By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | December 16, 2011 at 11:45 AM EST | No Comments
December finds us as busy as Santa's elves making presents and painting razzle-dazzle ornaments and decorations. Our little hands have been busy. We drew around each little hand, cut out the green handprints and joined them in peace and love to make a little Christmas tree to hang in the hall. We showed the children many pictures of Santa engaged in carious activities and asked them to describe what they thought Santa was doing. This literacy project is designed to increase language, observation skills and self-confidence. Every idea is valued. Some responses make us chuckle.
We have been reading many holiday stories. Two of our favorites are The First Christmas and Ask Mr. Bear. Danny lived on a farm and asked each barnyard animal which present he could give his mom. They all offered a gift: eggs, wool and milk. Danny's mom had all of those items, so the animals told him to ask Mr. Bear, who advised him to give his mom a bear hug and lots of love. She loved his gift the best. The four year old class cut out doves and sparkled them with glitter. We discussed the real meaning of Christmas, extending peace and love to one another and treating others with respect. The three year olds scrunched tissue paper to make a special wreath. We hope you liked the 'angels' made for you.
The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be over-stimulating for very young children. Sometimes we get so involved in presents, we forget that the best present we can give is our presence. Take a moment to read a book to your child, dictate a letter to grandma, discuss the meaning of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. Make a picture, card or cookies for a neighbor or senior citizen. Share your love. Smile at a stranger, because smiling is contagious. PEACE TO ONE AND ALL.
Christmas program Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in Woerner School gymnasium. Arrive early, park on the playground; enter at rear.
Please bring a dozen cookies for the refreshment table. We have students with life-threatening food allergies. No peanut butter cookies, no products with tree nuts, peanuts or nut products of any kind allowed. Parents will be responsible for their child's food intake at this event.
Enjoy you winter break
Last day of school --- December 20th
Holiday program that evening will begin promptly at 6:30p.m.
School resumes 1/5/2012 for the 3s classes; 1/6 for 4s class
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | December 01, 2011 at 02:54 PM EST | No Comments
Come one, come all!
Bring the whole family. Invite grandparents too. The 3s & 4s classes will sing, recite poems and the 4s class will perform a short play about Santa's elves. Please let us know if your child will not be able to attend.
Please bring a dozen store bought or homemade cookies for the refreshment table. Parents will be responsible for their child's food intake this night.
PLEASE DO NOT BRING PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES OR ANY FOODS/COOKIES/CANDIES CONTAINING TREE NUTS, PEANUTS OR NUTS OF ANY KIND. Some students have life-threatening food allergies.
Santa will make an appearance! Ho-Ho-Ho
Where: Woerner School Gymnasium, 6131 Leona near Holly Hills 63116 - parking on playground, entrance in rear.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | October 27, 2011 at 02:18 PM EDT | No Comments
Nerds: Sugar, Dextrose, Corn Syrup, Malic Acid, and less than 2% of Artificial Flavors, Carnauba Wax, Color Added, Carmine Color, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake, Blue 2, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 6 Lake.
Skittles: Sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, apple juice from concentrate, less than 2% - citric acid, dextrin, modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, coloring (includes yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, yellow 5 lake, blue 2 lake, yellow 5, red 40, yellow 6, blue 1 lake, blue 1), ascorbic acid (vitamin c).
Pixie Stix: Dextrose, Citric Acid, less than 2% artificial and natural flavors
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | October 12, 2011 at 10:35 AM EDT | No Comments
We are teaming up with Auric Acquisitions Nov. 18 from 5 - 7p.m. to help raise funds that will allow us to keep the school you love in tip-top condition. Bring your old or broken gold jewelry to exchange for cash and our school will receive 10% directly from Auric Acquisitions. Because of the technology they posses, you will be paid more than you would from any other company. Please contact us to pre-register for a time slot and remember a form of ID when you come. Additionally wine, beer and snacks will be served!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | October 04, 2011 at 01:51 PM EDT | No Comments
NO SCHOOL Monday, OCTOBER 31st or Tuesday, NOVEMBER 1st
FIELD TRIP TO STUCKMEYER'S PUMPKIN PATCH
3S Class THURSDAY 10/13 meet at school at 9 a.m. $7 for kids AND adults
4S CLASS FRIDAY 10/14 meet at school at 9 a.m. $7 for kids AND adults
HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY
Please send $1 (we'll purchase safe treats)
Children should wear their costumes to school, 3s class Thurs. 10/27 and 4s class on Friday 10/28.
