Dear Sprout Families,
This is a bittersweet newsletter. For some of you, this will be your first Sprout Newsletter, and for others, it will be your last. I want to take a moment to express how grateful we are for you all and for the bonds we have had the privilege of sharing with you and your kids. We love the work we do because of the connections we build here. Being a part of your children’s lives has been such an honor and something we will cherish forever. Putting so much love and care into these connections makes it so hard to say goodbye, but we are so lucky to be able to watch your kids flourish into their next steps.
This Little Sprout…
Lonnie, our rock-and-roll fashion icon, you have grown into such a confident and cool kid. When you first started with us, you were timid and unsure, but we see a completely different kiddo in front of us today. You throw yourself (literally) into every new experience you come across. From your jam sessions to your countless identical bruises on your forehead, to the immense attention and care you show your friends and teachers, we are SO proud of you. We are going to miss snuggling you every day. Lastly, this would not be a proper send-off without… GO KNICKS!
Georgia, if we ever need a reminder, we can always count on you. We were just looking at your picture on the bulletin board, talking about how little you were when you first came to our classroom. You said to me, “I’m holding my blanket,” and it took me back to when you first started, always holding your special blanket to comfort yourself, a little piece of home. Now, during nap, you ask for a school blanket. May your imagination never change! I can’t wait to hear about all the movie theaters, river floats, and ice cream shops you and your Bud friends go to next year. Besties for life, always!
Maz, your mind is one of our favorite places to be. Watching the world through your lens is such a gift. You have a magical way of bringing us back to the present, whether it’s noticing the yellow ReGroup truck on its daily run, an airplane flying by, or simply a bird sitting on the wire. You bring us back to the ‘here and now’. I hope your curiosity about the world never changes. The day you correctly guess whether mom or dad picked you up in the brown or blue car, you know where to find us!
Crew, your heart is so big and open to connection. You are so attentive to others and to how you show up for them. We have seen you grow into someone willing to do the thing, even when it is hard. One of my favorite things is watching you fall in love with the task at hand. In every art project we have done, you take your time with your work, and each brushstroke, mark, or placement is intentional. You remind us to slow down, enjoy your time, and always do it from the heart!
To our new friends, Hudson, Ellie, Avery, and Archie, welcome to the Sprout Room! We cannot wait to get to know each of you.
A little about Miss Samantha and Ms Teresa….
Miss Samantha
I moved to Bend in September 2024, all the way from my hometown in Burlington, Vermont. After graduating from college, I became a behavioral interventionist for children and teens at a Residential Treatment Program during COVID. I realized I loved working with children, but I wanted to change things up, so I started as a toddler teacher and eventually moved my way up to preschool over the years! I moved here and did a nanny share for five lovely families in Bend, but I missed the classroom setting! I stumbled upon The Growing Tree last September, and I am so grateful that I did. If I am not at work, you can find me with my friends out and about or enjoying the outdoors! I cannot wait to get to know you and your kiddos this year!
Ms. Teresa
Welcome to the Sprout Room. My name is Ms. Teresa, and I have worked at Growing Tree and in the Sprout area for 21-plus years! I enjoy this age group so much. Each day, they are discovering new things about themselves. When I am not working with your wonderful children, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family. Some of the things we enjoy doing together are riding our side-by-side and spending time at the property on Lake Billy Chinook. I can’t wait for the new year and for some great adventures with the children.
With SO much love, Sammy and Reesa
