Merry Christmas!

This week's newsletter: December 17, 2010

Merry Christmas! I wish you all a safe and happy holiday break. Thank you for all that you do and your generosity. We appreciate you all! See you in 2011!

Snow Day

St. Francis de Sales Preschool is closed today, Monday, December 13th.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

What a crazy week we had with the snow delays. Please make sure to keep an eye on the news and our website next week. I always post delays and closings in the morning as soon I am notified. (Please don't rely in the subscribing email because that does not always go out right away.) It sounds like we might be in for some nasty weather next week.

Don't forget about our Christmas celebrations next Friday. We will open the door 15 minutes early to sing some Christmas cheer!

December 10, 2010 Newsletter

Snow Delay

St. Francis de Sales is on a 2 hour delay today, Friday, December 10th. There will be no AM Preschool. The PreK will remain the same and start at 12:30.

Snow Delay

St. Francis de Sales School is on a 2 Hour Delay. This means the morning preschool is canceled. The PreK will remain the same and will start at 12:30.

Advent Time

Here's this week's newsletter:
December 3, 2010

For our Christmas parties coming up, we will be doing a couple of fun activities and crafts together in the day. Mrs. Bloom and Mrs. Noward will be decorating cookies with the students, but they may still bring in a snack with a drink if they would like. We will not be asking for volunteers to donate items or help out in the classroom, however we will be opening our doors 15 minutes early so we can share some songs and celebrate the season with our families. We look forward to seeing everyone there. :)

Pasta, Christmas, and Book Fair

The final pasta order has been delivered and will be passed out this week! Thank you again for making sales and supporting St. Francis de Sales Preschool. We sold enough pasta to earn two $10 iTunes gift cards. Congratulations to Mayci Sayre and Cooper Fink! They are our lucky winners!

I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving. It is hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner! Looking at the calendar, both classes have Christmas performances scheduled for December 17th. Since we just prepared performances for Thanksgiving, we're going to change it to Christmas Celebrations. Each class will have a Christmas party on December 17th and we'll open our doors a little early to spread some Christmas cheer with a song. If you want to help us celebrate, the sign-up sheets will be up on Monday, December 6th.

Just a reminder, this week we are having an Usborne Book Fair in the preschool hallway! Please stop by and check out the display or look at the order catalog. St. Francis de Sales Preschool will receive up to 50% of the sales in FREE books! You can also browse the full Usborne books catalog and place your book order online at www.ubah.com/BF44042 now through Dec. 3rd.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Preschoolers and PreKers have been practicing all week long for their big performances next week! Everyone is invited to come. Please don't forget about them!

• Penguins' Thanksgiving Performance - on Monday, November 22nd at 10:45 am in the Lamy Center. We will bring over our coats and book bags and students will be dismissed from there. A big thank you to everyone for donating items!
• Polar Bears' Thanksgiving Play - on Tuesday, November 23rd. There will be a prayer service in the gym at 1:30 and we will perform our play with the Kindergartners at the end. After the performance we will return to our classroom and be dismissed early, if a ride is present. Don't forget to wear turkey colors - brown, orange, or black!

There will not be a newsletter next week because of the shortened week. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Here's the newsletter: November 19, 2010

Fall is Here!

Good news! The pasta has been shipped from the warehouse, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get it before Thanksgiving!

Please don't forget about Parent-Teacher conferences next week. I emailed or sent home notes last Friday and this Monday. If you did not hear from me please let me know!


This week's newsetter: November 12, 2010

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving invitations went home today! Please let me know if you have any questions.

• The Preschool Penguins will be having a Thanksgiving Performance on Monday, November 22nd in the Lamy Center from 10:45-11:15 am. The students will sing a couple of songs and then there will be refreshments and snacks. If you would like to donate items for this event, the sign up sheet will be posted on Friday. EVERYONE is invited, including parents, grandparents, etc. The students will be dismissed from the Lamy Center.
• The PreK Polar Bears will be participating in a Thanksgiving Play with the Kindergartners on Tuesday, November 23rd in the Gym at 1:30 pm. Before our play there will be a prayer service for the whole school. It would be great to see you there! Students will be allowed to leave a little early after the play if their ride is present.

