A Thoughtful Start: How Our Teachers Built the SMWS Classrooms with Care

The start of a new school year is always a joyful time at St. Matthew's Weekday School. As we welcomed our families back, we stepped into classrooms filled with warmth, creativity, and purpose. This transformation took place during our recent Professional Development Week, when our passionate and skilled teachers poured their hearts into creating spaces where every child can feel safe, inspired, and
ready to learn.

Bringing New Life to Old Treasures
Our teachers scouted local thrift shops, finding hidden gems to repurpose in imaginative ways. Items, once overlooked, have been creatively repurposed into playful and imaginative classroom features, adding a spark of fun and color.

Creating Calm and Comfort
Throughout our rooms, you'll find cozy corners thoughtfully arranged with soft pillows, soothing visuals, and gentle sound makers. These quiet areas offer children space to pause, reflect, and regulate their emotions; a vital part of supporting early social and emotional growth.

Building Connection with Familiar Faces
Each classroom will feature a special family photo space, filled with snapshots from home. These familiar faces will help create a strong sense of belonging for our students and support their connection throughout the day.

Everything added to our learning environments was chosen with intention. Each rug, shelf, and visual cue plays a role in supporting connection, self-regulation, or hands-on learning. We are proud of the care and creativity our teachers bring to every detail.

As you walk through the halls of SMWS, we invite you to take in these small but meaningful touches. They reflect the heart of our mission: to nurture each child's development through thoughtful, joyful learning spaces.