Winter Break was a wonderful blend of craziness, peacefulness and rejuvenation. How nice to have extra family time and maybe spend quality time with friends you can’t seem to schedule in during the rest of the year.

Many children enjoyed cousins and grandparents who live elsewhere. Reconnection is so important with extended family.

Returning to school and meeting up with your classmates is special again. For awhile getting back into the routine can be hard, but the teachers quickly have their classes humming like clockwork again. Believe it or not, teachers really do miss these little ones after a two week separation.

We are just back one week and then have the next Monday off for Martin Luther King Day, but then we will really settle in for the second half of the year.

Teachers will be taking a really good look at how your child is doing as they prepare for Parent/Teacher Conferences in February. They will give you valuable insight into your youngsters and where they might do best the following year. Our teachers have lots of experience, so listen. They want what is best for the children and so do you.

Welcome back. It’s good to be here.

From the January 2012 Newsletter (read more…)

As 2011 comes to an end, I count one of my biggest blessings our 2011-2012 teaching staff. They are truly a talented and caring group of women who dedicate hours and hours outside the classroom so that your child has an amazing experience each and every school day.

They have really looked out for me too in my first year without Marilyn by my side. A kind word or a helpful suggestion have made my life much easier.

Having our Registrar, Mary Saunders, in the office two days a week helping out is another of my blessings. It gives me a chance to talk with an adult occasionally which is always a good thing.

My biggest blessing is getting to be with your children. I try to get into each room often and watch them grow and learn. The other benefit of that is watching the teachers in action. They are challenging your children to always think beyond today and dream of the tomorrows in their lives.

Shadow Rock Preschool wants each child to be the person they were meant to be and to help them get there. I’m so blessed you are with us.

From the January 2012 Newsletter (read more…)

One of the most amazing things we can give to our children at special times of the year are traditions. Toys come and go, interests change but what we do as families lasts into the future.

Traditions are what we look forward to year after year. They are what remind us of grandparents when they are gone. It is what will remind your children of you once you are gone. So if you don’t have any traditions yet, why not start one or two this year.

Some families always decorate for the holidays on the same day each year and they always want the same food on that day as they have in the past.

Some families make a trip to the seashore or the mountains yearly and often to the same location. That becomes part of what the family looks forward to as that time of the year approaches.

Other families write letters to our military overseas or send care packages even if they don’t know someone personally who is serving our country.

Some families pick an angel from a Christmas tree so that another family has a happy holiday too.

Many families have faith-based traditions which they take part in and they wouldn’t feel right skipping those special times.

Still other families visit care facilities and talk with the lonely people living there. Cookies are also appreciated. Just check with those in charge first so you aren’t disappointed.

As parents, it is up to you what you decide. Now as a grandmother, I can tell you that the traditions I share with my grandchildren are the ones I learned from my parents. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Happy Holidays!

From the December 2011 Newsletter (read more…)

We Give Thanks!

Each year each class at Shadow Rock Preschool prepares a food item to share with the rest of the classes at our Thanksgiving Feast. We meet in Smith Hall, roll out butcher paper for our tablecloths, make our placemats and give thanks to every class who prepared our food.

On Tuesday, November 22, the Bumble Bees, Dragonflies, Rainbows and Teddy Bears will have their feast.

On Wednesday, November 23, the Monkeys, Ladybugs, Shining Stars, Blue Birds and Unicorns will have their feast.

Each feast is scheduled to  start at about 10:30. You are all welcome to join us with cameras or helping hands as we break bread together.

We talk in our rooms about sharing with others, some rooms may do a food drive and all understand that it takes lots of people to prepare food for so many children.

After the feast on Wednesday school will close for the Thanksgiving Weekend. There will be no after-school KDO.

This is a good season to talk with your children about hunger and how some children go to bed hungry every night. As a family you might come up with a plan to help with that sad truth. Most of our children only think they get hungry with no idea what real hunger is.

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

From the November 2001 Newsletter (read more…)

Thanks to all of you who took the time to meet the teachers who took the time to meet you. You are so appreciated.

The night was fun with lots of bouncy house activity, lots of pizza and lots and  lots of running around on the playground.

It is amazing how the children’s eyes light up when they get to be on the play-ground at night. It somehow becomes a magical place totally different from day time usage. So fun to watch. And it was great seeing all the families visiting outside. Finally we had to tell them we needed to go home and so did they so we could lock the gates.

Thanks to the Board!

From the November 2011 Newsletter (read more…)