Also, St. Francis de Sales Student Council is hosting a Drive Out Hunger event in the spirit of Thanksgiving. They are collecting non-perishable food items from November 15-December 14. They have a calendar of suggested items to donate each day. The Preschool will also be participating in the food drive. All proceeds will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

Beginning next week, I will post the calendar of items in the hallway and place a box outside our door. Please donate as you are able to do so, without creating a hardship for your family in these difficult economic times. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who returned their conference sheets. I am finalizing the schedule and you will be hearing from me shortly with your time slot. If anything comes up and you need to reschedule please let me know as soon as possible. I look forward to meeting with you all soon. :)

Progress reports will be sent home next Friday. Please be on the look out!

A huge THANK YOU and JOB WELL DONE goes out to all of you for selling the pasta! We raised $1,120 for the preschool! We're currently looking into some playground equipment and classroom technology to order for our students. Once the order is finalized, you will be the first to know! Thank you so much for your support. We appreciate you!

Here's this week's newsletter:
November 5, 2010

Scholastic

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: GZQPB
Due Date: November 12, 2010

** This is our last Scholastic book order before Christmas. If you would like your books to be sent home in secret please let us know. We will also be having an USBorne book fair after Thanksgiving in the preschool.

Dear Parents,

Now it’s easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child—shop our NEW online Book Clubs Web site. Choose from a much-wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay.Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.It’s so simple!

Here’s how it works:

SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Register” button in the “First Time Here?” section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.

SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.

SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom. Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not see for yourself how convenient it is to order online?

Happy Halloween!

This week's newsletter: October 29, 2010

We had a spooky fun time this week! Thank you for everyone who helped out at our parties or by bringing something in. We greatly appreciate it!

In everyone's folder on Friday was a conference sign-up sheet. I will be offering parent-teacher conferences on November 17th and 18th. The conferences will be for 10 minutes and available times will be in the mornings and afternoons. I would like to meet with everyone. Please review the paper and return the bottom section with your preferences by next Friday. If you have any questions, please let me know! Thanks!

Friday's Party!

Please do not forget about our Fall parties on Friday. Thank you to the parent volunteers from each class who signed up to help out in the classroom and those who are donating items. The door will open 15 minutes early before the end of class so that parents/grandparents may come in and celebrate with us (make sure to bring your camera)! Costumes may be worn to class. Please refer to the Fall party information sheet that was posted earlier for more information.

A big GOOD JOB goes out to all the PreK Polar Bears! They all did a wonderful job during the bad weather warning yesterday. We spent a good portion of our afternoon in the hallway and they were well behaved and didn't complain once. We even had to eat our snacks out there! I'm so proud of all of them. :)

Pumpkins!

The Penguins' and Polar Bears' pumpkins!

Here's the Penguins performing, "Five Little Pumpkins"

October 22, 2010 Newsletter

Thank you to everyone who turned in your Pasta Fundraiser order forms this week. If you have not returned it yet, please do so on Tuesday or Wednesday. We will be finalizing the order early next week and sending in the payments.

Don't forget about our Fall Party next Friday. Please look at the previous post for more information about the party and costumes.

As the weather changes, our playground gets cooler and cooler. Please remember to send your child with a coat. Our playground does not get any sunshine and we often stay in or go out for a short amount of time because we have students without jackets.

Finally, there is no preschool on Monday! Enjoy the long weekend.

Fundraiser and Fall Party

Reminders were sent home today about the Friday due date for all pasta orders. Please try to return your packet by then. Thanks!

Here's some more information about the Fall Parties next Friday:

• We are very much looking forward to our Fall celebrations at the end of this month. Thank you to those who either volunteered to send in items or volunteered to help in the classroom. We would not be able to do it all without you. If you did not to get to help out this time, please know that there will be many other opportunities throughout the year. If you volunteered to help in any way, a friendly reminder will be sent home next week. :)

• On the party day, students are allowed to wear Halloween costumes. However, please have costumes that students are able to get in and out of for the bathroom by themselves. Also, no masks, face paint, fake blood, or weapons. I understand that some costumes come with many accessories, but please simplify so nothing gets broken or lost before the actual holiday.

• The dismissal door will open fifteen minutes earlier that day so parents/relatives who are picking up may come in for a short performance. This would be a perfect time to snap some pictures and meet other children in the classroom. We hope to see you there!

October 15, 2010 Newsletter

Thank you all for signing up to help out at the Fall parties at the end of the month. There are still some openings for helping out with a craft or a game if anyone is interested.

As the weather gets colder, please make sure to send your child to school with a coat or a sweater. Most of our playground is in the shade, so its often cool back there!

