NEW Website for St. Francis deSales Preschool!

As of today, July 16th, we will no longer post on this blogsite.  Our NEW website is:

                           http://www.stfrancisparish.net/stfrancispreschool

Please visit the above link for further information regarding our preschool happenings! God bless.

                                                                       Mrs. Burd

HAPPY, HAPPY Summer Preschool Families!

Happy Summer Fabulous Preschool Families!

       It is so hard to believe that June is almost over! Yikes!! Where did it go?  I hope that everyone's summer has been safe and FUN!   I know many of you had great vacation plans in the making when school let out.  May your adventures be blessed and joyful.

Preschool Office Hours:

The preschool office has been open in June from 9am to 12 pm Monday-Thursday for the month of June.   My last day in the office in June is Thursday, June 27th.  I will visit my office once a week in July to check phone messages however I will have my laptop with me so if you want to email me a question or concern, my email is:
                                                            mburd@cdeducation.org 

I will be back in the preschool office August 5th.  August office hours are: 9-1 Monday- Friday until August 19th after which I will be back in the office full time (8-3:30) M-F.

The preschool office number is: 345-4049 ext236  OR my home office number is: 740-788-9503

Preschool Start Dates and Class times:

St. Francis Preschool will open for Fall Class Session Tuesday, September 3rd (which is the day after Labor Day). 

*  SEALS and Pre-K POLAR BEAR's first day will be Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 3rd.
* PENGUINS's first day of school will be Wednesday, September 4th

Please remember that:  SEALS are in session Tuesdays and Thursdays
                                        PENGUINS are in session Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
                                        POLAR BEARS are in session Monday through Friday

Please Lift up in prayer....

We  lift up in prayers:
* The new kindergarteners that are leaving us and moving up to their new schools.    We will miss you!
*Jacob Moore and Ella Dusenberry's family as they both prepare for a new baby brother and or sister.
* As of June, we welcome our new students that are joining the St. Francis de Sales Preschool family:
        Brooklyn Londot, Skylar Ross, Calla and Camden Whitlatch, Cooper Mason, Noah Richards, Aubrey Young, Hayden  Frost, Colin McCracken, Garrett Hannahs, Elizabeth Windholtz, Cade Harbage, Jamie Miller, Anna Svatora, Abe Krouse, Jackson Smith. Talon Jackson, Drake Urdarovski, Malone Hutchison, Baylor Zupanic, and Andrew Bebout!  WELCOME!
* The Simi and Stone family that lost their Papaw Jack a couple weeks ago
* Those going on vacation, loads of joy while on and for safe returns !
* All of our returning students and their families!

PRESCHOOL TUITION:

Preschool tuition invoices have been sent out to you.  If you have not gotten yours, please call the preschool office and I will make sure you get yours as soon as possible.

***Please remember, our school has two ways to reconcile your tuition.  You can either pay your tuition in full or you can pay monthly using the automatic withdraw.   If you have questions regarding your tuition bill, please do not hestitate to give me a call.

Preschool Calendar Coming Your Way!

   I will be sending out a preschool year calendar your way within a couple of weeks.  I will also download the calendar onto the blogsite as well so you can refer or print it at your will. 

Since not everyone subscribes to the BLOG, I will alsbe requesting emails so I can create a mass preschool email to ensure you get any emergency delays or closings as well as to make sure reminders for preschool events get to you.

In Closing...

   May you continue to enjoy your summer with loads of fun and great friends and family!  Happy Fourth of July!   God bless and remember...

" For HE will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

                                                                                        Psalm 91:11

                                                                                             Happy Summer Everyone!
                                                                                                       Mrs. Burd

Hello My dear preschool Parents!

Hello dear preschool parents!

        I, once again, will be absent for a bit while I tend to my brother Mark's funeral arrangements.  I know some of you wanted me to post details of Mark's arrangements, so here they are:
Viewing for Mark will be at N.J Hogenkamp Funeral home in Minster Ohio on Sunday May 5th.  The funeral mass will take place at St. John Catholic church in Maria Stein, Ohio on May 6th. Tuesday I will be helping my sisters close his house down.   I will be back on Wednesday.  Thank you so much for the prayers as well as the continued support and love through this difficult time.  You and your children are such blessing to me. I thank God everyday that they are in my life.  There little faces and hugs help so much.  I want to give a HUGE thank you to Mrs. Bloom, Mrs. Wright, and Mrs. Martin.  These ladies have taken wonderful care of the preschool, the well-being of the children and teaching the children in my absence.  I thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart! God's blessing to you all!

