Hello Everyone,

We have so much to do and look forward to in October…

Oh my gosh…we need squash!

We are collecting pumpkins, squash, and gourds of all shapes and sizes in the preschool lobby the week of October 2^nd and creating our very own Preschool Pumpkin Patch!

If you would like to contribute, every $20 donation counts towards 1 hour of MVP.

After we refresh the preschool on Parent Site Work Day, Saturday, October 7^th, we will redistribute all our squash across the campus from the Outdoor Classroom to Rooms 1 through 5.

Thanks to everyone who has already donated! We can’t wait to see how big our Pumpkin Patch will become.

Preschool Chapel – Thursday, October 5^th

Our second chapel of the year is here! For our first chapel together, we focused on the Creation Story. We are now moving on to Adam and Eve and discussing the power of choices, consequences, and God’s love.

Our Chapel Overview

Parent Site Work Day – Saturday, October 7^th 

Parent Site Work Day is just around the corner!

Don’t miss out on your chance to help our preschool, build community, and earn those MVP hours.

There are two ways to participate in this year’s event.

1. Donate materials/supplies. (Every $20 spent is worth 1 hr. of MVP.)
2. Help at the event. (Psst…volunteering to work at this event is worth double hours. Work 2 and receive 4. ) 

We will clean classrooms, power wash the patios, add sand and woodchips, and more. Please use the SignUp.com link below to join in all the fun.

We’re using SignUp.com to organize. Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:

1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/KLRdmBA  

2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.

3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone.

Teacher In-Service Day – Friday, October 13^th 

It is time for a teacher in-service day. These days are crucial and provide us the much-needed time for training, planning, preparation, and cleaning that can’t be achieved while the children are on campus. We are grateful for these opportunities to grow and improve all we do in service to the children and families.

The Great ShakeOut – Thursday, October 19^th

Once again, the main campus and preschool will participate in the Great California ShakeOut. This will be a full earthquake drill involving practicing “Bunnies in the Hole,” aka duck & cover, and a muster onto the main campus for an official headcount.

The elementary/junior high will also be involved in a pantomime of pretend injuries and other disaster-related activities. The preschoolers, however, will muster on the big field grass, where we will read books, sing songs, and possibly have a snack before returning to the preschool campus to resume our day.

Parent-Teacher Conferences – Friday, October 20^th

Fall Conferences are here! We will sit down to discuss the kiddos and all we’ve done and plans for the days ahead. Please use the classroom links below to find your classroom information and sign-ups.

Room 1 Click Here

Room 2 Click Here

Room 3 Click Here

Room 4 Click Here

Room 5 Click Here

Childcare will be provided for all our current preschoolers. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to accommodate sibling care at this time.

Candid Student Photos – Tues., Oct. 24^th & Wed., Oct. 25^th

They’re back! We will once again be taking Candid Photos of all the kiddos at the preschool this year. These photos are different from traditional school photos as they are meant to catch the kids in action. Our photographer, Adrea Scheidler, is a PCS mom with many years of experience capturing those adorable preschool smiles. Once photos have been taken, Ms. Adrea will provide families with individual links for viewing and purchasing options.

Apple Pumpkin Days – Monday, October 30^th – Tuesday, October 31^st

Our annual tradition of Apple Pumpkin Days is just around the corner. We will celebrate this year’s harvest season during the last week of October with unique themed books, activities, and treats. Watch for emails from your classroom teachers or Room Parents about how you can help support this fun-filled fall tradition.

Communication – Emails, phone calls, Procare messages…

We work hard at staying connected and will do our best to respond to parent communications during our regular operation hours from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.

While parents are welcome to send us emails, Procare messages, or leave voicemails at any time, outside of emergencies, our staff will respond once they are on campus.

Volunteering at the Preschool

Will you be volunteering on campus this year?

If you are planning on helping out in the classroom or during a special event, we will need a signed Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement on file for you.

