The Connection: St. James Preschool Summer 2015 Edition

Inside this issue:

First Week of School 2

Schedule for

Back to School

Orientation

2

Preschool Calendar

Tuition Information

3

Meet the

Teaching Staff

4

School Supply Fees 5

Simple Tips for

Fall Beginnings

5

Message from the

Director

6

Connecting, serving, &

growing together,

bearing much Fruit for

the Kingdom!

Connect

Serve

Grow

Psalm 1:3, They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

HOORAY for Starting PRESCHOOL! Looking: Forward, an inside look at pre-k prep

In the weeks leading up to your child’s first day…VISIT the classroom and MEET the Teachers as well as the St James Community!...

Saturday, August 29th!! OPEN HOUSE + Meet N’ Greet between 5-6pm. After you have visited the classrooms plan on joining the Tail Gate Party + Outdoor Concert, in the parking lot from 6-8pm

featuring St. James Band!! There will be plenty of food for everyone! Bring chairs and your appetites!

PLAY, PLAY and more PLAY—Playing with blocks, balls, dress-up clothes, art supplies and more helps children explore—and build friendships!

Recognize and write letters and numbers—Story time and other class activities help prepare children for reading, writing and math.

Exercise large and small muscles—Using crayons and scissors paves the way for gaining writing skills. Active play can strengthen bodies and minds.

SHARE thoughts, ideas and questions—Children express them-selves through words, pictures and music, and listen carefully to others.

Cooperate with others—Children learn to share toys, play fair and follow rules. They also learn to be polite, respect others and work together.

Handle strong emotions—Being able to stay calm when angry and solve problems sets the stage for strong social skills.

Ownership of self-care skills—From dressing to going to the bath-room and hand washing, children start to do more and more on their own.

Outside, inside: the daily routine—Children learn to adjust to a regular schedule of activities—and to listen to and follow directions.

Learn about the world—Stories, conversations, experiments and new experiences help preschool brains light up and make new connections!

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! In this newsletter you

will find all the information needed for an easy start to a new, FRUIT-full year of learning! We hope you and your kids are enjoying the summer months! May God continue to Bless You ALL. We are looking forward to seeing you at our Open House on August 29th and then in September!

ALL forms are due into the office on August 18th. You can print them from the preschool webpage at www.sjpreschool.org. New enrollment packet, immunization and health forms must be completed each year. • The necessary forms include: Child’s Enrollment Packet (5 pages), Child’s

Health History, which must be signed by a physician & Immunization Record Form, obtained from your doctor

• Mail to: 3601 W. Belleview Ave. Littleton CO 80123, Attn: Cindy Smith. ALL paperwork MUST be turned in before the first day of school!!! Your child will not be able to attend the first day of school without the necessary forms required by the Colo. Dept. of Human Services. Cindy and Janet will be in the office beginning the week of August 17th. If you are uncertain as to whether or not you have all the required paperwork, please call us at 303 798-7844 or email cindy@sjpres.org.

Our Orientation Week begins Tuesday, September 8th! This first week of school is an orientation time for children and parents. Mark your calendars and plan ahead because parents will be

experiencing the first day of school with your preschooler. All of our preschool classes will attend one day, this first week, from 9:30 am—1:30 pm. The Transitional Kindergarten and 5-day

students will attend two days. Our Orientation Week Schedule is found on page 3 of this newsletter, keep on reading!!

Soon...the FUN will begin! A new Preschool Year!

The Connection: Page 2

Spelling it all out! Preschool builds school readiness! It’s almost time to master new skills and develop self-esteem. Helping your child get ready for preschool is an important job. You will need to

fill out forms, read this newsletter, mark your calendars for upcoming events, and plan on participating with your child. We put this issue together to help smooth you and your child’s move to

St. James Preschool!!

Page 3 The Connection:

The First Week of School-An Orientation Time

Parents and students will arrive

at 9:30 on their assigned day, and visit their classroom for the

first two and a half hours.

