Our preschool campers are cooling off this morning with a water day! 💦 Don’t worry, we’ll be inside in the air conditioning once the temps rise. Stay cool, Richmond! #RichmondNatureSchool #ReggioInspiredSchool #OutdoorLearning #RichmondIndependentSchool #Richmondpreschool #ReggioPreschool #richmondschools #sabotschool #waterday #staycool

With deep gratitude and admiration, we honor the life and legacy of Lella Gandini, who passed away last week. As U.S. Liaison for Reggio Children, Lella shared her wisdom, warmth, and insight with Sabot over many years. We invite you to read reflections from former Head of School Irene Carney and former Director of Early Childhood Education and the Sabot Institute Marty Gravett: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead Lella Gandini was a friend to Sabot and a treasured mentor to many of our teachers and leaders. She was also a key member of a “small group of thoughtful, committed citizens” who changed the world by co-constructing, documenting, and disseminating the Reggio Emilia Approach (REA) to early childhood education. Until her passing on June 16, there was no REA without Lella Gandini. Lella’s gifts to our school were many. In her first experience, at our former Grace Street location, she witnessed the parent volunteers assisting as “Hall Angels” and rightly deemed Sabot’s parents our “secret strength.” As our school grew into Lower School education, Lella helped us think through the Reggio lens about children’s emerging literacy. She celebrated our Studio, where she recognized that Anna Golden, in her role as Atelierista, was applying her artistic and “tinkering” skills in service of the children’s self-expression and reflection. She critiqued our documentation, helping us consider the most succinct and meaningful ways to convey our stories and learnings. In her final in-person Institute, Lella and Marty co-constructed a poem, a variation on the 100 Languages, honoring the vital role of teachers. That day, she reminded us, softly and in her Northern Italian accent: “Together, we can create something beautiful for the children.” That creation has been, and will continue to be, Sabot’s work. Now that work can be done in Lella’s honor and memory. We will miss her. We will be forever grateful for her. Ciao, Lella. And Grazie Mille, amica. #ReggioEmiliaApproach #SabotSymposium #SabotInstitute #reggioemilia #100languagesofchildren #

Last spring, students in the Beyond the Classroom (BTC) French class explored all things France with beloved teacher Elize—from language and culture to music and cuisine. On this day, they prepared Croque Monsieur to the sounds of French music and joyful conversation. This year marked Elize’s last at Sabot, and we send her off with our deepest gratitude and warmest wishes. We’re sure we’ll see her around! #BeyondTheClassroom #ReggioInspired #ExperientialLearning #FrenchClass #CroqueMonsieur #FrenchCulture #LearningByDoing #ProgressiveEducation #JoyfulLearning #HandsOnLearning #SabotSchool #LanguageAndCulture #EducationThroughExperience #WholeChildEducation #FrenchCuisineInClass #IndependentSchool #RichmondVA #CuriosityDriven #StudentCenteredLearning

One of our favorite ways to close out the year is with the Family Forest Walk, hosted by Parents@Sabot. New and current families come together to experience one of the most beloved parts of Sabot life—exploring the forest. There’s nothing quite like seeing children lead the way, sharing the wonder, curiosity, and joy that come so naturally in this space. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special tradition! #SabotSchool #ForestWalk #NatureSchool #RichmondNatureSchool #ReggioInspired #OutdoorLearning #ChildLedLearning #ProgressiveEducation #ReggioEmiliaApproach #ReggioInspiredSchool #CommunityOfLearners #ExploreOutdoors #RichmondVA #RVAFamilies #RVAIndependentSchools #RichmondIndependentSchool #LearningInNature #ReggioInTheForest Parents@Sabot