Mangrove School of Sarasota

Join us for a free crafting afternoon in our play yard.

This session we will be making these gorgeous paper lanterns!

Open to all ages – all crafts are designed to appeal to a wide variety of ages – older children can complete independently – younger ones may need assistance, very little ones may opt to play in the sandbox while mom or dad crafts, and that is ok too! 🙂

This is a free event, although we are collecting non-perishable foods for All Faiths Food Bank, if you are able to bring an item to donate , we would really appreciate it!

You are invited to experience a hands on tour to see how our Grade school students learn academics in a dynamic and engaging way.

Discover the inspired teaching that takes place, which will be followed by a question and answer period.

Our Walk Through the Grades tour begins in the courtyard of Mangrove School of Sarasota at 9:15 AM, and lasts about 60 minutes.

Come one, Come All

To our Michaelmas Festival

For those courageous, brave, and true

Watch what our local blacksmith can do

Fire, iron, melted hot Fearful and timid, she is not!

But early in the morn’ you must arise

the magic to behold and realize

Children both young and old

act out the story of St. George so bold

To tame the dragon fierce and wild

Make safe the world for every child

Share in morning feast delight

Begin our autumn season right.

This festival honors St Michael, who inspires courage and strength in each of us.

He is traditionally pictured in the act of subduing a dragon, which represents the dark side of human nature.

During the days leading up to our Michaelmas festival, students hear stories and sing songs of St. Michael, who inspires us to take courage against darkness.

Shortly after drop off, the Grades students perform a play for the community that depicts the story of St. Michael and his battle with the dragon. The children learn that with great valor, dragons can be beaten.

Brave and true will I be,

Each good deed sets me free,

Each kind word makes me strong.

I will fight for the right!

I will conquer the wrong!

Sword of Michael brightly gleaming,

Down to earth its light is streaming,

May we see its shining rays

In the Winter’s darkest days

Discover the difference a thoughtful education can make and see how your child can benefit from this unique developmental approach.

This event is open to parents and children to participate in activities typically seen in our classrooms.

Activities include:

Bread Baking

An activity which allows a child to see a process from start to finish and make connections in the world. They experience that the bread is the result of their work, plus it is a wonderful sensory and tactile activity.

Puppetry

Delight in a puppet story while nurturing a lifelong love of reading through puppet storytelling.

Beeswax modeling

A wonderful exercise for finger dexterity, creativity, and bringing warmth into the hands.

Meet our teachers and experience the magic of our school firsthand. Your child is welcome to explore the classroom and adults will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss education.

We would be delighted to get to know you, Call (941) 927-3711 if you have any questions about this event.

Many parents cherish summer for its freedom. It is a time for unrushed days and tons of unstructured time for play. Even though the children often love to return to school for the social aspect, it can be difficult for them to readjust to a set schedule and a commute. Fortunately there are some gentle ways to lessen the stress for families as they readjust to the school time routine.

Planning Ahead:

Begin returning to the school time rhythm before school actually starts. This can be done over a few weeks’ time so it is very gentle and subtle. Bedtime is an excellent example. If your child has become accustomed to late summer evenings, trim off 10 minutes each night so they do not have an abrupt change right as school is starting. Begin waking them up earlier each day, also, so they start to get used to their morning routine before they have the pressure of being somewhere on time. Lunch could be served at their regular school lunch time, and then an early dinner. Focus your intention on nourishing them during these weeks, so they feel rejuvenated, rather than tired and cranky as they adjust to a new year at school.

As you approach the first day, and during the first weeks, remember that the children may have anxiety or fear about a new teacher, or grade. Try scheduling play dates with classmates so they can reconnect with old friends or make new ones. Contact the school to see if they need any help on campus with tasks that you could also bring your child to. Visiting the school again could help your child feel more comfortable. Being involved in their school during the year also helps feel children connected to their family while they are leaving the home each day. Talk to your child’s teacher about some of the activities they are planning for the year. Without spoiling any surprises, discuss with your child some of these things to help build their excitement about experiencing new things or meeting new challenges in the coming year.

Try planning ahead as much as you are able, for the first few weeks, to make the new routine as easy as possible on all of you. Plan simple meals that your child is familiar with and enjoys; this will make meal time easier and more enjoyable for all. Utilizing a crockpot or making double batches during the summer and freezing them for the first weeks of school is also a huge help during the hectic first weeks.

Consider coming up with a strategy for school clothes and laundry. Having a “laundry day” or doing one load a day can take a considerable amount of stress out of your own routine. Think about how to organize clothes in a way that take the struggle of getting dressed in the morning. Some parents have a “school clothes” drawer that the child can choose from the evening before. Others have a small labeled bin for each day that is prepared at the beginning of the week.

How to Keep the School Time Struggle at Bay:

Rushing out of bed to get somewhere quickly never feels good, no matter what your age. Allowing your child enough time to wake up in the morning is so important. Even more important is giving them time with you, to connect before their days starts. Even just 5 minutes of special time with Mom or Dad before getting up and getting ready for school will give them the best possible beginning for their day.

With my own daughter, I found getting her up early to have some outside time with me before getting ready for school was the way to her heart. As often as possible I wake her just before the sun is rising and have her come outside with me to watch the light come over the trees. I have found this tranquil time invaluable for our connection, especially now as she is getting older (third grade!), as well as for my inner peace during my own day.

Discover how your child can benefit from our unique developmental approach.

This event is open to parents and children to participate in activities typically seen in our classrooms.