On Tuesday, October 14th, the three year olds will have an in school field trip. The Teeny Tiny Halloween Program is coming to preschool. Mary Jane Haley is a storyteller and she will share some wonderful Halloween stories. The program is interactive and all the children get a chance to participate.
It is sure to get us in the spirit of Halloween.
Both classes will meet in the preschool from 9:00 – 11:00. We will not have our regular scheduled class this day. The school has agreed to pay for this program, so there will be no charge. Children should bring in a snack this day. Please return the permission slip on the next class day.
Thanks!
The preschoolers are headed to the farm. We are taking a trip to the Palos Children’s farm on Friday October 17th. We are learning about farms, animals & pumpkins and this trip is sure to get us in the Halloween spirit! We will have no regular class this day. Both classes should meet in the preschool at 8:30.We will be leaving the preschool at 8:45 and we will return about 12:00. The trip will include a farm tour, hayride and a pumpkin to take home.
The price for the bus and farm is $12.50 per person.
Please fill out the permission slip and return slip and payment to school by Wednesday October 8th. We will need chaperones and the chaperones are also required to pay the fee.
September News
We have had a really busy month. It was great to see so many of you at our Open House. I am so proud of all the preschoolers and all the work they have done! We start class at 8:00; we do have the doors open at 7:50 for those who are dropping off at our big school as well, we start the songs promptly at 8:00, but we start on the circle, so if you are having trouble finding a parking spot, don’t feel as if you are “late”. We sing some songs, do some finger plays and start to “move” a bit. It helps us wake up and we greet our friends. Ask your children to name their new friends! We then say a prayer, and the pledge. Please practice the prayer at home if you have time. The preschoolers work on a journal. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. They are adorable. The children draw what they are thinking about, and we write down what they say. This is a great activity to get the children ready to read!
We have started to learn the letters of the alphabet and their sounds. The 3 year olds make a letter friend out of the letter and our 4 year olds make a letter friend puppet and book. We all read Alpha-tales, which are silly stories designed to help young children recognize the letters and the sounds they make~ one for each letter.
We have calendar time where we do calendar math ~ this is a great program; in addition to providing a daily calendar, this program includes hands on activities that target important math skills such as counting, estimating, patterning, number sense and problem solving and place value. We are also learning to count and print our numbers. The 3 year olds are making their thumb print counting books and the 4 year olds have started their “ten” chart.
We have a great new Religion series. Our religion readiness program helps young children take their first steps on their journey of faith. It teaches children appropriate scripture stories that tell them of God’s love and connects these stories to the children’s lives. It also connects classroom to home by providing weekly family enrichment and weaves prayer experiences in each lesson and incorporates the important role of music in each lesson.
We had fun painting pictures of God’s Colorful World, a beautiful apple tree and fall tree. We painted apples and used the water colors. They love to paint! We also love going to computers, gym and art. We really do have a fun schedule!
We are started to get ready for the most wonderful time of year, Halloween, here in preschool it may be bigger than Christmas!
Please know that the door is always open if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call or email kaltman@sjfschool.net.
Thanks!
Katie Altman
Please keep Miss Linda's family in your prayers. Miss Linda's father, William E. Braun, passed away earlier this week. He is being waked on Sunday September 21st at the
Kisselburg Funeral Home
235 N. Maine Street
Waconda, Il
He will be burried on Monday September 22 at the
Messiah Lutheran Church
25225 W. Ivanhoe
Waconda, Il
Sunday September 21st is our Family Mass. We will celebrating the 10:00 mass together and everyone is welcome to come to our Open House. The preschoolers have been working so hard and are so proud of all their work! We hope to see you on Sunday!
The three year olds are off to a great start. They have adjusted well and we are all making new friends. We have started our letters. We read an alpha-tale each week and make an alpha- friend. We made an alligator and we have started to learn our colors. We made a beautiful apple tree with our hands and stamped apples with our thumprints. We learned a poem
about apple trees.
" Way up high in the apple tree"
"Two little apples smiled at me"
"I shook that tree as hard as I could"
"Down came the apples, mmm they were good!"
The children are off to a great start! We started out our year with a theme that we will continue throughout the year. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a great story to introduce the letters of the alphabet. The children made coconut trees out of our hands and we have the trees displayed in the classroom. Each week as we learn a new letter, we will add it to our trees as we sing "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". This will compliment our language arts curriculum.
We are happy that you have selected St. John Fisher Preschool for your child. We feel that our school is an excellent one and we will continue to strive to make it the very best possible! Our curriculum is designed to provide the best atmosphere for the total growth and development of your child. We will assist your child in developing socially, intellectually, emotionally and physically in a safe and stimulating environment.
St. John Fisher Preschool is a place where your child will be valued for what he/she is and encouraged in everything that he/she does.
Please be confident that your child will have the best love and care at our preschool.
The office and school staff is here to help you in every way. We invite all questions and concerns. Your child’s progress is most important to us. Through open communication,
Together, home and school, we can accomplish much for your young learner!
