Dear Preschool Families,

We have enjoyed celebrating Valentine's Day in our classes this week. We decided that we all need some extra love right now. We had so much fun together sharing Valentine stories, making Valentine crafts, working on our Valentine learning activities, doing Valentine science experiments, and singing Valentine songs. Thank you so much for the many treats (especially the bundt cakes) that you shared with our Staff. We have felt lots of LOVE this week.

Just a reminder that we will not have preschool on Monday, February 21st because the FMSD will be closed in recognition of President's Day.

Much love,

Ms. Linda

Director - Unity Preschool

Our next Color Day is Thursday, March 17 and it will be GREEN DAY! We are looking forward to searching for the Leprechaun that causes mischief in our Preschool every St. Patrick's Day!

Unity Presbyterian Church is thrilled to bring back in-person Vacation Bible School this summer. VBS will be held Monday, June 13 - Thursday, June 16 from 9 am - 12 pm for children in rising 4K-4th grade. Mission Camp will be held concurrently for children currently in rising 5th and 6th grade. This year's theme is Food Truck Party! Get ready to cook up some fun and get on a roll with God!

Registration will open for Unity families, grandchildren of Unity members, and Unity Preschool families (current Three's and Four's students) starting on March 7th. Registration opens to the public on March 21. We’re currently looking for committee leaders to assist with planning of: Music, Crafts & Science, Recreation, Decorations, and Bible Storytelling, as well as additional volunteers for snacks, nursery, sound, and photography. If you are interested in volunteering, you can e-mail Linda Bunge and she will connect you.

Ms. Becca Haltiwanger is in her second year at Unity Preschool. She is currently our Lead Teacher in our Three’s (Monkey) class and works with Ms. Beth. Ms. Becca is a former second grade teacher, turned stay at home mom, until rejoining the teaching world last year here at Unity!

Ms. Becca and her husband, Jeremy, have three children: Skylar and Reece (students at Fort Mill Elementary School) and Hattie (a student at Unity in 4k). All three children have attended Unity Preschool. Ms. Becca and her family are actively involved in the ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill.

Here are a few of Ms. Becca’s favorites:

Favorite Foods: Mexican and dark chocolate

Favorite Music: Country and Contemporary Christian

Favorite Book: “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. This book shows God’s redeeming love and His grace towards us in a powerful way.

Favorite Movie: “Steel Magnolias”

Favorite Activities: Reading any chance I get, spending time with family, soaking up the sun, shopping and getting manicures!

*Preschool Closed:

President's Day Holiday: Monday, February 21

Spring Break: April 11 thru April 15

*Four's Conferences: Conferences for Ms. Maureen's class will be February 23 and 24 and conferences for Ms. Elizabeth's class will be March 1 and 2. You should have received an e-mail with a sign-up link earlier this month.

*Warm Jackets and Hats: We go outside if the temperature is above freezing and it is not rainy or too wet. Please send your child in warm jackets, hats and mittens. They need and enjoy fresh air and exercise!

*Registration Update: We had a successful registration in January and we are full in all of our classes for the 2022-23 school year!

*Folder Reminder: Please remember to empty your child's folder at least every week!

*Tuition Withdrawal: Our next tuition withdrawal date will be Tuesday, March 1st.

Thank you for your faithfulness in keeping your child home if you or your child are not feeling well. We had to close two classes in late January (Four's - Owls; Three's - Monkey) because a child in those classes tested positive. Fortunately, none of the students or Staff tested positive after the close contact.

Please be mindful of symptoms and test if you are not sure. If you have a positive test in your household or a close contact situation, please let Ms. Linda or your child's teacher know so that we can alert classmates and determine proper quarantine times if needed.

You can receive four free tests from this website: https://www.covidtests.gov/ Employer insurance plans are also supposed to cover at-home tests so it is a good idea to have some on-hand.

COVID-19 CURRENT Update for 2021-22:

Quarantine Students: 6 (each class has at least one student quarantined this week).

Positive Test Students: 3 (none of the positive tests impacted classes because the students were home because of a family member close contact situation and/or the positive test occurred after 48 hours of being in contact with classmates)

Quarantine Staff: 1

Positive Test Staff: 1

COVID-19 CUMULATIVE for 2021-22:

Positive Test Students: 12 (all have tested positive during or since Christmas Break).

Quarantine Classes: 2 (Monkey (missed 1 day) and Fish (missed 2 days)

Quarantine Staff: 2 (September and February)

Positive Test Staff: 1 (February)