Parent Newsletter
Learn.Give.Grow...together!
 "We all have something to learn. We all have something to give."
Happy Easter!
Jesus Christ is Risen!
Foundations wishes each of you a joyful Easter! We pray that this Easter will be full of abundant blessings for you and your families. May this day be a joyous celebration of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us all. Remembering HIS passion, crucifixion and resurrection, may the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ever present in our minds, hearts and lives.
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Parent Involvement Meeting
A "SySTEMatic Approach: STEM!"

Don't forget that Parent Involvement Meeting is next Tuesday night, April 3rd at 5:30!

Our 4k teachers, Ms. Spell and Ms. Chambers will be talking about the importance of STEM in the classroom. Do you even know what STEM stands for? It is a term used to group together the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. There is so much to be learned about how STEM makes early learning fun for your children and for us too!

Volunteers from Altadena Presbyterian Church will be serving supper and helping with childcare... it's going to be awesome! We look forward to seeing you Tuesday night!
Foundations Teacher Spotlight
Kendal McWilliams: 4K Gold Teacher & Leaving Legacies
A Fairfield native, Kendal Smith McWilliams grew up in Bellview Heights. She loves the sense of history, relationship and community in Fairfield and has intentionally chosen to work and raise her family here. She attended and graduated from Restoration Academy in 2012 and is in the final stages of receiving her BS degree in Early Childhood Education/Development from the University of Alabama.
 
A life-long learner, Kendal came into Early Childhood Education by accident and fell in love with the 4-year-olds. She quickly discerned that her personality was well suited for this age group. Knowing that the job requires lots of patience, Kendal loves and easily connects with the
children – with their stories, their personalities – she understands how to motivate them. She enjoys teaching them the difference between right and wrong. Kendal believes in loving on her students and combines that love with correction/discipline. "Balance is the key," she says, "and it is so crucial in directing (the children) how to learn social and emotional skills with one another." 
She began working at Foundations in 2015 in After-School Care and then began teaching 4K in the 2016-17 school year. In her second year as a 4K teacher, Kendal makes a mark not only as a solid teacher, but she is also reinforcing the Gospel and affirming the children’s God-given gifting. She is inspired by family and understands the importance of legacy. She has learned that in the struggles, in the difficult times, you can best find Jesus. She calls those her “Jesus moments.” She says, “I met Jesus not in my highs but in my lows. My relationship (with Christ) is strengthened because of the challenges.”
 
Kendal loves working at Foundations because of the opportunities to connect not only with the students, but with the families. She knows that she plays an integral part of the Foundations mission by providing a quality preschool education in a Christian environment. She says, “through our Parent Involvement Meetings, we have such a huge and relatable way to connect with our families through programs on mentoring, parenting styles, managing finances and more. I know that we can make a real difference not just with the children but in the homes.”
 
The daughter of a pastor, Kendal has always looked up to her father – he imparted far more wisdom than she would ever admit growing up. “He taught me right from wrong, about financial stability and that keeping up with the Joneses was not important. Leading by example, he showed me how to be comfortable in my own shoes,” Kendal says proudly. She learned how to grow through making and correcting mistakes.
 
Without consciously knowing it, Kendal has been crafting a legacy her entire life. Whether we know it or not, the way we live our lives and the choices we make will impact others – in our family, our church, our workplace and our community. By the way she lives her life, Kendal is creating a legacy that honors not only her family but the families of her students and their faith through a legacy ministry at Foundations.
Always leaning on the Lord's word for guidance and inspiration, her favorite verses are:
  • Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
  • Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Head of School: Blessing & Training Up

H
O
S

From the desk of Mrs. Drake...
Looking around, it’s clear to see—spring is here! The sun is brighter. The days are longer. The grass is greener. It’s the season of renewal, rejuvenation, rebirth. With each new spring day, God’s plans for each of us - His children - are ‘budding’ and with that - each day - we have the chance for a new beginning!

What can you and I do to feed, water, and nurture those ‘buds?’ What if each of us were to embrace a spring challenge - to make the most of those new beginnings? Think of it this way, what can you and I do to celebrate the gift and miracle of life…each and every day?