Both am and pm classes will have morning class that day; we are combining parties.
Send a change of clothes as they won't stay in costume all day.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE, PLEASE STAY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND WATCH THE CHILDREN PARADE AND SING SONGS FOR YOU.
Fall is in the air and the children will be cutting up...making ghosts and bats as well as Jack-O-Lanterns for the hall mural. They will be storytelling. We will post their creative group stories and individual responses in the hall.
The 4s class will play a fun language game. We'll toss a stuffed witch to each child and the class will chant: "The witch, the witch, the witchhas an itch. Where oh where does the witch have an itch?" We'll expect the children to answer with a specific body part and then ask them to provide a describing word:on her pointy nose, bony elbow etc. You will begin to see great strides in the development of language, imagination and social skills.
Parallel play is the most common in the early part of school for 3 year olds but as children feel more comfortable they begin to interact and join in cooperative play. Through play, your child can act out feelings that she or he may not be comfortable releasing in real-life situations. He can be an angry parent, super hero, dangerous criminal or even the doctor who gives shots.
As language increases your child will replace physical fighting with verbal battling. Learning to negotiate is good. We will model appropriate language for you child to repeat if she or he cannot resolve a conflict but for the most part we let the children work it out. We want all children to feel self-confident and to develop independence. We will always be nearby with a helping hand but we will first encourage the children to try before accepting I can't! as an answer.
We know you mean well but please do not unzip your child's coat, remove it or hang it up.
These are age-appropriate tasks that they should be attempting. Our 3 year olds will soon tell you about Johnny Lion who hid from his mommy. We'll hide in a box and pop up and act out the story. We will also hear a story about shapes, titled Shape City. It is about cultural diversity. So often we regard our differences but people across the world have so much in common. We will help your child recognize how people are more alike than different and help them learn that everyone has feelings.
Thank you for all you do to support our preschool. You are appreciated.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | September 28, 2011 at 10:55 AM EDT | No Comments
Our 22nd annual Fun Run at Carondelet Park was a success raising more than $3,000. With support from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation and St. Louis Children's Hospital we were also able to raise awareness for children affected by allergies. We owe a big thank you to everyone that participated and helped make this year’s Fun Run such a great event. See you next year!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | September 08, 2011 at 10:08 AM EDT | No Comments
The second first day of school was similar to the first: new and returning students, lots of learning and tons of fun! Below is a letter from Mrs. Linda and Mrs. Amy about the first day in the 4-year-old class.
The first day of school is difficult for many children (and parents). At story time we read mouse stories. Shy Charles was extremely bashful. He refused to speak to anyone. Our friend, Little Mouse, was afraid to go to school. he wanted to stay home and nap on the cat's back. When his mom told him it was time for school he ran and hid. There were eight different colored houses where we thought he might be hiding. The children chanted, "Little Mouse, Little Mouse, are you in the red house?" We heard him squeak, but he tricked us time and time again, and that made the class giggle. When Little Mouse's mommy found him, she told him that she would miss him as much as he would miss her. She kissed his little 'arm' and told him to place it on his cheek whenever he felt lonely, so that he could feel her presence until she returned for him. You can try this too if your child is suffering from separation anxiety. Kiss high enough up so that it doesn't wash off!
We also read a rhyming story, Eenie Meenie Miney Mouse, about a little mouse who hid in many places. Rhyming is an essential pre reading activity. On your way to school you can make up rhymes: We're going far in the car. It's cool; we're going to school. Encourage your child to complete the rhymes. Word play is fun.
