The Beagle School Alumni Newsletter Fall/Winter 2024

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

FOURTH EDITION

ANNUAL COCOA & SANTA FUN!

ALUMNI: THE WISE FAMILY DAY OF PLAY

Welcome Back to Beagle!

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

WELCOMEBACKALUMNI PAGE7

DAYOFPLAY 8-11

COCOA&SANTA 12-15

WINTERFUN

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DIRECTOR’SCORNER PAGES18-19

BOARDOFDIRECTORS PAGES20-22

ALUMNISPOTLIGHT

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TEACHERS'MEMORIES

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TEACHERAPPRECIATION PAGES31-34

LITTLEBEAGLE PAGES35-36

PARENTSNIGHTOUT PAGE37

KEEPINTOUCH PAGE38

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page 16

EXPLORE

CREATE

DISCOVER

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

WelcomeBack to this Joy-FilledSchoolhouse

Spending time with The Beagle School community is always such a joyous experience. This fall and winter, Beagle welcomed dozens of parents, children and alumni to events including The Day of Play at The Saratoga Spa State Park and Cocoa & Santa inside the little red schoolhouse. We hope you enjoy the smiles and the pure joy in the snapshots of these special Beagle traditions.

Whether your child or children are still at Beagle, have recently started elementary school or have been out of Beagle for decades, we are guessing you feel very similar to Cheryl Wise in our Alumni Family Spotlight. She remembers that wonderful feeling of entering the cubby room and the wonder of seeing her children play on the beloved HMS Beagle. We are grateful to her for sharing the journeys of her three daughters at Beagle and their impressive accomplishments. This fall and winter, we welcomed Beagle’s new board president, Garrett Gray, who you will hear more from on page 20! As always, thank you to Beagle’s incredible Director, Jessica Todtenhagen, who pours her heart and soul into everything Beagle, including this newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support of The Beagle School. We hope you enjoy this newsletter and we hope to see you again soon!

Mary Carlin

& The Beagle School Alumni Newsletter; Jessica Todtenhagen, Jennifer Taylor, Allison Oliver Miller, Kate Green Fitzpatrick & Erica Engel

ONCE IN THE BEAGLE SCHOOL FAMILY, ALWAYS IN THE BEAGLE SCHOOL FAMILY

DAY OF Play

5TH ANNUAL DAY OF

Play

The Beagle School’s Fifth Annual Day of Play took place at the end of September at The Saratoga Spa State Park’s Polaris Pavilion. Rain clouds and an uncertain forecast didn't keep the nearly 150 people from attending the very successful event.

“What I considered to be the greatest success of Day of Play is that it attracted not only current Beagle students but a large number of alumni as well,” said Allison Oliver Miller of the Beagle School Board of Directors. “It was great to see familiar faces come together to play and see their old Beagle friends and teachers.”

an

The Beagle School first created and organized The Day of Play in 2017. Since hen, the school has invited the community to play in 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2023!

COCOA & Santa

WITH OUR FAVORITE SANTA & MRS. CLAUS

The Beagle School transformed into a magical winter wonderland for Cocoa & Santa in December. Families enjoyed photos with our favorite Santa Claus who patiently listented to every toy and gift request and gave out lots of high fives.

Inside the school, children created glittering reindeer food with Ms. Sarah and her daughter, Brooklyn, to sprinkle across their lawns. They also wrote letters to Santa with Ms. Linda, listened to holiday stories with Ms. Laura and Beagle volunteers and created crafts with Colleen, our dedicated Business Manager, and her daughter.

Children and their families of course enjoyed some delicious cocoa and treats. It was a truly wonderous day and we can’t wait until the next Cocoa & Santa!

Winter Fun!

Thank

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR'S CORNER

you to our current & previous boards

There are so many people who make the Beagle School an incredible first school experience for our students. Of course, our teachers are extraordinary people that nurture, love, and teach each child that comes through our doors. They never cease to amaze me in all that they do every day.

But there is another group of people who, for over 50 years, have ensured the success of our school: The Beagle School Board of Directors. Our board is comprised of 12-18 people each year who volunteer their time and energy for the betterment and continued success of our school. Our members sign on for three-year commitments, but so many have stayed longer because of their love for our school. They put on fundraisers, concerts, volunteer at events, write appeal letters, attend meetings, and even step in to substitute teach when they are called on! They each come with their own set of skills and expertise that only makes our school a stronger program.

