Strata Learning Academy | September 2026
Updated: Sep 29
Getting to Know Each Child
As we move further into the school year, our classrooms are beginning to find their rhythm. Children are becoming more familiar with their routines, building relationships, and growing more confident in their environments.
This is also an important time for our educators to learn more about each child. Through everyday interactions and observation, teachers are noticing how children communicate, approach challenges, engage with others, and explore new ideas.
Those individual differences matter. Our goal isn't for every child to experience learning in exactly the same way, but to create environments where educators can recognize each child's strengths, understand where they need support, and continue introducing experiences that help them grow.
I'm excited for families to see more of that intentionality take shape throughout the year.
Rachel Heck
CEO & Founding Partner
Our Classrooms Are Taking Shape
Over the past several weeks, families have begun to see the next stage of our classroom transformation take shape.
New classroom shelving has arrived, Left Brain learning activities are being introduced, and additional storage cabinets are being installed in each classroom. Having a broad range of learning materials organized and readily accessible allows educators to thoughtfully adjust the classroom environment based on what they are observing from the children, introducing new materials, increasing complexity, or providing additional support as children's interests and developmental needs evolve.
Our classrooms are also beginning to look more like the communities of children who spend their days in them. Walls and learning spaces are filling with children's projects, ideas, and work as educators create environments that reflect the learning happening throughout the day.
These changes are part of an ongoing process. Rather than creating a classroom once and expecting children to adapt to it, our goal is for the environment to adapt alongside the children as educators learn more about how each child engages, explores, communicates, and learns.
Learn More About the Approach Behind Our Classrooms
Families have a special opportunity this month to learn more about the research and thinking behind the Fueling Brains approach directly from Amna Khalid, Head Brain Coach at Fueling Brains.
Amna will explore how early experiences support brain development, how the Fueling Brains approach is applied in early learning environments, and how intentional experiences can strengthen foundational skills as children grow.
Tuesday, September 29 | 4:00–5:30 PM Rotary Terrace Community Room 312 Miller Avenue, South San Francisco
RSVP by Thursday, September 24
Registration closes this Thursday. Space is limited, and Strata families receive priority registration. Please submit one registration per household.
This is an adults-only session. Complimentary childcare is available for Strata families from 3:30–6:00 PM at your child's regular Strata campus, including for families whose regular schedule would not otherwise include that time. Childcare will not be available at Rotary Terrace.
Light refreshments will be available at the event. Families driving to Rotary Terrace should also plan for parking. Much of the nearby street parking is metered, so please allow a little extra time to park and arrive before the session begins.
We hope you'll join us for an opportunity to learn more about the approach taking shape in your child's classroom and the developmental thinking behind it.
Thank You, Strata Families!
We loved seeing so many Strata families at the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival earlier this month. Thank you for coming out and supporting our first-ever Strata Learning Animal Adventure Zone!
From face painting and the petting zoo to games and lots of prize wheel spinning, the zone was filled with happy kids and familiar faces throughout the weekend. It was especially fun for our team to see families from across our Strata community stopping by, saying hello, and enjoying the festival together.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our first Animal Adventure Zone such a success. We loved getting to spend time with our families outside of the school day and out in the community.
Japanese Culture Festival
Sunday, October 4 | 10:30 AM–4:30 PM
Civic Center Plaza | 1 Library Avenue, Millbrae
Join us at the 21st Annual Millbrae Japanese Culture Festival, a free community celebration featuring Japanese food, performances, exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on cultural activities.
Strata Learning is sponsoring free face painting at this year's festival in partnership with the Rotary Club of Millbrae. Students from the Taylor Middle School and Mills High School Interact Clubs will be putting their creativity to work as our volunteer face painters.
Rotary Kids Carnival
Sunday, October 25 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Rotary Park | Millbrae Avenue & S. Ashton Avenue
The Millbrae Rotary Kids Carnival is a longtime community tradition bringing local families together for a free morning of Halloween fun.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Millbrae with support from the Taylor Middle School and Mills High School Interact Clubs, the carnival includes games, activities, entertainment, a costume contest, and treats for children. Rotary and the two Interact clubs have partnered on the Kids Carnival for more than 20 years.
Admission is free, and the event is designed especially for children ages 10 and under.
Rotary Day at the San Francisco Zoo
Saturday, November 7 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
San Francisco Zoo
Bring the family for a special day at the San Francisco Zoo celebrating Rotary and the impact of The Rotary Foundation.
The event is open-house style, so families can arrive anytime between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM and enjoy the Zoo at their own pace. A special program will take place from 1:30–2:00 PM, and families can participate in a Zoo treasure hunt highlighting projects and programs made possible through The Rotary Foundation.
Everyone is welcome, so feel free to bring family and friends!
Tickets: $45 adults | $30 youth under 12 | Children under 2 free
Parking: Discounted to $15 for attendees
Food: Available for purchase inside the Zoo
Dolores Way Academy
Settling Into the School Year
We have been settling into the school year and learning our routines and new curriculum together! It has been wonderful to see the children becoming more comfortable, confident, and independent each day.
During Left Brain time, children are practicing focus, independence, and completing their individual work. Then, during Right Brain time, they have the opportunity to switch gears and use their creative, collaborative, and problem-solving minds as they learn and play together.