New Playgroung Equipment !!!

With our Catholic Foundation Grant monies we were able to purchase many new and different sized tricycles as well as a Step 2 climbing summit.  We will also be installing the spring dual teeter totter that I purchased last fall from the Project Round-Up grant. Newark Catholic students helped out with digging the (very large) hole for its installment today for their St. Joseph the Worker Day project.  The Newark Catholic students also helped clean and rake the preschool play yard today as well.  Thanks goes to Newark Catholic students: Rachel Bloom, Kat Bowman, Spencer Chapman and Caleb Burd for their hard work.  (Yes...Mrs. Bloom and I  lay claim to the Bloom and Burd students :)

The Winner of the Thirty-One Fundraiser is....

Micheala Gress! Sister of Andy (penguins)and Jack (seals) GossettYEA!!!
The Winner for the most tickets sold is...Joanna and Veronica Bailey!! YEA!! CONGRATULATIONS goes to Micheala ,Joanna and Veronical!  Great work everyone for this fundraiser.  We appreciated everyones support and efforts that sold tickets.  A big THANKS goes to Jenalyn Shafer's mom Kelly for organizing and running this fundraiser.  We so appreciate your work and efforts for our preschool. We cherish the help and support we get from our parents!

USBORNE BOOK FAIR COMING Soon!

With summer break just around the corner...and I do mean..just around the corner with only 3 weeks left, our preschool will be providing parents a GREAT opportunity to encourage beginning literacy to your precious little learners.  We will be holding an Usbourne Book Fair the week of May 13.  We will have a display table out with the many quaility books that you can obtain from Usbourne.  You can also order online as well.  Our preschool will also obtain free books for our classroom library with your purchases.  If you have any questions about what Usbourne is or questions about ordering, please feel free to talk with Mrs. Burd.  On a personal note, I LOVE Usbourne books.  They have great non-fiction , fiction, and interactive books.  My own children love reading these books.  Lots of great learning in them! I encourage you to stop by the display and take a look.

Our Butterflies!!! AND our Upcoming Theme!

We have BUTTTERFLIES!! At last, the class chrysalises have emerged to beautiful butterflies!3 of our painted lady butterflies have hatched! We will hold them for about a week or 2 and then we will take them out and let them go.   The children have learned so much about the life cycle of a butterfly.  I hope they are sharing lots with you at home.
Our theme next week will take a "summer-y" turn.  We will begin studying about Oceans and Ocean Animals.   We will be learning about different animals and comparing different animals of the ocean. 

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL WATER DAY!!

This year our last day of school theme will be WATER DAY!!!  On your child's last day of school, students are asked to wear swim type clothes (girls -a 1 piece swim suit and cover-up & boys- swim short type trunks and either a swim shirt or a tshirt that can get wet )  We will have water games, little pools, and some yummy snacks.
Before I go out and buy little pools, if any parent could lend us your small plastic pools for a couple of days, we would appreciate it. We will need about 3 or 4 total pools. Please let Mrs. Bloom or Mrs. Burd know as soon as possible.  Thanks!

Clothing and Shoe Dress Code Reminder:

Just a reminder, that as it gets warmer, if girls choose to wear a dress, they MUST have little shorts underneath their dress. This is a modesty policy.
Also, we also remind you  NO sun dresses or spaghetti strap shirts.  This is also a modesty policy.
Shoe policy in our handbook also states that all sandles/shoes must have a back strap or back support as well as the toe covered.  Please be considerate of our dress code policies. These policies are put into place for the safety and consideration of your child. We are an active preschool so we want every child to enjoy and be safe with all the physical activity that goes along in an "active" preschool setting.

In Conclusion:

May you all enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weekend.  May it be safe and joyful!