We are looking forward to a great year together and hope to see everyone at our Preschool Open House
Tuesday September 2nd
3 Year Old Preschoolers
A.M. 9:00- 9:45
P.M. 10:00 – 10:45
Wednesday September 3rd
4 Year Old Preschoolers
A.M. 9:00- 9:45
P.M. 10:00 – 10:45
Mrs. Katie Altman & Mrs. Linda Murray
Preschool Handbook
Preschool Philosophy
We at St. John Fisher believe that each child possess a great dignity and deserves to be treated with respect and that in the proper developmentally appropriate environment , children will gain a love of learning and a learning to love.... self, friends and the world around us.
We promote the self growth of the young child in a positive learning atmosphere by :
Accepting each child as an individual with special interests, talents, skills and abilities.
Promoting the beliefs of our faith as each child grows and the realization of God as a loving Father who wants us to be a joyful people.
Encouraging independent thinking and problem solving skills.
Preschool Goals
To develop in all children a positive self- image and a sense of adventure in the search for knowledge.
To provide developmental opportunities and experiences meeting the cognitive, the social, the emotional and physical needs of each child in order for full potential to be reached.
To help each child adjust and become secure , happy and self - confident in an early educational environment.
To prepare the child for future schooling by allowing development at his/her individual pace.
To provide early education in an atmosphere that is safe, comfortable and enjoyable.
Admission Policy
St. John Fisher Preschool admits students of any race, color and ethnic origin.
Toilet trained children ages 3 and up will be eligible for admission. Children must be three years old before September 1st of the school year for the three year old program. All the children entering the four year old program must be four years old by September 1st of the current school year.
Class Hours
4 Year Old Program
Monday, Wednesday, Friday A.M. Class 8:00 - 10:45
P.M. Class 11:30 - 2:20
3 Year Old Program
Tuesday, Thursday A.M. Class 8:00 - 10:45
P.M. Class 11:35 - 2:20
Supplies Needed
Large, easy to open school bag to carry home creations and school mail
A complete change of clothing clearly labeled with child’s name
1 roll paper towel 1 Pkg. Paper Plates (3 Year Preschoolers)
1 Box of Kleenex 1 Pkg. Brown Lunch Bags (4 year preschoolers)
2 Large Plastic Bottles of juice, no glass please
1 Package of fresh wipes
1 Folder
1 Clorox Wipes or Clorox Anywhere Spray
1 Box 5oz. juice cups
1 Box zip lock bags
During the year we may need to restock our shelves. Thanks!
Clothing
Children should dress suited to active play and sometimes “messy” play. Please keep in mind that children are expected to use the bathroom by themselves. One piece overalls, tights and belts are difficult at times.
Toys
Children should not bring toys from home to school.
Snacks
The children will have a snack time each day. Children may bring his/her own snack, juice will be provided.
Discipline
Children will be encouraged toward proper behavior through positive tones of voice and praise. They will be reminded verbally in cases of inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior. Parents will be notified if a child’s behavior is frequently inappropriate, and discussions will be held in private.
Allergies
If your child is allergic to any specific foods, please be sure to notify the teacher in writing.
Arrival and Pick Up
Arrival~ Please do not arrive more than five minutes before the class starts. You are always welcome to walk your child into school, unless you arrive late. We will then meet you at the door.
Pick Up~ If you know that you are going to be detained, please notify the office so we can reassure your child. Children will be dismissed from the preschool doors. If you will not be picking up your child, please let us know who to expect. If parents are late, children will be brought to the school office.
Parental Responsibilities
To prepare your child for preschool you can help in the following ways
Develop the attitude that school is a happy place and the teacher is your friend
Teach your child to dress him/herself
Guide your child to show independence in taking care of his/her own toilet needs
Be sure your child knows his/her full name
Having a cheerful, positive attitude when the child leaves either at home or school with “Goodbye, I’ll see you later”
Crying~ Please do not remain too long when leaving your child at school. If your child cries and does not calm down, you will be called. The school adjustment is rapid once the parent leaves and the day’s activities begin.
Prolonged goodbyes make transitions difficult.
If the child’s parents are divorced or separated, the school presumes that both parents have access to the children’s records unless one parent can provide evidence that he/she has the sole rights.
Birthdays
Children’s birthdays are special days! We will celebrate each child’s birthday in school. If you wish you may send a treat for the entire class. Treats should be store bought and not homemade. We prefer that you do not send cupcakes!
Activities Will Include
Free Play Calendar Activities Bible Stories
Reading Readiness Computer Center Language Arts
Outdoor Play Gross Motor Skills Finger Play Story Time
Fine Motor Skills Creative Art Snack Time
Songs & Movement Science Activities Math Readiness
Attendance
Regular attendance to school is very important. It helps the student obtain the maximum benefits from school. However if your child is sick, please keep them home. We ask that you use your best judgment and consider the other children in class.
Should your child contract a contagious disease(chicken pox, measles, etc. ) please notify the school office.
Emergency School Closing
As a general rule school will be in session unless very unusual circumstances warrant a change in this policy. Should an unscheduled closing be necessary, please check the policy in the SJF Handbook.
The Saint John Fisher Preschool believes that the parents are the first and most significant teachers in the child’s life. A good partnership between the parent and the teacher is a necessity for the optimum growth of the child. The preschool experience should be exciting and happy for both the child and the parent; therefore good communication between parents and teachers is essential. Parents are encouraged to share all information that could help in making the child’s experience a better one! Call or email with any questions or concerns kaltman@sjfschool.net.
We look forward to a wonderful year!!
Katie Altman
Linda Murray