Parents and students will have

an opportunity to explore their

classroom together sharing in

many fun activities, visiting all

the learning centers that are

available and eating lunch

together getting acquainted with

their teachers and with new

friends. Make sure to pack a

healthy lunch for both you and

your preschooler! At 12:00 noon

parents will leave their students

with their teachers and go to

the Theatre room to attend a

strong connections between

school and home, this first week,

will make your transitions easier

and happier for both you and

your student. Child care will be

provided for siblings, if needed.

However, you will need to make

those arrangements ahead of

time. Please call Ms. Cindy S. if

you will need child care. This is a

very special time for just you

and your young learner. There

will be other events that siblings

are encouraged and welcome to

attend. Thank you for making

this first week of preschool a

great start to the new school

year!

Back to School meeting lead by

our Board Members and Ms.

Cindy S. This meeting will end at

1:30 pm, at which time you will

pick up your students from their

classrooms. This is a very

important “connecting” time for

you, your young learner, and your

teachers. We do ask parents to

please make sure you attend this

meeting for new information

about our school year together!!

You will receive your parent

handbook at this meeting and

get all your questions answered!!

It is our belief and our

experience that establishing

Schedule for Back to School/Orientation Week

Tuesday, September 8th

MT-2 1/2’s All Families (9:30-1:30)

MT-3’s last name beginning with A-J (9:30-1:30)

MT-4’s last name beginning with A-K (9:30-1:30)

Wednesday, September 9th WTh-2 1/2’s All Families (9:30-1:30)

MT-3’s last name beginning with K-Z (9:30-1:30)

MT–4’s last name beginning with L-Z (9:30-1:30)

Thursday, September 10th

WThF-3’s last name beginning with A-H (9:30-1:30)

WThF-4’s last name beginning with A-H (9:30-1:30)

T. Kindergarten All Families (9:30-1:30)

Find your students class and beginning letter of your last name for your assigned day.

Friday, September 11th WThF-3s last name beginning with I-Z (9:30-1:30)

WThF-4’s last name beginning with I-Z(9:30-1:30)

T. Kindergarten All Students attend without Parents

Please bring an extra change of clothes for your child during this

week. Place underwear, socks, pants, shirt, etc… (diapers if your child is not potty trained) in a large Ziploc bag, labeled with your child's name!

Page 4

2015-2016 Preschool Calendar

The Connection:

Curriculum Theme Calendar ~ Living the Fruits of the Spirit!

Tuition Information for 2015-2016

School starts with an Orientation week Sept. 8th:

School Calendar Closure Dates follow:

In Service Days October 16 & November 20

Parent Conversations October 20 & 22

Thanksgiving November 23-27

Christmas December 21-Jan. 4

Conference Prep January 12 & 14 (4’s & Kinder)

M.L. King Day January 18

Parent/Teacher Conf. January 26 & 28 (4’s & Kinder)

Presidents Day February 15

Spring Break March 21-25

Conference Prep April 5 & 7 (2 1/2’s & 3’s)

Parent/Teacher Conf. April 19 & 21 (2 1/2’s & 3’s)

Last Day May 27

St. James Preschool Calendar begins the day after Labor Day and ends before Memorial Day.

The school year consists of 32 weeks for EVERYONE, in all classes, excluding Holidays, In-service days & Conference prep days.

Holidays: St. James Preschool follows Littleton Public Schools (LPS) Holiday Calendar, with a few exceptions.

When LPS is out for conferences and in-service days, we will still be in session. We have inserted our own, observed conference and in-service days.

The following are the proposed curriculum themes for the 2015-2016 school year. Changes may be made at the discretion of the teachers depending on the interests and needs of the children. Various weeks will include Fruits of the Spirit, Color Days, Shape Days, Number Days, Letter Days, Rhyming Days, Opposite Days, Positional Word Days, and Sequencing Days.

September WELCOME BACK to

School Days! All About YOU, I

can do...!

