St. Michael Preschool News
Growing with God... February 17, 2023
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." John 3:16
Dear St. Michael Preschool Families,
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and is the season in which we prepare our hearts for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. The forty days of Lent are an opportunity to enrich our daily lives and grow closer to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Explaining Lent to children can be a challenge, but as preschool educators, we find kid-friendly ways to make the concepts and traditions of Lent meaningful to them. Prayers from the heart, acts of kindness, a Lenten Prayer Pot, Bible stories, and our Ash Wednesday Prayer Service are just a few examples I’m sure you will enjoy hearing about from your children.
During Lent, let us inspire each other to create special moments that allow our preschool community to be more like Jesus and grow closer to God.
Joyfully in Christ,
Lisa Ciesla, Director
PRESCHOOL CLOSED
LOOK WHAT'S AHEAD!
March 13 & 16 - Church Morning
March 20, 21, 22, & 24 - Bike Day w/Dad (see below for assigned class day)
March 23 - Preschool Closed - Teacher Work Day
April 5 - 16 – Preschool Closed for Easter Break
April 17 – Preschool Reopens
GROWING IN FAITH & LOVE
PRESCHOOL ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICE - NOW AT 9:45 am
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME – our Preschool Ash Wednesday Prayer service on February 22, has been moved up to 9:45 am in the Church (it will no longer be at 11 am).
Preschool Dismissal will still be at 12:00 pm that day to avoid extra traffic with the next holy day Mass.
We hope you will join your child and classmates for the 30-minute service (no Mass). This holy day is a special time for our faith community to model our Ash Wednesday tradition for our preschoolers and begin the Lenten season.
LENTEN PRAYER POT
Lent is the season in which we prepare our hearts for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Your child is making a special Lenten Prayer Pot to be brought home on Ash Wednesday. Please read the following information so that your family can find weekly inspiration for how to be more like Jesus and grow closer to God during Lent.
Prayer Pot Instructions:
On Ash Wednesday: Please place the prayer pot in a special place where it can't be missed - perhaps the center of the family table. It reminds us that Lent is here but remains empty for the next few days.
First Sunday of Lent: A small heart is placed in the prayer pot during the main meal to remind everyone of God's love for us and that we should show our love for and be kind to others. Romans 8:38-39
Second Sunday of Lent: A seed is placed in the pot to remind us that God's love for us constantly grows and that we should try hard to do more for other people. Colossians 1:10-12
Third Sunday of Lent: Place a rubber band in the prayer pot as a reminder that God always stretches His patience with us and we need to do the same for others, even when it isn't easy. Ephesians 4:2
Fourth Sunday of Lent: A happy face sticker is placed in the pot to remind us that we need to remember to take turns and to share. Hebrews 13:16
Fifth Sunday of Lent: Add a band-aid to remind us to help other people when they are sad or hurt. 1 Thessalonians 5:13b
Palm Sunday: Place a tiny piece of palm* to remind us that Jesus is our King and we always need to remember to say our prayers to him (*please use a palm your family receives at Palm Sunday Mass). Colossians 1:15-20
Easter Sunday: The last item is a tiny egg to remind us that Jesus will always be with us and is always ready to hear our prayers. Matthew 28:1-8; 18-20
Activity Source: Catholic Parenting
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIVING HEARTS !
We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Thank you to all who generously donated items for our Ronald McDonald House service project. Our preschoolers worked together to make care packages and created sweet valentines for the patients and families at the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you for keeping these families in your prayers.
PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS
St. Michael Preschool’s Tower Garden
Our seeds have sprouted! This week, we placed them in our indoor Tower Garden, an Aeroponics growing system that we were awarded through a grant from the Diocese of Raleigh. We look forward to the many hands-on learning opportunities ahead. And we especially can’t wait to sample healthy food and make yummy green smoothies!