Just before snack time, we read about a mouse with no manners. He shouted whenever he wanted more food or juice. Everyone told him to use the magic word, but he couldn't remember the word that rhymed with trees. So he shouted, "I want more cookies, PEAS!"...and green peas fell on all of the mice. He kept trying until he finally learned to ask politely and use the words, please and thank you.
Little Mouse 'squeaked' all around our room today. Every time we ran to see if he was near or far, he ran away. We finally found a tiny little stuffed mouse that looked like Shy Charles, so we took turns tossing him and worked cooperatively to bounce him up and down on a bed sheet. This made the children giggle and Shy Charles dizzy, so after a few times he whispered in my ear, and 'licked' me. Yikes! I screeched and the children laughed and laughed. Preschool is a time for children to learn, explore and discover in a fun, relaxed manner with silly teachers.
Children learn best by doing. Serious learning takes place soon enough. Don't expect many ditto sheets. We teach hands-on, so that when your child goes to big school, he/she will be able to sit still and do paper/pencil work. This is the time to get ready for those tasks. We'll strengthen finger muscles needed for printing and we'll develop listening skills and patience and much more! This will be a very enjoyable year for all of us. By May, all of the children will be kindergarten-ready, and a step ahead! We will notify you immediately if we have any concerns. No news is good news. We will not have quarterly conferences, but we will send many notes home. Feel free to speak with us anytime you have a concern or question.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | September 06, 2011 at 04:27 PM EDT | No Comments
The first day of school was great: we welcomed back many familiar faces, and got to know quite a few new ones!
Students in the ECD Room found their new cubbies and put supplies away, met new friends, played outside, painted, read stories, watched the preschool parade and played musical instruments.
The following is a note from Mrs. Linda and Mrs. Amy about the first day in the 3-year-old class:
The first day of preschool was exciting for children and teachers.
Doesn't it seem like only yesterday that your child was a baby, totally dependent upon you? Now, your big school boy or girl is capable of doing many things by him/herself.
Today, we participated in music, movement and rhythm, and we read, I Can; Can You? We also read, Now That I am Bigger. We talked about how many things we can do now that we are 3 or 4 years old. We walked on the balance beam, tried to catch a stuffed mouse with outstretched arms, and we bounced that little stuffed mouse on a bed sheet almost up to the ceiling. Lots of giggling in our room! We are learning to cooperate. In the coming weeks your child will attempt many new tasks. We will encourage children to try, especially if they say, "I can't!" We will foster and "I can try first" attitude before we step in to help, and we'll praise your child's every efforts.
Going to preschool for the first time can be scary. Our flannel board story was about Shy Charles, a little mouse who did not want to go to school. He wanted to stay home and nap on the cat's head. When his mom told him it was time for school, the little mouse ran away and hid in 9 different colored houses. Our class chanted, "Little mouse, little mouse, are you in the red house?" The mouse squeaked and every time we thought we'd found him, he ran away to a new color house. The children giggled each time the mouse tricked us. When his mommy found him, she told him it was okay to feel sad, and she gave him a kiss, so that during the school day when he felt lonely, he could reach up and feel her kiss on his cheek. We also read a rhyming story, Eenie, Meenie, Miney Mouse. We had a fun, busy day, so don't believe your child when you ask, "What did you do today?" and your child replies, "NOTHING!" We learn by doing.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | July 29, 2011 at 10:51 AM EDT | No Comments
Missouri's back to school sales tax holiday is soon: Friday, August 5 - Sunday, August 7! We want to make sure that parents wanting to take advantage of the tax-free opportunity have the supply list, which can be found below. Not all cities and counties are participating in the tax-free weekend, and not all items are tax-exempt, so be sure to check out what qualifies & where!
