St. Michael Preschool News

Dear St. Michael Preschool Families & Friends,

Happy Fall, everyone! This week, the teachers and I look forward to joyfully celebrating St. Michael Feast Day with our preschoolers! On September 28 & 29, we will pray and play together in honor of our patron saint. Your child's teachers have planned fun and meaningful activities inside and outside the classroom including a visit from Fr. Alapaty, and our Pastor, Fr. Michael Burbeck.

We thank you for your continued support and prayers, and may St. Michael the Archangel protect you and your loved ones always. St. Michael, keep us safe day and night, give us courage, strength, and might. Amen.

Joyfully in Christ,

Lisa Ciesla

Preschool Director

lciesla@stmcary.org

Thurs., 9/28 - Roo 2, Roo 3, Piglet, Pooh, Owl, Rabbit

Fri., 9/29 - Roo 1, Roo 4, Kanga, Tigger, Clifford

We will pray and play together in honor of our patron saint! The children will have fun with gross motor play and class parties, and our clergy will visit to teach the children about St. Michael the Archangel. Please pray our preschool prayer with your family - St. Michael, keep us safe day and night, give us courage, strength, and might. Amen.

Mon., Oct. 2 - Clifford, Tigger, Kanga

Tues., Oct. 10 - Owl, Rabbit, Pooh, Piglet

Church Mornings provide the children with an opportunity to go to God’s House and learn church etiquette and more about our Catholic faith in a relaxed setting (no Mass).

The children will learn about our Blessed Mother and St. Francis, and have their favorite stuffed animal blessed. They will also hear the Bible story about the First Rainbow (Noah's Ark) and get to sing with Miss Karen in the choir loft. All are invited to attend! *Please note that our 2-year-olds do not attend this church morning.

ONLY A FEW SEATS REMAIN IN THIS SUPER FUN PROGRAM! IF YOUR CHILD DOES NOT ALREADY ATTEND PRESCHOOL ON FRIDAYS AND WOULD LOVE MORE TIME PLAYING AND LEARNING WITH FRIENDS, SIGN UP TODAY FOR THIS LITERACY-BASED DISCOVERY LEARNING PROGRAM! THIS CLASS MEETS EVERY FRIDAY, 9:30-12:30, AND RUNS THROUGH LATE MAY.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The program is open to children ages 3-5. If seats still remain in January, children in the 2's program may enroll.

Our preschoolers loved helping Seminarian, Johan, retell the Creation Bible Story. The children placed felt board pictures on the storyboard as the Bible story was read. Thank you, God, for our big beautiful world and our wonderful St. Michael clergy!

The children did a terrific job during our first monthly fire drill! They practiced leaving the building with their teachers using safe "quick feet." We even had two of our preschool friends suited up to remind us that firefighters are community helpers who want us to stay safe.

Our dedicated St. Michael Preschool Teachers were happy to host a day of meaningful professional development for fellow teachers from St. Andrews. Early Childhood Professionals from Project Enlightenment of Wake County provided in-service on current early childhood research and best practices in sensory development and self-regulation skills.

In addition, Project Enlightenment shared how they can partner with teachers and preschool families to support child development in and outside of the classroom. Please visit the Project Enlightenment website to see the many valuable resources and services offered to preschool families.

• Please drive with caution, and adhere to the posted speed limit and directional signs while in our parking lot
• Remember that you must park in a marked spot
• Handicap parking spots are ONLY for those with a disability placard and/or plate
• Hold your child's hand in the parking lot during arrival and dismissal
• No curbside parking is permitted, even with a driver remaining in the car as this creates traffic and safety hazards - this includes the fire zone near the playground
• Please never leave children in the car without adult supervision

Your child's safety is a top priority. We are required to have a yearly emergency drill, monthly fire drills, and seasonal tornado drills. This month, prior to these drills, each class will discuss in age-appropriate ways what to do in each situation. We will also take this opportunity to talk about people who can help while at school and how to stay safe in all kinds of weather.

Allergy Sensitive Snack

• Children will bring their own snack to school. We ask that it be just one or two healthy items that can be easily enjoyed by your child.
• Snacks may NOT contain peanuts/nuts or peanut/nut products. This includes foods that have been produced/processed in a plant with nut products.
• Avoid potential choking hazards - all grapes, cherries, and mini tomatoes need to be cut in half. Popcorn, hard candy, or sugary snacks are not permitted.

CLICK HERE for Healthy Snack Ideas

Parents are responsible for following the health policies outlined in the Parent Handbook. By sending a child to school, parents affirm that their child is in good health and recognize that if there is any doubt, their child should be kept at home.

ILLNESS POLICY - For your child's comfort and out of consideration for the other children and staff, children should remain home if they have had any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours:

• Fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent cough*, frequent sneezing*, nasal discharge, rash, Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

• Children must be fever-free (without the use of medication) for at least 24 hours before returning to school

• *Children who experience allergies or cough due to allergies or asthma will need to obtain a note from the pediatrician explaining the alternate diagnosis for these symptoms

We thank you in advance for monitoring your child's health daily and for your understanding as we work to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our preschool community.

If your child has asthma and/or chronic allergies, which typically include a frequent cough or runny nose, we will need a note from the doctor documenting these symptoms.

