Pete's Place February 2026

Below are the steps to get your childcare payment summary report for 2025

1. Log into myprocare.com using the email we have on file for you. If you have not logged in before, the system will send you a verification code and have you create a password.

2. At the top of the home page click on Reports and choose Customer Charge Credit Summary. Choose 'Last Year' or put in dates needed.

3. This statement will reflect the amount charged, and the amount paid (credits).

4. In the upper right-hand corner, the tax ID is listed. In the upper left the address of the facility is listed.

We are happy to print a statement for you if needed, just let the office know.

Last month there was a quick overview of what Creative Curriculum is, this month we will look at objectives 1-3 that focus on social-emotional development. Below you can see the three objectives (1. Regulates own emotions and behaviors etc..) and the dimensions (1a. Manages feelings) related to each objective. Next to the objective and dimensions you can see colored boxes. Each color represents an age range, for example red is birth to 1 year, yellow 2-3 years etc... Because social-emotional development begins at birth and continues to develop throughout life, many of the color bands for these objectives span across every age range (birth to 3rd grade).

When you walk into a preschool classroom at first glance it may seem like not much is happening, but with observation you can see the teachers are intentional with their conversations and actions. For example, two children would like the same toy, and a teacher will facilitate the conversation to build social-emotional skills (see below 1a, 2c, 3a, 3b). The teacher will ask what is happening, encouraging both children to give their side and acknowledge everyone’s feelings and help the children come up with a solution such as set a timer or get another of the same toy. (Fun fact: Did you know identifying and naming feelings is a skill that needs to be taught?) Based on this interaction the teacher will gather data, put it into GOLD (our data collection system through Creative Curriculum) and can now make lesson plans based off this data. This interaction let the teacher know that the children need help coming up with solutions to share toys.

A sample lesson for social emotional development focusing on 3b –solve social problems may look something like this:

• Read the book “Llama Llama Time to Share” by Anna Dewdney
• Questions to ask during the story
• Pg. 8 How is Llama Llama feeling about sharing? How is Nelly Gnu feeling about the new toys?
• Pg. 16 What happen to Fuzzy Llama? How does that make Llama Llama feel?
• Pg. 22 How does the story end? Did Llama Llama decide he likes sharing his toys? Why?
• Pre-prep visual solution cards
• Ask the kids "When you and a friend want the same toy, what can you do?" – guide answers with visual solution cards and refer back to some of the solutions in the story.
• Post solution cards in a quiet accessible place. When children fight over toys, take them to the solutions and help them decide together on the best solution to their problem.

As you can see, the teacher is providing the tools for children to begin to solve social problems on their own, leading into more complex problem solving in later adolescence and adulthood. Social-emotional is just one area of development we focus on, there are 10 total with 38 Objectives and over 50 dimensions! Next month we will look at Physical, objectives 4-7, and how these are assessed and implemented into the classroom.

We are excited to announce that we will now be part of Scholastic's Book Club. Here’s how it works: I’ll send home flyers throughout the year and also post the monthly flyers here. If you decide to place an order, you can do that through our ordering page by following the links below. Your books will arrive at school about 10 days after I submit our classroom order.

By teaming up with Scholastic, we’ll help your child become a more confident, independent reader—and we’ll build a classroom library all students will be excited to explore!

February Order due date: 02/25/26

Class code: 333BT9

Shop our class page: https://orders.scholastic.com/333BT9

Shop the flyers: https://clubs.scholastic.com/all-flyers/

Happy reading!

Cookbook sales and donations have totaled $365! All this money will go directly towards new toys and books for our classrooms. We greatly appreciate all your continued support.

Kathy has been a wonderful addition to Pete's Place these past 35 years. She has brough so many smiles and so much laughter. She truly is a teacher we will never forget. We would like to thank Kathy for all of her hard work and years of service. Join us in wishing her a joyful retirement.

Below is a letter she wrote to our families as she embarks on her next chapter in life.

After 35 years of teaching at Pete's, I am writing to share that I am retiring from my preschool teacher position. My last day is February 2nd.

Teaching has been more than a job for me; it is my calling. It's been a joy and privilege to witness your children's growth and development, and to get to know your family through this journey. I will forever cherish the laughter and hugs, the look of excitement on your child's face when a skill has been achieved and, Miss Kathy, I love you.

As I enter this new chapter, I'm looking forward to focusing on quality time with my children and checking off my travel bucket list.

I will miss our Pete's Place community and want to thank you for allowing me to be part of your child's village and for entrusting me with their early learning experiences.

Best wishes,

Kathy

Cold and flu season is upon us! We hope to all stay well this season, but if your child does have a fever, vomit, or has diarrhea we ask that you keep them home until they are symptom free for 24 hours without the use of medication. The full policy can be read in our parent handbook. If you have any questions, please let us know.

As per our policy and state regulations some of the reasons we can send children home are as follows:

• fever of 101
• fever of 100.4 with other symptoms
• uncontrollable diarrhea
• bacterial infections (may return after being on antibiotics for 24 hours)
• generalized rashes (we may ask that it be looked over by a health care professional before returning)
• other symptoms of severe illness or unable to participate in daily activities

We have staff openings! We have 3 Lead Teacher positions open. If you know anyone who is interested in working with children, please send them our way. Experience is a plus! The application can be found on the St. Peter's website, or on indeed.

Snow has officially made its appearance! With colder weather here, we ask that you please dress children for the weather and add layers when needed. Please bring full winter attire (snowpants, coat, gloves and hat) EVERYDAY. As we all know Montana weather changes frequently and can be unpredictable. Our policy states that infant rooms go outside above 20* and toddler and preschool rooms go out above 0*. Please keep an extra change of clothes in your child's backpack/ cubby. Please LABEL ALL CLOTHING with your child's name.

2/9 - closing at 4:00 for staff development

2/14 - Valentine's Day

2/16 - CLOSED, Presidents' Day (all staff training day)

2/2 Elouise turns 2

2/2 Gavin turns 4

2/7 Laurel turns 2

2/8 Weston turns 5

2/10 Harper turns 2

2/16 Walker turns 2

2/21 Jovi turns 4

2/25 Ms. Tonya (Bunny room)

2/28 Sophia turns 1

Brandie, Director - blorenze@sphealth.org (406)447-2600

Allesha, Assistant Director - alynch@sphealth.org (406)447-2600

Katrina, Engagement Support Specialist - kguse@sphealth.org (406)447-2600