2011-2012 PRESCHOOL SUPPLY LIST 4 jugs of juice 2 boxes of 5 ounce kitchen Dixie cups 6 rolls of paper towels Clorox Wipes Small bottle of glue Box of Kleenex
We hope you are having a great summer, and we'll see you Thursday, August 25 for orientation!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | July 27, 2011 at 10:42 AM EDT | No Comments
Show your love for St. Stephen ECD & Preschool and help us win a grant! Just visit the Intuit Love a Local Business site and share why you love our little school to further our chances of receiving a $25,000 from Intuit. The more votes we get, the better our chances are for winning!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | July 26, 2011 at 08:43 AM EDT | No Comments
WeDeal.com, featuring hand-picked insider deals, is making its debut in St. Louis. The first deal is a family friendly one: 5 passes to the Magic House for only $20! The Magic House is a great summertime escape from the heat, so be sure to get your deal today! Visit today's deal at WeDeal.com for more information.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | July 07, 2011 at 01:42 PM EDT | No Comments
After a year of hard work, lots of thinking and plenty of fun, our bright 4-year-olds donned their caps and tassels for graduation day, followed by games and picnicking.
Now, preschool summer session is in full swing, and registration is open for the 2011-2012 school year. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register today! Registration forms, as well as tuition assistance assistance forms, can be found online, filled out, and submitted via snail mail or e-mail.
We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, and finding ways to stay cool. Remember to drink lots of water and wear sunscreen!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | June 14, 2011 at 11:52 AM EDT | No Comments
Researchers have conducted many studies looking into the importance of early childhood education, both for academic and social development. Most recently, a study from "Science, The World's Leading Journal of Original Scientific Research, Global News, and Commentary" was published citing the lasting benefits of a preschool education into adulthood.
The information can be read here, in an article published by NOLA.com.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | June 09, 2011 at 01:24 PM EDT | No Comments
St. Louis seems to be getting taken over by cicadas this summer, and we've been learning about them at school. There are larger-than-life sized pictures of the creatures in the lobby illustrating the cicadas life from the time it emerges from the ground until it dies. Ms. Amy also brought in a few of the bugs from her back yard, and students got to hold them, their feet tickling hands & arms. A couple of times the cicadas tried to fly away!
We've been learning a lot about cicadas, so be sure to ask your student about what he or she has learned. And just in case you wanted to know some fun facts about cicadas, here is some information Ms. Amy compiled from cicadamania.com
Question: Do cicadas bite or sting? Answer: No. Cicadas aren't equipped to bite or sting. They do have prickly feet and a beak which can pinch or scratch. If they confuse you with a tree branch they might try to drink fluids from you or lay some eggs in you, which you would definitely feel.
Technically cicadas don’t bite or sting; they do however pierce and suck. They might try to pierce and suck you, but don’t worry, they aren’t Vampires nor are they malicious or angry — they’re just ignorant and think you’re a tree. Just remove the cicada from your person, and go about your business. Cicadas also have pointy feet, egg-laying parts (ovipositors) and other sharp parts that might feel like a bite.
Question: How can I tell a male from a female? Answer: If it is singing, it's a male. The next best way is to flip them over and look at their belly. If the belly is streamlined and comes to a point like a sharpened pencil, it's a female. If the belly is fat and cigar-like and the end kind of looks like the top of the Capitol building in Washington D.C., it's a male.
Question: Do cicadas pee, and if so, why? Short Answer: Because, like humans, they have to. Answer: YES! Courtesy of Les Daniels, author of the Great Lakes Cicada site: "I've experienced this several times where I was on the receiving end of this artificial rain. When many cicadas congregate on warm days, they feed on the tree fluids and often urinate 'piss' while doing so. This bug urine is called 'honey dew.' The little buggers have pelted me several times while I was observing a little 'too' close. It isn't uncommon. Lastly, the 'honey dew' does not stain, or stink. In fact, it feels like rain drops."
Tip of the day: If you want to avoid cicadas, don’t use power tools, drills, saws, lawn mowers, weed wackers, leaf blowers, etc. in their presence. Cicadas think the sound made by these tools and machines are other cicadas. Female cicadas want to mate with the male cicadas they think they’re hearing, and male cicadas want to compete. If you can, use these tools in the morning or close to dusk when the temperatures are cooler, and cicadas are less active.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | June 06, 2011 at 03:24 PM EDT | No Comments
For a fun, healthy, kid-friendly snack, use Ms. Amy's creative idea from snack time today: strawberry ladybugs!