We thank you for your continued support in adhering to our health protocols to keep our community safe.

Our super fun Camps begin in October. These camps are offered to preschoolers 3 years and older. If your child would love extra time playing and learning with friends, we still have some openings. Register Here by October 1.

ADVENTURE CAMP

Wednesday, Oct. 4 - CAMPING - The children will experience a scavenger hunt, learn about animal prints, and set up a camp. We will wrap up the day with a story around a campfire.

Thursday, Oct. 5 - BUGING OUT - Children will explore the environment with nets and discover insects. We will compare bugs and go on a ladybug hunt.

*NEW - MUSIC & CREATIVE MOVEMENT CAMP

Monday, Oct. 16 AND Tuesday, Oct. 24 - FALL AND THE WARMTH OF EARTH

Through music and movement, children will shape the seasons in a magical journey to discover the changes and beauty of Creation. Children will participate in games and guided movement with materials to develop fantasy, imagination, creativity, and gross motor skills.

* Activities will vary on each of the camp days so that your child will enjoy each camp!

Cost: $15.00 per camp. Send a nut-free lunch with your child. Dismissal: 2:00 pm.

YOU ASKED AND WE ANSWERED... AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS WILL RUN MONDAY - FRIDAY, MOST WEEKS!

Need some extra time to run errands or get to an appointment? We can help! Check out our Extended Day Programs. Your child will enjoy the extra time to socialize and play!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

• Early Arrival - available daily; drop off begins at 8:15 am - BEGINS ON SEPT. 5
• Lunch Program - available most afternoons; pick up is at 1:30 pm - BEGINS ON SEPT. 11
• Camps - available 4 times per month OCT - MAY; pick up is 2:00 pm (PLEASE NOTE, on Camp days, lunch program is not offered - Camp will be the extended day option).

Early Arrival/Lunch Program Monthly Rate = $8.00

Early Arrival/Lunch Program Drop-in-Rate = $10.00 (24-hour notice REQUIRED)

Adventure Camp Rate = $15.00

Extended Day activities such as Early Arrival, Lunch Program, and Adventure Camp have a different payment page in Realm. You will be notified in early August when these pages are activated for registration.

Hello, Preschool families!

I am so thrilled to meet some new friends and welcome back my returning friends! It is going to be a great year! Here are some of the songs that we are learning in music class this month. If you ever have a song to share or a question, don't hesitate to email me at kallen@stmcary.org. I would love to hear from you!

Here are a few songs that we will learn this month!

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands by Raffi

Apple of Your Eye - Psalm 17:8 by Dana Dirksen

Hickory Dickory Dock by The Hit Crew

God Bless,

Ms. Karen

Our St. Michael Preschool teachers strive to create a safe and loving environment where children treat themselves and others with respect and show care and concern for others all while growing in their love of Jesus. We recognize that supporting children’s social-emotional development helps them grow as learners, build relationships, and feel happier and more successful in the classroom and in their daily lives.

The Second Step weekly lessons are designed to teach preschoolers how to harness their energy and potential to achieve improved learning and behavior. The program teaches children to listen, pay attention, control their behavior, and get along with others. Students entering kindergarten with these self-regulation and social-emotional skills are set up for success.

Below please click on the Home Links that correspond with your child’s preschool program. Home Link letters and activities are a valuable component in building a strong home-school connection. They coordinate with the weekly lessons and concepts being taught to your children so you can reinforce them at home. We thank you in advance for partnering with us to ensure the success of your child’s early childhood education.

Home Links for Clifford’s Pals

Home Links for 4’s Program

Tuition is then due on the 5th of each month through May.

Methods of Paying:

• Setting up auto draft through Vanco Click to set up Auto Draft Payments
• Paying each month in Realm Click to log in and pay through Realm
• Personal check delivered to the preschool office

PLEASE NOTE: Your tuition balance is always available for your review in your Realm account. Students who enroll in Discovery Day or Extended-Day Programs will see a change in the account balance which will reflect these additional programs. Please direct any questions about payments to preschool@stmcary.org.

Not near your computer but want to connect? No problem, we’ve got you covered! Download our Realm App by searching “Connect – Our Church Community” in your App Store for iOS or Android devices. Connecting with other Preschool Parents, Event Registration, and Event Payments is right at your fingertips (An active Realm Login is required).

A limited number of seats remain. Please tell your family, friends, neighbors, or any new families in the area to contact us! Thank you for spreading the word!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Twitter: @stmpreschoolnc

Instagram: @stmpreschoolnc

Facebook: StMichael Cary - please friend this account and find a link to the Closed Group there to view videos of your child’s class and other fun events. Please Tweet and Post with #stmichaelpreschool and #stmichaelcary

St. Michael Preschool is an important mission of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. We provide a safe and loving environment where the development of the whole child and the joy of learning are nurtured through socialization and play as we grow in our love of Jesus and discover how God is a part of our everyday lives.

Email: preschool@stmcary.org
Website: https://stmichaelpreschool.com
Location: 804 High House Road, Cary, NC, USA
Phone: 919-468-6110
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichael.preschool.16
Twitter: @stmpreschoolnc