Click Here to view the Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement.

Hard copies are available in the Preschool Office.

Older Pod Field Trip to Underwood Family Farms – Friday, Nov. 17^th

Mark your calendars! Rooms 1, 2, & 3 will be going on our traditional fall field trip to Underwood Family Farm this year, yay! It has been three years since we have enjoyed this fantastic outing, and we can’t wait. More details will be released throughout the month.

Rooms 4 & 5 will enjoy Farm Days on-site with special farm animal guests.

It’s hard to believe it’s already the last month of the school year! We feel so blessed to have been together since August and are excited by everything we will do over the next four weeks of May.

Teacher Appreciation Week – Monday, May 1^st through Friday, May 5^th

The first week of May is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Our fantastic teachers and staff do a tremendous job, and we look forward to showing them our gratitude.

Click Here to See the Appreciation Week Schedule

Please feel free to take a peek at your teacher’s Favorite Things Pages for inspiration too.

Click Here to See the Teacher’s Favorite Things Pages

*Participation is entirely optional but greatly appreciated.

Preschool Chapel – Friday, May 5^th

Our Fruit of the Spirit for the month of May is Goodness. We will discuss what happened after Christ rose from the tomb and how God sent us a special helper, the Holy Spirit, to guide us as we follow Jesus.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Preschool Family Picnic – Saturday, May 13^th

You’re invited to join us for our annual end-of-the-year picnic! Families will enjoy water play, glitter tattoos, crafts, snow cones, popcorn, spending time with friends, meeting new families, and more. So please join us for all the fun!

• WHEN: Saturday, May 13th, 11 AM to 1 PM
• WHERE: PCS Field – Parking: Garfield Lot @ 1492 N. Garfield Ave.
• COST: $5.00 (per person), includes a hotdog lunch & all activities.
• RSVP: Please RSVP by Friday, May 5^th
  • Click Here for the PICNIC RSVP Form

Payments can be made in the Preschool Office prior to the event. A few additional tickets will be available at the gate on the day of the picnic. Cash, checks, or FACTs billing are all accepted.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic time together! 

End of the Year Pizza Parties – Monday, May 22^nd & Tuesday, May 23^rd 

The last week of preschool will kick off with our traditional classroom Pizza Parties. Of course, the preschool will provide pizza, but there will be classroom sign-ups for additional side items such as fruit, paper goods, and table décor. The classrooms will be sharing those sign-ups towards the middle of May.

Aloha Days! – Wednesday, May 24^th & Thursday, May 25^th – MINIMUM DAYS

We felt that aloha was the perfect sentiment for the last two days of our preschool year. So, hello to summer, goodbye to our year together, and of course, I love you.

We invite all the kids to dress in their brightest, most tropical, and Hawaiian best on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, we will celebrate our year’s conclusion with special photo ops at drop-off and much more.

Preschool Promotion for Rooms 1 & 2 – Wednesday, May 24^th @ 6PM

This year has been amazing! It is a blessing to watch the children grow up, and we are excited to celebrate those students who will be moving on to the next phase of school, whether here at PCS or beyond.  

This year, we will host our traditional promotion ceremony on the main campus in the auditorium from 6 to 7 PM. The Room 1 & 2 kiddos have been rehearsing some adorable songs and can hardly wait to share them.

Keep your eyes peeled for your invitation with all the details. 

Preschool Closed – Friday, May 26^th through Friday, June 2^nd 

The preschool will be closed to students for cleaning and summer prep. However, the preschool office will be open to answer questions and help with any summer paperwork that may still need to be done prior to the start of camp.

First Day of Fun in the Sun Summer Camp – Monday, June 5^th 

Our first session of Fun in the Sun: Treasure Island! & Kinder Camp will kick off Monday, June 5^th. Summers at the preschool are chock-full of good times and new adventures; we can hardly wait to get started. 

