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Footsteps Newsletter
vol 5 Issue 1
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Welcome to the 2019-2020
St. Catherine Preschool School Year
We are happy that you have chosen our school! This Summer Edition of our newsletter will answer many of the questions that you may have about our upcoming school year. Please read through each item and feel free to contact us if you have any questions, concerns or if you need clarification. We are so pleased and excited to begin a new year!
I apologize in advance! Our newsletter is typically not this long but we have a lot of information to share!
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Transitioning into School
10 Tips for an easy transition:
1. Bring your child to parent night to see the room and meet the teacher.
2. Find and read some books to your child about starting school. The local library has plenty!
3. Show excitement and enthusiasm for school. Please hide your own apprehensions and anxiety as your child will pick up on those feelings.
4. Have your child get plenty of sleep, especially the first couple of weeks
5. Show confidence in saying goodbye. The more you linger and look uneasy the more your child will feel as though there is something to be uneasy about.
6. Discuss your fears or your child's needs with your child's teacher ahead of time! We are a team and want to help in anyway possible.
7.Ask your child about his/her day.
8. Expect that there may be tears and know that we will call if there is an extreme case of your child not adjusting. Give your child's teacher your cell number and we can text you a picture of your little one smiling and playing, which usually happens quite quickly.
9. Let your child pick out clothing and shoes for school.
10. Include a picture of you or the family in your child's backpack, send a love note in lunchbox or send a special stuffed animal or small item to remind your child of home.
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Snack Information
AM and all day students will have snack around approximately an hour to an hour 1/2 after arrival. Students are offered water, milk or apple juice and a healthy snack (fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese, crackers, pretzels etc.)
If your child is attending extended day in the PM, snack will be provided around 3:30 or 4 PM
*Twice a year, we request that you provide either a $15 ($8 for those enrolled 2 or 3 half days) donation toward the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables or 3 (2 f
or those enrolled 2 or 3 half days) shelf stable snacks enough to feed 25 students per snack.
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For students attending the all-day program
The hot lunch program will begin on our first day of school. Please be sure to order prior to the first day. Please bring the menu order form and payment to the parent night. Hot Lunch is an optional service. You will have the opportunity to order each month. We will send home September's order form the first week of school. We are part of the National School Hot Lunch Program. This means that your child may qualify for free or reduced prices on meals. The applications will be sent home the first week of school and also be available on parent night. If your child receives SNAP or OWF benefits, he/she may be automatically qualified. Ms. Huber will notify you if this is the case. You can also contact the office if you feel your child will automatically qualify.
*Please note that breakfast will not be offered this year. Please contact the office if you intend on sending a packed breakfast during your child's AM extended day hours.
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Safety and Security
Students are never left alone! We maintain constant visual contact with each child (with the exception of private bathroom breaks where we stay within the room but not in the stall). Students practice fire, safety and tornado drills. We keep all doors locked at all times except for the 15 minute arrival period in the morning. At that time, a faculty member is standing at our one open entrance greeting and screening all those who enter.
All visitors must sign in at the office. If a visitor is a parent picking up early or volunteering in the classroom, the office will call down to the classroom so that the teacher is aware that someone is arriving. Any other visitor (meter reader, repair person etc.) will be escorted throughout the building. All volunteers must be screened through
Virtus prior to having any interaction with students.
Our faculty and maintenance staff have all complied with the mandatory fingerprinting and background checks. They have also been trained and screened through Virtus.
If you have a concern about the safety of your child (custody issues) please let us know immediately so that we can make all faculty aware of concerns. Please be sure to copy any custody agreements or judgement and drop them off at the office.
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Tuition Payments are due by the 1st day of the month (Aug-May). If you chose invoicing, you will be sent an invoice through the yellow folder that is sent home weekly. Some families choose to make smaller weekly payments. How you pay is up to you. We accept cash, check, money order, credit cards and automatic deductions through Tuition Express (direct pay through your bank account or credit card).
Payment for school is a set amount broken up over ten months for convenience. The first payment is due by August 1st. Your invoice will be mailed to you at the beginning of July with subsequent invoices arriving in the yellow folder.
