Miss Donnelly's Daily Apple

Our favorite weekend events!

Another Saturday "Pit & Children's Lit" in the books! ❤️🐾

Being able to host a FREE reading event at one of my favorite coffee shops is truly a dream. . . & getting to bring my 'right-hand-pup' is the cherry on top!

Or should I say watermelon!? 🍉 (One of our books this event was intentionally chosen to match Styles' summertime bandana!)

One event at a time, we're sharing our passion for dogs, coffee, and books while fighting back against negative stigmas about Pitbulls!

Thank you to those who support us, thanks to OB Beans Coffee Roasters for welcoming us, and cheers to summer! 🌞

PS: You can see our summer schedule on our FB page, or by heading to this link → bit.ly/PitLitSummer2024

Tomorrow morning from 10-11AM! ✨

Join us at our next "Pit & Children's Lit" book reading event at OB Beans Coffee Roasters tomorrow, Saturday June 15th! This will be "reading with dad" themed, but everyone is welcome!

Listen to some fun books, sip on yummy drinks & hang out with us! As always, the event is free! (PS: Styles will be wearing his summertime watermelon bandana! 🍉) Come say hello!

RSVP: bit.ly/PitLitSummer2024

Happy Last Day! ✨ This past week has been such a whirlwind with fieldtrips, special events, and our Awards Ceremony & Pool Party!

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, we are so grateful for our amazing families, incredibly bright and empathetic students, and all of the memories made.

Hoping all of our kiddos & their families have a safe, warm, and fun summer! And for those who are attending summer camp. . . we'll see you in a few weeks! 💛🌞

We have another exciting field trip coming up & we can't wait! Our microschool is headed back to Frosted Faces Foundation! ❤️🐾

This time, our little learners will get to help with hands-on rescue work, including creating enrichment activities & items for the dogs in their care!

We're so grateful to FFF for hosting us again & giving our students the opportunity to experience rescue work firsthand!

See you soon, pups! 🐕✌

Another picture from our Costume & Career Week! 💕

We had Barbie, guitar player, fireman, lifeguard, and even a "Boss Mom." 🙌 Love these dress-up days!

Here are a few snapshots from our cooking activity on Wednesday! 🍴

We made our own sugar cookie dough & used these amazing dinosaur bone cookie cutters to create our edible fossils! So much fun! 🍪

PS: Did you know that we're doing kid-safe cooking at our summer camps!?

Yes! Every Tuesday of camp, we're doing kid-safe cooking with Sticky Fingers Cooking!

PS: You can find more info about camps here! → donnellydailyapple.com/camps

Hooray! We had such a wonderful field trip at Ocean Beach People's Food Co-op today! ❤️🍎

We got to. . .
→ Listen to an informative presentation on organic produce and co-op markets
→ Take a behind-the-scenes tour of all their amazing food and products
→ Eat lunch in a special conference room
→ Complete a mini-lesson on producers & consumers
→ Go on a shopping scavenger hunt
→ & make art for People's to display in their store!

Such a special day filled with learning & fun!
Thank you, OB People's for having us!

WOOHOO! 🙌 We are stoked to officially announce our amazing vendors & partners for Create & Play Summer Camp 2024!

Movement Mondays → Obstacle courses, agility games, relay races, "ninja-themed" play & more with Coach Glen of Momentum! 🤸

Tasty Tuesdays → Delicious, kid-safe cooking with Sticky Fingers Cooking! 🧑‍🍳

Wild Wednesdays → Engaging jiu-jitsu instruction with Coach 'Panda' Brian of Jiu-Jitsu Foundation 🐼 Plus, 'Water Wednesday' 💦 (water play in the afternoon).

Thrifty Thursdays → Hands-on, exploratory art lessons with Miss Taylor Booth ! 🎨

Field Day Fridays → Outdoor games plus Park & Play in the afternoon! 🛝

What an exciting line-up! ✨ Join us for the full week or drop-in on the day(s) you love the most!

