A Letter From The Executive Director

Dear Friends of Saint Vincent’s Day Home,

As we welcomed the start of a new school year in July, our school was filled with the joyful energy of children transitioning into new classrooms, making new friends, and deepening connections with their teachers. These early moments—full of wonder, excitement, and discovery—are at the heart of what we do, and I couldn’t be more proud of the community that makes them possible.

Throughout July, the Day Home was buzzing with creativity and growth. Our children celebrated Independence Day with pride and imagination. Sensory play experiences inspired learning through hands-on exploration, while our newly renovated indoor gym and classrooms came to life with laughter and movement. These spaces were built with care and intention, and it's deeply rewarding to see them already enriching the daily experiences of our children.

This month, we also celebrated milestones beyond our campus—like Ahmad, a proud Day Home alumnus whose journey from our classrooms to college reminds us of the lasting impact of early childhood education. His story is one of resilience, preparation, and promise—and it reflects the work we do every day, together.

We continue to look ahead with excitement. Our Green Oasis play yard renovation project is now underway, and we can’t wait to unveil a new space that will support active, imaginative, and inclusive play for years to come. As always, none of this would be possible without your partnership. Thank you for helping us build a school where children feel safe, seen, and inspired to thrive.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Alexandra Hilario

Executive Director

July Day Home Highlights

July at the Day Home was filled with sunshine, creativity, and meaningful transitions. The children celebrated Independence Day with vibrant red, white, and blue crafts, proudly decorating the school with their patriotic artwork. As the new school year got underway, many little ones stepped into new classrooms, formed new friendships, and built connections with new teachers—important milestones in their early learning journey. These joyful, confidence-building moments were made possible because of your continued support. Thank you for helping create a warm, nurturing environment where every child had the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we made this month a joyful and memorable start to the next chapter in their journey.

Library Buzz: Check Out Our Free Family Library!

While our main library is temporarily being used as a classroom for the Jellyfish—our recent kindergarten graduates spending the summer with us before starting 1st grade—we’re still excited to share the joy of reading with you!

Families, children, and teachers are welcome to visit our free book display located in the hallway. This rotating collection features a variety of children’s books that are perfect for storytime at school or at home.

Although themed collections are on pause for now, there are still plenty of wonderful books to choose from—and best of all, you’re welcome to take them home and keep them! Feel free to browse, pick a few favorites, and enjoy the gift of reading together.

Ms. Kristi & Ms. Esther

Meet Laura

Teacher

Laura is a dedicated teacher at the Day Home, bringing a compassionate approach rooted in love, empathy, and respect. She has a special interest in supporting English language learners and guiding young children through daily routines like nap time with calm, reassuring care. Originally from Colombia, Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and has completed over 12 Early Childhood Education units. She also brings valuable teaching experience from an international school in Colombia and is currently working toward her Associate Teacher Permit. Known for her joyful energy and kind presence, Laura brightens the Day Home with her positivity and commitment to helping every child feel safe, seen, and supported. Outside the classroom, you’ll find her riding her bike every day, swimming, or playing tag—always embracing life with a playful spirit and a big heart.

New School Year, New Classrooms, New Adventures!

The new school year officially kicked off in July, and with it came a joyful transition as all of our children moved up to their new classrooms! From our youngest toddlers to our rising kindergarteners, each child stepped into a new space filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and connect.

Whether meeting new teachers, reconnecting with familiar friends, or forming brand-new friendships, the first few weeks of July were filled with discovery, excitement, and proud milestones. Each classroom is thoughtfully designed to meet the developmental needs of its age group, ensuring that every child is both nurtured and challenged in a way that builds confidence and curiosity.

We’re so proud of how resilient and eager our children have been during this transition, and we’re grateful to our incredible staff for making each classroom a warm and welcoming home for the year ahead. Here's to a new season of learning, laughter, and growth!

Alumni Spotlight

We are proud to celebrate Ahmad, a shining example of the impact of early childhood education at Saint Vincent’s Day Home. A Day Home alumnus, Ahmad recently graduated from Saint Mary’s College High School with multiple honors, including the Inspirational Athlete of the Year and a Certificate in Distinction.

He’s now headed to college to pursue a degree in Kinesiology, with dreams of becoming a professional athletic trainer. Ahmad’s journey reflects not only his hard work and character, but also the strong foundation built during his earliest years at SVDH.

As his mother, Tiffany, recalls, even his first-grade teacher at Redwood Heights, Mrs. Rogers, took notice: “She stepped up to me at Back to School Night that year and asked where Ahmad went to preschool. I told her, 'SVDH,' and she said his reading and math were so advanced.”

From story time to sports, Ahmad continues to make us proud—and we can’t wait to see all he accomplishes next. We’re cheering you on, Ahmad!

The Parent Toolkit: Sensory Fun this Summer at SVDH

Foggy summer weather doesn’t stop the teachers at SVDH from creating memorable sensory experiences for the children! The Dolphins enjoy a dynamic and engaging water table filled with animals and a variety of science tools. The Ladybugs explore multiple colorful kinetic sand trays, giving them a chance to immerse their hands—and minds—in vibrant, tactile play. Meanwhile, the Dinosaurs have a water table full of sensory-rich toys that offer opportunities to explore cause and effect. These young scientists are discovering the world through hands-on learning!