We are also seeing growing independence in everyday tasks. Children are becoming more confident with things like making their beds, putting on their shoes, caring for their belongings, and taking responsibility for their classroom routines. These may seem like small accomplishments, but each one is an important step in building confidence and developing the skills they need to become capable, independent learners.
We are also working on lining up safely and patiently. Throughout the day, children practice using safe bodies, looking forward, waiting their turn, and being patient with their friends. We practice these skills when lining up to go outside, wash our hands, move to another classroom, and transition between activities. These routines help children develop self-control, awareness of others, and the ability to move through the day as part of a group.
Our next goal is to encourage more independence during arrival and departure. When you arrive at school, please encourage your child to carry their own bag and put their belongings away. At the end of the day, give them the opportunity to gather their own things and get ready to go home.
We know these routines can take a little extra time, but that extra time is valuable! The more opportunities children have to do things for themselves, the more their brains are growing and learning. Thank you for partnering with us as we help your children become confident, capable, and independent learners!
We are so proud of the progress the children have already made this year. Every day brings new opportunities to practice, learn, try again, and grow. Thank you for partnering with us and giving your children the time, encouragement, and support they need to become confident, capable, and independent learners. We are excited to see where this year takes us together!
Dates to Know
Tuesday, September 29 | 4:00 - 5:30 PM - Fueling Brains Parent Education Night
Sunday, October 4 | 10:30 AM–4:30 PM - Japanese Culture Festival
Monday, October 12 - Closed for Staff Development
Saturday, October 25 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM - Rotary Kids Carnival
Friday, October 30 | 3:30 - 4:30 PM - Trick-o-Treat and Carnival games
View the Dolores Way Annual Calendar.
Shelley Marquez
Campus Director
Ortega Academy
Building Our Classroom Community
As we head into our second month together, it has been so wonderful to see our preschool community settling into the school year. The children are becoming more comfortable with their daily routines, getting to know their teachers and classmates, and showing more confidence as they navigate their classroom throughout the day. September is a time when we really begin to see those early connections grow into friendships and a stronger sense of belonging. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on these routines, encouraging independence, and giving each child plenty of opportunities to learn, explore, and grow at their own pace.
Learning in Action
As children become more comfortable with their classroom routines and relationships, educators are creating more opportunities for children to take the lead in their learning. This month, the children have also begun exploring the sights, smells, and textures of fall through hands-on activities featuring apples, pie, leaves, and other seasonal experiences. Our dramatic play area has been transformed into a pie shop, giving children opportunities to use their imaginations, practice communication, and work together through pretend play. Our sensory center is filled with oats, apple shapes, and cinnamon sticks, inviting children to explore different textures, smells, and materials while building curiosity and encouraging them to ask questions, make choices, and try new things.
Dates to Know
Sunday, October 4 | 10:30 AM–4:30 PM - Japanese Culture Festival
Monday, October 12 - Closed for Staff Development
Friday, October 17 | 3:00 PM- 7:00 PM - Ortega Otter Fest
View the Ortega Annual Calendar.
Nichole Lancaster
Campus Director
Santa Inez Academy
Building Our Classroom Community
As we move further into the school year, Santa Inez is beginning to find its rhythm. Children are becoming more comfortable in their classrooms, relationships are growing, and the routines established during the first few weeks are becoming a familiar part of each day.
Throughout the campus, we’re also seeing our learning environments continue to take shape as new materials and classroom elements are introduced. It has been exciting to see children become more confident in their spaces and our educators continue building on the strong foundation established at the start of the year.
There is still so much ahead, and we’re looking forward to continuing to grow together as a Santa Inez community.
Coming Together as a Community
We had such a great time at the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival! It was wonderful seeing so many of our Santa Inez children out enjoying the sunshine, playing games, getting their faces painted, visiting the petting zoo, and proudly showing off their Strata bags to earn spins on our prize wheel. Seeing so many familiar faces outside of the school day made the weekend even more special. We hope your families enjoyed the event as much as we enjoyed having you there!
We also had a fantastic turnout for our Santa Inez Park Day this weekend! It was great to see so many families come together, and we hope it gave you an opportunity to connect with other families from your child's classroom. One of our favorite parts was watching the children move so confidently around the campus, enjoy the different spaces, and show their families where they spend their days. We loved having everyone together and getting to share Santa Inez in a more relaxed way as a community.
Campus Leadership Update
As a quick reminder, Annie Quintana is currently serving as Interim Campus Director, and I will continue working closely alongside her to support Santa Inez during this transition. Our priority is making sure our children, families, and team continue to feel supported and that communication remains consistent.
Please continue to reach out whenever you need anything or have updates to share. Annie and I both have access to santainez@stratalearning.com, so this remains the best way to reach us for campus questions, requests, or information you'd like us to know.
We appreciate everyone's support as we move through this transition together!
Dates to Know
Wednesday September 30 | 4:00 PM-5:30PM - Parent & Community Education Session
Sunday, October 4 | 10:30 AM–4:30 PM - Japanese Culture Festival
Monday, October 12 - Closed for Staff Development
Saturday, October 25 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM - Rotary Kids Carnival
View the Santa Inez Annual Calendar.
Annie Quintana
Interim Campus Director
