St. Michael Preschool News
Growing with God...October 8, 2021
Dear St. Michael Preschool Families,
Our Catholic faith is woven through all that we do each day at St. Michael Preschool. We are blessed to have such wonderful clergy who are a special part of the spiritual development of our preschoolers.
Last week, we joyfully celebrated St. Michael Feast Day! We prayed and played together in honor of our patron saint. A big thank you, to Fr. Michael and Fr. Noe who taught our preschoolers that St. Michael is a special angel that keeps them safe. They even learned a prayer that you can say as a family - St. Michael, keep us safe, day and night, give us courage, strength, and might. Amen.
This week, Deacon Brian and Deacon Andres made a special visit to teach our preschoolers about St. Francis and to bless our class mascots. I also had the pleasure to guide the children in a hands-on retelling of the Noah's Ark Bible story where they learned about why God made the first rainbow.
We are grateful for your commitment to your child’s Catholic preschool education. Our ongoing partnership will make for the most rewarding year for your child and family. Let us continue to pray for all those in need of our prayers, especially those in our preschool and parish community. May St. Michael the Archangel protect you and your loved ones always.
Joyfully in Christ,
Lisa Ciesla
Preschool Director
Tuition Payment Reminder
Your next tuition payment is due by the 5th of the month. Details regarding payment methods can be found on our Online Payment Webpage.
Tuition can be paid using the following methods:
- Online Credit Card Payment: Log Into Realm (Login required), then click this Link to the Tuition Payment Event, Then select "Make a Payment."
- Monthly Auto draft: If you would like to utilize monthly auto-draft services for the 2021/2022 school year, enrollment is available using our Vanco Payment Solution Portal.
- Personal Check or Cashier's Check: Tuition payments are also accepted via personal check payable to St. Michael Preschool. Payment can be mailed to 804 High House Road, Cary NC 27513. Cashier's checks are accepted in place of cash payments.
PICTURE DAY - Oct. 12-14
Picture Day is Coming! The children will have their individual school pictures taken. Please see the schedule below for your child's date. A link to view a proof and order will be emailed shortly after, and retakes may be requested. If you would like to have siblings photographed together, please plan to arrive at school by 9:15 am to meet with the photographer.
Picture Day Schedule:
Tuesday, Oct 12
Roo 2, Pooh, Clifford
Wednesday, Oct 13
Roo 1, Piglet, Kanga, Tigger
Thursday, Oct 14
Roo 3, Owl, Rabbit
Fire Truck Visit - Oct. 18 & 19
Fall Festival - Oct. 27 & 28
Halloween is a popular holiday among young children. Many have probably already decided what their costumes will be. We want to provide a safe and fun way for your child to still partake in this tradition. On October 27 & 28, the 3, 4, and 5-year-old children may wear a costume to school. Please guide your child to select a costume with nonviolent themes, and please do not send in accessories. Please have your child wear clothes underneath the costume or bring a change of clothes to school.
To ensure we follow all health requirements, the children will remain in their "class cohorts" and parade around outside in a designated location. Your child's teachers will communicate the location and time for their class parade so that you may watch while making sure to remain socially distant from the children and other parents in your child's class. Our two-year-olds will wear orange on these dates and participate in “Fall Fun” with their class, and Music with Miss Karen will be recorded for the whole family to enjoy at home together!
NO SCHOOL - Oct. 29 & Nov. 1
Roo Pals
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Calling all Volunteers
Building Details
Location: We will be building our home at 121 Trimble Avenue, Cary
Date: Volunteers will work on October 28-30 at 8:15-3:30
Register to Volunteer
We need your help, volunteer with us as a team! You can register to volunteer by clicking this link and scrolling down to Oct 28 - 30: http://vhub.at/stmichaelthearchangel
All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and fully vaccinated to participate, as per the guidelines from Habitat for Humanity. Join fellow school families, parishioners, and teachers for a day of fellowship and giving.