October Community Helpers &

Circus

November In all things give

THANKS! Fall Feast, ...Soups On!

December Advent & Christmas

January Winter Wonderland & Stock

Show

February I LOVE all kinds of ART

March Springtime on the FARM &

EASTER

April Fairy Tales, Dynamic DINOS, &

The great outdoors!

May The great outdoors, Ocean &

Summertime FUN!

Tuition is Due the first week of September. This tuition payment is applied to the month of May, 2015. (September’s tuition has already been paid.) If for some reason your circum-stances change and you will no longer be attending SJP through the month of May, this tuition payment is refundable up to March 1st, with a one month notice. After March 1st, this payment becomes non-refundable.

The Tuition Schedule is: Preschool

2 Day, 2 1/2’s $220.00

4 Days, 2 1/2’s $430.00

2 Days, 3’s & 4’s $210.00

3 Days, 3’s & 4’s $295.00

5 Days, 3’s & 4’s $455.00

5 Days, 4’s & 5’s $455.00

Tuition Payments are Due by the 15th of each month starting in September. A fee of $20.00 will be charged, after the 15th, for all late payments. Due dates are: Sept. 15th Oct. 15th Nov. 15th Dec. 15th Jan. 15th Feb. 15th Mar. 15th April 15th

Page 5 The Connection:

St. James Preschool Teaching Staff

Meet the teachers that ignite the

flame of imagination which in turn

opens the doors to the future!!

A new school year is just around the corner, and the SJP teaching staff will be starting their usual preparations in August. They will be setting up their classrooms and planning for different activities that they will do with your children. As veteran teachers they know how to provide an appropriate and

stimulating environment that will promote your children’s growth and development. This is an extraordinary and dedicated staff. Their experience level and commitment to educational excellence is

surpassed only by their love of young children.

MT & WTH-2 1/2’s Kim Arhnols Jennifer Spruce

MT & WThF-3’s Gabby Dowdy, (MT & WThF) Susie Russell, (MT & WThF)

MT & WThF- 4’s Kristy Thompson, (MT & WThF) Cindy Johnson, (MT) Dana Ashford, (WThF)

Transitional Kindergarten, (MTWTHF) Paula Dietzler,

The preschool board wishes to thank

you in advance for your support with

this years fundraising campaign. Our

goal this preschool year is to raise

$5,600. The money we raise:

• Helps to provide the highest

quality, early childhood, learning

experience for your children!!

• Purchases unexpected materials

and equipment needed for the kids.

• Will help provide a strong financial

foundation for the school.

Tuition alone does not cover the costs

of high quality early childhood

education. We rely on our fundraising

dollars to help support our budget.

$5,600 worth of fundraising comes to

about $75.00 per child.

Starting in November your preschooler

will be creating a work of art that will

be transformed into a personalized,

artful project that is one of a kind,

with Original Artworks…. Just in time

for Christmas and the holidays! Our

Goal with this fundraiser is $900.

Your participation is completely

voluntary and very much appreciated!

Happy Fundraising in 2015-2016!!

Monetary Donation of $75.00, One time Cash Donation for the 2015-2016 School year

Dinner Nights Out, September (Kick-Off! additional dates every other month)

Apples from Ela Farms, September (In season, healthy, organic & delicious!)

King Soopers Gift Cards, September (Kick-Off! Available all year long)

Original Artworks December (Getting ready for the Holidays)

Fundraising Plan for 2015-2016

Money Matter$

If you would like to contribute that

amount directly to the preschool we will

gladly provide you with a letter for your

generous tax deductible donation.

Our fundraisers will begin in September

with our popular Dinner Nights Out.

Romano’s Restaurant will be partnering

with us again. We are hoping to raise

$1,200.00 over the course of the school

year as we dine out together every

other month. Dates TBA.

We will be selling King Soopers

reloadable Gift cards again! Goal:

$3,000.00. Use year round!

The next fundraising opportunity will be

available in mid- September. St. James

Preschool will be selling organic apples

from Ela Farms again!! This was very

popular last school year. Goal is $500.

