Page 26

Building Blocks is bringing back its annual community clothing swap, along with a new book swap and a Raven Party potluck.

Join us on Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to refresh your family’s closets and your children’s book shelves, pass along items you no longer need, and find something new-to-your kids. We’re holding the swap in November this year, to make it easier for families to participate before the busy holiday season.

This free event is open to everyone, and no donation is required to participate.

How It Works. Gather clean, gently used children’s clothing your family has outgrown. We welcome children’s clothing in sizes newborn through 12, as well as shoes and costumes.

Donations can be dropped off starting the second week of November at Building Blocks. You can bring donations on the day of the swap, as long as they are clean, sorted, and ready to put out.

For the book swap, bring gently used children’s storybooks to share and take home some new favorites. To keep the swap manageable, bring a small selection rather than boxes of books. and gently read children’s books.

For the Raven Party potluck, bring a dish to share if you’re able, and enjoy a morning of community, sharing, and fun in the Building Blocks play yard.

Wooden Horse Fundraiser. Kick off holiday shopping while giving back to Building Blocks. Shop in-store at The Wooden Horse toy store, 796 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos, and online at woodenhorsetoys.com, from November 11 through 13. Mention Building Blocks at checkout or in your online order notes to donate 15 percent back to our school.

We are deeply grateful to the generous supporters who help our preschool community thrive: Hills Construction, Akova, Prime Tree Care, Mason Tractor, Woodstove and Sun, Paradise Dog Boarding, Masterson Electric, Infantino Dental, Advantage Homes, Dandelion Hair Studio, Brand Vessel, and Barrel Dreams.

Garden. Our amazing garden team, led by Joanna Rahu and Kris Belau, has created a vibrant, hands-on learning environment for our students.

In the garden, students connect classroom science with the soil as they discover where their food comes from, how ecosystems work, and how to care for our environment. From composting and starting seeds to tasting fresh harvests, students experience the joy of growing. Currently, our students are harvesting colorful Indian corn and seasonal vegetables.

Kindergarten through second-grade classes are caring for the garden and building scarecrows, while upper-grade students are exploring local pollinators and getting an up-close look at hive ecosystems. The team also recently completed four picnic tables, giving students and teachers two gathering areas for small-group lessons and activities. The tables are sanded and ready for use, with painting coming soon. A huge thank-you to our garden team for their hard work and dedication to making this special learning space flourish.

Afterschool Sports. C.T. English Middle School is part of the West Valley Athletic League (WVAL). Our fifth- through eighth-grade students have the opportunity to

Continued on page 27.