Unavailable to volunteer in-person? The home build project is also in need of volunteers to provide lunch each day for our volunteers. Please consider donating a meal (estimate 25 people each day), which could also occur with other families. Email mlanuti@stmcary.org and/or keoakley@gmail.com if you are interested in donating!
LOOK WHAT'S NEW!
Discovery Day Friday Program
What is the Discovery Day Program?
We are excited to offer your child another day to play, pray, learn and grow together at St. Michael Preschool! Discovery Day Friday offers you the option to add an additional fun day to your child’s existing preschool program for ages 2-5, who are not already attending school on Friday.
Miss Susan and Miss Corrine lead this exciting program where the children engage in discovery learning within the areas of early literacy, math, science, religion, art, music & movement. Comprised of age-appropriate thematic units and project-based activities that allow children to experience success through exploration, socialization, and play. Your child will develop their curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a sense of wonder about the world around them while continuing to grow with God.
When: Every Friday school is in session through mid-May.
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (regular school hours). Early Arrival is also available beginning at 8:15 am for an additional fee.
Ages: Open to students 2-5 years old.
PLEASE CLICK HERE to learn more and to register.
ADVENTURE CAMP
Miss Tracey and Miss Lynn lead our super fun Adventure Camps. These camps are offered to preschoolers 3 years and older. Camps will occur one Wednesday and Thursday per month. If your child would love extra time playing and learning with friends, we still have limited openings. Register Here by November 1.
Thursday, Nov. 4 - Super Heroes - Calling all Superheroes! Have fun creating your own superpowers.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Secret Agents - Discover invisible ink, make fingerprint cards, and experience a spy obstacle course.
Cost: $13.00 per camp. Send a nut-free lunch with your child. Dismissal: 2:00 pm.
KANGA, PIGLET, & POOH PALS
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
COVID-19 Testing is Available on St. Michael Campus
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
All testing information is confidential, and if your child ends up receiving an on-campus rapid test, your child’s test results will be available online to parents in minutes. The registration consists of giving testing consent for your minor under 18 years old, and HIPAA authorization to share testing results with all necessary parties.
How does the test work? St. Michael School nurses will administer a quick and gentle anterior nares nasal swab test for children showing symptoms. This is NOT the test that tickles the brain! We will always contact a parent prior to conducting any test, and a parent is welcome to come to school while the test is being performed, which will occur outside by the Weatherstone circle.
To learn more about StrongSchoolsNC COVID-19 testing, visit www.MAKOstrongschoolsNC.com.
Please do not send your child(ren) to school if anyone in your household is awaiting COVID-19 test results or exhibiting any COVID symptoms, even if the person with symptoms is fully vaccinated!
If your child exhibits any symptoms of COVID- 19, we strongly recommend you have your child tested for the coronavirus at a COVID-19 testing site or at school. To schedule a school test, please contact nursegroup@stmcary.org.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHY!
If a child develops one of the COVID-19 exclusionary symptoms (fever of 100.4 or higher, chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new cough, or new loss of taste or smell), families have three options:
- stay home for 10 days from when symptoms first began, or
- receive a negative PCR COVID test, or
- receive a negative antigen (rapid) COVID test, only accepted if the child has no known or suspected exposure to a person with COVID-19 within the last 14 days
- provide a note of alternate diagnosis from the pediatrician
If a child is sick with a non-exclusionary symptom, like a fever under 100.4, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, our normal illness policy applies (24 hours free of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever without fever-reducing medication before returning to school). Your child must look and feel well before returning to school.
Snack Allergy Policy
- Children will bring their own snack to school. We ask that it be just one or two items that can be easily enjoyed by your child.
- Snacks may NOT contain peanuts/nuts or peanut/nut products. This includes foods that have been produced/processed in a plant with nut products.
- Avoid potential choking hazards - all grapes, cherries, and mini tomatoes need to be cut in half. Popcorn and hard candy are not permitted.
