Happy New Year! We are so grateful to begin another year together and look forward to all 2026 has in store!
We have had our fair share of cold mornings so far this Winter Season, however we definitely haven’t had our fair share of snow! We are hoping for some more winter magic to find its way to us before spring arrives, but in the mean time we have been enjoying our time chasing the sun and learning all that this winter has to teach us. Our time together at Forest School is currently about building resilience, empowering our students to take care of their bodies and belongings, and building strong bonds and comradery among peers. We continue to learn how to listen to our bodies when we are cold or hot, how to successfully layer as the temperatures and weather changes, keeping track of our gloves and hats, and tricks to warm up our bodies and hands on those especially cold days. This time in the season is when our students truly begin to realize their inner strength, communication among students sets in and teamwork is at an all time high. The improvement in each child’s skill and ability of taking care of themselves both physically and emotionally has been a joy for teachers to experience.
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING: Winter is a big season for magic and fun but its also big time for learning and we believe it brings the best lessons! Cold and unpredictable weather teaches our kiddos to take care of their bodies by wearing proper gear, keeping gloves on (even if we want to touch snow with our bare hands) and eating and drinking when our bodies need it. Winter has it’s own style for play and the kids have been enjoying our new outdoor classroom and all it has to offer. There has been lots of exploring, identifying animal tracks, climbing, mud and snow play, imaginative games and visiting the chickens at the neighboring farm. As always, we practice our three classroom agreements: Play Safe, Play Fair and Have Fun. Students have embraced the season even if some mornings are tough before the sun comes up to meet us. Teachers spend their mornings helping the kids with their gloves and layers, giving kids extra care during transitions and colder hours, working with the kids through emotions and conflict, and connecting with the kids through play, help and conversation. Their mornings are filled with exploring, observing and joining in games with the kids and making sure everyone is safe and fair with their play. We continue to practice teamwork and encourage personal empowerment with the kids in all that we do.
* Remember to check Brightwheel for updates and personal pictures of your kiddo in class throughout the school year!
UPCOMING CLOSURES:
*Martin Luther King Jr Day - January 19
*Presidents Day - February 16
*Spring Recess - April 6-10
Winter Open House/ Community Day: Calling all Forest School Families (enrolled or not)! You and your family are invited to join us for our Winter Community Event & Open House where you can meet some of our teachers, Director Mackenzy and other Forest School families in our community! Celebrate the season, learn more about our outdoor programs and philosophies and explore one of our favorite outdoor classrooms together! Light refreshments will be provided (donuts, hot cocoa/ tea, etc.), as well as som fun Forest School activities for the kiddos! Sleds encouraged if weather permits! We can’t wait to spend a morning full of Forest School magic with you!
Date: Saturday, January 31st
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Location: Granite Park, Sandy
Address: 2725 East Grouse Creek Circle, Sandy
NESTLINGS Winter Walk: Join Director Mackenzy and her son + other moms and caregivers and their babies for a casual Q&A/ Meet & Greet while we stroll around on of our favorite outdoor classrooms! Find out the latest details surrounding our upcoming Nestlings Program, give your input and learn about the Grateful Gathering philosophy while getting to know Mackenzy and other moms in the community!
Thursday, January 22 from 9:30-10:30am
*To RSVP: email us at gratefulgatheringfs@gmail.com with the subject “Winter Walk”. Include the names and ages of all attending and we will be sure to send you the details on where to meet!
*This event is weather dependent.
Be on the lookout for soft opening coming in early MARCH!
Email us with the subject “Nestlings” to receive the full details and schedule!
SUMMER CAMP ENROLLMENTS NOW OPEN: It's time to kick off enrollment for our 6th Annual Adventure and Play Summer Camps. Early Bird Enrollment is NOW OPEN for Current Families only! This is our most popular program, and though we're still months away, we are already SO excited for all of the exploring, friendship, and play this upcoming summer season! Spaces are limited and Open Enrollment begins January 19th. Visit our Summer Camp page on our website to enroll!
OAKI DISCOUNT: Have the gear your child needs for the season?
Use code: GratefulGatheringFS for %15 off Oaki Brand gear & our school will earn %5 back!
We love this local company and have been recommending their gear for years, and we are so grateful to be in partnership!
*PARENT BOOK CLUB:
Kids Book: Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel
Adults Book: There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk
(If you are interested in joining the book club and reading and discussing together, contact Director Mackenzy!)
If you have a book you’d like to recommend, please send us a message through Brightwheel!
Here’s whats new at
GRATEFUL GATHERING FOREST SCHOOL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Forest Playschool?
Originated in Denmark, Forest Kindergartens (or preschools) are a type of education for children between the ages of three and six that is held almost exclusively outdoors. Now adopted and getting more popular in the US, Forest Schools are becoming an incredible child development tool for children of all ages. Grateful Gathering Forest School adopted the Playschool value system because we believe that the best and only true way for a child to practice everyday life skills with passion and curiosity is through play. And we believe the best teacher and playground for that learning is in nature. Our curriculum focuses on interest-led nature exploration, PLAY, and daily discoveries. We engage with our natural world and foster an environment for children to be empowered, develop life skills, friendships, and explore their creativity, while developing confidence and an innate interest in learning about themselves and the world around them.
What can I expect from school everyday?
Grateful Gatherings Forest School’s low teacher to student ratio (4:1 for ages 3-6 and 6:1 for ages 5-9) and our child-led approach to learning allows for every child to show up to school each day just as they are, with teachers able to take care of their individual needs and feelings. We begin each day with a “hello circle” of some kind where we tune into our bodies, talk about the weather for the day and what that means for our clothing (removing layers, feeling too hot/cold, etc.), go over our affirmations and agreements, and sing a song together. The rest of the day is unstructured free-play and in the moment learning about ourselves and our feelings, the natural world around us, and how to build and foster relationships with others. Each class includes: seasonal nature-based learning, unstructured exploration and play, songs & stories, team-building games, food and water to nourish our bodies, mindful practices, problem solving, creativity, skill building, and lots of friendships and fun!
Where is pick-up and drop-off?
We use multiple nature spots throughout Sandy based on season. Pick-up and drop-off will be in the parking lot of the location we are meeting at for the day. Location is seasonal based on sunlight. Teachers will message about location change for any reason.
How do we handle snacks and potty breaks?
Grateful Gatherings is an outdoor program. Depending on where we are at, we wont always have access to public restrooms. We ask that parents help their children get comfortable going to the bathroom outside before they begin our program. We do request parents pack an extra pair for clothing in case of an accident. One teacher will always be close by in case they are needed, and we always carry hand sanitizer for after a potty break. We allow kids to go to go to the bathroom and eat at their food on their own terms (we do ask everyone every day if they need to go to the bathroom and make sure every child has sat down to eat) and actively promote listening to their bodies every day at school.
What do we do in inclement weather or low air-quality days?
Safety is our main priority with the kids, and is a staple in what we teach at school. Because we are a 100% outdoor program, if the weather is unsafe for the children to be outside for extended periods of time, we will have to close for the day. We do not refund if we have to cancel for the day. Make up days are available, but up to the family to schedule.
How can I set my child up for success?
Before joining our program, a lot of parents ask us what they can do to help their child get ready for Forest School. What a great question to ask! We believe the best way to prepare them and make them feel confident in this exciting step is to show them what they will be doing! We ask parents to take them to the places they will be playing in and go for a hike and explore with them! Familiarize them with our website and our social media page and show them some of the activities we do. Practice going to the bathroom outside. Talk to them about what they can expect and what they might be feeling about it. Doing these things with your child will help make him/her more readily able to make that transition, and feel confident in their new outdoor environment!