EASTER

     Easter is such a hopeful time of year!  The world around us is coming back to life after a long winter's rest.  If we are attentive, we can see the first tiny signs in the grass, the pond, the trees and the sky.  These occurrences in spring can set the stage for the most miraculous new life story of all, the Easter story.  Pastor Pattie will be our guest storyteller on April 1st and 2nd as we hear of how Jesus died for our sins, rose again and was taken to heaven where he will prepare a place for us.  Our Easter parties, on  April 7th and 8th will include a little fun.  In addition to dying eggs and making baskets, we are hoping the Easter Bunny will make a stop at our school to give the children an Easter surprise to take home!

The second half of April will take us outside a bit more and we are hoping for good weather.  We will be planting marigold seeds, sharing stories about our pets, and learning about and observing the pond and the birds.  We are not the only ones busy in spring.  All God's creatures are busy too!

PAJAMA DAY

Pajama Day at Pre School was anything but a sleeper!  We played lots of fun games, read stories like "The Princess and the Pea," and had milk and cereal for snack.  We thought you might enjoy these pictures.

MOVING INTO MARCH

Ahhh, March!  Finally we have a month without a holiday or big event.  We love parties at Pre School but they aren't special if you have them all the time.  This month we will have plenty of time to talk about land and water transportation, tools, and big wheels (big trucks as opposed to bikes).  On the 16th through the 20th we will be on vacation.  Although we will be lonesome for each other, and ask Mommy and Daddy every day, "Is it school today?" we will be excited to share our vacation stories with the class when we come back to school.  At the end of the month we will learn about weather.  The seasons will be changing by that time.  The new growth and spring rains will open the door for our talks about "new life" as it relates to nature and Easter!!

Hope you enjoy these Valentine's Day pictures!

A BUSY FEBRUARY

So much has happened at Pre School since the last time I posted news!  The Orange and Green Classes worked hard all month learning their songs, finger plays and musical activities for the evening program on February 5th.  They did a GREAT job!!  We hope you parents enjoyed it, too.  

Last week all of the classes learned about the post office and the responsibilities of the postal workers who deliver our mail to our houses and places of business.  Karol Johnson, a former teacher at Salem, came to school and told us all about this very important community helper.  She brought the official uniform (for each season even) and the authentic mail bag and boots.  Some important advice she shared with us was, first, stay back from the curb when the mail truck is coming. The postal carrier loves to wave at you but he doesn't want to bump you with his truck.  Also, please keep your dog on a leash when the postal worker arrives, for the safety of the dog and the postal worker.   At the conclusion of the week, we all mailed ourselves a letter!  Thank you, Karol, for visiting our classes!

Parent - Teacher Conferences  are coming up quickly.  They will be Monday, Feb. 23 (Blue and Purple Classes), Tuesday, Feb. 24 (Red and Yellow Classes), and Wednesday, Feb. 25 (Green and Orange Classes).  Please sign up for a time  this week.  The sign - up sheets will be posted in the hallway near the classroom doors.

Finally, the most exciting day of the year is coming up .... PAJAMA DAY,  February 26 and 27.   It has been rumored that some children have been looking forward to this day since school began.  Stories have been handed down from older  brothers and sisters and the stories are true.  You can wear you pajamas to school on Pajama Day!  (The teachers will too.)  Your favorite nighttime pal or blanket can come too.  It's a really fun day!  No napping allowed!   

FEBRUARY FUN

One of our favorite February songs at Pre School is:

Love, love, love, 

That's what it's all about

God loves us, we love each other

Mother, father, sister, brother.

Everybody sing and SHOUT!

'Cause that's what it's all about.

It's about love, love, love!

In February we talk about love; love of family, friends, God, our country, and our world. That's a lot of love!  We will share ideas about how we can show love and recognize it in our lives.  We will also learn about the Post Office and postal workers.  After all, they do deliver many of our love-ly Valentines!

Also in February:  Our Orange and Green Classes will be presenting a Winter Program on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 pm.  Songs, finger plays and music activities will be included in the program.  Family and friends are invited to join us in the church Fellowship Hall.  (Children in the program should be in the church nursery on the first floor of the church by 6:45 pm. Follow the signs in the narthex to locate the nursery.) 

Santa Came

Yes, Santa came to Pre School.  Wow!

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JANUARY

We will be back at school after a fun Christmas season on Jan. 5, 2009, and we will be full of energy.  January is the perfect time to play in the snow.  We will learn about polar bears and other animals that love the snow as much as we do!  We are hoping to get outside and do some sledding in the back yard at church.  Look for our footprints!

The biggest event in January is or REGISTRATION our 1009-2010 classes!!  Salem members, current students and alumni can register on THURS., JAN. 22 from 9:00-10:30 in the church gym.  New families are invited to our OPEN HOUSE on SAT., JAN. 24, from 10:00 until noon, in our classroom area.  Registration information can be seen on the church website, www.salemcov.org, on the Pre School link.  Spread the word to family and friends!