  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.                
                                               Romans 15:13

                                                               Mrs. Burd and Mrs. Bloom

Hello My Dear Preschool Parents!

Hello FAB Preschool Parents!

        What a beautiful day it was today!  If we can only get the temperatures to cooperate, right?!

 I will not be at school for the next few days.  My brother Mark, who has been struggling with colon cancer, is now at the end of his life.  I will be spending the next days at his side, along with the rest of my sisters, helping him with this last journey of his life.  I humbly ask for your support and prayers once again:) for my family and for my brother.  Mrs. Bloom and I have set plans into place to ensure that fun and learning continues in our preschool.  Thank you for your continued love and support.  You are all very precious to me.


     SPRING FUNDRAISER:

As you know, we are working on our Thirty-One Spring Fundraiser.  This raffle ticket fundraiser ends on APRIL 25th.  This is the day that ALL monies and tickets MUST be in.    All proceeds go to helping with the purchase of furniture and supplies for our new classroom for the morning Pre-K Polar Bears. Thanks so much in advance for your continued support for our school.



 MORNING  DROP OFF:

      I know that morning drop off can be taxing and a trial however I need your help.  It has come to my attention that a few preschool vehicles are driving down the center of Pearl St. to get ahead of the crowd. PLEASE do not do this.  In the end, it gains nothing and can cause serious injury to both preschool and the remaining elementary children who are also trying to get to school.  I ask for everyone to practice patience and Chrisitan love.  Thanks:)


CONCLUSION:

       May your week be a joyful and happy one...even in the face of our daily trials. Remember..."When God closes a door, He opens a window at the same time."

Happy, Happy Spring to You ALL!!!

Hello Lovely Preschool Parents!!

     Can it be true?  Has spring finally come?  I think it has!!! YEA!!!!!!!  I love seeing the new life that springs forth from nature every springtime.  God is so AWESOME!

    Thank you all so much for being patient and kind to me as I "get back in the saddle" of a normal routine after the passing of my mother.  I appreciate your love and support as I find my bearings again:)

The Caterpillars are Here!!!

     Once again, we welcome the Painted Lady caterpillars into our classroom. We are studying about the process of the butterfly's life cycle.  Starting week 3, these little guest aren't so little anymore! Eating, eating, eating...they are getting very plump! In a week or so they will build their chrysalis and we will move them into our butterfly habitat.  After they hatch, our class will keep them for about a week and then set them free.

Please take a look around in our hallway (as well as your child's folder) and you find evidence of your very smart children learning lots of things about spring! 

Community Helper of the month of April:

   K-9 police officers and their policeman handlers!  On Wednesday April 17th, Officer Tim Hansel of the Newark Police Dept. along with Bear, his K-9 partner, will visit our classroom to talk about their role as our community helpers. The children are so excited to meet Officer Bear, oh yes...and Officer Hansel as well :)

Spring Fundraiser- Thirty-One Raffle tickets

     Our Spring fundraiser is now underway! Each family got a packet with a pink explanation sheet, a small Thirty-One catalog, and some lavender colored raffle tickets.  We kindly ask you to sell at least 5 tickets, at $5 each, for the chance to win a $225.00 shopping spree of Thirty-One products! How cool is this?

ALL stubs are due to the preschool office NO LATER than APRIL 25th.  If you would like more raffle tickets or if you have any questions, please let Mrs. Burd or Mrs. Bloom know. Let the selling begin!

Upcoming Events and Dates:

    Our Mother's Day Tea is our next event coming up in May.  Each child is invited to bring his/her mom or 1 special female guest of choice. Here are the dates for the following classes:

                      **  MAY 13th- PENGUINS  and  POLAR BEARS Mother's Day Tea

                      ** May 14th- SEALS Mother's Day Tea

Also, last day of school is as follows:

            * SEALS: May 23rd

            * PENGUINS & POLAR BEARS: May 24th

Our "Last Day of School" theme this year will be WATER DAY!!!!  More information will be coming your way as we get closer to this date.

Tuituon Information:

      Many have asked about tuition for next year.  It is still being calculated so I have no new tuition information for you at this time.  May is usually the month for tuition to be set so I am sure I will have this out to you very soon.