PS: Each week will include different activities and themes, so don't be afraid to sign up for all 3 sessions - June, July & August! ✌

Register now on our website! → donnellydailyapple.com/camps

Little man couldn't help but want to go to "Big Kid School," too! 💕

We are thankful for relationships we've built, children and families we serve, and the ability to provide different services to as wide of an age range as possible!

Here are our current offerings:

→ Monday Primary Pod, ages 3-5 (June-August)
→ Summer Camp, ages 4-10 (June, July & August)
→ K-4 Microschool (End of Aug-May)

. . & all-ages tutoring!

If you're curious about anything we do, feel free to reach out to us or visit our website donnellydailyapple.com !

Hooray! 🐾 We're headed back to OB Beans Coffee Roasters for another "Pit & Children's Lit" event, this time on the Saturday of Father's Day weekend!

So, bring your dad, grandpa + the whole fam & come read with us!

What you can expect ↓

Amazing coffee, kid-friendly drinks & pastries; great books; dog pets + cuddles from senior Styles (the ambassador of Pet You A Latte); and a fun and relaxed atmosphere!

Come join us Saturday June 15th, 10-11AM at OB Beans!

PS: It's completely FREE! 🐾☕
(RSVP here ✨→ bit.ly/PitLitJune2024)

"Why do you do so many dress-up days?"🤔

Hi! 👋 Miss Marisa here, founder of Miss Donnelly's Daily Apple! One of the biggest reasons I'm a fan of dress-up days is because as a kid I was made fun of ALL THE TIME for the clothes I wore, for the pigtails in my hair, for carrying my stuffed animals around, or for always having a notebook tucked under my arm. . . to the point that I stopped being myself sometime around middle school.

I want to create the exact OPPOSITE for my students. ✌

I want them to feel that they can be themselves, that they can be silly, that they can do/be/wear whatever they want, and they'll be respected and loved for who they are.

Dress-up days are an opportunity for creativity & self-expression. And whether they choose to participate or not, they're welcome to explore all the parts of themselves freely!

Kicked off Costume & Career week with some fun outfits! ⚾️

When you're "twinning" with your teacher, you HAVE to get a pic!

THIS FRIDAY! ✨ Join us at the Alternative Education Expo where we'll be sharing about our programs—K-4 Microschool, 1:1 Learning/Tutoring, Summer Camps, Primary Pod Classes & more!—and our passion for providing individualized, intentionally-designed education!

We are so excited to team up with Rise & Restore Ministry to share all the benefits of and what it means to take your child's learning into your own hands!

Whether you're just getting started or are a veteran homeschooler looking for a new program that's the perfect fit, we hope to see you there! Come check out our booth!

Register now! → bit.ly/AltEdExpo2024 | See you there! 🤸 🍎

Bittersweet end-of-week for our Daily Apple Microschool crew as we said goodbye to one of our friends! 💔🥺

His family is moving out of state and we will miss him dearly! But, we're so thankful for all the memories made (and for our Park Party on his last day!)

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — Winnie The Pooh

Collaboration looks like. . . sharing ideas, experimenting together, taking turns, exploring topics alongside one another, balancing when to be a leader and a follower, asking questions, and co-creating!

Our goal with our small-group learning programs is to offer our students all of these opportunities (and more!) to learn & grow.

We're enrolling for our 2024-2025 school year!
Contact us or head to our website for more information!
→ donnellydailyapple.com/san-diego-microschool

Hooray! We're re-launching our summer learning for younger ages! ✨

Our goal with the Primary Pod is to offer younger children the opportunity to socialize, play, create, get messy, have fun, and feel like they’re going to ‘school’ at a home (and yard!) intentionally designed for education, collaboration, and connection.

*Our programming is currently paused until June 2024, when we will begin to offer Monday learning 9AM-12PM on the following dates: 6/17, 7/1, 7/8, 7/22, 7/29, 8/12.

