Slowing down
October 2026 | Emily Lyons, Director of Administration
October has a way of asking us to slow down.
The air turns cooler (hopefully soon!). The days grow shorter. Leaves that were green only weeks ago begin to change, reminding us that nothing stays the same for long—not the weather, not the seasons, and certainly not our children.
So far, I have written about creating memories with our kids and the truth that parenting doesn’t come with a manual. We are all learning as we go, doing our best with the child in front of us and the season we are in.
As parents, we can put so much pressure on ourselves to make every season special. We plan the outings, buy the matching pajamas, take the pictures, and try to create the kind of childhood our kids will remember. Those things can be wonderful. But lately, I realize more and more that meaningful memories are rarely made because everything went according to plan.
They are made in the ordinary moments. They are in the kitchen while something warm is baking. In the laughter that comes from a costume that will not cooperate. In the pile of leaves that took an hour to rake and only seconds to scatter again. In the bedtime conversation that begins just when you thought the day was finally over.
There is no manual for this. No perfect schedule, no flawless tradition, and no single right way to make a childhood meaningful. Sometimes the best thing we can do is pay attention to the season we are in instead of wishing we had handled the last one differently or worrying about the one coming next.
The leaves do not resist changing. They simply become what the season asks of them. Perhaps there is something in that for us as parents. We are changing too, right alongside our children—learning when to hold close, when to loosen our grip, and how to find beauty in both.
Growing in Patience
Angie Williams, Director of Education
This month, our Fruit of the Spirit focus is Patience.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2:
During Chapel, Bible time, and our everyday experiences at school, students will discover that patience is more than simply waiting. Patience is learning how we wait and how we respond when things don’t happen the way or as quickly as we would like.
Through biblical stories such as Abraham and Sarah, Moses leading the Israelites, and Joseph trusting God students will see examples of waiting, trusting, persevering through difficult circumstances, and showing patience with others. Our Pumpkin Parable will also provide a seasonal reminder of how God lovingly works in our hearts and helps us grow from the inside out.
Most importantly, we want these lessons to extend beyond Bible time. Whether a child is waiting for a turn, working through a challenging task, resolving a disagreement with a friend, listening while someone else speaks, or learning something that takes practice, these everyday moments provide opportunities to experience, discover, and grow in patience.
Continuing the Conversation at Home
You can help reinforce this month’s focus at home through simple, everyday conversations. Ask your child about a time they had to wait patiently during the day, what they can do when waiting begins to feel difficult, or how they can show patience with someone who may be having a hard day. You might also talk about something they are learning that takes time and practice, or discuss how we can trust God during seasons of waiting.
As we partner together, our hope is that students begin to recognize patience as more than simply waiting quietly. Patience is an opportunity to practice self-control, show grace to others, and trust God in the little moments of each day.
With joy & blessings,
Angie Williams
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Hedgehogs
The Hedgehogs exploring nature and finding treasures.
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Foxes
The Foxes participating in cooking class. They made self portraits and explored different foods.
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cubs
The Cubs using their creative skills to paint in art.
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birds
The Birds learning their letter “A” with hands on activities.
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turtles
The Turtles practicing fine motor skills in sewing class.
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rabbits
The Rabbits helping Mrs. Sam in Natural Science Class.
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monarchs
The Monarchs working at a team in Move n Grove!
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gatekeepers
The Gatekeepers collected and identified fallen leaves from the yard for their nature journals.
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adventures
The Adventurers working as a team to complete a puzzle!
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navigators
The Navigators reading during stations.
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explorers
The Explorers made square envelopes in their paperfolding/sloyd class. Students are working on following a series of instructions with accuracy and precision.
