St. Michael Preschool News
Growing with God... January 22, 2022
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Time to Register for Next Year before Seats Open to New Families on 1/24!
Dear St. Michael Preschool Families,
Jesus said, Let the little children come to me... Matthew 19:14
Friendly reminder that the 2022/2023 SCHOOL YEAR REGISTRATION is OPEN for all RETURNING FAMILIES. Returning student registration will run through January 21. Confirmation of placement will be communicated by February 1, 2022. Please note that siblings of current students may also register at this time.
Please review the 2022-2023 Registration Newsletter including information about tuition rate changes and updated Stewardship guidelines. Also, please forward this newsletter along to family, friends, and neighbors. You are the best advertisement we could ask for! Thank you, for your continued support and prayers. We look forward to another fun year of "Growing with God!"
In Christ,
Lisa Ciesla, Director
IMPORTANT PRESCHOOL HEALTH & SAFETY REMINDERS
This month, the surge of COVID in our area has presented us all with new challenges. Our own preschool community was impacted with three quarantined classes. We understand the disruption caused to everyone's schedule when a child is home sick, or due to exposure, quarantine, or monitoring of symptoms. However, we greatly appreciate your partnership and compliance with these policies as well as your open and timely communication regarding signs of illness in your household. Working together, we can do our best to keep our students, teachers, and staff healthy and in-person.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Regardless of the reason for the call, we MUST be able to reach you or an emergency contact while your child is at school. Please take this time to remind your friends and family to add the preschool phone number to their contacts so that they do not miss or ignore our call. The St. Michael Preschool phone number is 919-468-6110.
If your child is sick, they must be picked up promptly from the preschool. Thank you for your support and understanding regarding this important policy.
Notable Changes to NC DHHS COVID Guidelines for Preschools & Childcare Settings
If your CHILD or ANYONE in your household is not feeling well, experiencing any symptoms, or awaiting COVID test results, your child MUST stay home.
Exclusionary symptoms now include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Positive Test Result: If a child tests positive for COVID, isolation time will be 10 days. Additionally, the child’s symptoms must be improving and not distracting to the child or classmates upon their return. No negative test is required to return after the 10-day isolation.
- Exposure: If a child is exposed to someone with COVID (within 6 ft. for 15 minutes over a 24 hr. period), quarantine time in most cases will be 10 days. However, it is dependent on several variables such as if the positive case is in your household, whether the child has tested positive for COVID in the last three months, vaccination status, and how reliably a mask can be worn. Each situation is specific and details are important; therefore, the return to preschool date will be calculated using the revised toolkit protocols in consultation with our local health department.
HEALTH POLICY - To protect the health and safety of our community
Families have three options if their child develops ANY of the COVID exclusionary symptoms:
- stay home for 10 days from when symptoms first began, or
- get a negative COVID test, or
- get a note of alternate diagnosis from the pediatrician
It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to understand and follow all health and safety protocols.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: ALL ADULTS on St. Michael Campus must wear a face mask when dropping off or picking up their child.
ROO PALS
IMPORTANT DATES
Catholic Schools Week is Coming Soon!
We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
The annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States is almost here! During January 31 - February 4, St. Michael Preschool will celebrate Catholic Schools Week with fun activities that celebrate our school and our faith.
A few highlights include a special visit from Fr. Noe and Deacon Mark to read the Parable of the Sower, new seed planting for our Tower Garden, preschool cheer and joyful songs with Miss Karen, lots of gross motor fun on the playground, and a spirit week of themed dress-up days (please see below for details).
We also hope your family will support our Catholic Schools Service Project for the Ronald McDonald House charity (details found below). We thank you for your continued partnership and for providing your child with the gift of Catholic education. God bless you and your family!
Catholic Schools Week Jan. 31 - Feb. 4
Spirit Week Theme Days:
Favorite Hat - Monday, 1/31
Pajama Day - Tuesday, 2/1
Wacky Wednesday - Wednesday, 2/2
Silly Socks - Thursday, 2/3
Favorite Color - Friday, 2/4
A child fighting a serious illness should not have to be alone. Mom and dad are needed close by for the love and comfort that only they can give. Please join our St. Michael Preschool community to show love and support and help provide resources needed when parents are caring for a sick child at Ronald McDonald House.
Please support our Catholic Schools Week Service Project Wish List Drive to help check off some of the everyday household and personal care supplies needed.
Wish List items can be found on the attachment below. Please consider sending one or more items to school with your child the week of Jan. 31 – Feb 4.
We thank you in advance for your giving hearts!
KANGA, POOH, & PIGLET PALS
PARENT RESOURCES
COVID-19 TESTING IS AVAILABLE ON ST. MICHAEL CAMPUS
Please do not send your child(ren) to school if anyone in your household is awaiting COVID test results or exhibiting any COVID symptoms, even if the person with symptoms is vaccinated!
If your child is sick, and you would like for the St. Michael School nurses to conduct a COVID test, they would be happy to coordinate a time for you to bring your child to campus. Simply contact them at nursegroup@stmcary.org or call 919-468-6156.
Registering your child is quick and simple:
- Click the Registration link below
- Choose the Minor/Guardianship option
- Check “not experiencing symptoms,” then continue
- Check “No” for close contact, then continue
- Complete your child’s demographic information, followed by your information and electronic signature.
