connections
FIRST CIRCLE’S SEASONAL BULLETIN • SPRING 2026
upcoming events
lexington art show
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
5:30–7:00 P.M.
spring fling 2026
LEXINGTON
May 1 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.
STOUGHTON
May 8 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.
NEEDHAM
May 8 | 3:30–5:00 p.m.
FRAMINGHAM
May 29 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.
prekindergarten graduation
framingham
JUNE 12 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.
stoughton
JUNE 12 | 5:00–6:00 p.m.
needham
NURSERY SCHOOL PRE-K
JUNE 12 | NOON-1:00 p.m.
K-PREP
JUNE 12 | NOON-1:00 p.m.
PRE-K
END OF YEAR CELEBRATION
JUNE 18 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.
lexington
JUNE 18 | 5:45–7:30 p.m.
REREGISTRATION
We are required by licensing to have families re-enroll annually. Please keep a lookout in the coming weeks for our re-registration materials and 2026-2027 tuition rates.
upcoming holidays
MEMORIAL DAY
MONDAY, MAY 25
JUNETEENTH
FRIDAY, JUN 19
INDEPENDENCE DAY
FRIDAY, JUL 3
LABOR DAY
FRIDAY, SEP 4
MONDAY, SEP 7
First Circle is going to the ball park!
JUNE 28 | 1:05 p.m.
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE
summer at first circle
Each week of our Summer 2026 Program takes children on a new adventure—from building and engineering in the wild, to exploring science and nature, to engaging in movement, sensory play, and imaginative art. These hands-on experiences are designed to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and support discovery through play—just like young explorers on a safari.
welcome to the safari
WEEK 1 | JUN 22 – JUN 26
• rhino ring toss
• safari slime
• making binoculars to take on safari
safari habitat
WEEK 2 | JUN 29 – JUL 3
• safari small word
• safari sensory bin
• going on a playground safari
big safari animals
WEEK 3 | JUL 6 – JUL 10
• jungle play dough
•
tiger shaving cream marbling
• elephant footprints
slitherers + creepers
WEEK 4 | JUL 13 – JUL 17
• bubble wrap snake skin print
• slither like a snake
• shape snake pattern
jungle climbers
WEEK 5 | JUL 20 – JUL 24
• feed the monkey
• lizard word wall
• outdoor climbing challenges
stripes, spots + patterns
WEEK 6 | JUL 27 – JUL 31
• pattern matching
• zebra sticky wall
• pom pom cheetah prints
safari water days
WEEK 7 | AUG 3 – AUG 7
• clay animal tracks
• pink flamingo sensory bottle
• potato masher turtles
safari sounds + rhythms
WEEK 8 | AUG 10 – AUG 14
• animal sound guessing game
• making rain sticks
• loud and soft safari sounds
safari celebration
WEEK 9 | AUG 17 – AUG 21
• watering hole play
• animal movement obstacle course
• and a safari dance party!
Children will embark on a summer safari filled with water play, hands-on exploration, creative projects, and nature-inspired discoveries. They’ll spend plenty of time outdoors as young explorers and can bring home their creations to share their safari adventures with family.
We look forward to a summer filled with exploration, creativity, and fun!
summer reminders
sun + heat
During the summer, we go outside at least once a day, provided the “real feel” temperature (temperature with wind-chill) is not above 90°.
summer clothing
- bathing suit for water play
- water shoes
- sun hat
- extra clothing to change into including socks + shoes if clothing gets wet
Please take a moment to check that your child’s clothing and bedding are appropriate for the warmer weather, and don’t forget to label everything!
sunscreen + insect repellent
Please apply sunscreen to your child prior to arriving at First Circle. It’s best to apply sunscreen before getting them dressed in the morning to ensure thorough coverage. First Circle teachers apply sunscreen to each child for afternoon playground time.
For more than two decades, we have used Coral Isles Sunscreen Products (formerly Rocky Mountain Sunscreen) and have been very happy with it. “Rocky Mountain Sunscreen SPF 30 for Kids” meets all the FDA Final Rule testing standards for Broad Spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection and water resistance (80 minutes). It is moisturizing, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). For more information, please visit their website:
tick checks
Tick season is here! Be sure to check your child for ticks every day at bath time.
shoes
With the warmer weather approaching, it is very important that children wear appropriate footwear for the playgrounds for their safety. Please be sure all shoes are closed with a back for them to climb and run safely. Rubber boots and crocs are not safe footwear for the children to climb on the climber on the playground.
exclusions from care summary
guidelines for when your child must stay home
character education | april
character education | november
CITIZENSHIP
mindfulness
SENSE OF SELF
self-management
Character and the ability to make good choices, self-manage, and be helpful, honest, and compassionate are skills that are built over time, with examples, reinforcement, modeling, and practice.
MyCharacter™
blog archive
BLOG POST NO. 01 • NOV 2023
how to holiday with young children
BLOG POST NO. 02 • JAN 2024
teaching your child about cultural diversity
BLOG POST NO. 03 • APR 2024
summer at first circle: the arts
BLOG POST NO. 04 • SEP 2024
winning at lunchbox
BLOG POST NO. 05 • OCT 2024
the power of play
BLOG POST NO. 06 • DEC 2024
tips for traveling with children
BLOG POST NO. 07 • JAN 2025
why should kids do chores?
BLOG POST NO. 08 • MAR 2025
the power of reading with young children
BLOG POST NO. 09 • MAY 2025
why manners matter
BLOG POST NO. 10 • JUN 2025
the power of the red washcloth
BLOG POST NO. 11 • JUL 2025
summer rhythms
BLOG POST NO. 12 • AUG 2025
embracing the beauty of transition
BLOG POST NO. 13 • SEP 2025
schedules, routines + rituals
BLOG POST NO. 14 • OCT 2025
great pumpkins! it’s october!
BLOG POST NO. 15 • DEC 2025
keeping consistency with young children
a december survival guide
BLOG POST NO. 16 • JAN 2026
finding their voice:
how self-advocacy builds respect in young children
BLOG POST NO. 17 • FEB 2026
celebrating diversity and belonging
in early childhood education
BLOG POST NO. 18 • MAR 2026
read across america week
turning pages into possibilities