🧰 Parent Tool-Kit: Try These at Home

Keep It Simple. Just one item—like whipped cream—can be used for finger painting, handprints, animal shapes, and more. It makes for a fun, short, and sensory-rich activity after dinner.
Lean into Nature. A bit of mud, some sticks, and a few leaves can spark endless possibilities! Think mud kitchens, robot creations, story reenactments, and artistic masterpieces—kids will surprise you with their creativity.
It’s Okay Not to Like Mess. If the idea of muddy play and all the cleanup that follows feels overwhelming, that’s completely valid. Caregiver burnout is real, and it’s okay not to have the energy for one more mess. In those moments, try combining activities—like finger painting in the tub for easy cleanup—or lean into naturally sensory-rich experiences like swimming, climbing trees, or taking a barefoot walk in the grass.

Sensory play supports children’s development in so many ways! It helps build cognitive skills like problem-solving, curiosity, and experimentation. It also encourages fine motor development and dynamic social interaction. And the best part? Sensory-rich activities don’t need to be Instagram-worthy—they can be simple, short, and sweet (especially if whipped cream is involved!).

-Claire Mueller OTR/L and Shar Creasey OTR/L

More Spaces, More Smiles: Indoor Gym & Classroom Renovations Complete!

We’re thrilled to share that our indoor gym and Classrooms 4 & 5 have officially reopened after exciting renovations!

Our indoor gym is a colorful, dynamic play environment designed to spark imagination and support gross motor development. The vibrant play structure—complete with tunnels, slides, and climbing areas—is enclosed for safety and features cushioned flooring for comfort and movement. Whether it’s rainy or too hot outside, children now have a joyful indoor space to move their bodies, take healthy risks, and build confidence through active play.

The transformation of Classrooms 4 & 5 has been just as impactful. These classrooms were reimagined with a strong emphasis on child-centered design, blending warmth and function to support social-emotional growth and early learning. With soft lighting, calming natural tones, cozy nooks, and a thoughtful layout of open-ended materials, these refreshed classrooms offer inviting, organized environments where children can explore, collaborate, and thrive.

We’re incredibly proud of these improvements—not just for their beauty, but for the meaningful ways they support our mission to nurture the whole child. These spaces reflect our deep commitment to creating safe, enriching environments where every child feels empowered to learn, grow, and belong.

Stay tuned—the Green Oasis play yard renovation is now underway, and we can’t wait to share the next exciting chapter in our school transformation!

Community Partnerships

Oakland Promise: Brilliant Baby

We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Oakland Promise - a cradle-to-career initiative dedicated to expanding college access and success for Oakland youth. Through their “Brilliant Baby” and Kindergarten‑to‑College programs, Oakland Promise provides a $500‑seeded college savings account for each qualifying child, along with financial coaching, guidance, and encouragement for families.

This year, our goal is to enroll at least 100 Day Home families in Oakland Promise’s college savings program - open to all families with children ages 0-4 who meet the eligibility criteria. By teaming up with Oakland Promise, we’re raising awareness and improving access to this valuable opportunity, helping families begin building college savings early and fostering a “college-bound” mindset from the very start.

Enroll today and start investing in your child’s future by clicking below. Let’s plant the seeds for college!

Enroll Today

Day Home Events

Morning Meet & Mingle: Thursday, August 28th from 8:30-9:30 AM

Come enjoy a warm cup of coffee, light refreshments, and good conversation with fellow parents and caregivers. This is a great opportunity to connect with other families, share experiences, ask questions, and learn about helpful resources available through the Day Home and our community partners.

Whether you're new to SVDH or a returning family, we’d love to see you there! Children are welcome, and staff will be on hand to help with introductions and answer any questions you might have.

Let’s build community—together!

Green Oasis Play Yard Renovation Groundbreaking Ceremony

We’re thrilled to announce the official groundbreaking ceremony for our outdoor play yard, and we’d love for you to join us for this exciting milestone in our school’s transformation.

The event will take place on Tuesday, August 12th at 5:30 PM at Saint Vincent’s Day Home.

Come celebrate with us as we mark the beginning of this much-anticipated project. There will be light refreshments, words from our Executive Director, and a chance to connect with fellow supporters, staff, and community members.

We look forward to seeing you there as we take this next big step—together.

Community Corner

2025 Fatherhood Summit

Join us in celebrating and honoring the power of fatherhood at the Alameda County Fatherhood Summit on Saturday, September 27th at the Oakland Marriott City Center. This inspiring event will feature a job fair, workshops, resources, and more, all dedicated to supporting and uplifting fathers in our community. For more information and to register, please click here.

End of Summer Party at the Oakland Public Library!

Join the staff at the The Dimond Branch on Friday, August 8th from 12:00-2:00 PM for a potluck party with music and fun. Enjoy an afternoon of jazz with the incomparable sounds of Michael Jones and Friends alongside button making, games, bubbles, and crafts.