First Faith Preschool & Kinder
September Newsletter
First Days of School are September 7th & 8th!
Welcome First Faith Families and Students!
Whether this is your first year at First Faith, or you've been with us for several years, we welcome you to a new and exciting 2021-2022 school year! We are so thrilled to be a part of your family’s life. Thank you for trusting us with your most precious gift from God…your child! We believe His hands are all over this place and we are blessed to have such incredible teachers and families.
Each monthly e-newsletter will communicate upcoming events, important school information, and any extra tid-bits for the month. Please read the monthly newsletters to stay plugged in! You can also check out our website firstfaithkids.org or check us out on Facebook!
The first days of school are as follows:
Monday, Sept. 6th -- Labor Day Holiday (no school)
Tuesday, Sept. 7th -- First day of school for TTH and M-TH students
Wednesday, Sept. 8th -- First day of school for MW students
If you have paperwork to drop off, our office hours during the month of August are as follows:
August 24th-26th from 9:00am-12:00pm
If you have any questions regarding first day of school, paperwork, tuition, etc., please email your questions to:
Brittni Blevins, Director -- brittnib@fmcm.org
Amy Strathman, Assistant Director -- amys@fmcm.org
** Please note -- the office will be CLOSED the week of Aug. 30th-Sept. 2nd for staff training.
Looking forward to a FANTASTIC school year! See you in a few weeks!!
Meet the Teacher Night
Meet the Teacher Night will be on Thursday, September 2nd (please see information below for times):
6:00-6:45pm -- MW students
6:30-7:15pm -- M-TH students
7:00-7:45pm -- TTH students
ALL families will begin in the gym! First you'll come to the tables with the orange tablecloths along the back wall of the gym. The lines will be divided up in alphabetical order according to last name (ex. A-C, D-F, etc.). Find your line and let the staff member know your child's first and last name and they will double check that we have all paperwork needed for your child. If anything is missing, they will let you know and you will be able to bring it on the first day of school. If you bring paperwork with you to meet the teacher night, please drop it off with the staff member at the orange table. You will then be given a card which will tell you who your child's teacher(s) are and what room number they're in. At that point you may head to the classroom to meet the teacher(s)!
There will be additional tables along the side of the gym that you are also welcome to visit for more information on our Music Together, Stretch-N-Grow, and TOT programs! And please be sure to visit the First Faith Volunteer table to learn more about serving on a committee or becoming a room mom for your child's class!
** Don't forget - if you have medical forms or any other paperwork to turn in, please bring it to Meet the Teacher Night!!
Thursday, Sep 2, 2021, 06:00 PM
First Faith Preschool & Kindergarten, North Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield, TX, USA
Meet Your FFP&K Directors
Meet Mrs. Blevins
Hello everyone! My name is Mrs. Blevins and this will be my seventh year here at First Faith Preschool and Kindergarten.
I grew up in the DFW area and received my bachelor's degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 1998. Whoop!! From there my husband and I moved to Chicago for a few years while I pursued my master's degree in Clinical Psychology, which I completed in 2004. After that we returned to North Texas where I worked as a licensed therapist for several years before stepping into my role as director at First Faith in 2015.
My husband and I have 3 boys, ages 16, 13, and 11, and have been members of First Methodist Mansfield since 2004. Our boys keep us busy with our oldest recently becoming an Eagle Scout and currently working hard as a section leader in the LRHS Marching Band. Our middle son, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2, enjoys playing basketball with the Mansfield All-Stars Special Olympics team as well as playing video games in his spare time, and our youngest keeps us on our toes with Boy Scouts, baseball and band! When we're not running here and there to all the things, we enjoy spending time outdoors, usually traveling, camping and/or hiking.
Meet Mrs. Strathman
Hi there! My name is Mrs. Strathman and I'm excited to be back for my fifth year at First Faith!
I was born and raised in Kansas City, and attended Kansas State University where I was a proud member of their university rowing team. Go Wildcats! During college, I spent my summers in Maine as part of the leadership team for a girls summer camp. This is where I developed a love for helping children grow, find their unique skills, and build their confidence through learning experiences.
After spending almost a decade after college in the commercial banking industry, my family and I had the joy of relocating to Mansfield.
My husband and I continue to be proud residents of Mansfield, and members of First Methodist Mansfield. When not at work, I'm busy raising our two sons Blake and Grady, both of whom are recent First Faith alumni. I enjoy spending most of my time at the baseball diamonds watching my boys play and supporting their teams. When I'm not at a ballgame, you can find me enjoying a walk with friends in our neighborhood, or playing outdoors with my family and chocolate lab Charley.
Top Ten Things to Know Before You Go to Preschool...
1. When dropping your child off, remember that drop-off time is no earlier than 8:55 am as we have a staff prayer at 8:45 am each morning.
2. Pick-up time is no later than 2:30 pm. Please call the FFP&K office if you know that you will be running late. Late fees will be assessed after 2:40 pm. ($10 at 2:40 pm, and $1 for every minute after 2:40 pm).
