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The Weekly Owl
September 11, 2025
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IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS:
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September 26: Decades Bash - Building 2 Event (1:30 p.m.)
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October 24 & 25: Haunted Trail
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October 29: Character Parade (9:30 a.m.)
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October 30: Trunk or Treat
- Building 1 9:30 -10:30 a.m.
- Building 2 10:30 -11:30 a.m.
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November 17: Veterans Day Event (9:00 a.m.)
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November 20: Balloon & Float Parade - Building 1 Event (9:30 a.m.)
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November 20: Native American Showcase/Feast (Primary Prep through 1st Grade - 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.)
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November 21: Native American Showcase/Feast (2nd through 5th Grade - 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.)
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Lower School
Baby Sleep Troubles: What’s Normal and How to Help
Even the best snoozers sometimes struggle to get a peaceful night’s sleep. And if your little one is restless, chances are you are not getting much rest either. Sleep challenges are simply part of early parenthood, especially during the first year.
In the newborn stage, it’s common for everyone in the household to feel a little sleep-deprived. But even once your baby is sleeping longer stretches, occasional disruptions can pop up. Teething, illness, growth spurts, developmental milestones, or even small changes in routine can all cause temporary sleep hiccups.
Most of the time, these issues are nothing to worry about and will pass on their own. Still, if your baby has ongoing sleep problems that make it hard for them, and you, to get the rest you both need, it may be time to explore possible causes or check in with your pediatrician.
Another common challenge comes when babies develop habits around falling asleep, like needing to be fed or rocked at bedtime or when they wake up during the night. These patterns can make it harder for them to settle back to sleep on their own.
Here are some useful tips to help improve sleep:
- Make sure your baby has active playtime, such as “tummy time,” during the day.
- Respond to your baby’s needs quickly during the day to reduce your baby’s stress.
- Allow for skin-to-skin contact.
- Keep a consistent schedule for meals, naps, and bedtime.
- Use a bedtime routine of three or four relaxing activities to help your baby wind down (giving your baby a bath, gently massaging muscles, and then spending a short period of quiet time together). Research has shown that babies who have a bedtime routine fall asleep 30% faster, wake up 50% less often, and sleep for longer stretches of time.
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Jamie Mulgrew
Associate Head of Lower School
Kris Conway
Head of Lower School
| | Back-to-School Reminders: Attendance & Volunteering | |
We want to emphasize the importance of regular, on-time attendance for your child’s success at school. Tardies and absences, even if occasional, can disrupt your child's learning and make it harder for them to keep up with classroom instruction, activities, and routines. Each part of the school day is carefully planned to support academic and social development, and arriving late or missing school means missed opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. We understand that illness and emergencies happen, but we encourage you to prioritize consistent attendance whenever possible. Your partnership in this effort makes a big difference in your child’s progress and overall school experience. We also would like to inform families that are using scholarship money that we are required to report excessive absences (more than 15 in a 90 day period) and tardies to Step Up.
Looking for a way to satisfy your volunteer hours? Do you have a special talent, a cultural tradition, a profession you're passionate about, or simply a love for reading or storytelling? Your involvement can inspire and engage our learners in meaningful ways. We believe that every family brings unique talents, skills, and experiences that can greatly enrich our school community, and we would love to invite you to share yours with our students! From classroom visits and demonstrations to helping with projects or leading a short activity, there are many ways to participate. If you're interested in sharing your time and talents, please contact Nora Chambers at chambers@collagedayschool.org or Ms. Danielle at theriault@collagedayschool.org
Danielle Theriault
Head of Upper School
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Big Buddy Program
Our Big Buddy program started this week and we are thrilled to see these connections start to grow! This month is all about friendship, and we look forward to seeing these relationships blossom throughout the year.
Big Buddies are mentors to their little buddies and will be supporting younger students in the classroom by modeling positive behavior and leadership. They will also foster Collage's sense of community across grade levels and develop their communication and empathy skills.
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Mental Health Moment of the Week
Take a moment to think about what relaxation looks like in your family’s everyday life. Relaxation is a simple but powerful way to support both individual and family wellness. This week, try setting aside 10 minutes to model relaxation for your family. It could be listening to a favorite song, taking a few deep breaths, stepping away from technology, enjoying a few minutes outside, or reading a good book.
Note from Nurse Chelsea
One month in, kids are settling into routines, but it’s a great time to check in on wellness! It’s normal for children to “hold it together” all day at school and then release their emotions once they’re home. This is a healthy and expected part of their development. Supporting children with consistent sleep routines, balanced meals to boost immunity, and calm time after school—like outdoor play, reading, or quiet activities—can help them rest, recharge, and feel ready for the next day.
Eat the Rainbow at Collage Day School
This year, our Lower School is launching an exciting Eat the Rainbow program! Students will explore fruits and vegetables by color each month—starting with orange foods in September.
Week 3: Carrots 🥕
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Nutrient Spotlight: Packed with beta-carotene (which turns into vitamin A), plus fiber.
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Health Benefits: Supports good vision (especially night vision!) and helps the immune system.
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Kid-Friendly Tip: Try carrot sticks in lunchboxes, shredded into muffins, or roasted into sweet “carrot fries.”
We encourage families to join in at home - let's make healthy eating fun and colorful!
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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. When events arise, we'll send sign up forms with available roles- just pick what works best for you.
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)
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