At Work

THANK YOU!!

Thank you one and all for being part of the St. Stephen’s Preschool community this year! We look forward to seeing many of you in a week for camp, but we couldn’t let this day pass without a big hug and a big thank you. Happy Summer!

St. Stephen's Summer Camp

Calling all Campers! Camp begins Monday, June 4 at 9:00. No carpool for camp. See you then, let's have fun!!!

Summer Supplies Drive for Peter Paul Development Center (PPDC) May 10th -24th

This summer, PPDC will host 60 children aged 2^nd grade through 7^th grade for summer camp. PPDC is within a one-mile radius of the city’s four largest public housing projects where the average income in these four communities is less than $8,000 per year. The children will have the opportunity to swim at Roslyn and St. Catherine’s for several weeks and are greatly in need of the following:

- new or like-new goggles

- sunscreen spf 15 or 30

- new or like-new water bottles

Bins will be located in the main hallway of St. Stephen’s Preschool, or send in items during carpool. Also
appreciated: lotion for post swimming (any size including hotel-size), new or like-new flip flops, sunglasses, beach towels, and visors.

TMO Th, F Update: May 17th-25th

It's hard to believe we're down to just a couple of weeks of school. We have been very busy. Spirit Day was a huge success. The children did a great job marching in the parade with the 5-day children. Each child created his/her own flag and waved it proudly. They have so much more confidence!

Your children are quite the gardeners. They enjoyed planting their flowers and they have thoroughly enjoyed watering them over and over again - sorry about the wet clothes! The children remember where they planted their flower and are very proud to show you exactly where they are.

Our caterpillars have arrived and they are getting FAT!! We have made egg carton caterpillars and will wrap them in their own cocoons. We are reading the VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR by Eric Carle and we have plastic replicas of each stage to complement the story. It's very exciting to see them in the chrysalis stage (their "sleeping bags") and to then watch them hatch and emerge as beautiful butterflies. The children will be thrilled when we release them in the garden - especially if they land on one of their flowers - I'm sure you will hear all about it.

We are also continuing our talk about different kinds of babies and their mothers. There are so many new ones in our families to talk about (great timing!) In honor of Mother's Day, we are reading "IS YOUR MAMA A LLAMA?" and "THE RUNAWAY BUNNY." The children have enjoyed playing with our finger puppets of a mother blue bird and her nest of babies. They all want to pretend to feed them.

Our classroom has definitely become more lively. It is filled with the children's energetic interactions. The conversations are so funny and we have loved watching friendships develop. Your children have grown up so much. We thank you for sharing your precious ones with us.

Nancy and Christine

Our Condolences

Our sympathy is with Leslie Bien and her entire family as they deal with the death of her father, Dr. Manuel Mendez on May 12, 2012.

Videographer Needed

Amateur videographers needed now!  If you could help produce a video of the St. Stephen’s program, please let me know.  I am working with Dale Edmondson to create a video highlighting choice as a tool for early childhood programs and need help!

Health Alert

One of the children in the TMO Th, F class has been diagnosed with strep. If your child complains of a sore throat, possibly a tummy ache, and has a fever that may have a rash associated with it, please see your doctor.

Health Alert

We have had a diagnosed case of Fifths Disease in the preschool. According to KidsHealth.org, "Fifth Disease, which is especially common in kids between the ages of 5 and 15, usually produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes a child appear to have a "slapped cheek." The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. Fifth disease is actually just a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications."

Because of the danger of this virus for pregnant women, we want to be especially careful not to bring children with these symptoms to school.

SSP 10K Team Raises over $2,500 for St. Andrews

The SSP Monument Avenue 10K team raised $2,520.71 for the children and families at St. Andrew's School, a tuition-free elementary school for 95 low-income students.  This was our third year running for St. Andrew's and this year we had more runners and raised more money than ever before.  Thank you to all our runners and those that supported them.

Perhaps, the most inspiring part of this story is that the Sportsbackers sponsored 20 St. Andrew's kids to race in the one mile children's run the morning of the 10K.  Their parents came out and cheered them on, and a few even ran with them!  

Not only does this demonstrate St. Andrew's commitment to teaching its students and their families to be healthy, but it also shows how the St. Stephen's team inspired the students to run as well.  To view all the photos of St. Andrew's children running, go to:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150694618304420.417921.77124489419&type=3

Spirit Night Change

Please join us for a night of family fun - St. Stephen's Preschool Spirit Night!
Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 5:30-7:00

Due to inclement weather, tomorrow's St. Stephen's Preschool Spirit Night will be moving to the Fellowship Hall within the church! Please leave your blankets and chairs at home but don't forget to bring your own beverages and a book for the book drive!

Picnic dinner, kid's drinks, coolers and ice will be provided!

We will have balloon animals, face painting, carnival games and lots of fun!

If you have not already turned in your reservation form, please download here and turn it in!