Faithful Foundations Preschool

We are so excited to kick off another amazing year of learning, growing, and making new memories together at Faithful Foundations. 💛

To our returning families—thank you for continuing this journey with us. To our new families—welcome! We can’t wait to get to know you and your child.

Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead filled with discovery, friendships, and fun! 🎉

-Stephanie

Monday/Wednesday Preschool & Kindergarten

First day: Monday, September 8

Door opens: 8:55 AM

Class: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tuesday/Thursday Preschool Class

First day: Tuesday, September 9

Door opens: 8:55 AM

Class: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Friday (3rd Day) Pre-K4 Class

First day: Friday, September 12

Door opens: 8:55 AM

Many preschoolers experience true separation anxiety when it comes to starting school, and that’s completely normal. The first few days (and sometimes weeks) can feel big and overwhelming—not just for your child, but for you too! To help make the first day (and the first few weeks) a smooth and positive experience, here are some helpful tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years. Every child is different, so feel free to use the strategies that fit your family best.

1️⃣ Make Drop-Off Quick & Consistent

From day one, try to establish a short, simple drop-off routine—a hug, a kiss, a smile, and a quick goodbye. Lingering at the classroom door often makes it harder for children to settle in, because it prolongs the separation. A predictable routine reassures your child that you are confident they will have a great day, which helps them feel safe and secure.

2️⃣ Set Clear Expectations at Home

Even before school starts, talk with your child about what their day will look like. Let them know that while they are at school, you will be at work, running errands, or taking care of things at home. Reassure them that after circle time and fun with friends, you (or another trusted adult) will be right back to pick them up. Kids thrive when they know what to expect, and these conversations can make drop-off much easier.

3️⃣ Prioritize a Good Night’s Sleep

Children need much more sleep than adults, and a rested child is far more likely to have a happy, engaged school day. Start easing into a school-year bedtime routine a few days before the first day. A calm, consistent bedtime (bath, story, lights out) will help set them up for success and reduce morning stress.

4️⃣ Fuel Their Day With a Healthy Breakfast

Although we provide snack time in class, that doesn’t happen until halfway through the day. Be sure your child starts their morning with a nutritious breakfast—something with protein, whole grains, or fruit. A full tummy helps them focus, stay energized, and feel more comfortable during those first few hours.

5️⃣ Remember—We’re Here to Support You

Our goal is for your child to have an amazing time in school. If your child is still very upset after a short adjustment period, we will give you a call to let you know how they’re doing. You are also welcome to text us anytime during the day at 503-405-6122 for an update. We want you to feel confident that your child is safe, cared for, and having fun.

To help your child have the best start possible, please make sure they come to school with:

• A backpack – full-size (large enough to fit a full sheet of paper without folding)

• A water bottle – optional, but highly recommended

• A full change of clothes – shirt, pants, underwear, and socks, placed inside a gallon-size Ziplock bag in their backpack. This keeps everything clean, organized, and ready in case of spills or accidents.

👉 Don’t forget: Please label all items with your child’s name so we can easily return them if misplaced.

We are excited to share printable First Day of School signs for the 2025–2026 school year! These signs are a fun way to capture your child’s milestone moment on their very first day back.

🎨 We have created versions for Preschool (Pre-K3), Pre-K (Pre-K4), and Kindergarten.
🖨️ Simply download the PDF and print the page that matches your child’s class.
📷 On the first day of school, hold up the sign for a quick photo before heading out the door.

It’s a simple way to create a keepsake you’ll treasure as your child grows and moves through each stage of learning at Faithful Foundations.

Tuition

• Tuition is due on the 1st of each month with a grace period until the 7th.

• If you believe your payment may be late, please communicate with us in advance. If we do not hear from you, a $25 late fee will be applied automatically after the grace period.

• September only: Since school begins on September 8, the grace period is extended until the first day of school.

If you need to make alternate arrangements, please reach out to Stephanie before the due date.

Monthly Snack Contribution

• Families may either pay the $5 monthly snack contribution fee or provide a class snack in rotation.

• For families who provide a snack in lieu of the fee, please remember to bring your assigned snack by the first of the month.

• Use the check-off sheet by your classroom door to indicate that you have brought your snack.

Thank you for helping us keep classrooms running smoothly and well-stocked!

We’re excited to share that this year, our school calendar will be fully online! While some dates are still being finalized, many of our key events and no-school days are already posted.

Instead of sending home a paper calendar or uploading pictures, our interactive calendar will always be available and updated in real time. This means you, your family members, and anyone else who needs it can easily access the most current schedule at any time.

👉 Visit our calendar here: www.faithfulfoundations.org/calendar

We encourage you to bookmark this link so you’ll always have the most accurate and up-to-date information right at your fingertips.

We are excited to share that we still have 3 spots available in our optional Friday Pre-K4 class.