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Absences
If your child is ill, please call the office and let us know not to expect him/her. (419)478-9900 If your child is home with a communicable disease or illness which is highly contagious (strep throat, hand, foot and mouth, lice, pneumonia etc.), please call the office so that we can notify other parents of the potential of illness. All notifications are informational only and do not contain names or personal information.
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Attendance
Please try to have students to school on time each day. It is important for all students to arrive on time so that each may experience the routines, procedures and transitions of the day. Arriving late is difficult for children as they often miss important instructions and routines.
Please note that students arriving to school after 8:30 AM without cause may not be admitted that day. We operate as a school rather than a day care and feel that routine and consistency is extremely important for children! We appreciate your cooperation with this!
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Dress Code
Please know that your child is likely to get dirty at school. Play, learning and exploring can all result in messy clothes. Please send your child in play clothes.
Please note that we do not allow students to wear sandals or open toed shoes.
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All Day Preschool and PreKindergarten
For students attending the all day program, please send a small blanket and small pillow that may stay at school. They will be sent home periodically for cleaning. Your child may also bring one small stuffed/soft friend for rest time. We prefer that it be a friend which can stay at school. If the item MUST go home each day, please let the teacher know.
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All students must be escorted to the appropriate classroom and signed in by an adult.
AM Extended Day Only drop off-ring doorbell outside of entrance #8 off of main parking lot. A
M Extended Day drop off ENDS AT 7:45 AM. All students arriving after 7:45 AM must wait for the main doors to open at 7:55 AM.
AM drop off- Enter through the Siena Center glass doors. The main school door will open at 7:55 AM and remain open with a faculty greeter until 8:10 AM. If you arrive late, ring the doorbell located outside of this door for admittance.
Pick up procedures-
See diagram below. If you need to meet with your child's teacher, please wait until the line is gone to have a lengthy discussion. After the first week, the line typically takes around 5-7 minutes to clear.
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You will receive a mailing identifying your child's classroom. Included in that mailing will be the supply list for that classroom. Please bring supplies to parent night so that teachers can focus on the children on the first days of school.
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Don't think that you can afford PK or preschool?
We're excited to announce that St. Catherine Preschool has been awarded a large grant which will assist 4 year old students from low income families in receiving a quality prek education. Only 9 spots are still available. Call the school office for details.
If your are an active parishioner from Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Catherine, St. John the Baptist, St. Clement or St. Michael the Archangel, you may qualify for an active parishioner scholarship. Contact the school office for details.
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Allergies, Medical Conditions and Medication
If your child has an allergy, medical condition or medication that needs to be administered at school, please contact the school office so we can be sure to prepare the faculty to meet the needs of your child. All medications must be hand delivered to a faculty member (do not send in backpacks) with the appropriate permissions and forms. Medications must be in the original bottles. Some medications require physician instructions and permission for us to administer.
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Bathroom Concerns
Please rest assured, we are part of your team now! We understand that there will be accidents. Because of this, we schedule MANY trips to the bathroom each day. As we learn the needs of the class, breaks are adjusted. Our goal for each child is to learn to:
1.speak up when a bathroom break is needed
2.Independently manage clothing
3.wipe independently
4.operate soap and towel dispensers
5. wash hands appropriately
Part of preschool and PK is learning independence. Children thrive when they can be self-reliant. We will support your child at their current level and work on these goals. You can help us by dressing your child in clothing that can be managed easily by the child, practice independent wiping using verbal cues, understanding that accidents happen and by supporting your child's development in this area. As a final note, students may not attend school in pull-ups.
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Enrolling Now!
If you know someone who has not signed their child up for preschool or prek yet but is interested, we are still accepting enrollments in some classes. We are happy to say that we have five PK classes this year!
You may set up a tour by calling the office (419) 478-9900 or by emailing Mrs. Kummer [email protected]
Registration paperwork can be found on our website or can be obtained by stopping by the school office.
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Enrollment Paperwork
All students must have a complete file within 30 days from the first day of school. Items in BOLD below must be completed on the first day of school.