ROO PALS
Church Morning - All are Welcome! March 13 & 16
Church Mornings provide the children with an opportunity to go to God’s House and learn church etiquette and more about our Catholic faith in a relaxed setting (no Mass). All are invited to attend!
Church Morning Class Schedule - Beginning at 9:45 am in St. Michael Church
Monday, March 13 - Rabbit, Owl, Piglet, & Kanga
Thursday, March 16 - Clifford, Tigger, Gopher, & Pooh
Jesus said, Let the little children come to me... Matthew 19:14
SEATS FOR NEXT YEAR ARE FILLING UP FAST! SECURE YOURS TODAY! We will continue to take applications throughout this school year. If you have any friends, neighbors, or know of any new families in the area, please tell them to contact us! Thank you for spreading the word!
Please review the 2023-2024 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!"
KANGA, POOH, PIGLET & GOPHER PALS
SAVE THE DATE: St. Joseph's Bike Day w/Dad's
CALLING ALL PRESCHOOL DADS - SAVE the DATE!
The St. Joseph’s Day celebration with dads will be held March 20 – 24. Dads, please bring your child's bike/trike/scooter and helmet to school on your assigned day and time to enjoy some outside fun with your child! *If dad is unable to attend, please send another family member.
Monday - March 20
Pooh - 9:45
Clifford - 11:45
Tuesday - March 21
Gopher - 9:45
Owl - 11:45
Wednesday - March 22
Piglet - 9:45
Rabbit- 11:45
Thursday - March 23
Preschool Closed - Teacher Work Day
Friday - March 24
Kanga - 9:45
Tigger - 11:45
You are also invited to join St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in the fight against childhood cancer by participating in the St. Jude Trike-A-Thon. The week-long event teaches our students that they have the power to help others. While at school, they will learn trike safety through fun lessons, songs, and movement. More information will come home in your preschooler’s school bag before your scheduled bike day.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
WE MUST BE ABLE TO REACH YOU DURING PRESCHOOL HOURS
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.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHY!
With COVID, RSV, and FLU still going around, we urge you to monitor your family's health. Your child should not be at the preschool if they are unwell or experiencing any symptoms. We understand the disruption caused to everyone's schedule when a child is home sick, 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 learning in person.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME If they develop one or more of the following symptoms: congestion or runny nose, headache, fever or chills, cough, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, diarrhea, or vomiting.
*PRESCHOOL RETURN TO SCHOOL POLICY:
- stay home for 5 days, and return wearing a mask for 5 more days, OR
- get a negative COVID test, which must be submitted to the preschool office (photo of the home test), OR
- get a note of alternate diagnosis from the pediatrician
*REGARDLESS OF A NEGATIVE COVID TEST OR ALTERNATE DIAGNOSIS, ANY REMAINING SYMPTOMS SHOULD NOT BE DISRUPTIVE TO THE CHILD OR CLASS.
COVID GUIDANCE UPDATED – On September 6, the Childcare/Preschool COVID Toolkit was updated.
Early Arrival & Lunch Program
Need some extra time to run errands or get to an appointment? We can help! Check out our Extended Day Programs. Your child will enjoy the extra time to socialize and play!
- Early Arrival - available daily; drop-off begins at 8:15 am
- Lunch Program - available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; pick up is at 1:30 pm
DROP-IN STUDENTS MUST REGISTER AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE SO WE CAN STAFF ACCORDINGLY
Extended Day Fees:
Early Arrival / Lunch: Monthly Commitment Discounted Rate – $6.00 / per session
Early Arrival / Lunch Daily Drop-in Rate – $8.00 / per session
Important Notes:
Students registered in our 2-Year-Old Program are only eligible to participate in Early Arrival Programming (beginning in August), and Discovery Day (beginning in January, if seats remain).
MARCH ADVENTURE CAMP
If your child would love extra time learning and playing with friends, CLICK HERE to register. These camps are offered to preschoolers 3 years and up.