Contact us for more information or to register online! → bit.ly/PrimaryPod

SO excited to announce our upcoming fieldtrip with Ocean Beach People's Food Co-op! ✨

Our Miss Donnelly's Daily Apple microschool students will be touring, learning about health & economics, creating art, and exploring with a hands-on scavenger hunt!

This is perfect because we've been exploring economic activities, like spending/saving, budgeting, money, jobs, goods/services, and more! We can't wait!

Thank you, OB People's, for this exciting opportunity! 🙌

We had such a great turnout at our May "Pit & Children's Lit" event ("Reading With Mom"). ❤️ So many puppy snuggles, good books, coffee & chocolate milk, magna-tiles, coloring, and new friends!

Thank you to everyone who came out!
And thank you, OB Beans Coffee Roasters for hosting!

PS: Check out pic number 2 to see the true star of the show! 🐾

A reminder for parents & teachers alike.

“Today in one of our classes I introduced the children to two apples (the children didn't know this, but before the class I had repeatedly dropped one of the apples on the floor, you couldn't tell, both apples looked perfect). We talked about the apples and the children described how both apples looked the same; both were red, were of similar size and looked juicy enough to eat.

I picked up the apple I'd dropped on the floor and started to tell the children how I disliked this apple, that I thought it was disgusting, it was a horrible colour and the stem was just too short. I told them that because I didn't like it, I didn't want them to like it either, so they should call it names too.

Some children looked at me like I was insane, but we passed the apple around the circle calling it names, 'you're a smelly apple', 'I don't even know why you exist', 'you've probably got worms inside you' etc.

We really pulled this poor apple apart. I actually started to feel sorry for the little guy.

We then passed another apple around and started to say kind words to it, 'You're a lovely apple', 'Your skin is beautiful', 'What a beautiful colour you are' etc.

I then held up both apples, and again, we talked about the similarities and differences, there was no change, both apples still looked the same.

I then cut the apples open. The apple we'd been kind to was clear, fresh and juicy inside.

The apple we'd said unkind words to was bruised and all mushy inside.

I think there was a lightbulb moment for the children immediately. They really got it, what we saw inside that apple, the bruises, the mush and the broken bits is what is happening inside every one of us when someone mistreats us with their words or actions.

When people are bullied, especially children, they feel horrible inside and sometimes don't show or tell others how they are feeling. If we hadn't have cut that apple open, we would never have known how much pain we had caused it.

I shared my own experience of suffering someone's unkind words last week. On the outside I looked OK, I was still smiling. But, on the inside someone had caused me a lot of pain with their words and I was hurting.

Unlike an apple, we have the ability to stop this from happening. We can teach children that it's not ok to say unkind things to each other and discuss how it makes others feel. We can teach our children to stand up for each other and to stop any form of bullying, just as one little girl did today when she refused to say unkind words to the apple.

More and more hurt and damage happens inside if nobody does anything to stop the bullying. Let's create a generation of kind, caring children.

The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words.”

Words by: Mum in the Moment

RESOURCES:

Need to find out more about kids and bullying: https://parenttv.com/?s=Bullying

How to help look after your child’s mental health: https://parenttv.com/topics/mental-health/

Sharing a few pictures from our latest event with LET THEM LEARN! 🙌🏻🙌🏾

This was such a fun day out in the park, and it was so great to connect with like-minded vendors & families looking for ways to make education work best for them!

Thank you to all those who stopped by our booth!

If you connected with us, be sure to look out for our newsletter (and follow us on social media for other updates about camps, Primary Pod & both summer + fall 2024 offerings!)

The start of our "May Days" was a success 👏 Who doesn't love crazy hair day?! Love teaching these crazy kids!

Reminder: Learning isn't just about what knowledge your child gains in his or her classroom, program, or textbook. ✨

Learning is also the conversations and exploration you have. It's the routines you build. It's the consistency you create in their schedules. It's the priority you put on academics at home.