Pasta Fundraiser:

Please keep encouraging all of your out-of-town family and friends to order. With each online order placed on our group's web page, 40% of the sale (excluding flat shipping rate of $5.95) will go back to our group and help us achieve our fundraising goal!http://www.funpastafundraising.com/shop/sfdspreschool

Our fundraiser will end on 10/22/2010. So spread the word - and thank you so much for supporting our effort!

Fall Parties

Both classes will have their Fall Parties on Friday, October 29th. The Penguins' party will be 10:00-11:00 am and the Polar Bears' party will be 1:45-2:45 pm. All parents will be invited to join us for the last 15 minutes of class for a short performance.

The sign up sheets for the Fall Party will be hanging up outside the classroom tomorrow. Since the class sizes are larger this year, we are asking for two parents to sign up to help organize a classroom craft and two other parents to help plan a game. All four of these parents are expected to be able to help out in the classroom at our party. Please use the Parent Rosters to get in contact with the person who signed up with you to plan together.

Remember that all classroom volunteers must be in compliance with the Protecting God’s Children requirements. Volunteers must attend a class for Protecting God’s Children program and be fingerprinted for a background check. Fingerprints and class attendance must be no older than a year old before becoming a St. Francis parent. If you do not have these requirements completed, please do not sign up to help in the classroom at this time.

We also need volunteers to donate items for the party. We are asking for parents to sign up to bring snacks, drinks, napkins and plates. We greatly appreciate everyone who volunteers their time and effort. We could not do it without you! :)

Farm Picturews

Happy Pajama Day Penguins!

The Penguins Plus group learning about the letter P.

Penguins on the computer.

Ansley making her silly cow eating pizza!

Shamus is practicing writing his name.

The Polar Bears were all smiles in their PJs!

"Take Me Out to the Farm" performed by the Polar Bears.

Pasta Fundraiser:

• Please remind your friends and family who order online to make sure they choose which student they are sponsoring so I know who to give the credit towards. We have received an order from Melissa M, but she didn't specify who she is sponsoring. If she is part of your sale, please let me know.
• Keep up the good work. We have $152 in our online sales so far, which is a great start!

Thanks for everything you do! Here is this week's newsletter:
October 8, 2010

Scholastic Book Orders

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: GZQPB

Dear Parents,

Now it’s easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child—shop our NEW online Book Clubs Web site. Choose from a much-wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay.

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.

It’s so simple! Here’s how it works:
SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, register by clicking click the “Don’t have a user name or password?” link. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.

SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.

SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.
Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not see for yourself how convenient it is to order online?

Fundraiser and Pajama Party

Beginning on Monday St. Francis de Sales Preschool is fundraising with Fun Pasta Fundraising! A letter will be sent home at the beginning of the week explaining the fundraiser in detail, along with a seller's packet. Sample pasta packages will be available to look at, as well. We plan on using the funds raised towards classroom technology and playground equipment. Everyone's participation is very much appreciated. Please let me know if you have any questions.

On Friday, October 8th the Penguins and Polar Bears will be having a pajama party! Please plan on wearing pajamas along with shoes and coats that are appropriate for the weather. Everyone is invited to bring in their favorite stuffed animal or blanket. We will spend part of our day watching a movie about the farm while enjoying some popcorn!

As always, have a wonderful weekend and here's the newsletter!

October 1, 2010

Apple Week!

Thank you everyone for bringing in an apple this week! We had such a great time learning and experimenting with our apples. To hear more about our week please check out this week's newsletter:
September 23, 2010

On Friday the supply order invoices were put in each child's folder. Please make the check payable to St. Francis de Sales Preschool and either drop it off to Amber McCracken at the parish rectory, mail it in, or drop it off to me. Thank you!

Remember, we do not have preschool on Monday, September 27 because of a teachers' in-service day. I hope everyone has a nice long weekend.

Week 2 Update

Here is last week's newsletter - Week 2's Newsletter

This week we are learning about apples and the letter A. Thank you for bringing in apples! We will be using them every day for a different activity.

Just a few notes about drop off and pick-up:

• Penguin Parents – Please do not park on Pearl Street until 8:20 am or later to drop off your preschooler. Parking before this time interferes with drop off for the main school. If you arrive before 8:20 please park across Granville Street or in the small lot next to the church and walk your child over. Thank you!
• Polar Bear Parents - Please try to arrive as close to 3:00 pm as possible. Parking earlier interferes with dismissal for the main school. Thank you!

