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 | | Weekly Newsletter December 3rd, 2024Week 12 |
| | IN THIS ISSUE: Anacapa Annual Fund - It’s Giving Tuesday! Upcoming Events: Wednesday Activity - Wildlife Care Network, Braille Institute, Float Decoration Making Dec. 5th - Cafe Anacapa - Parent Coffee - 8:30 am & Admissions Open House #2 - 5:00 - 6:00 pm Friday, Dec. 6th - DECADE DAY - dress up & WIN a PRIZE!
Wednesday Activity Photos Health and Wellness Community Service Opportunities - Canned Food Drive! Wellness Opportunities Parent Coffee - Please see the bottom of this Newsletter for a Special Request for the Anacapa faculty and staff!
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| | | Support Our Annual Fund on Giving Tuesday!
Thanks to your incredible support, we have raised $25,480 toward our $75,000 goal. We are so grateful for your generosity, but there is still work to do! We recently received a pledged donation of $10,000, but we still need to raise $1,775 in smaller donations to unlock the $5,000 that was pledged by an Anacapa family last month. This means that every dollar donated over the next week will be doubled, up to $5,000! Your contribution, no matter the size, can have twice the impact.
As you know, we are striving for 100% participation in the Annual Fund. Currently, approximately 40% of our families have contributed. Let’s come together to show our collective support for Anacapa.
Every gift matters—whether it’s $5, $50, or $500. Please consider donating today, on Giving Tuesday, through our website's donation page or by sending a check to the school.
In addition to individual contributions, we are actively seeking business sponsorships to help us reach our goal. If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a sponsor, please refer to the flyer below for more details.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and generosity. Together, we can achieve our goals and continue to strengthen the Anacapa community! |
|  | |  | | | | THIS WEEKWednesday Activity: Dec. 4th - There will be 3 groups this week! Wildlife Care Network - leaving at 12:20 pm so please bring a lunch and wear closed toed shoes, Tour of the Braille Institute, Decorating the Anacapa Float for the Goleta Parade
REMINDER: Campus opens at 8:45 am on Wednesdays, no earlier!
Other Events: Dec. 5th: Friday, Dec. 6th - DECADE DAY - Dress up in an outfit from your favorite decade…80s, 90s, etc & WIN a PRIZE! Dec. 7th - Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade - Anacapa Float - 6:00pm
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| | LOOKING AHEADDec. 11th - Wednesday Activity - Blind Fitness Surrey Ride Dec. 13th - Anacapa Movie Night - 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Official invitation will be sent out soon! Dec. 18th - Holiday Celebration - 12:30 dismissal Dec. 19th - Jan. 5th: Holiday Break - No School
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|  | Pie Baking Competition Winner |
| | Congratulations to Alice for baking an amazing Pumpkin Cheesecake pie!
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| |  | Holiday Parade This Saturday, 12/07 at 6:00 pm Anacapa School will have a float in the Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade The float is a Ford F-450 dump truck that will be decorated with music, lights, and an Anacapa banner!! If you didn’t sign up to be on the float come on our to cheer your friends and school on! Thank you to Sawyer for coming up with this festive idea!
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| | December Jacob Pepper Arlo Ebbink Ethan Pfeiffer Ines Lizares Andre Cortelyou Zeke Mendoza |
| | | | | | | | | |  | Click here to watch a video of the Rock Band from the performance! |
| | A heartfelt thank you to all of the parents who put together such an incredible Thanksgiving Feast! We are truly grateful for our amazing school community. Your efforts made the celebration extra special. |
| | | | | | | December is the Giving Season! How can we give without giving in to mass consumerism?
During the month of November we spent much of our time helping our students understand how to show gratitude to the world around them and enjoy the simple things in life. As we head into December we'd like to focus on the spirit of giving and not just buying gifts! The holiday season is often synonymous with shopping sprees, viral gift trends, and endless advertisements. In a world where social media constantly promotes the latest must-have items, it can feel like there’s an unspoken pressure to keep up with trends and spend beyond our means. But true generosity doesn’t lie in checking off wish lists or participating in viral shopping frenzies. The essence of the season can be rediscovered through giving that is intentional, personal, and free from the pressure of mass consumerism or social media influence.
1. Give the Gift of Time, Not Just Things
In a fast-paced world, one of the most precious gifts you can offer is your time. Instead of rushing to buy the trendiest gadget or the season’s must-have toy, consider how you can spend meaningful time with loved ones. Whether it’s baking cookies together, organizing a movie night, or simply being there to listen, the gift of undivided attention can be far more meaningful than anything wrapped in shiny paper. Likewise, volunteering your time to help those in need—whether through community organizations or a neighbor in need—can have a lasting impact and embodies the true spirit of giving.
