SUMMER 2026
BISCUIT'S BULLETIN SAINT ANNE'S DAY SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Day School Community,
In This Issue MOVING UP CEREMONIES
LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL
SUMMER CAMP HIGHLIGHTS
KATHY BENNETT RETIREMENT
CAMP COUNSELORS SPOTLIGHT
BEHIND THE T-SHIRT
UPCOMING EVENTS
Welcome to the Summer edition of Biscuit’s Bulletin! Summer is a highly anticipated time in schools, but it is also bittersweet. For our Pre-K/TK children and their families, the summer holds both the promise of an exciting start at a new school and the pause that comes with knowing they are leaving behind the precious nest of preschool. In this issue, we highlight the “see you laters” of our year-end moving-up ceremonies for our graduating children and the fun we had with everyone at summer camp. In addition to images of year-end ceremonies and celebrations, this issue features pictures from Kathy Bennett’s retirement reception. We were so pleased to honor Ms. Bennett’s 33 years of service at a lovely event with her family and friends, and to present her with a book full of well wishes and gratitude, as well as a special Saint Anne’s Day School chair. “Everyone goes to Saint Anne’s Summer Camp; it is an institution!” This is what a local elementary school teacher said to me this summer. She was correct. Families have been sending their children to Saint Anne’s camp for decades. In fact, I met a mother yesterday who was in Atlanta for just one week and had enrolled her girls because their father had attended the Day School and camp thirty years ago. While summer camp has evolved over the years and now includes themed weeks such as arts & crafts, cooking, sports & games, and STEM, some things remain the same. Counselors set up games and activities such as spoon races and obstacle courses. Special guest counselors come in to lead soccer clinics. And, of course, there is just good old-fashioned play – climbing, running, pretending, and exploring. This is where the lifelong friendships are built — those that bring children and families together, just for a treasured summer or as a continuation of the year. At Saint Anne’s, our people are what make our school magical. Mrs. Sarah Buchly, an educator at the Day School for 45 years, runs the Summer Camp program, pouring love into every detail of every day. She is always busy, mixing up bubble solution or chocolate pudding for mud day, arranging treats for children, educators, and the two dozen high school and college student counselors, or talking to a parent about her sweet “cherubs”. In this issue, we give a special thanks to our counselors, many of whom are Day School alumni! Amid all the summer fun, we take some time to begin preparing for the upcoming school year. And the 2026-27 school year is a special one. The Day School is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Teaching Practices Specialists Emily Brown and Allison East worked with children to design a special T-shirt that represents our elevated image of children, including their curiosity, creativity, and capabilities. Learn more about the process and the beautiful design inside. Saint Anne’s Day School is a magical place because of the people who love and care for it. Thank you for being part of this community and for the love and care you bring. Happy summer!
Rhonda Mitchell Director
Behind the Bulletin Emily Brown Teaching Practices Specialist Editor, Classroom & Community Correspondent Contributors Rhonda Mitchell, Danielle Hutlas
To subscribe to Biscuit's Bulletin, or if you have photos, stories, or memories of Saint Anne's to share, e-mail: alumni@saintannesdayschool.com.
MOVING UP CEREMONIES Moving Up Ceremonies continue to be a cherished tradition in the Pre-K and TK community at Saint Anne’s, honoring each child’s growth with beloved celebrations. The Girasol, SunRiver, Window, and Bridge Rooms recognized the joyous achievement of moving on with their own unique gatherings. Following individual ceremonies, everyone came together to party on the playground one last time.
LAST DAY(S) OF SCHOOL The end of another wonderful school year is always a meaningful time for children, families, and educators. It is a time to reflect on growth, accomplishments, and the relationships and memories built throughout the year while looking ahead to the journey to come. Families were invited to Portfolio Walks, where children shared what they were most proud of, followed by joyous End-of-Year Celebrations.
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 1: SCIENCE The first week of Summer Camp invited children to think like scientists as they explored with curiosity, wonder, and hands-on discovery. Days were filled with volcanoes, mixing colors, melting ice, finding and creating rainbows, studying space and rockets, and watching chemical reactions. A bubble party on the piazza was a special treat!
Becoming Scientists through Classroom Experiences
Bubble Party on the Piazza
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 2: ARTS & CRAFTS Art is a language of learning that allows children to express ideas, explore materials, and give their ideas shape and meaning. During Arts & Crafts week, our little artists were hard at play, creating puppets, portraits, bracelets, clay, and collaborative pieces. A special performance from The Puppet Guy, Lee Bryan, brought the children laughter, excitement, and inspired their joyous creativity!