- Finish by clicking submit and a confirmation text will be sent to your phone.
StMS Student COVID-19 Testing Registration
TAX RECEIPTS
Need Payment History Receipts for your taxes?
No Problem! See our website for links and details.
St. Michael Preschool has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Federal ID: 56-1053379 State Tax ID: 09-2012282
(any receipt for dates before the 2020/2021 school year must be requested via the preschool office at preschool@stmcary.org )
Early Arrival & Lunch Program
Need some extra time to run errands or get to an appointment? We can help! We still have some openings in our early arrival and lunch programs. Your child will enjoy the extra time to socialize and play!
Early Arrival - available daily, drop off begins at 8:15 am at the front preschool door
Lunch Program - available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday; pick up is at 1:30 pm at the playground
Please note that registrations after 9/3 are not guaranteed as we must be able to maintain adequate staffing while ensuring cohort groups.
Ready to register for Extended Day?
Log Into Realm (Realm Log In required), then while logged in click the following Extended Day Registration Link
FEBRUARY ADVENTURE CAMP CANCELED
PLEASE NOTE: Because Adventure Camp must be held outdoors under the current COVID protocols, and the potential for cold temperatures in February, we will have to cancel the February Adventures Camps. However, Adventure Camp is planned to resume in March. Parents will be credited accordingly. Thank you for your understanding as we work to maintain the health and safety of all.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
Please watch the weather and dress your child accordingly. Students will play outside daily when the temperature is above freezing with no precipitation.
As the seasons are changing, please remember to send in a cold-weather change of clothes for your child. Thank you!
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
Closings and Delays: Our policy is to assess conditions on St. Michael Campus and the local area to determine closings or delays at the preschool. We understand this may not always reflect weather conditions in your area or follow the Wake County School closings or delays, so please use your discretion when bringing your child to school.
Parents will be informed of school closings and delays via our all call communication system through the primary phone, text message, and email provided. If this information needs to be updated at this time, please let the preschool office know.
On delayed openings, Early Arrival and Lunch Programs are canceled and children bring a lunch and attend from 11:00-1:00 pm. This later dismissal time may interfere with younger children’s nap schedules, so again, please use your best judgment in sending your preschooler on these days.
PROJECT ENLIGHTENMENT
OWL, RABBIT, & TIGGER PALS
FAMILY FUN
MUSIC & MOVEMENT W/MISS KAREN
Hello Families!
Happy January! This month we will be sharing songs about all things winter! Songs will include dressing for winter, penguins, hibernating bears, snow, and snowmen! We will also sing a song about Lent as we approach this special liturgical season. Here are a few songs to try at home!
God Bless your families!
Ms. Karen
*Please email me: kallen@stmcary.org if you ever have a question or want me to send you a song!
5 Little Snowmen & Where is the Bear?
Hat, scarf, mittens, and boots (Sung to the tune of Head, shoulders, knees, and toes song)
Hat, scarf, mittens and boots, mittens, and boots
Hat, scarf, mittens and boots, mittens, and boots
Hat and scarf and mittens, and boots
Hat, scarf, mittens and boots, mittens, and boots!
(Touch the part of the body that you wear the article of clothing, do it faster each time for added fun!
Lenten song (Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Prayer, fasting, and giving (prayer hands, rub tummy, and outstretch arms)
We are meant to repent (strike chest)
40 days in all (no hand motion)
Kindness big and small (arms wide open then goes to small)
This is Lent, this is Lent (one arm out at a time)
Our next StoryWalk will begin Friday, 1/14 - 2/7 at Sears Farm Road Park in Cary, featuring the book, “The Bear and the Piano” by David Litchfield.
This meaningful family experience was organized by our very own St. Michael Preschool mom, Caroline Laski. Thank you, Caroline, for all your enthusiastic efforts to bring this wonderful activity to our community!
“The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.”
PARISH ATHLETICS
ParishAthleticsNC.org has opened registration for the Spring 2022 Soccer and Baseball Season.
Spring Soccer (Apex-Cary)
Grades: Coed; Pre-K (3-year-olds) to 8th.
Dates: March to May.
Practice Locations: Apex or Cary, you pick.
Game Locations: Apex & Cary.
Cost: Pre-K $60; K – 8th Grade $65; (includes a medal, shirt, and picnic).
Note: Pre-k players have a combined practice/game on Saturdays. Kindergarteners to 8th graders have one-weekday practice per week.
Spring T-ball & Machine-pitch (Apex)
Grades: Coed. Pre-K (4-year-olds) to 4th grade.
Dates: April to May.
Cost: $65 (includes a medal, shirt, hat, and picnic).
Practice & Game Location: Apex
Note: Pre-k players have a combined practice/game on Saturdays. Kindergarteners to 4th grade have one-weekday practice per week.
Format: Pre-k & Kindergarteners play T-ball and 1st to 4th graders play Machine-pitch.
CLIFFORD PALS
Social Media - Please follow us on…
Twitter: @stmpreschoolnc
Instagram: @stmpreschoolnc
About Us
Email: preschool@stmcary.org
Website: https://stmichaelpreschool.com
Location: 804 High House Road, Cary, NC, USA
Phone: 919-468-6110
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichael.preschool.16
Twitter: @stmpreschoolnc