I was to apologize for not having this week's newsletter available. I have been home the past two days with a sore back. The newsletter will be posted on Monday.

Please remember to order from the Scholastic book orders by Monday if you are interested. You can order online or turn in the order form and a check to me. We get points to use towards classroom books and supplies with all orders.

Next week we will be learning about apples. We would like everyone to bring in one apple on Monday to use throughout the week. Thank you!

Scholastic Book Orders

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubsClass
Activation Code: GZQPB
Due Date: September 20, 2010

Dear Parents,

Now it's easier than ever to find the right books for your child — and help us earn FREE books for our classroom library at the same time!

With new online ordering from Scholastic Book Clubs, you can choose from a much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card.

Best of all, our class earns a FREE book every time a parent places their order online.
It's so simple! Here's how it works:

SIGN UP at www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Don't have a User Name and Password?" link, then register for your own username and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.

SELECT the books you'd like to order from over 500 titles available online...and take advantage of online-only specials and discounts.

SEND your order to me online by the due date. Books will be delivered directly to our classroom, as always.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not experience for yourself how convenient it is to order online?

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure. Plus our whole class benefits thanks to the FREE books we'll earn with every parent online order.

Go to www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs now to get started.

Thank you,

Jenny Noward

Great First Week!

What a wonderful first week in Preschool! Mrs. Bloom and I really enjoyed spending time and getting to know your children. We are looking forward to a having a fantastic year with everyone!

Here is this week's newsletter - September 10, 2010

A couple of people have asked about the supply fee. There was a typo in the handbook. The supply fee is $100 a year, as stated in the tuition package you received after enrolling. The parish accountant, Amber McCracken, will be sending out invoices in the middle of the month.

Just a reminder - next week is a normal week. All the Penguins will come on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and I will see all the Polar Bears every afternoon. We will be learning about friendship and talk about how to be a good friend to others and how to obey the rules at school. We will also learn about the Blessed Trinity.

I hope you enjoy the weekend! As always, if you have any questions or concerns please email me at jnoward@cdeducation.org. Thanks!

A Few Things

Only one more week until the start of a new year of Preschool! I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone again. Here's just a few notes before we begin:

• The new handbook is available on the right side of the website - please take a look at it if you missed the Open House. There are a few changes to pay attention to - a big one being that all nut based foods (including peanut butter) are banned from the Preschool due to allergies.
• Also, if you missed the Open House please download the Preschool Forms located under "Helpful Links" and turn them in filled out on the first day of school.
• Remember that the first week of Preschool is staggered according to students' last names. Please check the calendar to see which day your child begins.
• There are still openings for the optional 4th day for Penguins. If interested please register or email me with further questions.
  

Enjoy this week! I will see you all soon. :)

Dear Penguins Parents,

St. Francis de Sales Preschool is eager to offer you this exciting opportunity. Because of changes that occurred over the summer, you can now add an extra day to your child's school week! This opportunity will be used to enhance the Penguins curriculum and offer enriching activities.

To learn more about the four days a week Penguins opportunity and to find out how you can sign up, please check out the following flyer:

Penguins Four Days a Week Opportunity!

Please email me at jnoward@cdeducation.org if you have any questions or concerns.

2010-2011 Preschool Calendar

2010-2011 Calendar

Here is the Preschool calendar for this upcoming school year. A couple of things to notice, the Open House is on Sunday, August 15th from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Preschool classroom. Also, be sure to check out the start dates because the Penguins and Polar Bears classes have half of the students starting on different days according to last names.

Next week welcome letters will be mailed out. I hope you're enjoying summer. I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Protecting God's Children

Protecting God’s Children Session Scheduled! There will be a Protecting God’s Children Session offered at St. Francis on Tuesday, July 20^th starting at 6:30pm in Johnson Hall. Fingerprinting (BCI and FBI) will begin promptly at 5:00pm. Cost is $37 for BCI, $40 for FBI - $70 for both. Must bring driver’s license or state issued ID. Go to www.virtus.org to register for session.

Please remember, that ALL volunteers need to take this class and be fingerprinted before being allowed to help out in the preschool. For all new St. Francis families - fingerprints need to be less than a year old before your child starts school.

Beach Party Videos and Pictures

The Seals' Beach Party!

The Penguins' Beach Party!

