DECEMBER  NEWS

Happy Holidays,

November seemed to fly by. We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and that you are now preparing for the busy Christmas season ahead.

Christmas Program

We are busy with rehearsals for our Christmas Program. The children are learning to march in and find their places at the front of the church where they will serenade you with a number of Christmas melodies. The program will be on Thursday, December 19 at 10:00 A.M. in the church sanctuary.  After the program, there will be punch and cookies. School will reopen on Monday, January 6.

Change of Clothes

Please bring in a change of clothes for your child conducive to the change in weather. Many of our children have shorts and short-sleeved tee shirts and now need long sleeved shirts and long pants. We will send home the other clothes. Also, be sure to send a sweater or jacket in case of breezes that make an otherwise warm day too cool to play outside

Scholastic Books  

The Scholastic Book orders will resume in January. Those orders made in November will be here in time for Christmas.

Bible Lessons

This month’s theme is Welcome Baby Jesus. The children will learn the Christmas story and will learn that Encouragement is another way to show love for one another. Our Bible verse this month is “…encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Santa’s Visit

            Santa will visit us before vacation. The date is to be announced. He will visit with each child. A photograph will be taken that will be given to you in the next week.  You may want your child to dress in a Christmas outfit for this keepsake photo, so we will let you know the date.

Speech Screening

            On Wednesday, December 4, Joan Morris will be here to give a free screening of our three and four year old classes of children. You will be notified of the results and may speak directly to her if you have questions. This is a benefit to you as parents as it gives one more piece of information that you may need to know before your child starts kindergarten. Clear speech is a very important component in the progress your child makes in school.

Skill Development

We will focus on scissors skills and sequencing this month and stress the values of sharing and generosity. The study of letters and numbers continue. January always proves to be a turning point in learning. We will then begin assessing the four year olds for kindergarten readiness. Conferences will begin after that is completed. Parents of the two and three year old classes may request a conference as well, but they are mandatory for our Pre-K class.

Thank You!!!

            Because of the support of many of you, our school will receive a check for nearly $130 for our fundraiser.

Polar Bear Express Day

            On Thursday, December 12, we will have a special day. We are asking you to let your child come to school in his or her PJ’s. We will have a fun day of reading The Polar Bear Express and enjoying cookies and hot chocolate.

Final Wishes

It is our wish that your Christmas will be filled with happy memories and the remembrance of the true meaning of the season. We wish for your children a holiday of safety, health, and much happiness, and we wish you and your family a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                      Donna Russell
Gini Powell
Jean Summers
Sherry Marshall
Kellie Frey

OCTOBER  NEWS

Dear Parents,

          The first month of school is behind us, and all of the children seem comfortable and have settled in. The teachers in all of the classes are remarking on how quickly the children have gotten into routines and the mode of learning.

DROP-OFF/PICKUP PROGRAM

          The Drop-Off/ Pickup Program is going well. Teachers are outside in the morning and at the end of preschool either to receive your children or get them to their cars safely. Please feel free to come in once in a while to see what your child is doing and to sign up for party donations if appropriate. If you do come in to get your child, please park your car rather than leave it standing in the line of cars that are waiting. It slows down the dismissal considerably.

OCTOBER CURRICULUM

          October promises to be full. Our theme this month is “Around the Farm”. We will focus on the following skills: 

          Colors: Review

          Skills: Shapes, Classifying, Categorizing

          Values: Respect for the environment; Respect for others      

          Fall Crops,Fall Harvest

          Kindermusic theme: Animals A Dancing/ At the Farm

Bible Stories: Stories based on the concept of “Love One Another”-                                                                             Be Kind

The Bible verse this month is “Be kind and compassionate to one another” Ephesians 4:32

PICTURE DAY

          Classic Images, our professional photographer will be here on Monday, October 7 to take individual photos of the children. Have them dressed in the way you would like to remember them at this age. The pictures always look great and make wonderful Christmas gifts. If you have any little ones at home that you would like photographed with your preschooler, please let your child’s teacher know so that we can schedule them first with very little waiting time for you.

FIRE PREVENTION MONTH

        Sunset Beach Fire Department called and offered to come to our school on Wednesday, October 9. They will review the steps to safety in the event of a fire. We will also practice a fire drill with the children so that they would know what to do in case of fire. The firemen will bring their hook and ladder for the children to climb into and see what firefighters do to provide for our safety.