Helpful Tips for a Great easy Start in the Fall!

Page 6 The Connection:

Do you remember your first day at preschool or kindergarten? You probably were nervous and excited—and a bit lonely and lost when your mom or dad left. Even when returning to a familiar setting after summer vacation, children usually feel a bit intimidated. They may have a new teacher, there are new kids in the group, and maybe that special friend is gone. It’s a BIG deal!

We want to do everything we can to make your child’s beginning here as happy as possible. The structure and activities we have planned for the orientation week, the parent packets put together by the teachers, as well as the parent handbook are all designed to fill you in on specifics. The first week of school will be less overwhelming for your child because he/she can look around the room, get acquainted with teachers and just get the feel of the class with you by their side.

• On the first day of school, be sure to arrive on time, washing hands in the hallway bathroom before coming into the classroom.

• Some children feel a little less nervous or adrift if they bring along something familiar from home, such as a favorite stuffed animal or even a family photo.

• Help your child find their very own cubby space for their stuffed animal or to post their family photo.

• It’s a good idea to go over the daily schedule (posted in the classroom) with your child, talking about some of the things she’ll be doing in the course of the day.

• Get your child involved in something fun, perhaps with one or two other children, before the crowd arrives. Find a puzzle, book, or simple game in the classroom. Play dough activities are a favorite and can engage children immediately into play!

• Finally, when it’s time to leave, don’t slip out when your child isn’t looking. Children need to know when you’re going and be able to say goodbye. Confident good-byes with Butterfly Kisses, and Bear Hugs followed by “I WILL be back” reassures children! Don’t worry. We’ll take it from there.

• AND for YOU…..If it is helpful, you are welcome to give us a phone call midmorning to help comfort your anxiety if your preschooler got off to a rocky start or you were bid a tearful farewell.

A strong start for a fruitful year...Keeping in step with God’s spirit!

Back to School Supply Fees

Let us do the school supply shopping for you! Your school supply fees buys:

• Personal cubby basket that will go back and forth from school to home.

• Three ring notebook and sheet protectors for child portfolios.

• Photo Processing for the year

• Small Photo Memory Albums

• Bio Paint

• Tri grip Markers

• Foam Frames

• And so much MORE…...

All of these supplies will be available during our Orientation week.

If your child attends:

• 2-days per week bring $20.00

• 3-days per week, bring $30.00

• 5-days per week, bring $50.00 We will be purchasing in bulk, saving time and $$ for ALL.

School Supply Fees are due on your Orientation Day-Thank You!!

As I write this newsletter

filled with important

information for great Fall

beginnings in a new preschool

year I am excited about the

plans that are already being

developed for our enthusiastic,

young learners! “Tick, tock,

tick, tock. Counting down to

that first drop-off!!” In the

meantime….

There is still lots to accomplish

before September 8th... Your older

children are already starting their

learning adventure in Elementary,

Middle or High School. Give them a

great start first, then you can

enjoy a little extra time with your

preschooler. Our preschool

opening day is just around the

corner! Enjoy this special set apart

time with your youngest learners.

I will see you all real SOON!

3601 W. Belleview Ave.

Littleton, CO 80123

Phone: 303 798-7844

E-mail: cindy@sjpres.org

St. James

Preschool

Connecting, Serving, Growing

together, bearing much fruit

for the Kingdom.

As a ministry of St. James Presbyterian Church, our Preschool mission is to provide a play based program with a safe, loving, Christian environment where children ages 2 –6 years can grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually. By nurturing children in these areas we will be God’s instruments of transformation for the children themselves, their parents, extended families and our community.

A Message from Cindy Smith, Director

We’re on the Web!

www.sjpreschool.org

We still have a few openings available in our classrooms for the fall. Please share the good news and invite your friends to join our preschool family at St. James! Please share this newsletter with someone that might be interested in our

program!

I am back in the preschool office and I am happy to set up tours, and answer any

questions.