Simply place mini chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Foods has a delicious allergy-friendly option) pointy side down into a strawberry half to make spots; attach a blueberry using a toothpick (or pretzel stick) for the head; and use red or black liquorice for the legs.
Here are some pictures of the finished products, Yum!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | June 03, 2011 at 01:06 PM EDT | No Comments
The following is written by Ira Wolfman, Editor-in-Chief of Sesame Street Magazine.
"On a spring day, a man spots a chrysalis (cocoon) in the grass. Coming closer, he notices a butterfly about to emerge, and he sits down to watch. But the process is too slow, so he blows warm air on the chrysalis, hoping that act will get the butterfly to come out more quickly.
At times in my life as a parent, I've felt like that man. As much as I cherish my five year old's childhood, there are moments when I want to speed the natural process a bit: "When will he be ready to play by himself so I won't be awakened at 7:00 a.m. on weekends? Isn't there any way I can blow on his impetuousness and make a patient child emerge, one who doesn't hit other kids or jump up and run from the table when relatives are visiting?"
Each child is an individual who comes to his or her growth points only when the time is right. Patience, a great skill of parenthood, isn't easily developed. But if I have trouble with that crucial attribute, I hope I'll remember the butterfly story. Because at its conclusion, the butterfly emerges - ahead of time, thanks to the bystander's breath. The man is pleased with himself until he notices that the beautiful creature's wings are not fully formed; it cannot fly. I want my child to fly. I'll keep working on my patience."
Keep an eye out for your student to bring home a small reminder to work on your patience!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | May 26, 2011 at 12:14 PM EDT | No Comments
Thank you to all of the Allertini Affair sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers and supporters - we surpassed our fundraising goal and raised more than $11,000! Our little school is fortunate to have such loyal supporters; this event would not have been successful without your generous contributions. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
We hope everyone enjoyed the evening, and we hope to see you again next year!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | May 05, 2011 at 10:26 AM EDT | No Comments
Tickets are still available for the Second Annual Allertini Affair - we have decided to keep sales open until all tickets are sold, so be sure to reserve your spot soon!
The Allertini Affair is a blend of hors d'oeurves and an open bar, with a dash of signature cocktails, a splash of silent auction items, and a twist of music.
Held at SqWires Annex in Historic Lafayette Square, doors will open at 6:00 p.m., with food and drinks until 9:00 p.m. Tickets to the event are $40 and can be purchased online, or by sending a check to the preschool.
We already have a great selection of silent auction items, including some of last year’s favorites and some great new additions, and we are still waiting for more to come in! So far our auction list features items from Disney World, Urban Chestnut Brewery, Build-A-Bear, the Cardinals, the St. Louis Salt Room, Namaste, Five Bistro, Masage Luxe and many more! Be sure to check out our Facebook event for more teasers from now until May 20!
Whether you like your evening shaken, stirred, straight up or on the rocks, we invite you to mix up your Friday night and join the spirit of the Allertini Affair.
For more information, please contact us by e-mailing ststephenecd@att.net or calling 314.752.4433.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | April 05, 2011 at 11:10 AM EDT | No Comments
One of our beloved dragons recently escaped from the ECD Room! He is currently exploring St. Louis for the first time and chronicling his adventures in his new blog. Read about Amigo's escapades as he adjusts to life outside of preschool here.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | March 28, 2011 at 12:54 PM EDT | No Comments
On March 16 the 4-year-old classes took a field trip to the Delta Dental Health Theatre where they learned and performed a song about dental health. The people at Delta Dental Health Theatre were kind enough to document the performance for us, which can be found by clicking the link below. For pictures from the field trip, visit our photos page!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | March 23, 2011 at 02:50 PM EDT | No Comments
Hey all you cats and dolls, swing on down to St. Stephen Preschool for a night of jiving and grooving. We'll get the preschool jumping with music that'll blow your top. The unique sounds of Swing DeVile will keep your mitts pounding and your toes tapping, with plenty of room to cut a rug. For only the price of a dime note (plus $5), you can have a ball. Solid.