         Have a very lovely week!  As always, we appreciate you, the parents, for all of your support and efforts.  We couldn't do it without you!

                                                                              Mrs. Burd & Mrs. Bloom

Thank you for the prayers and support!

Hello Preschool Families,

     Over the past few months, my mother Nancy Vehorn has been part of many of your prayers and thoughts.  I want to extend my deepest appreciation for all those prayers and the show of support and love you have extend to me.  My mother Nancy, passed peacefully into eternal life with our Lord and Savior on Saturday evening March 23rd.
    Many of you have asked me to post  as to where services will be done.  The viewing of this beautiful and graced child of God will be Tuesday March 26th at Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Minster Ohio.  The funeral will be at Holy Redeemer Church in New Bremen Ohio.
     Thank you all again for your love and support.  You are a blessing of God for me and my family. 
My hope is that your family will celebrate the Holy Week and Easter with joy !  I know it does my heart good to know that Mom will be celebrating the joy of the resurrected Christ in Heaven.  I love you all!

                                                                           Mrs. Burd
         

Wednesday- Feb. 6th (as of 6:00am) 2 hr delay

Hello!

           St. Francis School is on a 2 hour delay- due to this there is no morning Penguin class.

Happy Dr. Seuss Week!

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"      Dr. Seuss

Happy Dr. Seuss Week Fantastic Preschool Parents!

   As we wind down our 5 senses theme, I invite you all to take a look at the BRILLIANT work your wonderful children created!  WOW!  On Friday, we had a special college student in the classroom observing for one of her early childhood classes.  She commented how very smart and hard working your children are!  Kudos to you Moms and Dads- your kids are GREAT!!!

  

   Also on Friday, we kicked off "Dr. Seuss Week" by having the Cat in the Hat visit our Penguin class.  Cat in the Hat read 1 fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish to the class. It was such a treat!  

On that note, please remember our special days for "Dr. Seuss Week".  We have some fun activities planned for the classes.  Please do not feel like you must go out and buy special items for this week.  Things you can conjure up at home will do just fine.  For example, for Manic Monday Hat day...the hat does not have to be anything related to Dr.Seuss books; it can just be a hat you have lying around the house.

Mid-Year Survey:

    I will be sending home a short mid-year survey home in your child's folder.  Please fill it out and send it back.  This helps me get a better handle on things that can be improved in our preschool program.

Catholic Foundation Grant Awarded to our Preschool!

    Our preschool was awarded $1500.00 toward play yard improvements from the Catholic Foundation.  Thanks to this wonderful foundation that is dedicated in helping those Catholic programs dedicated to spreading the faith. 

Thanks Parents!

Thank you parents for helping us during pick up time.  By staying in your cars until you are up to our preschool door helps us keep a better handle on the security of the students as well as keeps the line moving a bit smoother!  You are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

A tummy bug is on the move!!

  A yucky tummy bug seems to be traveling through our whole school...preschool and elementary alike!  Please keep your eye on your precious one when they comment on a "belly ache".  This particular bug seems to lasting between 2-5 days with vomiting and or diarrhea, as well as extreme fatigue.  Fever does not always accompany this virus.  Please remember to  make sure your child washes their hands well before coming in our classroom.  Hand sanitizer alone is NOT sufficient.  Thank you for respecting our policy on this. 

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:

    May your week be a peace-filled one.  Thank you for allowing us to share Christ with your children!

                  Mrs. Burd and Mrs. Bloom

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

 

Happy Lenten Season Everyone!

Hello Stupendous Preschool Parents!

       Well, the beautiful season of Lent is upon us.  Many people think I am quite strange thinking that the Lenten season is "beautiful" but oh it is!  On Ash Wednesday, I read to the children The Very Hungry Caterpiller by Eric Carle.  I talked to the children about how our journey of Lent is like this story.  Even though we don't emerse ourselves in food like the caterpiller, we try to emerse ourselves more in prayer, fasting, and getting closer with God as we wait for Holy Week.  We talked about how, through trying to pray more and striving to be more "Christ-like" , at Easter, we will feel like we have transformed into a beautiful butterfly!   We have had some situations lately where I have asked the children that are not talking or playing very nicely "Would Christ talk like this to a friend?"  This does take the children back a bit.  We try to "re-do" the situation like what Christ would have us do. I truly see small little differences with how some of the children are interacting with eachother.  Oh how I wish you all could be a little fly on the wall!

