St. Michael Preschool News
Growing with God... February 19, 2022
Dear St. Michael Preschool Families,
It is hard to believe that March is almost here! What a blessing that we have been able to learn together in person since August. Together we continue to face this unique and unprecedented year with unity and great faith.
I am in conversation with our pastor, Fr. Michael, other church leadership, and diocesan preschool directors regarding the most recent recommendations from Governor Cooper and Health Secretary Kinsley. We are awaiting an update to our preschool NC DHHS toolkit that reflects these changes. I will share information as soon as it becomes available. However, a change that will begin next week, is that masks will no longer be required outside during arrival and dismissal. However, please remember to be considerate of teachers and other families by social distancing. We thank you in advance for your continued support.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 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 become 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
March 2 - Ash Wednesday Early Dismissal at 12:00 pm
March 22-25 - St. Joseph/Bike Day w/Dad (see below for assigned class day)
March 29 & 30 - Class Pictures
April 14 - 24 – Preschool Closed for Easter Break
April 25 – Preschool Reopens
Limited Preschool Seats Remain for Next School Year! *Register Today*
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!
PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS
We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Our preschoolers created sweet valentines for patients at the Ronald McDonald House and friends at the Senior Center. Thank you for keeping our elderly and the Ronald McDonald House families in your prayers.
And, the teachers, Miss Michele, and I thank you for making our hearts smile with the many thoughtful gifts of appreciation on Valentine's Day!
Ash Wednesday Lesson
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 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
DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Thank you, Dr. Tara Bell of Bell Family Dentistry for generously donating a toothbrush and other dental supplies to every child. We are very grateful for the continued support from this preschool alumni family!
"Together we can do great things!" Mother Teresa
Thank you for your wonderful support of our Catholic Schools Week service project supporting the Ronald McDonald House. We are so grateful for your many donations!
St. Joseph's Day & Bike Day w/Dad's
CALLING ALL PRESCHOOL DADS - SAVE the DATE!
The St. Joseph’s Day celebration with dads will be held March 22 – 25. 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.
Tuesday - March 22
Pooh - 9:45
Owl - 11:45
Wednesday - March 23
Kanga - 9:45
Rabbit - 11:45
Thursday - March 24
Piglet - 9:45
Tigger - 11:45
Friday - March 25
Clifford - 11:45
ST. JUDE TRIKE-A-THON
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.
Your involvement is a big part of making this fundraiser a success and participation is easy:
Please 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.
ROO PALS
IMPORTANT PRESCHOOL HEALTH & SAFETY REMINDERS
RETURN TO SCHOOL POLICY UPDATE
Families have three options if their child develops ANY of the COVID exclusionary symptoms:
- stay home for 5 days from when symptoms first began, AND RETURN TO SCHOOL WEARING A MASK FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5 DAYS, or
- get a negative COVID test, or
- get a note of alternate diagnosis from the pediatrician
It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to understand and follow all health and safety protocols.
NC DHHS COVID Guidelines for Preschools
If your CHILD or ANYONE in your household is not feeling well, experiencing any symptoms, or awaiting COVID test results, your child MUST stay home.
Exclusionary symptoms now include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
KANGA, POOH, & PIGLET PALS
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 )
COVID-19 TESTING IS AVAILABLE ON ST. MICHAEL CAMPUS
Please do not send your child(ren) to school if anyone in your household is awaiting COVID test results or exhibiting any COVID symptoms, even if the person with symptoms is vaccinated!
If your child is sick, and you would like for the St. Michael School nurses to conduct a COVID test, they would be happy to coordinate a time for you to bring your child to campus. Simply contact them at nursegroup@stmcary.org or call 919-468-6156.
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
ADVENTURE CAMP IS BACK!
If your child would love extra time learning and playing with friends, REGISTER HERE
Thursday, March 3 - Super Sculpture
Wednesday, March 9 - Little PicassoCost: $13.00 per camp. Send a nut-free lunch with your child. Dismissal: 2:00 pm.
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
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.
As the seasons are changing, please remember to send in a cold-weather change of clothes for your child. Thank you!
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 all call communication system through the primary phone, text message, and email provided. 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 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.
PROJECT ENLIGHTENMENT
OWL, RABBIT, & TIGGER PALS
FAMILY FUN
MUSIC & MOVEMENT W/MISS KAREN
Dear Families,
Happy Spring! The sun is shining and the chilly days of winter are beginning to melt away! We will be singing and dancing to songs about spring, nutrition, Lent, St. Patrick's Day and money/factory for my Clifford Pals! Here is a sample of the songs that your children will be hearing! As always, if I can answer any musical questions, please send me an email to kallen@stmcary.org. I am happy to pass along songs lyrics, song files, etc.
Lenten Song - to the tune of Frere Jacque
Prayer, fasting, and giving (Praying hands, rub belly, put hands out)
We are meant to repent (Beat chest lightly)
40 days in all
Kindness big and small (arms BIG and then SMALL)
This is Lent, This is Lent (one hand out at a time)
You must watch Jack Hartmann's Money Song and Fruit Salad Salsa by Laurie Berkner. They just might get stuck in your head! We will use scarves and move to Let's Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins.
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!
Finally, thank you so much for all of the sweet notes, cards, flowers, treats and sweets that you sent my way for Valentine's day! Although I cannot thank each of you individually, please know that your generosity is so appreciated! I certainly felt the love!
May God bless you and your families!
Ms. Karen
PARISH ATHLETICS
ParishAthleticsNC.org has opened registration for the Spring 2022 Soccer and Baseball Season.
Spring Soccer (Apex-Cary)
Grades: Coed; Pre-K (3-year-olds) to 8th.
Dates: March to May.
Practice Locations: Apex or Cary, you pick.
Game Locations: Apex & Cary.
Cost: Pre-K $60; K – 8th Grade $65; (includes a medal, shirt, and picnic).
Note: Pre-k players have a combined practice/game on Saturdays. Kindergarteners to 8th graders have one-weekday practice per week.
Spring T-ball & Machine-pitch (Apex)
Grades: Coed. Pre-K (4-year-olds) to 4th grade.
Dates: April to May.
Cost: $65 (includes a medal, shirt, hat, and picnic).
Practice & Game Location: Apex
Note: Pre-k players have a combined practice/game on Saturdays. Kindergarteners to 4th grade have one-weekday practice per week.
Format: Pre-k & Kindergarteners play T-ball and 1st to 4th graders play Machine-pitch.
CLIFFORD PALS
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