We will be turning our little school into a music venue this Friday, March 25 from 8:30-10:30. Join us for the sounds of Swing DeVille, a blend of swing instruments & musical styles, and don't forget your dancing shoes! The prices is $15 & BYOB (soda, water & light snacks provided). We hope to see you there!
For more information, and to RSVP, please contact the preschool at ststephenecd@att.net or 314.752.4433
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | March 21, 2011 at 01:24 PM EDT | No Comments
We had a sneaky guest at preschool - a real leprechaun! The trickster wasn't tricky enough to get past our observant students, though. Our little detectives spotted his tracks upon entering school, and picked up some of the treasures that spilled out of his pot of gold. Excitement filled the school as students followed tracks from the door all the way to the bathroom, and even on the toilet paper! They made a trap, but the leprechaun was too fast to catch. Below are some pictures and quotes from the day!
"It all started when we found tracks and three monies!" "I found a pot of gold!" "There are tracks in the bathroom; on the toilet and the sink!" "We got a leprechaun!"
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | March 09, 2011 at 03:33 PM EST | No Comments
The first day of school pictures has finished. Everyone looked very pretty, and managed to stay very clean for their pictures! Pictures for the threes classes will take place tomorrow morning and afternoon.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | March 01, 2011 at 03:11 PM EST | No Comments
The preschool art gallery is now open! Our little gallery features one-of-a-kind originals created by the very talented artists at St. Stephen ECD & Preschool. We invite you to peruse the available artwork located in the ECD room at school; everything is available for purchase! All purchases are tax deductible, and proceeds will go to the preschool's scholarship fund. Below is a picture of a few pieces, as well as a price list. We hope you enjoy our little gallery and find something to incorporate into your art collection!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | February 08, 2011 at 12:33 PM EST | No Comments
We will be kicking off the Preschool Noises concert series this Saturday, February 12 with the Colonel Ford Trio. Featuring Gary Hunt, Dade Farrar and Jay Farrar, Colonel Ford was voted the 2010 Riverfront Times Best Country Band (Traditional).
This performance is full, and we will not be allowing anyone in at the door that is not on the guest list.
We are not sure when the next performance will be, or who will be performing, but we have updated the website to include information about the concert series. Once we establish a date and performer we will update the Preschool Noises page, as well as this blog.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | January 05, 2011 at 02:13 PM EST | No Comments
We were recently approved to participate in the Pepsi Refresh Project, which is granting money to fund great ideas. St. Stephen ECD & Preschool's idea is to improve our little school, and we need help from everyone we know, and even more people that we don't know.
The project is based on votes by the public, with the top 10 ideas at the end of the month winning grant money. Each person that registers online gets 10 votes per day until January 31, and we would greatly appreciate one of those votes!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | December 17, 2010 at 01:00 PM EST | No Comments
The preschool classes have been working very hard to get ready for the upcoming Christmas show. Despite their extreme excitement about their favorite Christmas things - Santa, presents, Rudolph, and family – they have managed to learn carols and stories for the Christmas show. And boy, do they sing their hearts out! The show starts at 6:30, so make sure to arrive early to get a good seat!
The Christmas Show will conclude the preschool’s events for the year and begin winter break. We will be open again on Wednesday, January 5 for the 4s classes and Thursday, January 6 for the 3s classes.
While you’re on break, be sure to check out the Santa tracker at www.noradsanta.org. You can see Santa’s progress as he makes his way around the globe, and play games to help Santa get ready.
