The Weekly Owl

April 10, 2026

IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS:

April 20: Elementary & Middle School MAP Testing Begins

April 20- 24: Discovery Book Fair- Hosted by Scholastic Books

Shopping Hours: Monday through Friday- 8:00-9:00 AM & 3:00-5:00 PM

April 22: Earth Day. Gabie's Bus (On-site STEAM field trip for VPK-5th Grade). Middle School Off-site field trip

April 30: Upper School Field Trip to Epcot

Summer Camp Registration is Open!

Collage Day School's Summer Camp registration is now open! We have on-site and off-site options available. Each week is a new and exciting theme! Be sure to sign up soon in order to save your child's spot!

Summer Camps - Collage Day School | Ponte Vedra, FL

LOWER SCHOOL

Making Mealtimes Easier at Home

Does this sound familiar?

Your child grabs food, refuses to sit, or gets upset when you step away. Mealtimes can be challenging—especially when children are picky eaters, need attention, or just have a hard time sitting still. When everyone needs something at once, it can quickly feel overwhelming. The good news? A few simple strategies can help make mealtimes calmer and more enjoyable for everyone.

If your child has trouble staying seated:

Use simple “first-then” language: “First sit, then eat.”
Start with short sitting times and gradually increase them (a timer can help!).
Offer choices, like where to sit or who to sit next to.
Allow a small comfort item if it helps them stay at the table.

If your child is a picky eater:

Offer a very small taste of a new food alongside a favorite food.
Let your child bring or choose familiar foods when possible.
Encourage exploring food—touching, smelling, or licking counts!
Avoid pressure. Praise any effort to try or interact with new foods.

If your child is seeking attention:

Notice and praise positive behaviors: “I love how you’re sitting at the table!”
Plan a short, fun activity together after the meal as motivation.
Offer a small comfort item to help them feel secure.
Use a timer to show when you’ll check back in if you step away.

Skills to Practice at Mealtime:

Using words like “all done” or “no thank you”
Following simple mealtime routines
Trying new foods in small steps
Asking for help or more food
Staying seated during meals

Small, consistent steps can make a big difference over time. Mealtimes don’t have to be a battle—they can become a positive time to connect and build healthy habits together.

These strategies are adapted from the Routine-Based Support Guide developed by the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)

UPPER SCHOOL

Exciting Updates Coming to Campus!

We are excited to share that several enhancements have been made to the outdoor spaces around our school to better support our students, enrich our curriculum, and strengthen our safety practices. These updates have been thoughtfully designed to create safe, engaging, and purposeful environments where students can learn, collaborate, and enjoy their time throughout the day.

We are especially excited to announce that our TimberNook space will be ready for student use beginning next week! This beloved area provides opportunities for hands-on exploration, creativity, and nature-based learning, and we are thrilled to welcome students back into this space for meaningful outdoor experiences.

Work on our ropes course is also continuing, and we are making great progress. While it is not quite ready yet, we are hopeful it will be completed soon and look forward to offering students new opportunities to build confidence, teamwork, and resilience in a structured environment, surrounded by the beauty of our nature-rich campus.

From new outdoor learning experiences, to additional flexible spaces for collaboration and play, these enhancements provide meaningful ways to extend learning beyond the classroom. We encourage you to ask your child about these spaces and how they are being used throughout the school day.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our facilities team Mr. David and Mr. Chad whose hard work, attention to detail, and dedication brought this vision to life! From planning through completion, they have gone above and beyond to ensure these spaces are safe, functional, and ready for our students to enjoy.

We are beyond excited for all of the new opportunities and campus improvements your child will get to experience in the coming days and beyond. Their safety, growth, and future are what drive everything we do. Thank you for your continued support of our school community!

Note from Nurse Chelsea

Week 11 – Springtime Gut Tune-Up

Seasonal focus: Asparagus, bananas

Asparagus feeds healthy gut bacteria.
Bananas provide prebiotic fiber.
Keep meals simple and whole-food based.
Watch for digestive changes during seasonal shifts.

Our Coaches Corner... A message from the PVB Performance Center

From your PE Coaches at PVB Performance Center

We’re excited to extend a special opportunity to the entire Collage Day School community — students, parents, and faculty.

🎉 One FREE Week of Training + Performance Assessment & Goal Setting

This complimentary week includes:

• A professional performance assessment

• Goal-setting consultation tailored to you or your child

• Group training sessions designed for kids, athletes, and adults

• Expert coaching focused on strength, speed, injury prevention, and overall fitness

Whether your child wants to build confidence and athletic ability, or you’re a parent or faculty member looking to improve your own health and fitness, our team at PVB Performance Center is here to help.

Our programs focus on building:

✔ Confidence in young athletes

✔ Speed, strength, and coordination

✔ Injury prevention and proper movement mechanics

✔ Sustainable health and fitness habits for adults

We’re proud to serve the Collage Day School community and would love to welcome your family to train with us.

📞 Contact Coach Squats for details:

973-723-7388

⸻

🥩 HEALTH TIP: WHY PROTEIN MATTERS FOR METABOLISM & FAT LOSS

Protein is one of the most powerful nutrients when it comes to energy, metabolism, and body composition.

Here’s why it matters:

• Boosts metabolism – Your body burns more calories digesting protein than carbs or fats.

• Supports fat loss – Higher protein intake helps maintain lean muscle while reducing body fat.

• Keeps you fuller longer – Protein helps control appetite and prevents overeating.

• Builds and repairs muscle – Essential for athletes, growing kids, and active adults.

Simple ways to increase protein intake:

✔ Eggs or Greek yogurt for breakfast

✔ Chicken, fish, or lean beef at meals

✔ Protein smoothies after training

✔ Nuts, cottage cheese, or protein bars for snacks

A good general target for active individuals is about 0.7–1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day to support performance, metabolism, and recovery.

Strong bodies are built through smart training and smart nutrition.

PARENT COMMUNITY ALLIANCE (PCA) NEWS

Looking for a simple way to support Collage? Join our PCA Volunteer List!

Volunteering is a great way to get involved, meet other families, and make an impact. From fun nights to fundraisers, we rely on our amazing volunteers.

Whether it’s helping with set-up, check-ins, clean-up, or behind-the-scenes tasks, there are plenty of ways to lend a hand. When an event is scheduled, we’ll send out a sign-up form outlining the roles needed—just choose what works best for you!

📌Click here to learn more.

Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook at CDS Parent Community Alliance.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567861563027.

Bridget L. Van Landingham

President, CDS Parent Community Alliance (PCA)

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Phone: 904.900.1439

171 Canal Boulevard

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

info@collagedayschool.org