Summer Camp Registration 

Will you join this year’s “Fun in the Sun” summer camp? If so, be sure to turn in your summer camp registration forms ASAP. Spaces are filling up fast, and we only have a few left. Summer camp is FIRST COME FIRST SERVE, so don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of the fun at preschool this summer.

Just a friendly reminder of our Preschool Parking Lot Rules/Requests

1. Please drive carefully, keeping an eye on speed and kiddos in the lot.
2. Children should be directed to stay on the sidewalk during pick-up and drop-off except when accessing their vehicles. Little people are very hard to spot between cars.
3. Our lot’s limited spaces make quick drop-offs and pick-ups ideal.

Thanks for helping us keep our little ones safe, healthy, and happy.

Holy Week – Mon., April 3^rd to Thurs., April 6^th

Help us decorate our preschool cross for Holy Week. Everyone is invited to bring a flower to add to our cross throughout the week. Please stop by the cross and add your special floral donation by tucking it into the ropes that twine the entire width and breadth of the cross.  

Preschool Chapel – Thursday, April 6^th

Our Fruit of the Spirit for the month of April is Faithfulness. What a perfect fruit to reflect God’s plan and promise through His son Jesus Christ. We will read and discuss what transpired on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Good Friday and Easter Monday– Fri., Apr. 7^th & Mon., Apr. 10^th, PRESCHOOL CLOSED

We will celebrate the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ by reflecting on the gift that the cross represents for all of us.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

Easter Sunday – Sunday, April 9^th

 ²⁴On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷ ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” ⁸ Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5-6

Hallelujah, He is risen!!

Elks Vision Screening – Thursday, April 13^th & Friday, April 14^th

The Elks Vision Screening is a free service provided to preschool children throughout California and Hawaii. This screening will happen on campus, in the Art Studio, as a special pullout for our students. Teachers will help facilitate the screening by shepherding students as well as assisting during the screening process. If you are interested in participating in this program, be sure to fill out a vision screening form with the Front Desk at either drop off or pick up. Children need a Vision Screening Form to be able to participate. Hard copies will be available at the preschool, or you are welcome to use the link below.

Click Here for Vision Screening Information

Click Here for Vision Screening Form

Week of the Young Child – Monday, April 17^th – Friday, April 21^st

Every year we celebrate the wonderful little people we serve and the unique world they inhabit with exciting week-long festivities. Each day will have its own particular theme and events to look forward to. This week is a national celebration that focuses on acknowledging this fundamental and transformative period of life. Oh, to be a young child! Parents are welcome to participate and volunteer; please be sure to check with your class to see how you can join in.

CLICK HERE for the Week of the Young Child Daily Themes & Events

PCS Association Meeting – Monday, April 17^th @ 7 PM

Join us for this year’s annual PCS Association Meeting, all member of the PCS community is welcome to participate. We will be recognizing staff members for their years of service as well as voting for new board members. This year, we will also be discussing PCS’s safety protocols and the measures we take.

Open House – Friday, April 21^st, MINIMUM DAY 12 NOON DISMISSAL

We are hosting Open House at the preschool from 6 PM to 7:30 PM; this is a drop by event. Each classroom will be working hard to spruce up and prepare for a visit from all of our families. We are excited to share the life and happenings of our campus and can’t wait to see everyone. This is also a wonderful opportunity to visit our elementary campus too. They will be hosting their Open House from 6:30 PM to 8 PM.

Summer Camp Registration

Will you join this year’s “Fun in the Sun” summer camp? If so, be sure to turn in your summer camp registration forms ASAP. Spaces are filling up fast! Summer camp is FIRST COME FIRST SERVE, including outside families, so don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of the fun at the preschool this summer.

CLICK HERE for Preschool Summer Registration Packet

CLICK HERE for Kinder Camp Registration Packet

If you have already signed-up, keep a look out for more camp-specific information over the months ahead.

As we cruise toward the end of the year, we wanted to share a few helpful hints, reminders, and requests.