It's making education a part of LIFE & not just a place you go.

Bringin' back one of our favorite traditions. . . May Days! 💕

Our microschool students LOVE these themed days/weeks, and it creates a sense of excitement around the end of the year!

Sometimes students get in a 'lull' around the EOY. This helps to continue the joy, silliness, and friendship in the classroom while counting down to the change in scheduling!

Whether our students are taking time off, gearing up for summer learning/tutoring, or planning for summer camps, we love celebrating May!

We are all Earth's keepers 🌎✨💕

Earth Day in our Monday class was so special last week! Our students took time during their 'brain break' to create & color meaningful art to hang at the local park.

When we got to the park (after cleaning up so much trash!) they asked the staff if they could hang their posters, and they said yes!

It was so special seeing their artwork on display, and the best part was that the staff left it up all day for others to see, too!

Thank you, South Clairemont Park, for supporting student learning & celebrating Earth Day with us!

Hooray! We're gearing up for our next Pit & Children's Lit event NEXT SATURDAY, MAY 11TH at OB Beans Coffee Roasters! 💕

This one will be extra special because it's Mother's Day weekend & 'reading with mom' themed, which means it's the perfect event to invite mom, stepmama, grandma, aunt, or another special mama figure in your life to!

Per usual, we'll be getting cozy, reading some great books, coloring and playing with fidgets, sippin' some delicious coffee and cocoa, and hangin' with senior dog, Styles!

RSVP to let us know you'll be there! → bit.ly/PitLitMay2024

Our Tuesday crew just finished a big persuasive writing project where they had to use internet-based research to support their arguments!

In our digital world, learning how to use the internet safely and find credible sources is SO important to us!

Here are a few ways you can guide young learners (both in the classroom and at home)! ✨

Oh my goodness! The fact that we are in this cookie contest is just so cute 🥹🥰😆

Show off your best cookie looks tomorrow during our cookie outfit competitions presented by Tanger Outlets, Sevierville. We will have a human and a dog division with prizes for both winners!

We look forward to seeing all your best cookie apparel/costumes!

📷: Miss Donnelly's Daily Apple
📷: Semi Sweet Designs
📷:

Mark your calendars for this extra special "reading with mom" themed 'Pit & Children's Lit'! 💕

The Saturday of Mother's Day weekend (5/11) plan to join us for some spring-themed books, great coffee and tea, yummy breakfast treats, and snuggles with our sweet senior dog, Styles!

If you're looking for something special to do with mom, stepmom, grandma, or another special mama-figure in your life, this is it!

PS: It's completely FREE! 🐾☕
RSVP & more info → bit.ly/PitLitMay2024

✨ SUMMER LEARNING FOR AGES 3-5! ✨

Introducing. . . our Primary Pod! ☀️ This is a summer program that builds excitement around learning—for potty-trained kiddos between the ages of 3-5—by providing a safe, nurturing, investigative, and exciting place for them to gather consistently.

We believe in socialization, child-led activities, teacher-guided projects, experiments, indoor and outdoor play, hands-on/manipulatives, arts/crafts, and games to help our little learners see that they are smart, creative, intuitive, and ready to learn!

Mark your calendars!

MONDAYS 9AM-12PM | Bay Park, SD
→ 6/17, 7/1, 7/8, 7/22, 7/29, 8/12

Learn more & join us! → bit.ly/PrimaryPod

We are SO excited to be a vendor at this upcoming Education Expo, hosted by LET THEM LEARN! Connect with us and explore what we do, why we're passionate about alternative education, and how our programs may be a perfect fit for your family!

Also, join us in. . .

🎉 Celebrating the academic year!

📚 Planning for the future (and meeting some amazing vendors and programs).

🛠️ Exploring the Maker's Market for students

📚 Curriculum swap
. . & more!

🎟️ FREE TICKETS FOR FAMILIES!
✨ Info: → givebutter.com/upkiTg