      St. Valentines Day was very nice.  Thanks goes to the parents that supplied that the yummy snack treat for snack time and also thank you all for having your precious little ones sign there names on the cards! I was so impressed! Thank you to all of the students and parents that gave Mrs. Bloom and I the very sweet valentine cards and treats! We enjoyed them immensely!  

     This week we continue our 5 Senses Theme.  Last week many of the classes discussed the sense of touch and smell.  This week we will continue with the sense of hearing, tasting and seeing. 
  
       Also, this week, the Polar Bear class will start their group Rigby reading series.  Each child will bring 1 book a week home for them to read to you.  It will be in a little bag.  Please return the book the next day.   I have broken the children into little groups on different days so it is more manageable for us to read with them.  It is our hope that you will enjoy listening to your little ones read to you...we certainly LOVE it!


Morning Class PICK-UP Request:

       We ask that you stay in your cars in the pick up line instead of walking up the sidewalk at pick up time to get your child.  It does slow our pick up line down.  If you chose that you be the one to put your student in the car, please wait until you are right up in front of our door to do so.  Again, if you need your child sooner than what our dismissal time is, please discuss this with Mrs. Burd so that we can make arrangements.  Thanks for your understanding and help with this.

Keep the jackets in those backpacks!!
       Please remember to keep light jackets, sweaters or sweatshirts in your child's back pack.  Last week, the Early Childhood Center was a bit chilly as maintenance did turn the heat off in the school for the long weekend.  I do discourage the children wearing their winter jackets in the classroom as they are bulky and the children end up getting too hot in them. Dressing in layers is always a great option especially when it is cold in the morning but gets warmer as the day goes on. 


UPCOMING EVENTS:

     March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's Birthday!  We will have a Dr. Seuss Theme the week of March the 4th. Be on the look out for a list of ways will be celebrating this wonderful and wacky author's birthday!


In Conclusion...

      I just want to tell you that your children are such a blessing in our life!  Their smiles and beautiful outlook is so amazing.  I want to share something with you about a day one of the classes had chapel this month.  We use the Adoration Chapel for Chapel time. There are ususally 1 or 2 adorers in the chapel during our time. We sing, tell stories, pray, and talk about Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament.  One of the adorers shared with me how beautiful your children are in their discussions about Jesus that it brings her to tears just listening to their understanding and love for Jesus.  Your children are GREAT!!!!   Have a super week.

                                                                                      God bless!
                                                                         Mrs. Burd & Mrs. Bloom

 Peter 4:13:  "But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. "
  

School Closed on this ICY Friday!

Hello Preschoolers and Parents!

            School is closed on this slick Friday (February 22nd) morning! Enjoy the weekend and BE SAFE:)

                                                                                 

Friday February 22nd

Good Friday EARLY Morning!
St. Francis School is on a 2 hr delay. No morning Penguin Preschool today. See you Monday!

Keep your eye on the weather and your ear on the radio!

Hello Preschool Parents,

       With the weather looking a little dicey out there, please listen tomorrow morning for possible delays or even cancellations.  When St. Francis is on a 2 HR delay, there is no morning preschool.  Obviously if St. Francis school is cancelled, so is the preschool.  God bless and keep warm and safe! God bless.

                                                                                    Mrs. Burd

Happy Snowy February!

Happy February Preschool Parents!

      What a WONDERFUL week of hibernation fun!  The Hibernation Celebration PJ Party was a huge success! All classes got to play some silly hibernation games and introduce their favorite hibernating friend(or just their snuggly friend)  The popcorn and hot cocoa treats were also a fav for everyone. 
     We wrap up our Hibernating, Migrating, and Adapting Theme this week by focusing more on the migrating and adapting animals.