We hope everyone has a very safe and happy holiday season, and we’ll see you again in 2011!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | December 10, 2010 at 04:00 PM EST | No Comments
And jolly is a good word to describe the preschool atmosphere recently! Students are eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival and excited for gifts and family affairs. As they create seasonal crafts, sing carols, and prepare for the upcoming Christmas Program, we manage to squeeze in alternative meanings of the season. Over Thanksgiving, we discussed the importance of giving to those less fortunate. More recently, we discussed topics of peace, love and treating each other with respect.
We hope that you are enjoying the holiday season. If you are interested in getting into more holiday spirit, feel free to journey out to St. Charles, MO for Christmas Traditions. Along with the chestnuts roasting on open fires, carolers singing, marching bands, cookies baking and the Santa parade, our very own Ms. Linda will be doing a book signing from 1-3 p.m. at Main Street Books. So put on your coats, scarves and mittens to keep Jack Frost from nipping at your noses and enjoy the holiday spirit!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | November 29, 2010 at 11:39 AM EST | No Comments
We would like to give a big "Thank You!" to everyone that has downloaded the GoodSearch Toolbar or shopped through GoodShop.com this year! As a result of your searches and purchases, we recently received a check from GoodSearch that will go toward the preschool's scholarship fund - your online activity is allowing a student with financial restraints to attend a quality early childhood program. Again, thank you for your support!
If you were unaware of the GoodSearch and GoodShop fund-raising opportunity, now is the perfect time to join this simple way to support our little school. As you are shopping online for gifts, or just taking advantage of the seasonal discounts, you can make every purchase count. More than 1,300 top stores including Amazon, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Apple, Gap, and more will donate a percentage of virtually every sale to ST STEPHEN ECD & PRESCHOOL. Just go to GoodShop.com, designate us as the cause you would like to support, and then click over to your favorite store. You pay nothing extra - and you can even save money as GoodShop lists thousands of money saving coupons and free shipping offers.
Or, add the GoodSearch toolbar to your browser at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar and your purchases will count even if you forget to go to GoodShop first! There's no easier way to support us this holiday season!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | November 11, 2010 at 11:42 AM EST | No Comments
Today, the preschool classes learned about the first Thanksgiving, when the pilgrims traveled across the ocean on the Mayflower to the New World. There, they met the Native American Indians, people that looked a little different, spoke kind of strange, and lived on land nothing like their old home. Each group of people might have felt nervous or scared by the strangers they met, but despite their differences, they were able to help each other, sit down to a big meal, and give thanks.
As we prepare for our Thanksgiving celebrations, we are reminded that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. Instead of being uncomfortably stuffed on Thanksgiving Day, too many people will be uncomfortable hungry.
We will be hosting a food collection at the preschool. In the lobby you will find a Thanksgiving Turkey eager to feed those that won’t have an extravagant Thanksgiving Feast.
Will you please send non-perishable items with which to “stuff” our hall turkey? We will donate all food collected to the food bank. Allow your child to deposit the items in the box and assure him or her that the food will help feed someone who is hungry. It is never too early to learn to help our neighbor.
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | November 03, 2010 at 01:53 PM EDT | No Comments
The preschool is participating in the Original Works fundraising program again this year. This program allows you to display your child’s artwork on a number of quality, practical products the program produces. These not only make great keepsakes, but also wonderful gifts! With the holidays around the corner, it also makes for easy shopping! Here are some examples of products you can make:
Orders are due Thursday & Friday of this week so that they will be returned to the school before our winter break.There is still time to create your child’s artwork, and we still have packets available. Before starting, please read the detailed artwork guidelines to ensure that your artwork can be re-created.
For more information, please feel free to contact the preschool at 314.752.4433 or e-mail jamie.ststephenecd@att.net
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | October 21, 2010 at 11:47 AM EDT | No Comments
This summer we decided it was time to take a look at the St. Stephen Preschool website and make a few changes. We consolidate some pages, deleted a few, rearranged others, and even added some new content. We hope that the updated version is easier to navigate and more user friendly.
This post will hopefully help you navigate your way through the site’s new layout. As always, we are open to - and encourage - suggestions for the website. We want it to be a useful tool for preschool families, friends, current students and alumni, as well as for the community as a whole. Thank you for your input, and enjoy the site!
