follow You and show kindness, love, and faithfulness each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Family in Action: “Mustard Seed Faith Jar”
What you’ll need: a small jar or cup, paper, and something to write with
What to do: As a family, write down small prayers or things you want to trust God with (big or small). Fold them up and place them in the jar. Talk about how even small prayers matter to God—just like a mustard seed grows into something big. At the end of the week, revisit the jar and talk about how you’ve seen God working or helping. Optional add-on: Decorate the jar with words like Faith, Trust, or God is Faithful.
Spring is in the air, and we are reminded of God’s beautiful faithfulness through every season! As the world around us begins to bloom, we will focus on the Fruit of the Spirit—faithfulness. Faithfulness means believing God keeps His promises, choosing to trust Him, and continuing to do what is right even when it’s hard. We will also explore how even a small amount of faith can grow into something strong and powerful, just as Jesus teaches in Matthew 17:20—that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.
Throughout the month, we will bring this truth to life through Bible stories that show God’s faithfulness in action. In Daniel and the Lion’s Den, we see how Daniel trusted God and God protected him. In Jonah and the Whale, we learn that even when we make mistakes, God is faithful to guide us back. Noah’s Ark reminds us that God keeps His promises, and David and Goliath shows us how faith in God gives us courage to face big challenges.
Our Bible verse for the month is:\“For His unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.” — Psalm 117:2 This verse reminds us that God’s love never fails and that He is always faithful—yesterday, today, and forever. No matter what we face, God keeps His promises and cares for us every step of the way.
We are excited to watch your children grow in their understanding of God’s love and faithfulness this spring!
Family Conversation Starters
What does it mean to trust God, even when things feel hard or scary?
Can you think of a time when you had to be brave like David or trust God like Daniel?
How can we show faithfulness to God and to others in our family this week?
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Hedgehogs
The Hedgehogs participating in Move and Grove.
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Foxes
Foxes helping each other move a big stick out of the way.
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Cubs
The Cubs celebrating Reading Across America Week by dressing up in their PJs!
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Birds
The Birds playing with a spring inspired sensory bin.
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Rabbits (PreK)
The Rabbits working on teamwork skills out in nature.
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Turtles (PreK)
The Turtles practicing gross motor skills during move and grove.
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Monarchs (Bridge-PreK5/K)
The Monarchs celebrating Reading Across America Week with a dance party!
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GateKeepers (Bridge-PreK5/K)
The Gatekeepers celebrating Reading Across America Week and participating in our dress up days.
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Adventurers (Lower Elementary)
The Adventurers practicing reflections on our geoboards
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Explorers (upper Elementary)
The Explorers have learned how to prep their leather for stamping and have been experimenting with making various designs using a mallet and leather stamps.
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Navigators (Elementary Enrichment)
The Navigators reciting John 10:7-14 while enjoying a beautiful day in God’s creation!
farm fresh anothen eggs
Don’t forget to grab your farm fresh Anothen eggs from the Barn’s Fridge or from the egg stand at Building C. All donations from purchasing eggs go to the Anothen Gardening Program.
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Spanish - reading in spanish
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cooking - tasting the rainbow!
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sewing - making a quilt!
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move and grove - learning baseball skills
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natural science - observing incubation
Fun in the sun
Join us as we wrap up the school year with two exciting days of outdoor fun! On May 14 & 15, students will celebrate all their hard work with Fun in the Sun — a special event filled with outdoor stations, laughter, and memories to last all summer long.
Parents are welcome to come and join the fun (or cheer from afar)!
Don’t forget sunscreen, water bottles, and a swimsuit — it's going to be a blast!
If you plan to accompany your child at any point during the Fun in the Sun school-day event, please be sure to register today. Registration is required for all parents, guardians, or siblings who wish to attend during the school day.
spring fling recap
Bookfair ends April 3rd!
Our Book Fair is almost over!
Be sure to stop by the main office lobby or visit our online shop to browse everything we have before time runs out. Don’t miss your chance to grab some great reads!
Discovery Camp
For 3 Years (Potty trained) - Completed Pre-K
Weeks 1-8
M-F $319/week | New! M/W/F $219/week |New! T/TH $159
DROP OFF | 8am to 9am ; PICK UP | 3:30pm to 4:15pm
New! Half Day Camp: Week 9
M-F Only $189/week
DROP OFF | 8am to 9am PICK UP | 1pm to 1:30pm
Use this code for a special school discount:
AOA26