Non-Mandatory Parent-Teacher Conferences:

     This Thursday a non-mandatory parent teacher conference night is scheduled.  The State of Ohio requires preschools to have one "mandatory" conference for all families.  This mandatory one was held in November.  On Thursday February 7th I will hold an evening of conferences for parents who would like to meet with me about their child's progress. This 2nd set of conferences is not required.  I have a sign up sheet out in front of the room with a few more slots left if you feel you would like to meet with me.  IF the the times or date is not condusive with your schedule, please feel free to let me know and we can work out another time to meet.

St. Valentine Party:

                             We will be having a small little St. Valentine party for each class. 
** The PENGUINS will have their little party on Wednesday February 13th. **
** The POLAR BEARS and SEALS will have theirs on Thursday February 14th.**
Since this is not a Holy Day nor a Christian Holiday we will keep this very low key and simple.  We will be making Valentine bags in class at the Art Station.  On the day of your child's party they are more than welcome to bring in valentine cards but please do not address them to their classmates.  Have them simply sign them.  They can them easily distribute them amongst their classmates. 

      Regarding the treats... I strongly encourage you to keep it small (no goody bags please). Please do not feel like your child has to bring a treat with the Valentine card; by all means they do not. There are many alternatives to candy such as stickers, fruit snacks or roll ups and other such little things. Just keep it simple and small.  I will have a small cookie type treat for each class.  We will be playing some fun St. Valentine Day games as well on this day.  Our goal is to celebrate St. Valentines dedication to love and kindness not get hopped up on sugar ;)

School DELAYS & CANCELLATIONS:

      When snowy or icy weather is upon our area, please be diligent in listening to our local radio & television stations.  If ST. FRANCIS is on a 2 hour DELAY- there will be NO MORNING PRESCHOOL.
     If ST. FRANCIS is closed, the Preschool is closed as well.  I also do my best to post it on this blog as soon as I know any information.

THANK YOU...

   I want to thank you all for your continuous support and prayers for my dear mom.  I was supposed to go up to northern Ohio to see her this weekend but the snow kept me from that.  At this point, my mom is very weak and is regressing with her memory as the cancer begins to attack her brain.   Unfortunately, her systems are also beginning to slowly shut down. She is one of 10 in the whole United States with this kind of cancer so the doctors really can not pinpoint "for sures"  like how long she will struggle with certain things  Our family just continues to offer our works and prayers for this cross she bears.  Thanks again for your love and support!

                                                                    God bless you all! Enjoy the beautiful snow!

                                                                              Mrs. Burd and Mrs. Bloom

Friday February 1st- PENGUINS CLASS CANCELLED

Hello Penguin Parents,
   Due to our 2 hr delay, PENGUINS class is CANCELLED today (Friday Feb. 1st)  Tell you little one to keep on hibernating until Monday! God bless and stay safe and warm.

                                                               Mrs. Burd

Friday January 25th-Afternoon Polar Bear class closed

Hello Pre-K Polar Bear Parents,

         We will be cancelling afternoon Polar Bear class today (Friday).  Although a beautiful snow, driving is becoming slippery.  When these decisions are made, we have to think about what the weather and conditions will be at dismissal at 3pm not just now.  The snow is not forcasted to quit according to the Weather Channel forcast as such, I would rather you all be safe and stay put.  Although I do not like cancelling class, I feel this is the best decision at this time.  Thanks and have a safe and happy weekend.

                                                                    Mrs. Burd

Afternoon Thursday class are still in session

Afternoon Thursday Polar Bear class will still be in session today (the 24th of Jan)   Thank you.

Thursday Jan. 24th-SEALS class is cancelled

Due to St. Francis School's 2 hr delay, there will be NO MORNING SEALS CLASS today.

Don't you just LOVE winter??

Hei Outstanding Preschools Moms and Dads!

     "Hei" is Finnish for Hello...We are studying Arctic places and animals.  Finland is a pretty 'arctic-y" place, eh?
       Don't you just love winter?  No...not a rhetorical question. Most of my students know I absolutely LOVE winter. I love the crispness of the cold air, the beauty of the sparkly snow when is first falls, and not to mention the fun of snowman building, snow ball fights, and of course catching those large snowflakes on your tongue as the fall from the heavens!  Aren't we so blessed to live in area that experiences the richness of the 4 seasons?
    With the winter comes some great learning themes.  We currently are exploring all about the polar regions of the Earth.  Lots of GREAT stuff coming from your precious little people.  They are so smart and creative. We will be moving on to hibernating animals next week...one of my personal favorite themes. 

