I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and that your time was blessed with family and relaxation. The Christmas season is ramping up and will be in FULL SWING by next week! We are busy decorating classrooms, creating Christmas art and treasures and preparing our Christmas songs for Grandparents’ Day and our Happy Birthday Jesus celebration.

There are several BIG events and happenings this month. Please be sure to read about them here to stay in the loop and to ensure you do not miss out on any of the holiday fun! 🙂

UPCOMING EVENTS: PLEASE READ!

Christmas Breakfast & Kids’ Only Store – December 8th – RSVP Required

This event is a special time for families to enjoy a breakfast together during the holiday season. The kids are especially excited to “shop” for family members (guided by volunteers) at the Kids’ Only store!

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY – Friday, December 14th – Minimum Day

Grandparents’ Day is a special day for Grandparents’ and/or special ‘elder’ friends to enjoy a morning of festivities at the preschool. Invitations with RSVP cards were sent to everyone who requested one.

RSVPs are required for this event. If you did not request an invitation, please fill out this form and return by MONDAY, December 3rd to aandrews@pcs.school or to the preschool office.

Rooms 1 & 2 – 9:00 – 11:30 – Grandparents will attend the show in the PCS auditorium at 9:00. After the hour-long show, they will enjoy time in the classrooms with their grandchild(ren). Rooms 1 & 2 students will sing a medley of songs in the PCS concert. Students should dress in festive attire and arrive TO THE CLASSROOM NO LATER THAN 8:30am. Grandparents should park on the PCS field.

Rooms 3, 4 & 5 – 10:30 – 11:30 – Grandparents will enjoy classroom festivities with their little ones. The students will then sing a selection of songs for their elder friends at 11:00.

If your child will be leaving with his/her grandparent or elder friend, please be sure they are listed on your pick-up list. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! – Saturday, December 15th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm  – This is one of our biggest events of the year and will be held on the PCS CAMPUS! You won’t want to miss this one as students perform a selection of songs, enjoy pizza and cake, and get to participate in games, crafts, and more! Please be on the lookout for the HBJ invitations and emails coming soon! DRESS IN CASUAL, but FUN & FESTIVE ATTIRE!

Pajama & Hot Cocoa Days – December 18 & 19 – Students wear their PJs to school and we provide hot cocoa, popcorn, and a special Christmas movie!

Christmas Chapel (Rooms 1 & 2, TK-8th Grade) – Wednesday, Dec. 19, 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Rooms 1 & 2 will perform their Christmas song for the PCS chapel! Feel free to watch the chapel in the auditorium. Be sure to drop your child off in the classroom by 8:30!

Preschool Picture Day (Lifetouch Photos)! January 28 & 29th  – These photos are ‘traditional school portraits’. We will need one parent per day to assist the photographer. You will receive 50% off your photo package for assisting. Please let the office know if you are interested.

Graduation Photos (Lifetouch) – ROOMS 1 & 2 – January 30th – These photos are for students who will be graduating out of our preschool. Students will get to wear an adorable cap and gown for this photo!

NEWS, NOTES & MORE

Intent to Enroll 2019-2020 – To prepare for the 2019-2020 school year re-enrollment period, we will be sending out an Intent to Enroll form on December 3rd via email and hard copy in your child’s mailbox. This form reserves your re-enrollment package and confirms your desire to stay at PCS for the following school year. You are guaranteed your current schedule provided you submit your form and complete re-enrollment processes by the deadlines. Desired schedule changes are based on availability and processed in the order they are received.

PCS Observation Day – December 6th @ 9:00 – If you are interested in PCS for your rising TK/Kindergartener, please come to one of our Observation Days. You will hear from Dr. Gray, view classrooms, and see us “in action!” Sign up online!

Community Events – Enjoy all the preschool-friendly fun our community has to offer for the holidays such as Descanso Garden’s Enchanted Forest, , Old Pasadena’s Santa Through the Season, Snow Day at Kidspace, viewing the lights on Christmas Tree Lane, and of course, the annual Float Viewing! Love lights? Here are some of the best displays!

PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP (PTF):

Volunteer opportunities are available! Check back regularly as events are added as the year progresses.  Please follow this link: https://signup.com/group/1186271400029

CLASSROOM TEACHER TREATS: 

December 13 – Parents of Room 4 (THURSDAY)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEACHERS!!!

December 14th – Miss Kristen (Room 3)

December 25th – Mrs. Jen (Room 1)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, December 6 – PCS Observation Day

Saturday, December 8 – Christmas Breakfast and Kids’ Only Store

Friday, December 14 – Grandparents’ Day – MINIMUM DAY

Saturday, December 15 – Happy Birthday Jesus Party (10am-12pm)

December 18 & 19 – PJ and Hot Cocoa Day (children should wear PJs to school!)

December 19 – Rooms 1 & 2 performance in PCS chapel (9:00 – 10:00)

December 19 – MINIMUM DAY

December 25 – January 4 – Christmas Holidays – School Closed

January 7 – School in Session – Regular Business Hours Resume

Thursday, January 17 – PCS Observation Day

January 21 – MLK JR. DAY – School Closed

January 28 & 29 – Preschool Photos (Lifetouch)

January 30 – Rooms 1 & 2 Graduation Photos

Friday, February 8 – Moonlight Magic (Register via the PCS website)

February 12 & 13 – HEAR Center hearing screenings

Thursday, February 14 – PCS “Love” Run Fundraiser

Friday, February 15 – Teacher In-Service Day – No Students

Monday, February 18 – Presidents’ Day – School Closed

November kicks off LOADS of fun in preschool…from Apple and Pumpkin Day celebrations to Thanksgiving and Christmas; there is no shortage of holiday fun over the next few months.