2. Share Your Skills and Knowledge
Another way to give without buying into consumerism is by offering your skills. Whether it’s teaching someone how to cook a favorite dish, tutoring a child, or helping a friend with a home project, the gift of knowledge or support is invaluable. Skills-based giving not only strengthens bonds but helps others in ways that material gifts simply can’t. Plus, it’s a powerful way to step back from the urge to buy something off a trending list and instead offer something uniquely valuable.
3. Resist the Social Media Shopping Frenzy
Social media platforms are filled with ads and influencer endorsements for the “hottest” gifts of the season, creating pressure to buy into every trend. But it’s important to remember that these trends often come with a hefty price tag and fleeting value. The rush to buy the latest gadget or fashion item can lead to impulse purchases that may not align with the values of either the giver or the recipient. Instead, focus on gifts that are meaningful and thoughtfully chosen, not just based on what’s trending. Prioritize quality over quantity, and aim for presents that reflect the recipient’s true interests or needs, rather than what influencers are recommending this week.
4. Give Experiences, Not Stuff
Experiences create memories that last far longer than material possessions. Instead of rushing to find the perfect gadget or accessory, consider gifting an experience that brings you and your loved ones together. Whether it’s tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or a weekend getaway, experiences create bonds that don’t require excessive spending. In a world that often prioritizes materialism, giving an experience is a refreshing way to celebrate the season without contributing to the overconsumption that defines much of modern holiday culture.
5. Support Local, Ethical, and Sustainable Brands
If you do decide to purchase gifts, consider supporting local artisans, small businesses, or brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Rather than getting caught up in the pressure to buy from big-box stores or online giants, look for unique, thoughtfully made items that have a positive impact on both people and the planet. Whether it’s handmade jewelry, a locally made candle, or a product that supports a cause you care about, these kinds of gifts often carry more meaning and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable economy.
6. Practice Mindful Generosity
The holidays don’t have to revolve around extravagant purchases. A handwritten note, a homemade treat, or a heartfelt conversation can hold more meaning than the latest trending item. In a time when social media is awash with perfectly curated gift ideas, taking a step back and focusing on the thought behind the gift—rather than its price tag or popularity—can make your giving feel more genuine and personal. After all, the most meaningful gifts are often the ones that come from the heart, not from a shopping cart.
While it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping—especially with the constant barrage of advertisements and trending gifts on social media—it’s important to remember that the spirit of the season isn’t about accumulating more stuff. By focusing on giving time, sharing experiences, offering support, and resisting the pressure of viral gift trends, we can celebrate the holidays in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable. The true magic of the season lies in connection, love, and presence—not in the number of gifts under the tree. |
| | Community Service Opportunities |
| We're Still Collecting for the Canned Food Drive! |
|  | You have until Wednesday, December 18th, to donate canned foods for The Foodbank. If you haven’t done so already, we are kindly asking each student to contribute 3 to 5 cans of nutritious canned food. Healthy options, such as canned soup and beans, canned fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta, peanut butter, and canned meat and fish. Do not bring any unsafe or unhealthy food items, such as expired products, leftovers, unlabeled food, ramen noodles, boxed mac and cheese, baked goods, refrigerated items, candy, glass containers, sugary drinks, opened packages, or medications.
Check your pantry to see if you have any canned goods you can spare. If you don’t have items at home or need to get more, visit a grocery store and pick up healthy, shelf-stable foods to donate. Thank you for helping make this food drive a success! Your contribution will make a big difference in the community. |
| | If you haven’t had a chance yet, make sure you see a Student Senate Representative to sign-up for a volunteer opportunity! Explore Ecology - December 8th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bucket Brigade - https://sbbucketbrigade.org/
Unity Shoppe
Youthwell's Volunteer Opportunities: |
| Community service forms are available here on our website or in the office! |
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| | | |  | | | |  | | Special Request
This holiday season, let’s show our appreciation for the AMAZING Anacapa faculty and staff! We’d like to set up a festive Coffee Station to spread some cheer, and we’re seeking donations of the following items: -a coffee maker -coffee -assorted teas -hot cocoa -creamers -reusable mugs -anything else you’d like to donate!
Please bring the items to the office or email summer@anacapaschool.org with questions or for more information.
Thank you!! |
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