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR'S CORNER

I am grateful for each board member I have had the joy of working with over the last 12 years. I have learned so much from all of you and hope you know what an impact you have had and continue to have on our school.

JessicaTodtenhagen

Please Welcome Our New Board President!

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our New Board President Garrett Gray

Dear Parents, Guardians and Alumni of The Beagle School,

I hope this letter finds you well. It is hard to believe that we are already in the second half of the new school year. My name is Garrett Gray, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new President of the Board of Directors of The Beagle School. It is an honor to be part of this vibrant community, and I am looking forward to a continued year filled with learning, growth, and joy.

My family and I moved to Saratoga Springs in the summer of 2020 during the pandemic. We thought we would only be here for the summers, but as the pandemic extended into the fall, we decided to enroll our daughter Josie in the Little Explorer’s program. Ultimately, we fell in love with Saratoga and decided to stay here full time. The Beagle School was a big reason for that as one of our very first introductions to the community. It was a trying time in the fall of 2020 to have your child start school with so much uncertainty, but the amazing staff and teachers at the school guided both the children and parents through uncertainty with such grace and humility. We could not have been more pleased. I felt it important to volunteer my time to join the Board of Directors at the school to help where I could in supporting the school’s mission.

As a passionate advocate for early childhood education, I believe in creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where our little ones can thrive. Our dedicated team of educators and staff are committed to providing a high-quality, play-based learning experience that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning.

This year, the school has planned an array of activities and programs designed to engage and inspire our students. We are also focused on strengthening our partnership with you, the parents and guardians, as well as the greater Saratoga Springs community, as we believe that collaboration is key to the success and well-being of our children.

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our New Board President Garrett Gray

I want to personally thank our outgoing president Jen Taylor for her years of service and commitment to our school, including time served beyond when her own children were at the school. When serving as vice president last year, she taught me invaluable lessons that have made my transition to president seamless. Most importantly, her tireless work left the school on a solid foundation, as evidenced by the wonderful 50th year anniversary celebrations last year.

So far this year we have continued work to explore how we can expand our offerings to best serve the children of our community and set the school up to thrive for the next 50 years. The board looks forward to continuing that work and seeking feedback from the community on how we can make the school even better.

I am eager to continue to meet each of you and your wonderful children. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or ideas you would like to share. Your input is invaluable in making The Beagle School a place where children can learn and grow in the best way possible.

Warm Regards, Garrett Gray

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

The FWiseamily

SHARES WONDERFUL BEAGLE MEMORIES

THE BEAGLE SCHOOL ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

This past December, Cheryl and Andy Wise had a full house with their daughters all home for the holidays. Knowing that the Alumni Newsletter would be sharing their family’s Beagle experience gave them the opportunity to reminisce about preschool years, while paging through memory books and photos at their dining room table. Books of arts and crafts that will be forever treasured, and family squares on their school quilt that will always bring back memories of good times shared with friends.

“The Beagle School was always a happy, fun, and creative place for our children. I still remember walking into the coat room and hanging their coats up every day. Charlene, Roberta and Carolyn were always welcoming. At pick up time, we loved to watch our kids play on the playground. It was hard to get them to leave the ship and the little playhouse at the end of the day!” Cheryl remembers The Beagle School in a way that many parents can relate to. Getting excited little ones to leave the wooden ship, or the swings, will never be an easy task, even with the promise that the playground will be there next time.

Cheryl and Andy’s three daughters, Hanna (2001-02), Andrianna (2003-06) and Carly (2008-10) are all graduates of the little red schoolhouse, and they remember their days at Beagle as imaginative and pure. It was a place where they made lifelong friendships and were able to explore and create. Their experiences at Beagle remain very special ones, and they were kind enough to share some of them with us.

“We all have so many fond memories of Beagle. The kids would come home so excited to tell us about the Leprechauns that would arrive on St. Patrick's Day and make a mess of their school. They left footprints everywhere and even in the toilet! They all thought that was so funny! Of course, the gold coins were also a hit.”