Individual Expression through Classroom Arts & Crafts Experiences
Inspiration and Laughter with The Puppet Guy
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 3: SPORTS AND GAMES Sports & Games is always a winning week at camp! The children experienced parachutes, relays, hula hoops, puzzles, games, and three-legged races. A highlight throughout the week was Sports Clinics, where coaches and counselors engaged the children in soccer and basketball skills and games. It was a week full of skills practice, teamwork, and fun.
Skills Practice, Teamwork, and Fun
Showing and Growing Skills with Soccer and Basketball Clinics
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 4: COOKING Cooking gives children hands-on opportunities to build confidence, practice real-life skills, and develop an appreciation for where our food comes from. Throughout the week, our young chefs designed their own aprons and hats before creating delicious treats, from pudding pops to soccer ball ice cream. Whether tasting their creations or engaging in the process of making them, the children experienced the joy of learning through their senses.
Becoming Chefs with Classroom Experiences
Soccer Ball Ice Cream
Pudding Sensory Play (& Taste!)
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 5: SCIENCE Our final week of Summer Camp ended with some explosive experiences. Classroom adventures included creating colorful bubble art, kinetic sand, weather observations, vibrant shaving cream creations, and soda bottle chemical reactions. An exciting visit from The Science Machine brought the magic and awe to science experiments.
Scientists at Play in their Classroom Environments
Interactive Experiments with The Science Machine
KATHY BENNETT’S RETIREMENT At the end of the year, we said “goodbye” to the beloved Kathy Bennett. Over her 33 years at Saint Anne’s, she wore many hats, from classroom educator to librarian to the head of the Afterschool Program and so much more. She has touched every part of the Day School and Afterschool Programs and never ceased to show kindness and love. We celebrated her with a favorite lunch, caring gifts, and thoughtful speeches that reminded us of wonderful memories along the way. Ms. Bennett has been a true gift to our entire community, and we are eternally grateful. We wish her the best of luck where life takes her next. Thank you, Kathy!
CAMP COUNSELORS SPOTLIGHT Saint Anne’s Summer Camp would not be the success that it is without the incredible dedication of our camp counselors. Each week, they arrive ready to provide engaging activities, offer comfort and hugs during difficult moments, join in the fun with enthusiasm, and build meaningful connections with the children in our community.
Thank you, Counselors! Schools Represented: North Atlanta High School, The Galloway School, Pope High School, Westminster, Pace Academy, Lakeside High School, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, The Walker School, Heritage Preparatory School, Auburn University, Berry College Saint Anne’s Alumni: Lida Collins, Marcella Mokam, Madelyn Adams, Kate Davis, Addison Pitt, Hadley Pitt
BEHIND THE T-SHIRT: 60 YEARS Saint Anne’s Day School and Enrichment Programs is celebrating its 60th year of operations this year. For this year’s t-shirt, we hoped to honor the capabilities, curiosity, and love we see in every child who leaves their mark on our school. In the Reggio Emilia approach, mark making is one of the many languages children use to express their ideas. As children grow, their marks evolve from early lines and wiggles to detailed drawings and writing. It is a true representation of communication and learning at every age. Children from across the age levels came together to create a multi-layered, collaborative piece that captures the heart of our school and the community it serves. We can’t wait for you all to see how they made their ideas visible and to see them all wearing it!
Watercolor For the first layer, we offered watercolor paints to the Toddlers and Twos. Watercolor is a medium they became familiar with over the year, and it allowed for open-ended expression, large strokes, and mixing colors.
Tempura Crayon Next, our Three’s children were invited to make design lines atop the watercolor. Tempura crayon encourages large, smooth motions, perfect for small hands still developing their grip and precision. We saw wiggles, lines, and loops.
Writing & Line Drawing Finally, our Pre-K and TK children inscribed the shirt’s messaging and drew the front of the school from their perspective. Many children’s pieces were merged to create the final design.
UPCOMING EVENTS Don’t miss out on these upcoming dates and opportunities to be involved!
New Family POPSicle Party August 16 We welcome our newest members of the Saint Anne’s community to join us for the New Family POPSicle Party, hosted by Parents of Preschoolers (POPS).
Parent Sharing and Classroom Visits August 17th and 18th Meet your child’s educator and get an introduction to their classroom and school environment.
First Day of School August 19th and 20th Our first day of school in the fall will be Wednesday, August 19th for our 3- and 5-day children and Thursday, August 20th for our 2-day children.
Parent Night September 24th Gather to hear information and inspiration from School, Church, and POPs leadership, explore your child’s environment, and enjoy a party on the piazza.
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Smyrna, GA Permit No. 142
3098 Saint Anne's Lane NW Atlanta, GA 30327
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Saint Anne's Day School 3098 St. Anne's Ln NW Atlanta, GA 30327 404-237-7024 alumni@saintannesdayschool.com www.saintannesdayschool.com