First Church Preschool Newsletter
JUNE 2009
This is the last monthly newsletter. It is always hard to believe how quickly the year flew by. We have only a few
weeks left. Our last day of school is on Thursday June 18th. Please turn in all enrollment contracts for children
returning next year with a $100 tuition deposit if you haven’t already done so. If your medical form is still current,
(not past one year since the last physical date) it is still acceptable. Summer Program applications should be in
by next week. We will need a current medical form for anyone with a summer birthday.
Our congratulations to the Levine and McCauley families, on the birth of their new precious babies. Simon
Joseph Levine, born 5/12 at 9:11 am weighed 8.5 lbs and was 20 inches long. He and mom are home and doing
well and have even been in a few times already. Jennifer and her new son, Trey Jeffery, who finally arrived
Tuesday, May 26th at 3 am was 19 ¾ inches and weighed 6.15 lbs. They both came home yesterday and are
doing fine.
The warm weather should be here now. Water tables are being used quite enthusiastically each day, helping to
keep us cool. Please restock clothing bags one more time for the inevitable wet shirts and socks. All this rain
increases the possibility of it being buggy as well. Our playground is somewhat shaded but you may want to apply
sunscreen and bug spray to your child in the morning before coming to school. If you would like us to re-apply
either sunscreen or insect repellent, please send in a small labeled supply. We also need you to complete a
permission form in order for us to apply either. Forms are available at the sign in desk. Also, sneakers or
strapped sandals continue to be the safest footwear for swings and climbing.
The t-shirts will be sent home on Tuesday. Field Day is next week. It is weather dependent but we will probably
do Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Please be sure the children are dressed for the outdoors in comfortable
clothes, school t-shirts for pictures, and sneakers good for running and getting wet.
As we approach the last weeks of school we will begin talking with children about this school year’s ending and
saying our good-byes to friends who are leaving as we look ahead with them to the changes coming up. Children
in the 3’s and 4’s classrooms will be visiting the 4’s and Kindergarten rooms as we talk about next year and
teachers may be checking with you about specific details of your child’s new school. As we begin to talk about
moving on, a lot of thoughts and feelings about what’s next may begin to emerge.
In the midst of it all, it is important to stop for a moment and reflect on all we have accomplished this year and to
ready ourselves for the transitions ahead. All of these transitions are challenging for children and parents! Both
will have worries about the changes in routines, expectations at the next level, and developing new relationships
with teachers and other children.
It is important for us to let children know that we are aware that this is scary in some ways as well as exciting, and
that we are confident that they will do well in their next step. Be encouraging and optimistic about what it will be
like and let them know how proud you are that they are now ready for this next step. Acknowledge their feelings
of both anxiety and excitement and let them know that you will be there for them as they make these changes.
Also, don’t be surprised if you see some regression in behavior as the summer wanes and fall gets closer. They
may seem needier than the confident children you are now used to. Our Open House at the end of August will
again help prepare for those new beginnings here.
In addition, children often need a concrete experience with which to begin to recognize these changes and
endings that are occurring and to use as a marker to look back on, when remembering the last days of school.
Our annual Goodbye Picnic helps to facilitate this. It is scheduled for Thursday evening, June 18th, (the last
actual day of school at 1st Church) from 5:30-7:00 PM.
The evening begins outside on the grass in back, with each family bringing their own blankets/chairs and picnic
style dinner. We will prepare some goodies or watermelon as a dessert for everyone. We have found this to be a
meaningful way to complete good-byes to each other as a pre-school community, especially because we have so
many different schedules and so many to say goodbye to! (in the event of rain we will meet in the Parish Hall
without the picnic supper.) Children in each group will also be preparing to act out a favorite song for us that
evening. Please remind your children ahead of time that the church does not want anyone climbing on the very
treasured chestnut tree or playing around on the ramp and railings of the Whiting House. The sound quality
outdoors is a challenge so we would really appreciate it if the children could be seated during the skits and
introductions. I know it won’t be easy, but it would be very helpful.
We are also planning on dedicating the herb garden to our past founder and director, Marilyn Donovan that
evening. I am sure she would love to see familiar faces and some of the siblings who were here with her over the
years. We expect to have the dedication at the beginning of the evening. If you would like to plant something
with your child be sure to include a label with their name on it and the name of the flower or herb. Our vegetable
garden is getting planted with corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, sunflowers and beans for harvest in the fall.
Even if you will be back for Summer Program, a goodbye to this year is still important. Please let a teacher know if
you will not be attending so we can complete our personal good-byes beforehand and give out a personal
“Goodbye Book” to you child. Please remember we are closed on Friday for a staff work day to get ready for
Summer Program’s beginning on Monday 6/22.
It has been another busy and full year! Thank you everyone, especially all our volunteers serving on the Board
of Directors and families participating in the fund raising events, helping with the Work Day, and doing the driving,
shopping, and fixing at school this year, your help was much appreciated!! Thank you also for completing and
returning the parent surveys. We will use your feedback and suggestions in making plans for school
improvements as we look ahead to next year, and we appreciate your letting us know what we are doing well.
Have a great summer! See you at the Goodbye Picnic.
Dawn