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Here’s a rundown on website navigation:
Home: General information, brief summaries of important information
About Us: The run-down on the preschool Mission: Our mission & vision Location: The preschool address & directions, complete with MapQuest for turn-by-turn options Our Building: A description of our building – the layout, the allergy & asthma friendliness, theoutdoor area, etc Staff/Contact Us: The preschool’s contact info, plus bios about teachers and staff.
Class Information: Breakdown of classroom learning philosophies, plus tuition info Admission: How to apply, tuition assistance & the forms to complete both. ECD Calendar: Monthly ECD Calendar, available in Word & PDF formats Preschool Curriculum: Monthly calendar of daily preschool activities School Documents: All of the useful documents (including policies and procedures, health forms,and the annual calendar)
Student of the Week: Each week we will highlight one of our extra special students!
Photos: General pictures taken at preschool events, such as the fundraisers and the Christmas program ECD, Preschool 4s, Preschool 3s: Pictures from respective classes, updated at least once a week
School News: Our new blog! Updated periodically with school happenings or related news Announcements: Preschool Newsletters, upcoming events and general announcements Related News: Articles pertaining to allergies, asthma, and other related issues, as well asarticles discussing early childhood development
Community Service: Find ongoing volunteer opportunities
Special Events: read about our annual and one-time special events Fun Run: Our annual fundraiser held in the fall Allertini Affair: Annual fundraiser held in the spring Events Calendar: Highlights preschool and community events. Feel free to contact us to be included on the calendar!
Donations and payments: information about making online Paypal payments Payments: Pay tuition & fees online Donations: Information about donation opportuinites, plus our wish list
Guestbook & Feedback: Opportunities to let us know what you think. You can make you presence known through the guestbook, or give feedback anonymously through the feedback feature
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | October 19, 2010 at 02:46 PM EDT | No Comments
Last Thursday and Friday the preschool classes took field trips to Stuckmeyer’s Farm for lots of fun, and a little bit of learning. Not only did the students get to bring home their very own pumpkins, but they participated in a full morning’s worth of activities, like going through a corn maze and on a hayride. On the ride, everyone saw lots of growing things: asparagus, broccoli, sunflowers, and of course, pumpkins. There were also some friendly faces! Here are some of the views from the ride:
On the hayride
Friendly face on the ride
Parents and students learned a few things at Stuckmeyer’s, such as how pumpkins grow and why bees are important to pumpkins (they help with pollination). There were a few animals on the farm, too. Ms. Amy tried to get the turkey to gobble, but it didn’t work.
Learning about pumpkin growth
After a bit of learning, the preschoolers took advantage of the playground and Ft. Spooky, a blow up haunted house. It was quite an eventful morning! If you’d like to see more pictures, look at the 3s Class photo page or the 4s Class photo page!
By St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc. | October 05, 2009 at 11:10 AM EDT | No Comments
Thank you for taking time to visit our website, and our new blog! We have decided to join the blogging trend this year as another way to keep preschool families and friends included on the happenings at our little school. We hope you enjoy, and please feel free to leave comments or suggestions!
As we enter the second month of school, we are starting to get into the swing of things, and both students and teachers are getting used to the routine of being back in school. To catch you up on the things that have been going on so far, we’ve included some of the highlights of the beginning of the school year:
Enjoying the nice weather with sidewalk chalk, bikes and cars makes for a few dirty hands & faces!
The 3s classes took a field trip to Powder Valley, where they learned about nature.
The 4s Classes took a field trip to Eckert's Apple Orchard, where they were able to sample, pick and take home apples.
September 25 marked the 21st annual Fun Run in Carondelet Park. With around 240 participants, we were able to raise more than $2,500 for the preschool's scholarship fund and the St. Stephen Girl Scouts.
Please feel free to view more pictures from these events by exploring the Photos pages.
St. Stephen ECD & Preschool,
Inc. . 5516 South Kingshighway . 314.752.4433