Enrollment reminders:

Please make sure you give us your enrollment intentions as soon as possible.  Remember that our preschool does not automatically enroll your current student.  If you need to speak to me about the next "step-up" class for your child, please do not hesitate to see me and I help with your decision.
 Just some food for thought:  When trying to decide on what class your child moves up to, please discern the following:  
       I am a big advocate of educating and nurturing the whole child; not only the intellectual but also the emotional & spiritual as well.  I do not always feel that because a child is ____ age, they must go onto an expected level. Please consider the whole developmental picture such as:  oral devlelopment, communication skill development, fine and gross motor, and emotional development just to name a few.

Inclement Weather Policy Reminder:

Please remember to tune into your local radio and television stations when we have bad weather.  Our policy is the following:
       * When ST. FRANCIS Elementary cancels, the PRESCHOOL will be cancelled as well.
       * When ST. FRANCIS Elementary has a 2 hr delay in the morning, MORNING Preschool
        is cancelled however afternoon will still be in session.

A Thought From the Teacher...

I recently had a question from a few parents..."Why is my child crying at drop off all of a sudden?"  I thought I would address this sometimes perplexing question.

     Crying at drop off is more than likely a separation issue.  Separation anxiety, as it is termed, is seen more at the lower level preschool ages. (3-4 year olds) but can happen at the Pre-K and sometimes even the kindergarten level. This is not an issue that should cause panic for moms and dads.  Here some ideas to help both parents and child:

    * I do not recommend telling your child to stop crying or reprimand them for crying. Feelings are not right or wrong...they just are. 
    * Please do not drag out your goodbye.  Keep it simple-- a kiss, a hug, and off you go. 
    * I do not recommend bringing your child home because they are crying at drop off. What I say to the children when they come in upset is something like this:
           " I understand you want to be home with your mommy & dad. I'm sorry but it is important that you be here in school with all your friends to learn today.  Your dad or mom will be here again to pick you up.  Come with me and sit with your friend and play with this activity and let's have some fun." 
   * Remember to keep your emotions in check too.  Children are surprisingly adept at pick up on what we grown-ups are feeling...even if we think we are hiding it:)
    * Children tend to regress a bit after vacations, out with sickness or if something eventful is going on at home (for example: a birth of a sibling or special relatives leaving after a visit)

What You can Do...

    * Have lots of patience;) Not easy but it will pay off in the end.
    * Your child may bring in a small security like a photo or stuffed animal. They eventually will put it in their cubby but it could be a good transitional tool.
    * A goodbye routine that you follow each time.  Children favor consistant routines.
    * TRUST that we are your child's advocate.  We are here because we love and care for them.  We will give loving and consistant support.  Trust that we know how to handle these situations.

Well, I hope this helps a bit.  Please feel free to call or come on in if you have concerns or questions regarding this issue.  We are here to help!

May your week continue to be blessed with the simple and joyful graces that the Lord gives to us all!

                                                                                    Yours in Christ,

                                                                            Mrs. Burd and Mrs. Bloom

Just some reminders;)

Hello Delightful Preschool Parents!

             I just wanted to send out a few reminders:

First:

         Preschool will not be in session on January 21st in observation of Martin Luther King Day. Enjoy your day off;)

Second:

     Please fill out and send in your enrollment intention for the upcoming 2013-14 preschool year.  Our New Student Open House is January 27th.  I want to make sure you all have the spot in the class you want before I start opening it up to other prospective students.  Thanks so much!

Third:

     We have some serious respiratory yuckiness moving around the St. Francis school community.  Mrs. Bloom and I are working diligently at spraying door handles and such as well as cleaning those very much used toys and furniture.  We ask that you help our school family stay healthy in keeping your child home if he/she displays symptoms of influenza or any kind of respiratory illness.   As you know, little ones sometimes forget to "cover their cough or sneeze".  If your dear little one is coughing a "barky" type cough, displays signs of just not feeling well, or a fever (99 or higher) please consider keeping them close to home. 