SCHOLASTIC BOOKS    

Thank you for your support of the Scholastic Books. The new set of flyers are being sent home with this letter. If you are interested in purchasing any of these books, please return order form with payment by October 15. If writing a check, please make it payable to Scholastic Book Services.

A FEW GENTLE REMINDERS

• Please read the information that goes home in your child’s folder. It is the easiest way to make sure that all parents get the same information. Also, you will find your child’s work in the folder to be seen and enjoyed.
• Please remember to send the empty folders back each day so that they can be used for new information and children’s work.

FUNDRAISER

        On October 17, the teachers will be sending home a very important packet. Enclosed in the packet is a piece of art that your child has made. Also included in the packet is a list of many fine products that can be ordered with your child’s artwork on each of the items that you select. Examples of the products are outside of my room in plastic bags. Feel free to come in and see the fine quality of each item. You are asked to send the art piece and your order back to the school on October 23 with a check made payable to the school. We will send one large check with the order to be returned to us by November 21. This is in time for Christmas.

          Thank you in advance for any support that you can give us in this endeavor.

MISCELLANEOUS

          Cold season has come. Please do not send your child to school if he or she is running a fever or is suffering from a very runny nose. We are trying to keep an epidemic from starting.

          Information will be coming home soon regarding our Costume parade and party on October 31. Please keep in mind, as you select your child’s costume, that we are a Christian preschool and, therefore, do not support devilish or frightening characters.

          In addition, a flyer is being sent home at a later date regarding our church’s Trunk or Treat. This is a good way to ensure that your child is in a safe environment as treats are distributed to each little princess or superhero.

SPECIAL DATES

                School Picture Day – Mon., Oct. 7

                Sunset Beach Fire Dpt. Visit – Oct. 9

                   Columbus Day – Mon., Oct. 14 – School is closed

                Scholastic Book Orders – due by Thursday, Oct. 15                                                                                          

                Fundraiser Packets go home – Thursday, October 17

                Fundraiser orders are due back to school –  Wednesday, October 23

                        Costume Party and Parade – Thurssday, Oct. 31

Thank you for letting us be a part of your child’s life. We feel very blessed to have such beautiful children in our midst every day. We will continue to do our best to give them the instruction and nurture that you want for your child.

                                                          Sincerely,

            Donna Russell          Sherry Marshall

           Jean Summers           Kellie Frey

            Gini Powell  

MAY NEWS

Dear Parents,

            The end of the school year is here. Where did the year go? We’ve seen your children grow and develop so quickly. They are talking enthusiastically about being older and being ready for the next step in their young lives. I wish they would stay little for a little longer.

ART SHOW

           The annual Art Show is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 from 6 – 7 P.M. Some of your child’s art work this year is being displayed in the corridor outside the sanctuary. We hope you can drop by for a short time and see the children’s work. Light refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall.  The children are always so proud to show off their artistic talent.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

            May 7 is National Teacher Appreciation Day. I cannot sing the praises of your child’s teachers enough. They are so dedicated and devoted to your children. This is a perfect opportunity to send them a note of appreciation for all they do every day.

MUFFINS for MOMS

            Mothers, we want to invite you to come in at 9:00 on Thursday morning, May 9, for a “Muffins for Mom” hour. The children have been preparing for your visit. If you cannot be here, we would be happy for a dad, grandparent, or other special person to come on your behalf.

PLAY DAY

We will hold our seventh annual play day on Thursday, May 16.  Weather permitting, all activities will be outdoors with time out for a hot dog lunch and ice cream.

GRADUATION and FINAL DAY

            Our graduation and final day will be Thursday, May 23 at 10:00. The children will have a brief performance and will receive their certificates. Cookies and punch will be served following the program. After that, children will be dismissed for the summer.

GRADUATION CAPS

           Parents, we have ordered new graduation gowns for the four year olds that are graduating this year. We want to keep the gowns, but you may purchase the mortar board cap, tassel, and charm with the year for $10. If you purchase it, you may pay Miss Cathy, Miss Donna, or Miss Jean with either a check made payable to the school or in cash. This is something that has been in great demand in the past years, and we want you to have the same opportunity.

MAY CURRICULUM

This month, students will be learning more about the ocean and sea animals.  They will go through a review of the skills that they have covered this year.

In our Bible study, we will complete the Fruit of the Spirit by focusing on Self-control. Our Bible verse this month is Titus 2: 11-12., “For the grace of God teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.”

