GUMC Preschool

On behalf of our entire preschool staff and board here at GUMC, we welcome our new and returning students and families to the 2023-2024 school year!

This will be my seventh year as Director at GUMC after having taught here for fifteen years. I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to serve so many families over the years and to honor God in the process!

Again, this year, I get to support our wonderful staff in welcoming and guiding our youngest learners as they begin their first school experiences. I am happy to partner with YOU, our GUMC families, to inspire you to DREAM BIG for your children’s future. It’s never too early to set your child on a strong foundation to reach their full potential and GUMC Preschool is where it starts! Your children are capable of so many things - prepare to be amazed at their progress! True to our mission statement, we promise to provide a loving Christian learning environment open to students of all faiths, that develops caring, responsible children who are not only ready for kindergarten, but are curious and creative life-long learners.

Speaking of caring, our theme for this school year comes from Proverbs 16:24:

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Research shows that encouraging kindness in early childhood education helps children develop behaviors that have value far beyond their school years. When we focus on kindness, we send the message of its value. Modeling and encouraging kind words and behavior creates a caring classroom community, and prioritizing kindness helps children see the impact of the words they use and actions they take on other people and their environment. Furthermore, children who learn to treat others with respect and generosity in their classroom community can carry these values outside the classroom and throughout their lives. Research also suggests that acts of kindness in our classrooms have meaningful ripple effects in our larger communities. In other words, kindness is contagious!

Of course, we cannot do any of this without YOU, our GUMC families! Together, we’re better in inspiring your children’s curiosity and building dreams for their future! We love our GUMC Bears and appreciate you for trusting us with their care and sharing them with us each day.

During the year we will offer you a variety of ways to be part of our learning community. Join us! We are here to support you and your child in your parenting and school journeys. Get involved in your child’s education and watch them grow! Together, we’re better. Let’s make this a great year!

Blessings and "bee kind",

Kim Wissman

Director

9/4 HAPPY LABOR DAY! GUMC CLOSED.

9/5 Open Houses for TuTh Older 2's and 3's, M-Th and M-F Pre-K Classes. (Assigned times per family)

9/6 Open Houses for MWF 3's and Pre-K Classes. First day of Class for M-Th and M-F Pre-K.

9/7 First Day of Class for TuTh Older 2's and 3's. Parent Orientation Meeting Option #1 at 9:30am in Church Sanctuary upstairs.

9/8 First Day of Class for MWF 3's and Pre-K. Parent Orientation Meeting Option #2 at 9:30am in Church Sanctuary upstairs.

9/15 GUMC CLOSED, HCPSS Closed.

9/18 Joe Corbi's & Claire's Gourmet Fundraiser begins and runs through 10/13.

9/20 First Music Classes with Ms. Amy

9/21 First Music Classes with Ms. Amy

9/25 GUMC CLOSED, HCPSS Closed.

9/27 Music with Ms. Amy

9/28 Music with Ms. Amy

It is normal for both parents and children to experience many different emotions at the beginning of a new school year. There are so many questions about this new place, new routines, new teachers and new friends - not to mention being left behind in the morning by mom, dad or another trusted caregiver! The following article by Elana Helfgott offers some good advice on dealing with the separation anxiety that children might experience until they develop the trust to feel comfortable in their new preschool:

https://parentguidenews.com/articles/child-development/easing-preschool-separation-anxiety/