Dear Parents,

We are excited to send you registration materials for Sts. Peter & Paul Preschool Program for the 2011-2012 school year.  Included in this packet you will find a Registration Form, Health Care Summary, Immunization Form as well as information on preschool activities.

At Sts. Peter & Paul, we view curriculum as everything that happens during our time together with the children.  We believe that each moment offers an opportunity to explore relationships and to create a community that nurtures children and their families.  There are always questions to pursue, ideas to investigate and discoveries to celebrate.  At the heart of our approach lies the belief that children are competent, ready to learn and full of emerging ideas and creativity.

Your child will be engaged in a child-centered, emergent curriculum that integrates literacy, math, social studies, science, the arts, motor development, and social skills into all parts of your child’s day.

Sts. Peter & Paul Preschool is open to all children ages 3 years to 5 years old.   Children must be 3 years by September 1, 2011.  (Children also must be toilet trained).  Parents have the option of choosing a three-day morning program (M, W, F) or a two-day morning program (T, Th).  Afternoon sessions will be added if there is a need.

The State of Minnesota does not provide bus transportation funds for preschool children who do not meet specific special needs criteria. Parents are responsible for the transportation of their children.  HOWEVER, Dave Feldhege, Richmond Bus Service, has offered to submit a bid for busing our preschool children once we know which children will be attending Sts. Peter & Paul Preschool.  I will share this information with you once I receive it.

Parents and preschool children will be invited to a Fall Open House before the start of the school year.  It will give you a chance to visit the preschool room and meet our preschool teacher.  Calendars and schedules will be sent later this spring to families who have registered for preschool.

Please do not hesitate to call me at 597-2565 if you have any questions regarding our Preschool Program.  It is helpful if all registration materials are returned by April 30^th.

Blessings,

Jacqueline L. Walz

Our day will include circle activities, large group activities, small group activities, stories, calendar, finger-plays, music, movement, centers and play time.

Skills

This only a partial list of skills that will be included in our preschool program.  A complete list of skills is included in the parent handbook given at Open House in the fall of the school year.

Social & Emotional                                         Physical

Responds to greetings                                     Able to run, walk, and crawl

Initiates play                                                    Jumps on both feet

Joins in positive play with other children        Tiptoes

Takes turns                                                      Gallops/Skips

Shares willingly                                               Catches bounced ball

Respects property                                            Throws ball

Able to occupy self                                          Kicks a ball

Accepts choices for self-discipline                   Does balancing activities

           and problem solving                             String beads, noodles & cereal

                                                                        Able to put puzzle together     

Cognitive Skills                                                Plays beanbag game

Reading and Writing Readiness                      Uses slide and other playground equipment

Letter sounds

Rhyming words                                               Independent Skills

Alliteration                                                      Washes hands unassisted

Knows first and last name                               Uses bathroom independently

Recognizes name in print                                Helps clean up after play

Enjoys books, finger plays and movement      Puts things away neatly

Listens to and recalls stories read                   Helps serve snacks

       in preschool                                              Dresses self for outside play

Tells simple events in sequence                       Manipulates buttons, zippers and snaps

Repeats finger plays, rhythmic activities,     Puts away art materials when finished

       and songs

Follow 2-3 related directions

Grasp pencil correctly

Traces dotted lines

Write/copy letters

Draw a person- know body parts

Recognizes and names colors

Names shapes

Recognizes numbers

Able to count                                                   “Our greatest natural resource is

1-1 correspondence                                         the minds of our children.”

Recognizes patterns                                                 Walt Disney

Matches like objects

Sorts objects into categories