Greetings, Early Childhood Families!

What a wonderful first three days it has been. Watching your children walk through our doors with beaming smiles, a little hesitation, and quiet bravery is always a highlight of the beginning of the year. At Concordia, our word of the year is Belonging, and it begins right now, in these earliest days, when children are learning that this place is safe, that their teacher knows their name, and that there is a space in this community that is entirely and specifically theirs. You can nurture that same sense of belonging at home by asking your child not just what they did today, but how they felt, who made them smile, and what made them feel like they were exactly where they were supposed to be.

As you support your child through this transition, remember that big feelings happen and are a sign that your child loves you and is learning to trust that love travels with them even when you are not around. Help them validate what they feel, "It is okay to miss me, and I will miss you too," and then leave with confidence, because your confidence becomes theirs. At home, make sure the foundations are solid: enough sleep, good food, plenty of water, and time to play and move. Children who feel settled in their bodies and understand their routine are far better equipped to feel ready in their hearts.

Belonging is not something we can build alone because it grows in the space between us, in the small and generous acts that say you matter here. We are so grateful to each of you for showing up for orientation, for embracing the Successful Start schedule, and for trusting the process as your children find their footing in school life again. That partnership is what makes belonging possible for every child in our community. It is both an honor and a joy to serve as your Early Childhood Principal, and I look forward to growing this community with you all year long.

Warm regards,
Shannon Keane
Early Childhood Principal