OWL, RABBIT, & TIGGER PALS
PARENT RESOURCES
MUSIC & MOVEMENT
October is one of my FAVORITE months of the whole school year! The hot days of summer melt away and cool, crisp weather arrives! We will be singing and dancing about fall, Halloween, leaves, pumpkins, spiders, and how God made animals-just to name a few. Here are a few songs that we will learn together in music this month. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like me to send you a song! I am happy to share any of my songs with you.
Happy Fall and God bless you and your families!
Miss Karen
FREE VISION SCREENING
Dear Parent:
Good vision is important to your child's education. That's why a special vision screening program, sponsored by Prevent Blindness, is being held at your child's preschool on October 26th and 27th, 2021. The screening device takes a photograph of the children’s eyes while they simply watch flashing lights on the camera. This process takes only a few seconds per child.
We have adapted our screening process to meet state and center guidelines related to COVID-19. Our vision screening process is non-invasive and requires no physical contact with the child. Screeners will utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will maintain the required 6’ distance between themselves and the child.
Vision screening is a preventative service that meets the critical needs of children and is an essential service to eliminate poor vision and eye problems as a barrier to academic success and overall development. This screening allows for early intervention and treatment of many conditions before they cause permanent vision loss, thereby giving a child the opportunity to develop good vision and a lifetime of normal sight.
A report on the results will be sent back to your preschool approximately one week after your child’s eye test. You will receive a copy of your child’s results from your preschool. If any possible problems were found, your child should then see an eye doctor for a complete eye exam. We want your child to be healthy and have the best vision possible, and we are proud to sponsor these vision screenings in your preschool.
If you do not want your child to participate in the screening, please let your director know prior to the screening date above lciesla@stmcary.org. If you have any questions about this terrific program please call us at (919) 755-5044 or 1(800)543-7839, or visit nc.preventblindness.org.
Wishing You the Best,
Prevent Blindness North Carolina
Second Step
Our St. Michael Preschool teachers strive to create a safe and loving environment where children treat themselves and others with respect and show care and concern for others all while growing in their love of Jesus. We recognize that supporting children’s social-emotional development helps them grow as learners, build relationships, and feel happier and more successful in the classroom and in their daily lives.
The Second Step weekly lessons are designed to teach preschoolers how to harness their energy and potential to achieve improved learning and behavior. The program teaches children to listen, pay attention, control their behavior, and get along with others. Students entering kindergarten with these self-regulation and social-emotional skills are set up for success.
Below please click on the Home Links that correspond with your child’s preschool program. Home Link letters and activities are a valuable component in building a strong home-school connection. They coordinate with the weekly lessons and concepts being taught to your children so you can reinforce them at home. We thank you in advance for partnering with us to ensure the success of your child’s early childhood education.
Project Enlightenment
Project Enlightenment offers support to parents of young children birth through kindergarten with topics such as discipline techniques, communication, child development, and more. Visit their website www.projectenlightenment.wcpss.net for more information.
REALM CLASS GROUPS
Not near your computer but want to connect? No problem, we’ve got you covered! Download our Realm App by searching “Connect – Our Church Community” in your App Store for iOS or Android devices. Event Registration and Event Payments are right at your fingertips.
The Realm Groups function is available to all classroom parents. Realm Groups offers an opportunity for you to see highlights from your child's day, as well as for you to connect and network with other parents, encouraging fellowship among our community. Log in to Realm, to get started (an active Realm Login is required).
Select “Groups” in the left menu bar
Select the Group you wish to chat with
Select the “Participants” tab along top menu bar
Then Select “Chat”
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
Happening now through October 18th at Bond Park Paw Paw Trail features The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything Linda Williams. Come out & enjoy a great read along a beautiful path! More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/popupstorywalkcary
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.”
Get FREE BOOKS in the MAIL!
CLIFFORD CLASS (TK)
Support St. Michael Preschool
Scholastic Books
Harris Teeter Rewards
Box Tops for Education
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