1. current physical (valid for 12 months)
2. immunization records
3.
registration paper (please fill out ALL portions of the dentist, physician and
emergency contact information including
addresses
and phone numbers
)
4.
baptismal or birth certificate
5.
any custody paperwork that we need to be made aware of
6. Dentist form -Does not need to be signed by a dentist
7. Publicity Form
8. An emergency care plan for any children diagnosed with severe asthma, food or insect
allergies requiring an EPI-pen, medical concerns requiring medications to be administered at
school or other health related concerns that would require our faculty to have a plan in place
in the event of an emergency. Please ask your doctor for a form or call the school office.
Please attach a picture of your child to the form.
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Please plan on attending our Parent Night. You will be able to meet the faculty, hear about policies/procedures and drop off school supplies.
The meeting will take place in the Siena Center gym located through the glass doors on the St. Catherine Campus.
Children are welcome to come but it is not required. Following the meeting, you will have the opportunity to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers and drop off any school supplies. We prefer that you drop supplies off on parent night rather than the first day of school so that we may focus on your child on his/her first day of school!
Parent Night Student
Last Names A-M 7 PM
Monday August 19th
Parent Night Student Last Names
N-Z
7 PM
Tuesday August 20th
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PS1 Ms. Ashley & Ms. Danielle's
Preschool Class
Ms. Ashley Doty
has been an Early Childhood professional for 12 years. She brings a wealth of experience to our center. Ms. Ashley holds her Child Development Associates certification! She is creative, fun, organized, caring and experienced! She enjoys watching the students learn and grow! Ms. Ashley can be contacted [email protected]
Mrs. Danielle Harder holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology. Danielle has worked with children in the court system and in foster care. We are pleased to have Ms. Danielle on our faculty as she brings with her a wealth of experience and compassion! This will be her third year here at St. Catherine School!
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Ms. Mary & Ms. Amy's
Preschool Class
Ms. Mary has been a preschool teacher for many years. She holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood and enjoys helping all students, especially those with special needs. We are pleased that Ms. Mary will be returning for her third year to our family!
Ms. Amy has been teaching for over 20 years. She enjoys learning new things and always tries to improve on her skills in the classroom. Mrs. Amy will be team teaching with Ms. Mary. The pair have taught together at several area daycare programs and have a great partnership in the classroom!
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PK 1 Mrs. Jeanette Williams'
Pre-Kindergarten Class
Mrs. Jeanette Williams is a graduate of the University of Toledo with a Bachelor degree in Education and a Master's degree in Special Education. Jeanette is a licensed Intervention Specialist as well.
She has been teaching for many years and is very excited to be returning this year.
You can contact Mrs. Williams through her email.
jwilliams@stcatherineearlyed.org
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PK 2 Mrs. L & Mrs. A's
Pre-Kindergarten Class
Mrs. Jill Ledergerber was born in Ohio and now lives in Tecumseh, Michigan with her husband. They have two adult children and two four-legged kids as well! She earned a Bachelor's degree in Early and Middle Childhood Education from the Ohio State University. She has had the opportunity to work with many different ages of children, and her favorite has been in Early Education. Currently Jill is pursuing an additional certificate geared toward early learners. Mrs. L is an ODE certified mentor and guides new teachers during their first years in the classroom.
Mrs. L can be contacted through her email jledergerber@stcatherineearlyed.org
Mrs. Melinda Amborski has been an assistant teacher at the preschool level for several years. She is married and has two daughters. Mrs. A is a member of St. John the Baptist Parish. She is a kind and patient teacher with a positive attitude! Melinda brings years of training in Early Childhood Education. Melinda will be pursuing her Child Development Associates Certificate this year!
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Addition to class list: Eric N
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PK 3 Ms. Lexie Curtis & Ms. Caitlyn Amborski's
Pre-Kindergarten Class
Ms. Lexie
has returned to our faculty this year! She is a graduate of Lourdes University with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education. Lexie is recently engaged! We are so pleased to have Ms. Lexie on our team as she is innovative, enthusiastic, compassionate and dedicated.
Ms. Caitlyn Amborski joined our faculty midway through our last school year.
