Monday, January 20 – MLK Day: No School
Monday, January 20 – Middle School Baja Trip Departure
Friday, January 31 – Illuminight Winter Walk
Friday, February 14 – Term End Celebration, Last Day of Winter Term
Monday, February 24 – First Day of Spring Term
February 26-28 – Spring Orientation
Saturday, February 29 – Casino Night, 6-10pm

It can be hard in the winter to get outside and engage in physical activity. However, even in the cold, students benefit from the exercise, energy, and vitamin D that time outdoors can provide. During winter term we don’t shy away from getting outside of the classroom, and aim to increase our activities beyond the building. Even on days when hikes aren’t scheduled, please send your child to school with shoes and clothing that will keep them warm, happy, and ready for whatever lessons our YOYO teachers might surprise them with. Here, students practice building fires for winter camping.

The Baja cluster will depart from EA this Monday morning, beginning their voyage to the Baja Peninsula. We will miss them, but we look forward to frequent updates on Instagram while they are away (@explorationsacademy). In addition, we will post longer stories and photos on our website and here, in the Family Bulletin.

Bon voyage, travelers!

Emergence from the darkness of winter is a journey we make alone, together. Join the YOYO clusters and help celebrate the self-expression glowing from within their beautifully embellished and hand-crafted paper lanterns. All YOYO students will attend this after-school celebration. We will provide an early dinner at EA, then depart on the buses for Mt. Vernon and return to EA by 7:30 pm. Please let staff know if your child will not be attending, or if they will be picked up at the festival. Families are encouraged to join us at this event.

The 6th Annual Illuminight Winter Walk is hosted by the Skagit Watershed Council. See the event Facebook page below for more information.

“After stopping for dinner, we hunkered down for the long ride. A few hours in, some students started feeling a little car sick, so we made a stop. And then we made a few more, and a few more. Our five-hour bus ride took a little while longer than that, but at 3:30am we finally pulled into our home for the next week. A few students jumped out of the car forgetting warnings about the possibility of lightheadedness associated with altitude. They were quickly reminded as they needed a few moments on the ground before being ready to walk to their rooms to experience the joy of sleeping in a bed for the first time in nearly three nights. While the decreased oxygen might have left us gasping, it would be nothing compared to the views that we would truly take our breaths away the next day.”

You can read Henry’s full story and see more photos on our website and Facebook page.

Students got outside for a gorgeous walk around Lake Padden on Tuesday, enjoying the first snow of the year. Thanks to Jay for capturing this EA moment.