St. Michael Preschool News
Growing with God...
Dear St. Michael Preschool Families,
It is hard to believe it is March already! What a blessing that we have been able to learn together in-person since August. Together we have faced this unique and unprecedented year with unity and great faith. We are so grateful to you for entrusting your children to our loving care and for your partnership in your child's Catholic early childhood education. We hope that the daily communications and photos from your child's teachers have provided you a virtual window into the classroom to see the wonderful and important work our dedicated and loving teachers are doing and the joy with which your children are learning and growing with God. We look forward to the remainder of the school year and the many learning adventures ahead!
Lenten blessings,
Lisa Ciesla, Director
IMPORTANT DATES
March 22 - CRS Rice Bowl Collection during Arrival
Week of March 22 - St. Jude Trike-A-Thon (At Home) & Bike Safety Week (At School)
March 31 - Class Picture Orders Due
April 1 - 9 – Preschool Closed for Easter Break
April 12 – Preschool Reopens
April 29 & 30 - Parent Appreciation - Dismissal at 1:00 pm
2020-2021 REGISTRATION
A limited number of seats remain. We will continue to take applications throughout this school year. If you have any friends, neighbors, or know of any new families to the area, please tell them to contact us! Thank you for spreading the word!
Feast of St. Joseph - March 19
We want to wish a Happy St. Joseph’s Day to our fantastic preschool dads! We hope you are enjoying your child’s gift in recognition of the feast day of this special saint who teaches us to listen to the voice of God in our lives and to always welcome His love into our hearts.
Class Picture Orders Due March 31
Class pictures by Christina Rose photography are ready. Visit https://proofs.christinarosestudios.com/gallery/14570434/ to view the photos. Orders are due Wednesday, March 31 and will be delivered to the preschool the week of April 12.
ROO CLASS
GROWING IN FAITH & LOVE DURING LENT
LENTEN PRAYER POT
Lent is the season in which we prepare our hearts for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Your child made a special Lenten Prayer Pot in class and brought it 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. “Through seasons like Lent, we are sewing into our children's hearts the lessons and practices that will bear fruit in years to come. It's the long game we're after, and Lent plays a powerful part in it.” -Sharon Hodde Miller
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
Lenten Almsgiving through CRS Rice Bowl 2021
On Ash Wednesday, your child brought home a CRS Rice Bowl. Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all.
By donating to the CRS Rice Bowl, your family can support the needy members of our human family throughout the world. Your generosity will help put nutritious food on their tables and help them lead more healthy lives. We will be collecting the Rice Bowls during arrival on March 22.
The season of Lent gives us a wonderful opportunity to reflect and make room in our hearts to help others. Thank you in advance for your giving hearts this Lent and for supporting St. Michael Parish!
ST. JUDE TRIKE-A-THON
You are invited to join St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in the fight against childhood cancer by participating in the St. Jude Trike-A-Thon. As a result of COVID protocols, we will not be able to hold this event on our campus as in past years. However, you and your family can still participate at home! During the week of March 22-26, grab your helmet and bike/scooter and enjoy some time outside pedaling. 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 like Bicycle Boogie.
Your involvement is a big part of making this fundraiser a success and participation is easy:
Encourage friends and family to donate online:
• Log any offline donations (cash & checks) in your online fundraising center to receive credit toward earning prizes!
• Return offline donations to the preschool office (checks only).
• Select your prizes via the link emailed to you after the event.
*Please post your pictures and videos on our social media!
KANGA CLASS
IMPORTANT HEALTH & SAFETY REMINDERS
A Note About Asthma & Allergies:
If your child has asthma and/or chronic allergies, which typically include a frequent cough or runny nose, you will need to work with your pediatrician to find a way to best manage the symptoms. The preschool will require a written note from the doctor if symptoms continue.
Reminder: a child must be able to independently manage their runny nose. If they are unable to do so, we will need to send the child home.
We thank you for your continued support in adhering to our health and safety protocols to keep our community safe.
PLEASE READ IMPORTANT REMINDER:
The health and safety of all our preschool families is very important to us. We ask for your continued partnership as we work together to keep our community safe. Please continue to keep us apprised of any health issues or concerns in your home that may be COVID-related. Closely monitor your family for any COVID-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new cough, or new loss of taste or smell.
If anyone develops symptoms or feels unwell, please err on the side of caution and keep them home and notify your pediatrician and the preschool as soon as possible. Remember that if any family member is awaiting COVID test results, your child should not attend school. Thank you!
If a child develops ANY of the COVID-19 exclusionary symptoms families have three options:
- 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
If a child is sick with any NON-COVID symptoms, 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 feel well before returning to school.
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.
POOH CLASS
FAMILY FUN
ST. MIKE'S TIKE'S MINISTRY
Easter StoryWalk® At St. Michael Church!
St. Mike's Tikes is excited to bring you St. Michael's very own Easter StoryWalk®. Beginning Saturday, March 20 - 26, bring your family to experience "the charming story of a bunny who witnessed the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. With childlike simplicity, this tale turns our eyes to the true meaning of Easter."
This meaningful family experience was organized by two of our very own St. Michael Preschool moms, Caroline Laski and Katie Richards. Thank you, ladies, for all your enthusiastic efforts to bring this wonderful activity to our parish 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.”
MUSIC & MOVEMENT WITH MISS KAREN
Dear Families,
Spring is on the horizon and we will be celebrating it in music class! We have frogs, kites, and bumblebee songs to sing! Our Clifford Class will be talking about money with their factory unit. You must watch Jack Hartmann's Money Song. It just might get stuck in your head! We will use scarves and move to Let's Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins. We will also talk about our Guardian Angels and sing a sweet song about them. March is also the month of St. Patrick and we will do the Unicorn Song from the Malarky Brothers which talks about the story of Noah and the Ark. As always, I am just an email away at kallen@stmcary.org to answer any of your musical questions!
Happy Spring and God Bless,
Ms. Karen
RABBIT CLASS
PARENT RESOURCES
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 )
EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMS
Early Arrival & Lunch Program
Need some extra time to run errands or get to an appointment? We can help! We still have 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
Lunch Program - available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday; pick up is at 1:30 pm
Extended Day Programs for January – May are now available. Extended Day offers flexible programming to lengthen your child's school day, grow stamina, and practice mealtime independence. Choose from the discounted "Monthly Enrollment" option or the more flexible "Drop-In Enrollment" option. Click here for Extended Day Program Registration
CLIFFORD CLASS
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