3. Due to Covid-19 precautions, we are asking all families to pack one snack for their child each day. We will no longer be providing snacks for the whole class during snack time.
4. Monthly tuition is due at the beginning of each month. There will be a $25 late fee beginning on the 11th day of the month. If tuition has not been paid by the 15th of the month, your student will be dropped from the program. Checks are payable to FUMC Mansfield. Also, we are requesting one check per child, please. If you would prefer to sign up for automatic bank draft, we will be emailing a link to sign up for ABD prior to the start of school.
5. Every day, your child will need to bring extra underwear/diapers, a clean change of clothes, lunch, a water bottle, and nap mat. Please label everything your child brings to school, including bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups, lunch kits, backpacks and nap mats. You do NOT need to bring any school supplies...that's what your registration fee is for!
6. We will provide take home folders for each student. Please check your child’s folder each day and return it back to school the next school day. We will be sending home daily reports for you to read and discuss with your child.
7. Be sure to sign your child in and out each day on the sign-in/sign-out sheets outside of each classroom door. PLEASE help us by making this an important part of your routine when dropping off/picking up your child. This is documentation that the state licensing rep will be depending on, and if everyone does their part, it will help out tremendously. Thank you ahead of time!
8. To maintain a safe environment:
Shoes---All children should wear shoes appropriate for outside play each day (flip flops/crocs/boots are discouraged). Shoes with a strap across the heel or tennis shoes are great!
Jewelry---Please do not send your child to school wearing jewelry (i.e. necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and dangle earrings) as they are a choking hazard and could cause injury while playing on the playground or in the gym.
9. Please try to have your children potty-trained by age three, but also know it is not a requirement -- we will work together if they are not quite there yet!
10. For security reasons, please enter through the wooden doors on the SE side of Building A (Pleasant Ridge) if you have to drop off late or pick up early (any time after 9:20am or before 2:15pm) and check in with the receptionist. During regular drop off (8:55-9:15am) and pick up (2:20-2:30pm) times all the doors will be unlocked, so you may enter through the glass doors near the infant/toddler wing, or through the wooden doors.
Above all please remember...the first few weeks are always an adjustment for all of our kiddos, especially after the difficult year we've had! But, not to worry mom and dad, our teachers are experts at calming fears and making sure each of their students feel loved! The best way to help us with this is to give a quick hug and kiss at the door and leave the rest up to the teachers. Short and sweet drop offs help the kids get into their day quickly, and result in less anxiety and tears.
Important Covid-19 Information
The following are the latest Covid-19 guidelines for First Faith Preschool & Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year:
All teachers, staff and contract staff at FFP&K will wear a mask throughout the school day. Parents and students are not required to wear masks. If a parent prefers their child to wear a mask during the school day, our staff will make every effort to assist the child in doing so (please note, masks will not be worn during nap time).
If a parent reports their child tested positive for Covid-19:
- All families in that class will be notified via email of the positive case (child’s identity will remain confidential). Families in that class will be encouraged to contact their own child’s physician and follow his/her recommendations regarding their child’s health.
- The child that tested positive will be required to quarantine for a period of 14 days from the day they began showing symptoms. The child may return to school after the 14 day quarantine period provided they are symptom free for 24 hours or have a negative Covid-19 test.
If a teacher (or other staff member in contact with your child’s class for 15 minutes or longer) tests positive for Covid-19:
- All families in that class will be notified via email of the positive case (individual’s identity will remain confidential). Families in that class will be encouraged to contact their child’s physician and follow his/her recommendations regarding their child’s health.
- If the staff member is vaccinated, they will be required to quarantine for a period of 10 days from the day they began showing symptoms, or until they are symptom free for 24 hours or have a negative Covid-19 test.
- If the staff member is not vaccinated or chooses not to answer, they will be required to quarantine for a period of 14 days from the day they began showing symptoms. The staff member may return to work after the 14 day quarantine period provided they are symptom free for 24 hours or have a negative Covid-19 test.
If a parent reports their child was exposed to someone with Covid-19 (first degree contact):
- Parents must monitor the child for symptoms. The child may continue to attend school if they remain symptom free. If symptoms develop, the child will be required to quarantine for a period of 14 days or until symptom free for 24 hours or have a negative Covid-19 test, and other families in that class will be notified via email.
If a teacher or other staff member is exposed to someone with Covid-19 (first degree contact):
- If vaccinated: The staff member may continue to work as long as they are not showing symptoms. If symptoms develop, the staff member must quarantine for a period of 10 days or until 24 hours symptom free or have a negative Covid-19 test, and families in that class will be notified via email.
- If unvaccinated or chooses not to answer: The staff member must quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of exposure and may return to work after the quarantine period as long as symptoms do not develop. If symptoms develop, they must restart their 14 day quarantine from the date symptoms began and be symptom free for 24 hours or have a negative Covid-19 test before returning to work, and families in that class will be notified via email.
First Faith is a Peanut-Free Campus!