NOVEMBER CURRICULUM

Our November curriculum will focus on friendship, farm life, harvest, and Thanksgiving. Our older pod will take a BIG field trip to Underwood Farms and of course, we spend time reading the book Stone Soup to prepare for our annual Stone Soup celebration!

3 Skills Sheet_November

Click the link to find out which skills we will be focusing on. Please remember that the skills listed are the overarching objectives to be learned by the end of Pre-K. In general, our two year olds will begin investigations with these skills, three year olds will explore and and expand on these skills, while the Pre-K students (entering kindergarten next fall) will refine and gain mastery. As always, social-emotional and spiritual learning is at the forefront of all that we do in preschool as it is the basis of being able to learn successfully

HOUSEKEEPING:

Just a reminder that we are CLOSED in observance of Veteran’s Day – November 12

THANK YOU to all the parents who helped at our Site Work Day. The yard and classrooms look absolutely beautiful!

Fall weather brings cooler temperatures (well…hopefully anyway!). Please be sure to update your child’s cubby box with season-appropriate clothing and send a sweater during cooler days. The playground can be chilly in the mornings.

NEWS, NOTES & MORE

Eligible for TK/K in 2019-2020? Be sure to attend the Kindergarten Meet and Greet on Saturday, November 10th. This is for PCS preschool students only and is a fabulous opportunity to meet the PCS teachers and visit the classrooms WITH your students!

*see notes in Admissions Section for more info.

Staffing Updates:

Welcome back, Mrs. Joy! Mrs. Joy will be returning from maternity leave to her position as Assistant Director on November 5th. Ms. Sheri (who has been doing a fabulous job at our desk!) will be heading to the Younger Pod as their Outdoor Curriculum Specialist.

Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to Ms. I-Chieh (our long term substitute in the Younger Pod) as she has accepted a full time job beginning November 5th. She will be missed, but we are so proud of her for securing a full time teaching position!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Please be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, December 15th from 10-12. This is our annual HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS party! The children will sing a selection of songs for you on the PCS stage and then everyone will enjoy crafts, games, lunch and more on the PCS courts.

Saturday, November 3 – Fall Family Festival – JOIN THE FUN! There are games, prizes, rides, and more…fun for the whole family! Tickets are available at the door.

Wednesday, November 7 – Annual Playopolis Toy Sale – Our annual toy sale begins next week and will run for 1 week. Get an early start to Christmas shopping; proceeds benefit our school!

November 15 – PCS orchestra visits preschool – the PCS orchestra will play a selection of songs and demonstrate their instruments to the students

Friday, November 16 – Older Pod Field Trip to Underwood Farms

Please remember to fill out your forms and make your payment through Smart Tuition. Thank you in advance to all the chaperones who will be helping to make this field trip a great success!

PARENT TEACHER FELLOWSHIP (PTF):

CLASSROOM TEACHER TREATS: 

November 16 – Parents of Room 3 – Look for emails from your Room Parents.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Volunteer opportunities are available! CLICK HERE to register for all-school events through signup.com!

Meal Train Opportunities! (2 MVP HOURS EACH MEAL PROVIDED)

BABIES, BABIES, BABIES! This year, have about TWELVE (and counting!) families welcoming new members to their family! Please help us bless them with a meal.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEACHERS!!!

November 27 – Ms. Pam

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: 

Click Here for FULL 2018-2019 Calendar

November 3 – Fall Family Festival – JOIN THE FUN!

November 12 – Veteran’s Day – School Closed

November 15 – PCS Observation Day and PCS Orchestra to play at Preschool

November 16 – Underwood Family Farms Older Pod Field Trip

November 19 & 20 – Stone Soup Days (lunch provided)

November 21 – 23 – Thanksgiving Break  – School Closed

December 6 – PCS Observation Day (tell your friends!)

Saturday, December 8 – PCS Christmas Breakfast & Kids-only Christmas Store

December 14 – Grandparents’ Day / Minimum Day

December 15 – Happy Birthday Jesus Party –  (attendance HIGHLY encouraged!)

December 18 & 19 – PJ and Hot Cocoa Day – wear your PJs!

December 19 – Minimum Day

December 20 – January 4 – Christmas Holidays

January 7 – School Resumes

ADMISSIONS & RE-ENROLLMENT INFO

Admissions season has begun (hard to believe, I know!!)

If your child is TK eligible (age 5 by Dec. 31 2019)  or Kindergarten eligible (age 5 by Aug. 31 2019) for the 2019-2020 school year, we encourage you to attend the specical PCS Preschool Family Meet and Greet on November 10th. RSVP to Betty St. Peter.

You may also opt to attend a PCS Observation Day! Our next one is November 15. Tell your friends about us, too! We LOVE referrals 🙂 Sign up here: http://www.pasadenachristian.org/admissions/tour.cfm

**If your kinder-eligible child does not attend 5 days per week, be sure to check out our monthly skills sheets and chat with the teachers about readiness activities you can do at home to ensure your child is kindergarten-ready** 🙂

TK/K Enrollment: For current preschool families entering PCS TK/K in the fall, there is no separate application…simply fill out the Intent to Enroll form which will be distributed in December.

Preschool Re-enrollment – You will receive an “Intent to Enroll” form at the beginning of December asking you to choose your desired program (2, 3 or 5 days) for 2019-2020 .  Please watch for this form as we create enrollment packages based on this form

Referrals: Do you have friends who would enjoy our school? Send them our way! If you love them, we will love them too!!! Applications for 2019-2020 are available on our website for new students.