Bulldog Buddies Bulletin

Hello Bulldog Buddies Families,

As we wrap up this school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on just how much our Bulldog Buddies have grown this year. From those first days of learning routines to becoming confident, curious learners, your children have made incredible strides! We’ve seen friendships blossom, independence grow, and so many joyful moments of discovery along the way. The connections built, between students, families, and staff, are what make our preschool community so special. Thank you for your partnership, your support, and for sharing your amazing children with us each day.

End of the Year Celebrations

We are looking forward to celebrating the end of a wonderful year with you!

• Returning Bulldog Buddies students: celebration on May 26
• Students moving on to kindergarten: celebration on May 27

If you have any questions about the end of the year celebrations, please reach out to your child’s preschool teacher.

Next Year

We’re excited to share that our preschool programs will be available at the following schools for the 2026–2027 school year:

• MacArthur Elementary
• Jerry Ross Elementary
• Lake Street Elementary
• Solon Elementary
• Early Learning Center at Timothy Ball Elementary

Placement letters will be sent home this week indicating which school your child will attend. Please follow the steps outlined in your letter to begin the registration process. It is very important that you start that process now. Additional details about teacher assignments and open house events will be shared as we get closer to the start of the 26-27 school year. If you have any questions, please contact the Early Learning Center at Timothy Ball at (219) 663-4330.

To our students heading to kindergarten, we are so proud of you and excited for all that lies ahead. We will be cheering you on! To those returning, we look forward to continuing the journey together next year. We wish all of our Bulldog Buddies families a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer filled with laughter, play, and new adventures. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to finishing the year strong together!

Sincerely,

Kristy Elsey

Check out some highlights from the Water study!

Our Water Study was filled with water play and fun experiments! We learned so much about the different ways we use water, how water changes, and how water helps people and the environment.

The Gardening Study is our final study for this school year and we’re off to a great start. Children will see how things grow and change and learn about caring for plants. During this study we are investigating the following questions:

• What grows in gardens?
• What do gardens need to grow?
• Who helps gardens grow?
• How do gardens help people and the environment?

If you or someone in your family has a job or hobby related to gardens (gardener, farmer, florist, landscaper) and would be willing to share your expertise with the preschoolers, please let us know!

• Read books! Read favorite books at home and visit the library with your child to choose some new books together. Sign up for a summer reading program.
• Spend time outside. Explore and observe the weather, plants, flowers, birds, and more. Talk about what you see and ask your child questions about what s/he notices around you. Take books outside and read on a blanket.
• Encourage creativity. Provide materials like crayons, watercolors, or chalk for your child to create artwork. Ask your child to tell you about their artwork.
• Prepare food together. Make a recipe or a simple snack with your child.
• Play with water or bubbles. Have your child help wash a bike or car.
• Write together. Write a note or card to a friend or family member. Have your child help write the note or sign his or her name. Make a grocery list or a list of what you will do today.
• Practice name writing. Work on pencil grasp, forming letters from top to bottom and left to write, and practice writing the first letter uppercase and the rest lowercase.
• Practice counting and sorting. Examples: Count out four strawberries and ten blueberries to eat. If you have four goldfish and I give you one more, how many will you have? Sort laundry - by item, by size, by color.
• Attend free events like farmers markets, parades, concerts, or story times. Before you go, talk with your child about where you are going and what you might see or hear when you are there. Afterward, ask your child what they liked or didn’t like about the experience.
• Play with your child. Pretend. Be silly. Have fun!

Tuition Schedule

• Monthly tuition fees are posted on the 15th of the previous month

• Payment is due by the 1st of each month

• Payments can be made online through PowerSchool or at the school office

• If payment is not received by the 10th of the current month, your child will not be able to attend preschool until the balance is paid in full

• Monthly Tuition: $180/month for 3-day (AM) program, $300/month for 5-day (PM) program. First tuition payment is due by September 1st.

Fees

• Supply Fee: $65 (one-time fee for all preschool students) — Please pay during August

Free & Reduced Tuition
If you’re interested in applying for financial assistance, the Free & Reduced Application is available here: Free & Reduced Application

If you have any questions, please contact the Early Learning Center at (219) 663-4330. Thank you for your attention to these important details and for being a valued part of our Bulldog Buddies community!

Please mark your calendars with these key dates:

• May 21 - last day of class for the AM session
• May 22 - last day of class for the PM session
• May 26 - End of the year celebration for students returning to Bulldog Buddies next year (location & times vary by class)
• May 27 - Bulldog Bash, 1pm-3pm (for the students headed to kindergarten next year)
• May 28 - Bulldog Bash rain date, if needed

Kristy Elsey, Assistant Director of Elementary Education

Email: kelsey01@cps.k12.in.us

Charissa Leestma, Preschool Specialist

Email: cleestma@cps.k12.in.us

Christine Johnsen, Preschool Treasurer

Email: cjohnsen@cps.k12.in.us

Website: https://preschool.cps.k12.in.us/

Location: 720 Summit Street, Crown Point, IN, USA

Phone: 219-663-4330