The Polar Bears' Beach Party!

The End of the School Year

Can you believe the end of the school year is already here? All three classes had a fantastic last week! We read books about sunshine and summertime, we learned about summer safety and we all had a rockin' time at our beach parties! Pictures and videos will be posted soon!

I cannot thank you all enough for your continuous help and support throughout the year. Without all of you this year would not have been as successful as it was. I enjoyed getting to know and teaching your children and am looking forward to seeing them again in September. To those of you moving on, I wish you good luck. Your children will be missed greatly!

If you are returning next year as a Penguin or PreK Polar Bear, please remember that I will need a new, updated Child Medical Statement (immunization form) which can be found under "Helpful Links" on the right side of the website. There is no need to fill out another Enrollment and Health Information Form. We will review and update (if need be) your old one at the beginning of next school year.

I wish everyone a safe and fun summer! Enjoy the extra time with your little ones! If you need anything over the new few months I will be in and out of the preschool office (740-345-4049) and checking my email often (jnoward@cdeducation.org). Thank you for a fantastic year!

Down in the Ocean

What a great time we all had this week learning about the ocean! Please make sure to check out our ocean scene all three classes help put together out in the hallway. It turned out great!

Just a reminder that next week is our LAST week of classes. I cannot believe how fast this school year went. To celebrate the end of the year, we will be having a beach party on the last day! All the students are invited to wear their swim suits and sunglasses, hats, etc. Please remember, all shoes need to have straps around the heels, boys should also wear shirts, along with girls wearing two pieces. Weather permitting, we will be spending the majority of the day outside so please put sunscreen on your child. We are looking forward to having a fun last day! Please let me know if you have any questions.

May 14, 2010 Newsletter

Happy Mother's Day to all our Moms!
It was wonderful seeing you all this week. Thank you so much for making the time to come in and celebrate with us. I hope you have a lovely weekend with your families.

As the weather continues to get warmer, I would just like to send out a little reminder that all students need to wear shoes with heel straps on them for safety purposes. Thank you. :)

Here is this week's newsletter! May 7, 2010

PLEASE DON'T FORGET! Mother's Day Celebrations - Each class will be having a Mother's Day celebration next week. Since the celebration will be in our classroom, space is limited. We are asking that each student only has one guest. If Mom is unable to attend, please feel free to invite Grandma, Aunt or another special female. We are looking forward to sharing this special holiday with you!

* Seals' Celebration will be Tuesday, May 4th, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
* Penguins' Celebration will be Friday, May 7th, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
* Polar Bears' Celebration will be Friday, May 7th, 2:30-3:00 p.m.

Enjoy your weekend! Here is the newsletter: April 30, 2010 Newsletter

Community Helpers Pictures

The Penguins dressed up as doctors and nurses.

I wonder what these girls did to end up in the back of the police car?!

Nick's excited to take the wheel!

Just call her Trooper Ashton.

All smiles in handcuffs!


The Polar Bears learn how to make pizza!
First, mix the dough.

Next, put on the toppings and cheese.


Then, cook it.


Finally, eat the pizza! YUM!

We had a great last week talking about different helpers in our community! A BIG thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Szekely, Trooper Franks, and Mr. Brown for coming in and talking to our preschoolers this week. To hear about all of these adventures and more, please check out the newsletter! :)

April 23, 2010

Also, be on the lookout for pictures from this week to be posted soon!

Scholastic Books
If you would still like to put in a book order, I am extended the deadline through this weekend. Please put your order in by Monday. This will be the last chance to order this school year. I appreciate all the orders because it allows us to get more books and supplies for our classroom!

To order online, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password in the sign-in fields on the right side of the page. Note: You do not need to create your own user name and password.

www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

User Name: preschoolstfrancis
Password: preschool

PreK Parents

Getting ready to enter Kindergarten? St. Francis is offering two exciting summer workshops concentrating on math and reading readiness skills. All are welcome! Please sign up early to reserve your spot. A Math Dr. Seuss workshop is being offered July 19th-22nd, 9 am – 12:00 pm. Or, join us for our beach themed Language Arts camp July 26th-29th, 9 am – 12:00 pm. Check out the flyer for more information.

Kindergarten Summer Workshops

Photos and a Video

The Penguins trying some bread after learning how a baker bakes bread.

The Seals being bakers and showing off their B cookies!

These Seals are pretending to be community helpers!

The Polar Bears reading their sentences!