Cheryl also remembers the Flat Stanley project as a particularly memorable one for the whole family. “When it was Andrianna's turn to take Flat Stanley home for the weekend, we happened to be heading to Lake Placid. Flat Stanley went to the movies with us and sleigh riding at the Lake Placid Golf Course.” Flat Stanley had a great time, and the Wises think back on that time now and share a smile and a laugh.

Hanna, Andrianna and Carly also smile remembering the baby chicks that they had in their classrooms. For them, Beagle was a place where they got to dance with Lily Loveday and be creative. There were many “treats” to be remembered – pony rides, class trips to visit the fire station, the apple orchard, and Alphabet picnics.

In the classroom the Wise girls loved that they were exposed to a multitude of occupations during parent visits and show and tell. Cheryl specifically recalls Mr. and Mrs. Mullen visiting The Beagle School in their police cars. They would share with the class what it was like to be a police officer and why their job was important to the community. This may have made an early impression on Hanna in particular, who received her college degree in the field of Criminal Justice.

Adrianna swimming with The Beagle School’s Flat Stanley in Lake Placid

Hannah with Beagle’s classroom chicks

INSPIRED ART AT BEAGLE

All the girls loved the time that they spent learning about famous artists and the various forms of art at The Beagle School. Cheryl has a particularly brilliant memory of Carly emulating a famous painter.

“Carly pretended that she was Michelangelo and drew paintings underneath the table with the paper taped to the underside of the table. She laid on the floor while painting above, just as Michelangelo would have done the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.”

The Wise girls are no longer mimicking Michelangelo or playing hide and seek on the Beagle ship. Now accomplished young women, Hanna graduated from Sacred Heart University and is now living and working in Raleigh, North Carolina. She works for Jekson, a pharmaceutical packaging company.

Andrianna graduated from James Madison University and is working for Oracle in Austin, Texas. Carly is currently in her senior year at Saratoga Springs High School and will be attending Clemson University next Fall. She has plans to major in Elementary Education.

“Our children speak fondly of their memories at The Beagle School. Last year we were able to attend the 50th Anniversary Gala. Hanna and Andrianna were able to attend as young adults and were very proud to be there representing The Beagle School alumni!” The 50th Anniversary was indeed an amazing milestone for the school – and so many families, like the Wises, came out in love and support of this school that has touched the lives of so many in our community.

The Beagle School couldn’t be more grateful for its families. Cheryl has continued her involvement at The Beagle School. Her background as speech pathologist has made her an important part of early interventions and screenings that the school offers. From the moment she enters the school during her visits, Cheryl is taken back to her time at the school as a parent, and as a member of the Board of Directors on which she served for two terms.

“I now enjoy being at The Beagle School every Fall, giving back to the school I love. I have been providing the Speech and Language Screenings and I truly love meeting the young children that are now making beautiful memories of their days at Beagle.”

And beyond all the visible fun that the children are having, Cheryl recognizes the important development happening for the students while they are playing. She knows that the social communication element they are exposed to at Beagle is so important. The small classroom, the hands on playing, and the one-on-one conversations that happen between peers and teachers are imperative in early childhood development.

“It is such a joy to be back in the coat room, where my girls would start their day as toddlers. Charlene, Margaret and Caroline have long since retired and are forever in our hearts, but the teaching staff that Beagle has now are kind, encouraging and loving teachers. It is a pleasure to continue being a part of the Beagle School!”

A huge congratulations and thank you to the Wise Family on all of their accomplishments and their continued dedication to Beagle!

Teachers

ARE THE HEART OF BEAGLE

FAVORITE BOOKS TO READ TO THE CLASS

MS. LINETTE / VOYAGERS, DISCOVERERS, & BEYOND BEAGLE

" ALL THE PETE THE CAT BOOKS! HE IS JUST FUN ALSO, ONCE THERE WAS A CHRISTMAS TREE IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW THEY SHARED THEIR TREE WITH EVERYONE “

