Hello, my little explorers! Dumpling here, cozy in my little home, and boy let me tell you today has been a day full of the kind of moments that make you stop, sniff, and smile. There’s a special kind of magic in this classroom and today I saw it in the way everyone came together to talk about what it means to unite and connect. So many of my new friends had great ideas of why it was important...to learn about eachother, to celebrate goodness, to feel warm, to get connected, to make friends, to make our friends happy, to feel protected, to feel joy...and let me tell you I felt every one of those feelings and more today! I’ve been watching closely and I could tell that this wasn’t just any conversation—it was one filled with warmth, care, and a whole lot of heart. As everyone shared their thoughts the whiteboard quickly filled up with ideas about kindness, safety, and what it really means to be a family and I feel so lucky I to be part of this new family.

While some of my friends were busy building towers that reached for the sky, or creating colorful masterpieces in the art studio (how cool are those flags and giant tables!), the real magic was in how everyone was looking out for one another. It wasn’t just about the activities they were doing; it was the way they were doing them…all together. Whether it was a helping hand, a friendly smile, or a word of encouragement, it was clear that in K102 every student makes sure no one is left out or left behind.

Now, as the day winds down, I curl up in my little bed filled with a sense of contentment. Lucky for me, Mrs. Strempel and the Stephens family just hit me with a fluff-up-grade and I’m sleeping like a queen! I know that tomorrow will bring more opportunities to see the kindness and connection that makes my home, room K102, so wonderful. I’ll be right here keeping an eye on all the goodness, ready to share it with you all.

Squeaks and love,

Dumpling