September 2023 News from All Saints School

September 2023

FROM THE DIRECTOR

The 2023-24 school year is finally here! Welcome to all of our new families, and welcome back to all of our returning families. We are so happy that you have chosen All Saints School!

I would like to thank our Teacher Appreciation Committee co-chairs, Erin Bradstreet and Ana Gonzalez, for organizing a delicious breakfast for the teachers during pre-planning! I would also like to thank Emily Bearden and Alice Maguire for planning a fantastic Parents’ Night Out after Open House last week. Last but not least, I would like to acknowledge the hard work and contribution of Mellissa and Matt Sojourner, Melissa Arost, and Carol Mertz, who made Popsicles in the Park possible. What a great kickoff to the school year!

We have a new face here this year. Welcome to Ms. Amy (Pre-K), who is joining our teaching team full-time after being one of our substitute teachers last year. Our team of amazing educators has settled right in, and there is an excited and joyful energy on campus!

We spent the last few weeks working hard to prepare for this school year. In addition to setting up the classrooms, the staff spent a few days in development and training, which included:

Cultivating Intentional Play in Early Childhood Classrooms with Cari Rotenberger, MS (Connect Educational Consulting)
Developmental Milestones of Speech and Language with Katie Beiter, MA CCC/SLP (Speech Steps)
Fruits of the Spirit: What Are They and How Do We Foster Them in Young Children? with Reverend Lauren “Lo” Cook (All Saints Church)

We are inspired and ready to get busy with the important work of childhood…play! We will spend these first few weeks of the school year forming trusting and loving relationships with your little ones that will lead to a successful year of learning and growth. Let the adventure begin!

Please read below for exciting updates and upcoming events here at All Saints School, including the Welcome Back Coffee this Wednesday, September 6th. I hope to see you there!

With Love,

Emory Messeroff

FROM THE PTO PRESIDENT

Hello! My name is Emily Bearden and I am very excited to be this year's PTO President!

My husband Aaron and I enrolled our son Keene at All Saints School two years ago - he is now entering the Threes class. Our daughter Ellie, who is eight months old, just started in the Infant room this year. We are really looking forward to the beginning of her All Saints journey.

All Saints has been an amazing blessing to our family. It provides a safe and positive learning environment, and there is a real sense of community among all of us who have the privilege of being a part of it. We adore the teachers and staff at All Saints and can't wait to begin another memorable year full of learning, laughter, and love.

As parents, there are so many ways to give back or participate with as much or as little time as you have to give! All Saints School PTO is a fun way to get to know other parents, learn sweet school traditions, and take part in events that create lasting memories during these precious years. We will kick off the year with our Welcome Back Coffee event on Wednesday, September 6th after drop off in the Mary Martha Parlor. If you're interested in getting involved at All Saints School (no matter how big or small), I'd love to see you there.

Together, let's make this the best year ever!

~ Emily Bearden

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: LOVE

As we navigate this school year, we are focused on the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Each month, we will focus on a different “fruit,” which will be reflected in classroom conversations, activities, and literature. We are starting off the year with a focus on LOVE.

God loves us, and we can share this love with others. We can show love to the children in our care by valuing their ideas and opinions. By empowering them to be confident in who God made them to be. By celebrating each child for who they are and what they love. By meeting their needs in a nurturing way. By recognizing the different ways we all give and receive love.

This month and throughout the year, we will practice actively listening and hearing what our friends are saying. We will discuss how to show love in our own special way. We will foster self-love, self-esteem, and confidence. Most importantly, we will help our Little Saints understand and feel that we love them, and that God loves them.

“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

MEET OUR SPECIALS TEACHERS

Click here for a welcome from our specials teachers!

Ms. Jennifer – Music (Infants through Kindergarten)

Ms. Gena – Outdoor Classroom (Young Ones through Kindergarten) and STEM Lab (Kindergarten)

Ms. Kim – Art (Threes through Kindergarten)

Ms. Karen – Yoga (Pre-K and Kindergarten)

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENTS

Ms. Jenn has some spots left in Groovy Cats on Mondays, and Ms. Steph has room for a few more art students on Thursdays! Click the link below for more information and to register.

BABY SAINTS ANNOUNCEMENT

We are so happy to welcome a these Baby Saints to the All Saints School family!

Congratulations to the Bernstein Family, who welcomed Samuel Anthony on March 20th. Sammy joined the Infant class with Ms. Michelle and Ms. Jill, and big sister Vivi is in Older Twos with Ms. Jamie and Ms. Lori!

We are so excited for the Ferrin Family, who welcomed baby Franco on June 22nd! Big sister Valentina is in Threes with Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Steph.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT (AKA FALL FESTIVAL)

The PTO will be hosting Fall Festival this year as a daytime Trunk-or-Treat event for our Little Saints during the school day on Thursday, October 26th in the school parking lot. Teachers will provide more information regarding costumes and/or attire for each class as the event approaches. Note: Students who do not attend school on Thursdays and wish to participate are welcome!

Volunteers Needed! If you are interested in hosting a trunk or helping with set-up or during the event, look out for a SignUp Genius coming soon! Trunks can be set up starting at 9:15 AM on the morning of the event.

Candy Donations Needed! Donations can be dropped with staff during carline starting October 1st.