MS. LAURA / DISCOVERERS & BEYOND BEAGLE

" ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS TO READ TO THE CHILDREN IS THE KINDNESS QUILT BY NANCY ELIZABETH WALLACE THIS STORY INCLUDES IMPORTANT LESSONS ABOUT BEING KIND TO EACH OTHER AND WE FOLLOW UP BY MAKING A CLASS KINDNESS QUILT- EACH CHILD PAINTS A SQUARE AND STATES SOMETHING KIND HE/SHE CAN DO WE MAKE A QUILT OUT OF THE SQUARES TO HANG IN THE CLASSROOM ”

MS. SARAH / VOYAGERS & DISCOVERERS

"THE DINOSAUR ON THE 13TH FLOOR I THINK THERE IS AN ANTICIPATION FOR WHAT IS NEXT IN THE HOTEL, WHICH ANIMALS ARE ON EACH FLOOR AND THERE IS AN ANTICIPATION FOR WHICH ANIMAL IS ON THE 13TH FLOOR THERE’S A SURPRISE!”

Teachers ARE THE HEART OF BEAGLE

FAVORITE BOOKS TO READ TO THE CLASS

MS. LINDA / VOYAGERS

"THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT BECAUSE IT DISCUSSES DIFFERENT EMOTIONS, HOW TO GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER AND FORGIVE AND COME BACK AS A GROUP EACH PERSON BRINGS A BRIGHTNESS TO THE WORLD ”

MS. ANNA / LITTLE EXPLORERS

" ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS IS THE SNOWY DAY BY EZRA JACK KEATS I LOVE THE SIMPLICITY OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS MOREOVER, I LOVE INCORPORATING THE STORY INTO THE CLASSROOM BY BRINGING SNOW INTO THE CLASSROOM AND HAVING THE CHILDREN USE VIVID LANGUAGE WHILE OBSERVE THE STATES OF MELTING SNOW (SOLID/LIQUID) ”

MS. KARA / LITTLE EXPLORERS

"TWO FAVORITE BOOKS THAT I KNOW BY HEART ARE GOODNIGHT MOON BY MARGARET WISE BROWN AND WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE BY MAURICE SENDAK THEY WERE DEFINITELY FAVORITES OF MY OWN CHILDREN AND NOW THEY ARE FAVORITES OF THE CHILDREN I AM LUCKY TO SHARE THEM WITH AT LITTLE BEAGLE WE SPEND LOTS OF TIME READING BOOKS TOGETHER”

ARE THE HEART OF BEAGLE

AN ENERGETIC, ENTHUSIASTIC TEACHER & MOM

8 YEARS AT BEAGLE

“WE’VE (THE BEAGLE SCHOOL) HAS GROWN. PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER FOR US.”

On any given weekday, you can find Linette Fillion or Ms. Linette, actively engaged in activities ranging from painting with marbles to reading a spirited version of a favorite children’s book at The Beagle School. In between all of that, Ms. Linette enjoys hearing what each of her students are up to outside the classroom. “I love to hear how the friends spend their time.“

Seeing Ms. Linette’s energy and enthusiasm along with her students and each of the Beagle teachers and its beloved director, it’s no surprise to hear that people drive from all over to give their children the opportunity to explore, create, discover and imagine at Beagle.

TEACHER

Ms. Linette

Linette started at The Beagle School in 2017 and has now taught here for 7 years. She teaches the Voyagers and is an assistant teacher in Discoverers. She loves being here because, “It’s a community school.” It also excites her that because of Beagle, she is even more involved in the community.

Cocoa & Santa is one of her most favorite traditions at Beagle that she truly cherishes.

With so many favorite memories, Linette says it’s hard to select just one. “I guess how we’ve changed through the years and the pandemic to keep the fun and magic going.”

Linette is currently looking forward to seeing the next chapter in Beagle’s book. And one thing is for certain, Beagle is a better and more magical place with Ms. Linette here!

TEACHER

Ms. Linette

A STUDENT ROLLS A MARBLE WITH PAINT TO MAKE A DAZZLING CREATION. IT’S ONE OF THE MANY EXCITING AND WELL-LOVED PROJECTS MS. LINETTE BRINGS TO THE CLASSROOM!

Congratulations

to Ms. Linette on 7 amazing years of enthusiasm, creativity & changing lives at The Beagle School!

LITTLE BEAGLE

LITTLE BEAGLE