If your child is already enrolled in one of our Pre-K4 classes and you’d like to add a 3rd day to their weekly schedule, there is still time to join!

• When: Fridays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Additional Tuition: $60 per month

This extra day is a wonderful opportunity for your child to enjoy more time with their classmates, strengthen their learning, and build confidence before Kindergarten.

👉 If you are interested in adding the Friday class, please contact us as soon as possible to reserve your child’s spot.

If we spoke with you at the Open House about immunization paperwork, please be sure to turn that in by October 1.

We will need one of the following:

1. An updated immunization record

2. A medical or non-medical exemption certificate

3. An Oregon Certificate of Immunization Status with the exemption portion fully completed and signed

Thank you for helping us stay compliant with Oregon state requirements and keeping our school community healthy!

We love celebrating birthdays with our students! If you’d like to celebrate your child’s special day in class, please follow these guidelines:

• Coordinate with your child’s teacher to arrange a day that works best for the class schedule.

• All treats must be store-purchased (such as cupcakes or cookies).

• No nut-based products please, to ensure the safety of all students.

Thank you for helping us keep classroom celebrations fun, safe, and inclusive for everyone! 🎉

We’re so excited to kick off a new year of learning! Here’s what each group will be focusing on during the month of September:

✨ 1st Year Students

• Letters: A, B, C

• Numbers: 1, 2, 3

• Theme: Colors & Shapes

✨ 2nd Year Students

• Letters: A, B, C

• Numbers: 1, 2, 3

• Theme: The 5 Vowels & Letter Placement

✨ Kindergarten

• Curriculum Introduction

• Social Studies: Community

• Math: Introductory Skills

• Language: Basics Review (vowels, letter placement, etc.)

• Placement Testing to set a baseline for growth

We are excited to announce that our annual Fall Fundraiser will begin later this month! Each year, this special event helps support areas of our school that go beyond the regular budget—things like facility improvements, classroom resources, and special activities for our students.

Your support makes a direct impact on our children’s learning experience, and we are so thankful for each family that participates. Whether it’s through sales, donations, or simply helping us spread the word, every bit of involvement makes a difference.

👉 We will send out a separate newsletter and a flyer in your child’s backpack once the fundraiser details have been finalized.

Thank you in advance for partnering with us to make this year’s fundraiser a success. Together, we can continue building a strong foundation for our students. 💛

All families should have already received an invite link to set up their Playground account. Please make sure you have signed in and downloaded the app from the App Store before the first day of school.

Playground is our parent app and will be used daily for:

1. Signing your child in and out each day

2. Direct communication with teachers and staff

3. A class feed (similar to Facebook) with photos, updates, and important notices

4. Daily reports such as photos and incident reports

5. Billing and payments – all billing will be handled through Playground and processed by Stripe. (Cash and check payments are still accepted and will be manually recorded in your account.)

6. Tax statements and account history – easily generate reports when needed

👉 Need help? Visit the Playground Help Center for Families.

If you have questions or need assistance, please let us know so we can help you get set up for school.

🔑 PIN Numbers: Most accounts are set with a default PIN using the last four digits of the primary guardian’s phone number. Please log in to confirm your information. You may also assign unique PINs for each guardian on your account.

If you're looking for a treasure trove of creative, playful, and hands-on activities for your family, check out the Mischief Makers Club. This blog is brimming with inspiration for families who want to raise kids who are curious, imaginative, and just a little mischievous.

Here are a few fun ideas they've recently shared:

• How to build a backyard bug hotel, turning nature exploration into a cozy mini-science project
  
• Playful calm-down games—like “butterfly breaths” and confidence jars—to help ease back-to school jitters.
  

• Easy backyard camping tips, including setup, games, and imaginative ways to make lasting memories under the stars
  

• A library of hands-on activities, from splashy water games to inspiring science experiments—great for learning through play.

Whether you’re aiming for outdoor adventure, quiet mindfulness, or science through everyday materials, Mischief Makers Club offers ideas that spark joy, laughter, and connection.

👉 Curious? Visit Mischief Makers Club at mischiefmakersclub.com to explore more!

Admin - admin@faithfulfoundations.org

Stephanie Burch - stephanie@faithfulfoundations.org

Tim Burch - tim@faithfulfoundations.org

Crystal Rath (Kindergarten) - crystal@faithfulfoundations.org

Cheree Spence (Pre-K3) - cheree@faithfulfoundations.org

Tammisue Kittrell (M/W Pre-K4)- tammisue@faithfulfoundations.org

Haley Eide (T/Th Pre-K4) - haley@faithfulfoundations.org

Office Phone/Cell Phone - (503) 405-6122

Find out more about your child's amazing teachers at https://www.faithfulfoundations.org/aboutus

www.cvbc.church

Website: www.faithfulfoundations.org
Location: Clackamas Valley Baptist Church, Southeast Eagle Creek Road, Estacada, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 405-6122