She is a graduate of Cardinal Stritch High School and is a member of St. John the Baptist Parish. Caitlyn will be pursuing her Child Development Associates Certificate this year. She is an amazing addition to our team and a wonderful classroom partner for Ms. Lexie!
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PK 4 Ms. Erin Cromly's
Pre-Kindergarten Class
Ms. Cromly holds a Bachelor degree from the University of Toledo in Early Childhood Education. We are so pleased that she is part of our team because she brings compassion, enthusiasm, knowledge and experience with children to our family! Ms. Cromly is a Parishioner at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish. You can contact her through her
email. ecromly@
stcatherineearlyed.org
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PK 5 Mrs. Lori Pierce & Mrs. Alex Kania's
Pre-Kindergarten Class
Mrs. Lori has been teaching for many years both in this area and the Cincinnati area. Lori enjoys educating young children and has focused her career primarily in the Preschool through Kindergarten age range. Lori holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a Graduate degree in School Psychology. She also holds a Master's degree in Education with an endorsement in Computer Technology and is licensed to teach preschool- 3rd grade. Mrs. Lori is thrilled to be returning to us this year!
Mrs. Alex Kania is new to our school this year! Alex will be joining us in thefall as an Assistant Teacher. She holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and enjoys working with young children, especially those with special needs. Alex lives in the area with her husband and young baby. Fun fact: Alex went to preschool here at St. Catherine's! Welcome Mrs. Kania! We are so pleased to have you on our team.
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Additions to class list: Lucas McKenzie
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Mrs. Rupp will be teaching PK Art and will also guide students in the Atrium during the Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd Program. Mrs. Rupp has both an Associate's Degree as well as over 22 years of experience as an educational professional. Terri
enjoys helping children understand God's love for them. Terri has a wonderful connection with children and is able to reach the introverted child through her patience and kindness.Terri is married and has 3 sons. She is a member of St. Catherine Parish.
You can reach Mrs. Rupp through her
email. trupp@
stcatherineearlyed.org
Mrs. Becky Boros will be teaching Computer and PE. She has over 21years of teaching experience and is pursuing additional certification for Early Childhood. Becky has two children; Marissa and Tanner. Becky enjoys camping and time at the beach with her family and supporting her son in his college baseball career. Becky says, "I love children and enjoy working with them. I believe there is good in everyone and will never give up hope on a child."
Mrs. Boros is an ODE certified mentor and guides new teachers during their first years in the classroom.
You can contact Becky through her
email
.
bboros@
stcatherineearlyed.org
Ms. Jannelle Garcia is currently our Music teacher, will be teaching Preschool Art and will be preparing all meals and snacks. Ms. Jannelle is currently working on her Early Childhood Education Degree. Ms. J is enthusiastic, kind, inventive and a wonderful teacher. She has a way of connecting to students who may be struggling. This will be her fifth year as part of our faculty!
Ms. Beth Huber is a member of St. Catherine Parish. She not only runs the Preschool office but also directs the hot lunch program.
She keeps everything running smoothly. If you call the office, Beth will probably be the one to greet you!
You can contact Ms. Beth Huber through her
email ehuber@
stcatherineearlyed.org
or through the school office (419) 478-9900
Mrs. Chris Kummer is the director of St. Catherine Preschool. She holds a Master's Degree in Teaching and Curriculum and a BA in Early Childhood Education from Lourdes University. She and her family have lived in the St. Catherine area for over 20 years. Chris is committed to Catholic Education, focusing her Master's thesis on teaching curriculum through essential Catholic values.
You can contact Mrs. Kummer through her
email
ckummer@stcatherineearlyed.org or through the school office (419)478-9900
Ms. Brenna Kummer is an AM Extended Day teacher and building substitute. She is a recent graduate from UT with a BS in Exercise Science. Brenna is also a personal trainor and an Irish Dance teacher. She has 9 years experience working directly with children.
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Printable Calendar
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Click below to download a 2019-2020 School Calendar
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We are blessed to be a part of the development of your child! Please contact us if you have any concerns, questions or comments.
Blessings,
Chris Kummer
Director
St. Catherine of Siena Early Childhood Education Center
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