St. Michael Preschool News
Growing with God... August 2021
Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!
Through several short videos and text, this newsletter serves to provide you with important information and updates including a Welcome from our Pastor, Fr. Michael, Preschool Programming including our new diocesan preschool standards, the NCDHHS health and safety protocols, Arrival and Dismissal procedures, and how to use the new Realm Community Newsfeed tool. Please look for a separate email from your child's teachers with their orientation video.
Thank you for entrusting your child to our loving care and for your support and prayers. Please reach out to the preschool office with any questions. We can't wait to see you soon!
Blessings,
Lisa Ciesla, Director
Welcome from Fr. Michael Burbeck, Pastor, St. Michael Church
Prayer for a New School Year
Dear God,
We thank you for this new school year and we ask that you bless the children, parents, and teachers that make our school a joyful place to play, learn, and grow.
We pray that you will keep us healthy and safe and guide us in your ways as we grow in our love of your son, Jesus Christ.
Strengthen our school community so that we will seek your will in everything we say and do, and love others as you love us.
We ask this in your name.
Amen
Welcome from Miss Lisa Ciesla, Preschool Director
New Diocesan Preschool Standards
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This past year, the Diocese of Raleigh Preschool/Early Childhood Standards (PS/ECC) were revised. The implementation of these standards will occur this year. All preschool/early childhood teachers within our diocese will attend training to implement the standards.
The PS/ECC standards are intended for use in all Diocese of Raleigh preschools and early childhood centers. They have been designed to include overarching standards, achievement standards, and age-level goals. The standards cover ages 2 through pre-kindergarten, outline the level of competency expected of students at each age, and are aligned to the North Carolina Foundations of Early Learning and Development. Catholic Identity is infused throughout the standards. Assessments will support the student’s learning and provide useful information for the teacher, student, and parent.
Children enter preschool programs with a vast diversity in experiences, language, culture, development, and ability, therefore, the standards are created to occur in a continuum. This will help promote a successful transition from preschool to kindergarten, which supports students' future social/emotional and academic success. Using a newly created narrative progress report, all PS/ECC's will share children's growth and development with parents.
Overview of Preschool Standards, Curriculum, Instruction, & Parent Communication
2021-2022 Operating Plan & Parent Handbook
Overview of NCDHHS COVID-19 Preschool Protocols
Emergency Contacts
St. Michael Preschool uses Blackboard Connect, a one-call message service to notify parents of unplanned school closings, emergencies, or other important preschool information. Your child’s "Head 1" Phone Number in Realm will be used for non-emergency Blackboard Connect broadcast messages (ex: weather closures/director updates).
In case of an emergency during school hours, a Blackboard Connect broadcast message will be sent to all parent phone numbers on record in Realm ("Head 1" and "Head 2" ) and the emergency contacts listed in your child's Realm Profile.
**ACTION REQUESTED**
Please take a moment to Log Into Realm and confirm your phone numbers and emergency contacts are up to date in Realm. Once logged in, click on the Profile Link in the upper right-hand corner. Note: emergency contacts are listed in your child's profile.
Meet the Teacher
August 25 - 27
These programs are designed to allow your child to meet their teachers and transition back to school in a supportive way while adhering to the recommendation of NCDHHS to limit the number of visitors entering the preschool at a given time. Your child's teachers are looking forward to meeting you!
For your scheduled day and time, please refer to the Meet the Teacher SignUp Genius emailed from your child's teachers.
Wed., 8/25 - Clifford, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit and M/W Roo
Thurs., 8/26 - Pooh, Piglet and T/TH Roo
Fri., 8/27 - Kanga
During your “Meet the Teacher” session your teacher will provide you with a few documents to complete and return to school. This includes your child's Carpool/Pick Up Authorization Card and Acknowledgement of the Operating Plan & Parent Handbook. In addition to these Student Documents, keep in mind the following student documents must be on file in the preschool office before your child may begin school. These documents can be emailed (scan or photograph) to mlanuti@stmcary.org.
- Birth Certificate (new students only)
- Immunization Report
- Statement of Health Form
- Emergency Care Plan (Food Allergy) and/or Orders for Medication Administration (if applicable)
STUDENT ORIENTATION
Week of August 30
Please refer to the email you received noting the date and time for your child's orientation days. These 1-hour student orientation sessions will provide your child with a supportive and positive transition back to school.
Once your child completes the health screening, we will ask you to say a quick goodbye, and then a teacher will escort your child to class. In small groups, the children will have fun playing and exploring their classroom while getting to know their classmates and teachers.
At the end of the session, please plan to meet your child at your assigned outdoor dismissal location.
Music & Movement with Miss Karen
PARENT RESOURCES
Extended Day Programs
Early Arrival, Lunch Programs and Adventure Camp:
Please see our Extended Day Registration Newsletter or our Extended Day Webpage for information regarding our Extended Day Programing. You may also find this Intro to Extended Day Video helpful.
Ready to register for Extended Day?
Classroom Realm Groups and Class Newsfeed
Want to connect with other parents in your child's class? In August, the Realm Newsfeed function will be available to all classroom parents. Realm Newsfeed offers an opportunity for families within your class to connect and network, encouraging fellowship among our community. Teachers will use Realm Newsfeeds to communicate class activities, upcoming events, and updates. Please view our Parent Introduction to Realm Newsfeeds Video for more information and user tips. (Note: all groups are private and limited to Classroom Parents, Teachers, and Administration)
Ready to get started?
Select “Groups” in the left menu bar
Select the Group you wish to view, for example, Clifford Class Parent Group
Now is a great time to ensure your Realm Privacy and Notification Settings are set to your liking. Please see your Privacy and Notifications Settings in your Realm Profile (Log into Realm then see the upper right-hand corner of your Realm home screen)
Show Your School Spirit
Celebrate St. Michael Preschool with our fun merchandise! T-shirts in child sizes available for $16, school bags $5, all with our cute school logo!
Order your Preschool Merch Today, Click Here to Order
Payment will be processed at the time of order. All sales are final, no refunds or returns. T-shirt delivery approximately 6 weeks. Due to potential supply chain issues, our vendor is experiences colors may vary.
Thank you for your support!
Allergy Sensitive Snacks
Safe Snack
- Children will bring their own snack to school. We ask that it be just one or two items that can be easily enjoyed by your child.
- Snacks may NOT contain peanuts/nuts or peanut/nut products. This includes foods that have been produced/processed in a plant with nut products.
- Avoid potential choking hazards - all grapes, cherries, and mini tomatoes need to be cut in half. Popcorn and hard candy are not permitted.
- The combination of complex carbohydrates (fruits, veggies, and whole grains) with protein and heart-healthy fats, help children to maintain their energy levels for longer periods of time, thereby increasing your child's "learning ready" time.
- Snacks should include, when possible, natural foods that are high in protein and fiber, while low in sugars.
- Please send your child with a labeled water bottle from home or teachers will provide a disposable paper cup since water fountains will not be used.
- To avoid unnecessary sugars, only water (no juice) should be sent to school.
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