Please remember to bring a healthy peanut-free lunch for your child. Also, try to keep cookies and other sweets a treat for after school! Our students go down for rest time after lunch, so we need to keep sugar to a minimum. Thank you!
Check it off your list...
Still have paperwork that needs to be turned in?? All required forms are available on our website! They can be found under “DOWNLOADS” at www.firstfaithkids.org. All students are required to have a completed Medical Form along with shot record. Tables will be set up in the gym at Meet the Teacher night (Thursday, Sept. 2nd) to turn in your child’s completed forms. Also under “CALENDAR”, you will find a Calendar of Events for the 2021-2022 school year.
Your child’s medical form and a copy of shot records are due on or before the first day of school (September 7th for TTH & M-TH classes or September 8th for MW classes). Forms can be downloaded from our website under “Downloads”. Your child will not be able to come to school until these state required forms are received. Please note we no longer have a fax machine; however, you can scan and email the medical form and shot records to Amy Strathman at amys@fmcm.org. Thank you!
What Should My Child Bring to School Each Day?
12-17 months & 18-23 months
-Backpack, nap mat, blanket, and any comfort items (a pacifier or small blanket/stuffed animal are fine to bring)
-Change of clothes
-2 diapers labeled with child’s name and extras in the backpack
-Sippy cup (name on lid and cup)
-Lunch (cut into bite-sized pieces and peanut-free please)
Two Year Olds
-Backpack, nap mat, blanket, and any comfort items (small blanket or stuffed animal)
-Change of clothes
-2 diapers or pull-ups labeled with child’s name and extras in the backpack
-Sippy cup (name on lid and cup)
-Lunch (cut into bite-sized pieces and peanut-free please)
Threes & Fours
-Backpack, nap mat, blanket, and any comfort items (small blanket or stuffed animal)
-Change of clothes
-Water bottle
-Lunch (peanut-free please)
Kindergarten
-Backpack
-Change of clothes
-Water bottle
-Lunch (peanut-free please)
*** Please remember to label ALL items with your child's name!!! ***
Chapel Days on Mondays & Tuesdays
Chapel time is a fun time of worship each Monday and Tuesday morning for our threes, fours and kinder students. Depending on your student's chapel day, which will be either Monday or Tuesday (if you're a 4-day family, your teacher will let you know), you will drop your child off at 9:00am in our sanctuary (Building B). The children get to come up on stage and sing and dance to fun worship songs, then listen to an interactive Bible story shared by their teachers! Parents, you are welcome to sit in the pews and watch chapel time if you like.
Chapel days will begin on September 13th and 14th!
Please keep in mind chapel only lasts about 15 minutes so, on chapel days, we ask that you drop off your child in the sanctuary first then take their belongings to their locker. We do not want your child to miss out on any of this precious time in the sanctuary! Also, please remember chapel is only for our threes, fours and kinder students...but the twos students will get to attend during the spring semester! If you have a two year old, your child's teacher will give you more info about chapel as we get closer to the spring semester.
Welcome to Music Together
My name is Cora Lansdowne and I will be your child’s Music Together teacher at FFPK this year! I am excited to share music with your children and to guide them in their music development. Early Childhood is an excellent time to start fostering musical growth, and yes, even in toddlers! Music is a powerful learning tool and your child's music education this year will go far beyond singing songs once a week.
You will receive more information and materials for Music Together in School at Meet the Teacher Night, but you are welcome to go ahead and download the Hello Everybody App on your device now. You will be able to access several Music Together songs immediately and then when you receive your materials, you will be given an access code for the specific songs we will be working on this year at FFPK. Here’s the fun part: Through your Music Together take home materials, you can connect to what your child is learning in school - and be inspired to sing, dance, and jam along at home. You are an important part of your child’s musical journey!
Want to know more?
Stretch-n-Grow Classes
First Faith recognizes the importance of early childhood physical education, which is why we have chosen Stretch-n-Grow, the world’s largest network of children’s fitness professionals, to work with our students each week. The program is designed to promote exercise and wellness and to assist parents and teachers in developing good health and fitness habits in young children. Mrs. Shannon, a nationally certified youth fitness trainer and long-time SNG teacher at First Faith, will be back again this year to teach these fun classes!
TOT Classes at First Faith
Teams of Tomorrow (TOT) will be offering after school classes for our First Faith students beginning in September! Classes focus on academic concepts along with athletic and agility skills. Your child will learn 25 ball skills, will have 2 opportunities to preform, and will be engaged mentally, physically and socially!
TOT classes will be offered to potty trained 3-5 year olds after school in the gym. Be sure to visit Ms. TOT at Meet the Teacher Night, September 2nd, to find out more information including registration and tuition fees.
Jennifer Spiegel - jenniferspiegel@teamsoftomorrow.com
About Us
Email: brittnib@fmcm.org
Website: firstfaithkids.org
Location: 777 North Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield, TX, USA
Phone: 817-473-2785
Facebook: facebook.com/ffpkmansfield