If your child will be out for the day or for days, please consider calling them in to let us know they will not be in session for the day or week.  Thank you for your help on this.

Our supply of Clorox wipes and Lysol is quickly being depleted.  If you would please prayerfully consider donating a container to the preschool, it would be so much appreciated.  Thank you for considering this;)



* We are having a great time with our study on Arctic Animals.  Now...let's just pray for snow to keep us in the "Arctic-y" mood ;)  *

                                            May your week prove to be a great one for you all;)

                                                             Mrs. Burd and Mrs. Bloom

Welcome back Mrs. Bloom!

Hello Magnificent Preschool Parents!

      Happy New Year to you all! From what the children say, Christmas was VERY, VERY good to you all! I am so happy for that.   Now we that we are finishing our first full week of school, I think all the children are getting back into the groove of school again.  Don't worry...it takes the teachers that long to get into the groove too! heehee
     
     We had a SUPER week at The Works with all the classes. I think all the kiddos had fun and learned some good science stuff while exploring the museum!
    This first full week also brings our Mrs. Bloom back to us in preschool. Welcome back Mrs. Bloom!  We also wish Mrs. Bloom the very best on her "teacher test" called The Praxis.   Best of luck on this Mrs. Bloom;)
  
POLAR BEAR NEWS!

          Polar Bears begin learning their phone number and full address this month.   We will be doing different activities to help them learn but we ask that you also go over these two items with them at home.  Thanks so much!
           Polar Bears also will be starting bringing home their class made books.  Please take some time with your sweet little one and allow them to read to you.  These books will have been made by the class in class.  They are absolutely A-W-E-S-O-M-E!
           Polar Bears have also started on our weekly Word Family study.  Along with this, we will be starting some little readers with them.  If they bring home a "Book in a Bag" book, please allow them to read them with you and return them to school the next day.
          You will be getting an Intention for Enrollment survey for KINDERGARTEN.  I send this home to see who will be sending their upcoming kindergarteners to St. Francis Elementary.  Please let us know your intention on whether you will send your kindergarten to St. Francis or to another school.  This just helps the elementary with enrollment expectation.


PENGUIN NEWS!

      We started our time back from break reviewing how to spell our names as well as starting to learn our last name!  
      Penguins will also start the new year with learning their street name. We will be doing different activities with this concept.  
     Penguins will also focus more on matching the lower case letter with the matching uppercase letter and more intense phonic work. We will be doing more writing as well.
     Penguin parents have been sent home an Enrollment Intention form.  I will need to know whether it is your intention to sign your student up for Pre-K Polar Bears.  Just because your student is in Penguins does not mean they automatically get put into the Pre-K Polar Bear class. You must state your intention whether you want to enroll your student in the next step-up PRE-K Polar Bear class.   Please return this form to me as soon as possible as New Student Open House is at the end of January.

SEALS NEWS!
       The Seals will write more starting this month! We are working so hard at that fine motor work as well as the placement of fingers on our pencil and crayons.  We will be doing more scissors work as well.
       The Seals are also working on lowercase letter recognition.  All my Seals students are doing so well on the uppercase letters that we are starting on Penguin concept....WOW!  
        Seals student will be also working on the Smartboard with number formation as well. 
        On Tuesday, Seal parent will be sent home a Enrollment Intention form.  I will need to know whether it is your intention to sign your student up for the M,W,F Penguin class.  Just because your student is a Seal does not mean they automaticall get put into the Penguin class.  You MUST state your intention whether you want to enroll your student in the next step-up Penguin class. Please return this form to me as soon as possible as New Student Open House is at the end of January.

   

Sibling Registration:

If you have a child at home ready to be enrolled into our preschool, you may also state this on your Enrollment Intention form.  This helps me give already enrolled families the opportunity to enroll a sibling. If you have any questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to let me know.


Have a happy and relaxing weekend.  Stay healthy and God bless!




                                                                                  Mrs. Burd and Mrs. Bloom