HICKMAN LIBRARY SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES

            Hickman Library is offering a wonderful program this summer for children. We can never do enough to make books an important part of your child’s life. We hope you will find time to visit the library with your child and find out more about the program they are offering.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

VBS will be June 10-14, 9:00 a.m. – Noon.

There is no cost to attend but we do require

pre-registration.

Students age 4 (as of June 1, 2019) through rising 5th grade are welcome to attend. (please note, preschool is limited to 12 spots)

Online registration begins May 1 at http://seasideumc.org/vbs-registration/.

FINAL WISHES

A very special farewell to our four year olds. Many of them have been with us for three or more years. They are a very special group and are fully prepared for next year. We will miss them greatly.

Parents, you have been truly awesome. We cannot sing your praises loudly enough. You have been supportive and faithful to us and truly devoted to your children. It is heartening to see parents like you show such love and guidance to these children. They are certainly blessed.

            The staff wishes all of you a great summer! God Bless each of you.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                        Donna Russell

                                                                        Cathy Milstead

                                                                        Patricia Herdic

                                                                        Sherry Marshall

                                                                        Kellie Frey

                                                                        Jean Summers

Dear Parents,

            Each class has been affected this month by the flu, virus, cold, earaches, strep throat, and other illnesses, but the warm weather that March promises us always brings an end to these problems. In the meantime, please watch your child carefully each morning. If he or she shows any sort of contagion (fever, for example), please let him or her rest at home. Only by leaving the germs at home can we eliminate it from the classroom. We are taking extra precautions to keep things washed down with Clorox wipes, washing hands, using Kleenex, and teaching the children to cover their mouths with their arms when they cough.

Scholastic Book Order

Our Scholastic Book Order is due Thursday, March 14 .The flyers are being sent home with this letter.

Preschool Enrollment

            We are very pleased to see that so many of our two and three year olds will be back next year. Thank you for your support and goodwill among the community. So many of the incoming new parents have mentioned that parents of our children have recommended our school to them. We still have openings in the three and four year old classes, so please let anyone know that is still searching for a preschool for their child. I would be happy to meet with the parents and explain our program to them.

March Curriculum

            The curriculum this month is revolved around the themes of “Transportation” and “Community Helpers”. Teachers will also be emphasizing the concepts of Opposites, Following Directions, and Patience. We will also spend some time teaching the children about Poison Control. With the arrival of spring this month, the change of seasons is being readdressed. The Kindermusic themes this month are “Up in the Sky” and “Down on the Ground”. In addition, the children will be learning about “Faithfulness” in chapel. Our Bible verse is Proverbs 3:3, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.”

Donuts for Dads

            Dads, don’t forget Thursday, March 14 at 9:00. This is a special time for Dads to come to school with their children for about an hour so that we can pay homage to you and the important role you play in your child’s life. If Dad cannot attend, we always welcome Granddads, uncles, moms, or other influential people in your child’s world.

Staffing Changes

            Unfortunately, Miss Jennifer is leaving us for the remainder of the year. She has some family issues that must be resolved. We wish her well. Fortunately, Miss Pat is ready, willing, and excited about taking on the role of lead teacher for the three year old class. She is a credentialed Early Childhood teacher and will continue with the class in the same manner that Miss Jennifer did. We will be seeking an assistant for the four-year old class to replace Miss Pat.

Seaside Preschool on Facebook

            Thanks to Sherry Marshall, our preschool is on Facebook. By visiting it, you will be kept up to date with any additional information that we did not know at the time the newsletter was sent to you.

Field Trip to the Fire House

            In connection with our study of community helpers, we are planning a trip to Calabash Fire House. Details are not finalized, so further information will be forthcoming.

Important Dates

March Special Events – Dr. Seuss’s Birthday – March 2

                                       Scholastic Book Order due – March 14

                                       Donuts for Dads – March 14 – 9:00

                                       St. Patrick’s Day – March 17   

                     First day of spring – March 20

Our students are showing progress at an increasing speed. They can now do so many things that they could not do earlier in the school year. They are coming to circle time more and more eager to share and learn. You have extraordinary children with so much enthusiasm to share with us every day. Thank you for sharing them with us a few hours each week.

Sincerely,       

                                                                       Donna Russell
Cathy Milstead
Jennifer Gerrald
Pat Herdic
Sherry Marshall
Kellie Frey