DOORS & KIDS – Many of our kiddos want to be helpful and open doors; this is great if a parent or a teacher is present, but potentially dangerous if they aren’t. We want to avoid accidents or injuries.

When dropping off or picking up, please be sure you are with your child before they attempt to open or pass through any of our doors, especially the doors leading to our parking lot.

SIGNING IN – As a state-licensed facility, we are required to have physical signatures for children at drop off and pick up. Please be sure you are signing in and out each day. The preschool will be held responsible and potentially fined for every missing signature.

PLAYING at PICK-UP, CLASSROOM RATIOS, and TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES – When you are picking up at the end of the day, we would ask that you be mindful of the other students and teachers that may still be present in the environment. Our amazing staff is legally responsible for the children who are still signed in for the day but, due to ratios and other concerns, are not able to watch children who have been signed out, especially if they are from another class. That is why we would ask adults to limit the amount of time spent passing through our outdoor spaces, both our patios and yard.

You are welcome to take a moment in the lobby to visit the turtles, look at or borrow a book from our lending library, or check out the “Zany Zoo” on your way out.

May 6^th – PCS Gala

May 13^th – Preschool Family Picnic

May 24^th – Preschool Promotion: MINIMUM DAY

May 25^th – Last Day of Preschool: MINIMUM DAY

May 26^th – June 3^rd – PRESCHOOL CLOSED

June 5^th – First Day of Summer Camp

July 3^rd & 4^th – CAMP CLOSED

July 27^th – Last Day of Camp

July 28^th – August 11^th – PRESCHOOL CLOSED

August 14^th – Back to School Night

August 15^th – Preschool Meet & Greet

August 16^th – First Day of School

The holiday season is here and in full swing at the preschool.  Here are a few quick reminders about what we will look forward to over December

Grandparent’s Day – Friday, December 9^th – MINIMUM DAY: NOON DISMISSAL

Rooms 1 & 2 will perform with the upper campus in our auditorium, while Rooms 3, 4, & 5 will present at the preschool.

All Grandparents should plan on parking at our Garfield Parking Lot located at 1492 N Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA. 91104.

The preschool parking lot will be reserved for handicapped parking and drop-off/pick-up only.

Rooms 1 & 2 Grandparents will head to the auditorium.

Auditorium doors open at 9:45 AM, and the program will start at 10:00 AM. The performance will end by roughly 10:45 AM allowing grandparents with children on both sides time to walk over to the preschool. Grandparents will also have a chance to visit the classrooms post-performance at 11 AM.

Rooms 3, 4, & 5 Grandparents will head to the preschool.

Preschool doors will open at 10:00 AM for grandparents to visit the classrooms, and the kiddos will perform at 11 AM.

This is a MINIMUM DAY; Grandparents are welcome to take students post-performances. If a grandparent or other adult will pick up your kiddo, please use the link below to fill out our Grandparents Day 2022 – Pick Up form. Children will only be released to grandparents or other adults with permission from parents.

CLICK HERE: GRANDPARENT’S DAY 2022 – PICK UP FORM

*Please be sure to complete this form by Wednesday, December 7^th.

Happy Birthday Jesus! – FRIDAY, December 9^th from 6 to 7:30 PM

Happy Birthday Jesus is an EVENING EVENT for the first time; this annual preschool tradition will take place on the PCS main campus in the auditorium. Each classroom has been preparing seasonal songs to share with our families.

Event Schedule:

• 5:30 PM – Students are dropped off to be organized, and auditorium doors open.
  • Rooms 4 & 5 will be dropped off in the auditorium’s lobby.Rooms 1, 2, & 3 will be dropped off in the kindergarten classrooms.
  • Parents continue into the auditorium to find seats.
• 6:00 PM – Preschool performance.
• 6:45 PM – Cookie decorating and fellowship time.
• 7:30 PM – Event ends.

