The Weekly Owl

May 1, 2026

IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS:

May 2nd: Beach Clean-Up at Guana South Beach Access

May 4th-8th: Teacher Appreciation Week!

May 12th: On-site Visit from Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

May 14th: Field Day (Building 2 event)

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

Teacher Appreciation Ideas- Simple, but Meaningful

Keeping gifts simple for preschool teachers works because what matters most to them isn’t the price, it’s the thought, appreciation, and connection behind it. Teachers often receive many items during Teacher Appreciation Week, so small, heartfelt gestures that are easy to enjoy or keep tend to stand out more than anything complicated or expensive.

Here are some wonderful ideas to show your child's teacher how much you appreciate them.

-Handwritten thank-you notes

Why it’s meaningful: A genuine message becomes something teachers often keep for years.

-Gift cards

Why it’s meaningful: Simple and flexible; teachers can use them for something they truly need or enjoy.

-Pens or classroom supplies

Why it’s meaningful: Useful items are genuinely appreciated.

-Homemade or favorite snacks

Why it’s meaningful: A small indulgence gives them a moment to relax during busy days.

-Snack basket

Why it’s meaningful: Variety makes it easy for teachers to enjoy or share with coworkers.

-Small plant or succulent

Why it’s meaningful: Long-lasting and symbolic. They represent the growth they nurture in kids.

-Flowers

Why it’s meaningful: Brightens their day instantly without requiring anything elaborate.

-Candy jar

Why it’s meaningful: Fun, cheerful, and easy to keep in the classroom or take home.

UPPER SCHOOL

Upper School Updates

Hunger Fights Fundraiser Update

Thanks to the generosity of our amazing families, we have not only reached our $1,000 goal for the Hunger Fights Fundraiser—we’ve doubled it! We are now at $2,000!

With this incredible support and reaching our goal we will be able to donate 4,350 meals to kids in Title I schools and provide 150 books to Title I preschools.

Our staff volunteers will be going on May 29th to assist in packaging these meals.

Field Day - May 14th

We are looking for parent volunteers to come join us in hosting a station for the students. Please reach out to Nora Chambers at NChambers@collagedayschool.org for further details and to register as a volunteer. This is a great opportunity to get your 10 hours of volunteering completed before the end of the year. As this is a student only event, parents are only able to attend if they are volunteering to host a station.

Spring Enrichments: This was our last week of our Spring Enrichments. We hope your children enjoyed them as much as our staff has hosting them.

Note from Nurse Chelsea

Week 14 – Spring Energy Without Burnout

Seasonal focus: Berries, chia seeds

Berries provide antioxidants for immune cells.
Chia seeds support steady energy.
Balance busy schedules with rest time.
Maintain bedtime routines despite longer days.

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