Maybe it means…
  • Taking a ‘nature,’ ‘flower,’ or ‘bug’ walk. Count the number of butterflies as you go!
  • Riding a bike.
  • Discovering a new book.
  • Cooking together. (Let your child help plan the menu, too!)
  • Spending time with family & friends with no particular plan/agenda.
  • Visiting the local library. (Sit on the floor among the shelves & read!)
  • Planting a garden. (A single pot with soil & a packet of seeds will do!)
  • Starting & ending each day with a prayer.
  • Having a family picnic.
  • Slowing down and sitting on the front porch for a chat.
  • Reminding ourselves that we are loved by our God…NO MATTER WHAT!

As we prepare to celebrate the ULTIMATE rebirth (that of Jesus after His death on the cross) and as we look ahead to our remaining 8 weeks of the school year, just imagine of all of the little (or even big!) new beginnings or ‘seeds’ we can plant!

“For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come…” 

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

April Themes &
Memory Verses
  • Week #1- Plants & Gardening: 2 Cor. 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature/creation."
  • Week #2 - Transportation: Luke 5:11 “They left everything and followed Him.”
  • Week #3 - Week of the Young Child: Psalm 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
  • Week #4 - Zoo: Genesis 6:9Noah walked with God.
Just a Few Reminders...

  • Spring has sprung & with it comes a flurry of activity! LOOK OUT for details (texts, emails, notes & more) for all the fun & exciting events coming our way til the end of the year! When in doubt, give us a call, text or email!! We are HAPPY to share information!
  • Preschool can be a messy business! Please ensure your child has a season-appropriate change of clothes, underwear & socks at school EACH DAY!
  • It’s not too late to order school pictures! Online orders are still possible. Use information on your child’s proof envelope. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Pittman Smith at cpsmith@fondationsearlylearning.org and she'll be glad to help.
Connect
with your local churches:
Wednesdays 7pm | Sundays 11am
420 Forest Drive
christchurchhd.tv
5pm Sunday Service
Church of the Reconciler | 4607 Gary Ave
Prayer Walks in Fairfield
9am | 2nd Saturday of each month
urbanhopecc.com
Upcoming School & Events Calendar
  Important Dates to Remember

March 26th-April 1st
SPRING BREAK
Tuesday, April 3
PIM: STEM:
"A SySTEMatic Approach" (Ms. Spell & Ms. Chambers)
Friday, April 13
Westminster School Volunteers Visit & Planting of the Garden
Tuesday, April 17
PIM: Health, Wellness & Nutrition:
"Exercising Good Judgment"
Tuesday, April 24
NEW Incoming Student Visit Day #1
Thursday, April 26
Community Partner Luncheon
Friday, April 27
Birmingham Zoo Field Trip
Tuesday, May 1
PIM: Local Community Ministries:
"Meet Our Fairfield Partners"
Wednesday, May 2
NEW Incoming Student Visit Day #2
Friday, May 11
Mother's Day Breakfast (Drop in after Drop-off!)
Tuesday, May 15
PIM: Being Your Child's Advocate:
"Take Charge of your Charge"
Wednesday, May 23
9am - 3K "Move-Up" Ceremony
11am - 4K Graduation Ceremony

Watch for news of additional dates for Parent/Teacher conferences
& Family Fun Day!

Please visit the website to view the full school calendar .  
Gospel Seeds
Thoughts to Ponder

  • "Children must be taught how to think, not what to think." ~ Margaret Mead
  • "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." ~ Socrates
  • "It’s not just what is taught but what is caught that is equally as important." ~ Anonymous
  • “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 
March Photo Highlights:
McWane Science Center & Easter Egg Hunt
T-shirts
$12
With spring around the corner,
order your own
Foundations T-shirt.
Available in blue or green.
ENJOY
$15 OFF

Attend both Parent Involvement Meetings & receive $15 off your child's
Tuition
Foundations Early Learning & Family Center was e stablished in 2013 to serve families in the Fairfield, AL area. It is a high-quality preschool program that provides a Christian environment where children develop academically, physically, socially & spiritually. Foundations partners with families to equip them to prepare the children for school by combining the best-known practices in early childhood education with the love, grace, salvation & power of Jesus Christ. 
  foundationsearlylearning.org
205.588.5454 |7000 Grasselli Road Fairfield, AL 35064
Foundations is located in the Forest Hills Community Development Center