Each classroom will be hosting cookie decorating tables. This is a wonderful way to earn some MVP hours. Room Parents will send out details of how you can help support by donating supplies, setting up, cleaning up, or helping monitor/host during decorating.

*There will not be an additional event on Saturday, December 10^th.

Preschool Christmas Chapel – Thursday, December 15^th

It is time for our Preschool Christmas chapel! All the classes will gather together to worship and experience the Nativity Story with Mr. Tim. This is one of our favorite chapels of the year as we remember the reason for the season.

PJs and Hot Cocoa Days – Tuesday, December 20^th & Wednesday, December 21^st

One of our favorite Christmas traditions at preschool is our PJs and Hot Cocoa Days! We love getting cozy and watching a classic Christmas short such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas or Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special. Add a little popcorn, a warm cup of cocoa, and a class full of friends, and it makes for a beautiful time together.

Wednesday, December 21^st – MINIMUM DAY: NOON DISMISSAL

Thursday, December 22^nd through Wednesday, January 4^th

From our preschool family to yours…

We wish you a bright and merry Christmas break, may your time away be blessed and full of seasonal family fun! We can’t wait to see everyone again in the New Year.

Thursday, January 5^th – Preschool Resumes

Speech and Language Screenings – Tue., Nov. 8^th, Wed., Nov. 9^th, & Thurs., Nov. 10^th

Speech and language pathologists from Jabberdogs will provide screenings for receptive and expressive language, voice, articulation, and fluency at the preschool for $35. If you are interested in participating, please complete and return the Permission Slip by Friday, November 4^th. (Permission slips are available at the preschool front desk.)

Preschool Chapel – Wednesday, Nov. 9^th

This month’s chapel will focus on the story of Noah’s Ark. The children adore this story and its emphasis on family, animals, and listening to God. We can hardly wait to worship and praise God together.

Community Helpers – Pasadena Police Department K9 Unit Visit – Fri., Nov. 11^th

We are so excited to have another visit from the Pasadena Police Department but this time from the furry division. The K9 Unit will be with us to show how officers and trained dogs work together. This is the first time we have had a K9 Unit visit, and we are thrilled.

Veterans Day – Friday, Nov. 11^th

PRESCHOOL OPEN

The preschool will be open for Veterans Day. We are thankful and eternally grateful to all the men and women who have served our country and look forward to honoring their sacrifice and service.

Farm Days – Friday, Nov. 18^th

Older Pod Field Trip to Underwood Family Farms

Mark your calendars! Rooms 1, 2, & 3 will be going on our traditional fall field trip to Underwood Family Farm this year; yay!

Information, permission slips, and parent sign-ups will be available in your classrooms the first week in November.

Younger Pod On-site Field Trip

We will continue the Harvest celebration on-site for Rooms 4 & 5 with a visit from a few animal pals.

*If you are a Tuesday/Thursday family, please be sure to speak with your classroom teachers and the preschool office regarding how you can join in our farm day fun.

Stone Soup Days – Monday, Nov. 21^st & Tuesday, Nov. 22^nd

Stone Soup Days are one of the most significant preschool events of the year. Based on the beloved children’s book Stone Soup, each child brings a vegetable/food item to class to contribute to the community/class pot of soup. Your classroom teachers or Room Parents will let you know the details of how you can pitch in and be a part of this beautiful preschool annual tradition.

Wednesday, November 23^rd

MINIMUM DAY – 12 PM DISMISSAL

The day before our Preschool Thanksgiving Break is a Minimum Day. Therefore, the preschool will close promptly at 12 PM.

Thanksgiving Break – Thursday, November 24^th – Friday, November 25^th

PRESCHOOL CLOSED

The preschool will be closed for Thanksgiving Break in the second half of the 4^th week of November. We hope and pray that everyone has a fantastic time off, reflecting on what they are thankful for.

From our preschool family to yours’…

May God continue to bless, protect, guide, and grace you all with His presence, mercy, and love now and in the coming year. Amen.