Thursday, March 2 - Super Sculpture
Wednesday, March 8 - Little Picasso
Cost: $13.00 per camp. Send a nut-free lunch with your child. Dismissal: 2:00 pm.
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. Thank you!
Tuition Payment Methods
Your next tuition payment is due by March 5. If you have not already set up Auto Draft, now is a great time to do so.
- Click this Auto Draft Registration Link
- Enter the amount to draft for "Tuition - Current PS (PS-Preschool)"
- Enter Frequency as Monthly
- Select Continue to enter your personal banking information
OWL, RABBIT, & TIGGER PALS
PARENT RESOURCES
MUSIC & MOVEMENT W/MISS KAREN
Dear Preschool Families,
For the month of February, we will begin with Catholic Schools week! One of my favorite weeks of the year! We will do our annual cheer (found below) and we talk about God's tremendous love for us! We will also enjoy music about winter, bears, friendship, hearts, and love. Here are a few examples of the fun we will have this month in music!
Preschool Cheer
We're fired up! (arms above head)
We're sizzlin'! (wiggle fingers in front of the body)
We're turnin' up the heat! (Turn knob)
And when it comes to preschools (clap hands)
St. Michael's can't be beat! (clap hands)
I will play the song "Happy" and the children will pick a heart with a body motion on it and will do that to the song-hopping, skipping, dancing, twirling, etc.
Going on a Bear Hunt by the Elbows
Skidamarink by Super Simple Learning
My Little Heart by Kids Praise Company
The Valentine's Activity Game by Kiboomers
Friendship Dance by Renee's here
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)
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or would like me to send you a song! Contact me at kallen@stmcary.org
God Bless you and your families!
Ms. Karen
DISCOVERY DAY FRIDAY PROGRAM
TRY THIS AT HOME!
Did You Know? Dry erase markers are insoluble, meaning they can't be dissolved in a liquid like water. They also have very few adhesive qualities, which is why they can be easily erased. The lack of adhesive is also what allows the water to make the drawing “come to life” and float, rather than sticking to the dish. Our preschoolers thought this was really "COOL!"
Get Outdoors! Get Reading!
A brand new StoryWalk will run 2/3 - 2/27 at Carpenter Park and will feature, "Can a Critter in a Hat Do That?" by Nancy Armstrong, a local Cary author.
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!
PopUp StoryWalk Cary is a fun community program exhibiting recreational reading adventures in our local parks. Enjoy some time outdoors while reading children's stories with your family as you stroll, run, or skip to find each page along a trail. Events typically "pop up" for 3 weeks & frequently feature fresh selections, inspiring families to follow our installations at various locations around town. View our current event below and follow us on Facebook for updates.
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 2021/2022 school year must be requested via the preschool office at preschool@stmcary.org)
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 Realm communication system. A text message will be sent to the primary phone number, an email to the primary email addresses on file, and a post to the Realm App. 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 peanut/nut-free 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.
PARISH ATHLETICS
Parents,
Spring Soccer and Baseball registrations are now open on the website.
Apex-Cary Spring Soccer
Grades: Coed, Pre-K (3-year-olds) thru 8th grade.
Dates: March-May.
Practice Locations: Apex or Cary, you pick.
Game Locations: Apex & Cary.
Cost: Pre-K - $60; K thru 1st Grade - $65; 2nd thru 8th grade - $70
Note: Pre-k players have a combined practice/game on Saturdays. Kindergarteners thru 8th graders have one-weekday practice per week and weekend games.
Apex Spring Baseball
Grades: Coed. Pre-K (4-year-olds) thru 4th grade.
Dates: April – June.
Practice/Game Locations: Apex.
Cost: $65
Note: PreK thru Kindergarten plays T-Ball; 1st thru 4th grade plays machine pitch. Pre-k players have a combined practice/game on Saturdays. Kindergarteners – 4th grade have one-weekday practice per week and games on Saturdays.
CLIFFORD PALS
PROJECT ENLIGHTENMENT
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