Learning Ridge

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

If you think that this bright little girl is in trouble - well, think again! In the spirit of togetherness and celebrating an “off” learning week with - we decided to have the kids just strike the iron while it’s hot, or in more kid friendly terms, have WATER DAY! This has been a compelling year and has tested our combined emotional capacity to handle stress and adversity while helping children make the most of this surreal situation. At the end of each day - the only way we want them to go is to have them wear a sweet smile on their face and cherish a new set of memories with lifelong friends. I’m always fond of how resilient these little kiddos are but most of these kids just want to feel connected to one another - that’s it. So happy this week is over, and I’m also so happy to have had an opportunity to see these familiar faces again!

At we’ve spend the better part of the last decade helping individual students with their learning goals. When the pandemic hit last year, we were shut in and unable to work with children for the better part of spring. As soon as we were able to come up with a way to reach out to families to help them transition to learning - we created one of the best learning pod experiences where kids were not just learning - but being kids again. Each day I’m able to see these wonderful children is a day where my heart floats. We’ve seen them hate school and then love school. We’ve seen them talk to no one and then make friends with everyone. We’ve seen them at their very best and also - have helped them recover from one of the worst periods of isolation ever in this century. We’ve seen them share their hopes, fears and dreams with us and we just cheer them on. To those families that have sent their child or children to our we have come such a long way. I’m so proud of each of your children and everyday they are with us is our special day. Thank you!!

Yup, we just got I paid for my staff’s order (yes R - it was supposed to be a surprise.. Don’t worry, I’m horrible at keeping secrets too!) and now I have ten minutes of quiet while my husband enjoys his cookies! Love supporting the community that we are so fortunate to be part of!!

Throughout this massive undertaking, we have logged into thousands of classes, served so many hot breakfasts and made more mistakes ordering a simple Friday lunch that would make a lunch lady cry. Tomorrow is our last “full” day with the community in and I do not regret one minute. I’m happy and sad at the same time and I know we’ll see each other again!! It’s been an honor !

Honestly, i don’t know what I would have done without this . At the very end of the , I was hit with so much sadness knowing I was not able to be in the schools. When we had the opportunity to work with a group of wonderful schools in the area, I thought that we would have a little bit of normalcy again. We’ve had our ups and downs and problems like everyone else, but we have been there for each other every step of the way. These children are so utterly resilient that you would not believe how much they have grown up with the responsibility of taking care of themselves by taking care of each other. You are my inspiration and the reason why I have so much love for what I do. I am so proud of all of you and if I don’t see some of you after this is over - please know that we always have this time and space together! from

When families share the love of reading, the children share the love back!! Thank you to our amazing community of highly engaged families!!