March gave us the opportunity to plant seeds, then wait and watch for our plants to grow.  We will send our projects home soon.  We have lots of fun activities planned for preschool during the month of April and we are especially glad that Spring is officially here!

Jesus Time
During the month of April we will continue to learn about what happened after the first Easter.  We will learn that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again so that we might live forever with Him in Heaven.  After His death and resurrection, Jesus appeared before His disciples and many other people for 40 days.  His message was to make certain that everyone knew that He loves all people everywhere.  His message continues now, through us.  He wants us to tell others of His great love for them.  Our theme for the month will be “Jesus is with us”.

Theme/Concepts
”Farm” is the theme for the month of April.  We will learn about farm animals and their babies.  And, we will learn about daily chores.  The color of the month is purple, our shape is an oval, and our number is #10.  The 4 and 5-year-old classes will learn the letters W, X, Y, and Z.  The 3-year-olds will be working on the letter F.

Special Events
Easter Parties: Our classes will celebrate the new life we have through Jesus’ death and resurrection with an Easter Party.  We will have special Easter activities including an egg hunt.  Please check the parent board to see if you signed up to help.  We will begin our Egg hunt according to the following schedule:

• Wednesday, March 31 – 10:45 am   (1:30 pm for the afternoon class)
• Thursday, April 1 – 10:45 am

Easter Eggstravaganza: WXEF and KJ Country radio stations are hosting their annual Easter Eggstravaganza at the Thelma Keller Convention Center on Saturday, April 3 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The Eagle’s Nest Preschool is planning a small exhibit and some games for the children.  We hope to see you there for some Easter fun!

Deters’ Farm Field Trip: We are taking a field trip to Joe and Carleen Deters’ farm on:

• Wednesday, April 7 – for the Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes
• Thursday, April 8 – for the Tues/Thurs classes

The children will get the opportunity to learn more about farm animals and all the activities on a dairy farm, and we hope to enjoy seeing some pigs while we are there.  Please dress your child for the weather.  Also, please encourage your child to us the bathroom before washing hands in the morning.  We will plan to leave the church parking lot by 9:00 am each day.

Note: Every child will need a car seat in order to participate in the field trip.  Please take time to label your child’s car seat with your child’s name.  Please write it in a noticeable spot to make the transition from one place to the next easier.  We appreciate your help!

Library Books
All library books and/or videos checked out from the church library need to be returned at the end of the month.

Reminders

• Please remember to sign your child in and out each day.
• No School – Friday, April 2 – Easter Break
• No School – Monday, April 5 – Easter Break
• Field Trip – Wednesday, April 7 – Deters’ Farm
• Field Trip – Thursday, April 8 – Deters’ Farm

Book Orders
We will combine our book orders for the months of April and May to be sure they arrive before the final days of preschool.  Book orders will be due by Wednesday, April 14th.  Make checks payable to SCHOLASTIC.

Upcoming Events

• Our classes will be going to Cayla’s Power Tumbling for our “End of the Year” field trips.  Our tentative dates are scheduled for the last day of class:
• Monday, May 10 – for the Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes
• Tuesday, May 11 – for the Tues/Thurs classes
• Promotion/Graduation celebrations – The classes will celebrate with a promotion/graduation ceremony in the church sanctuary, followed by a carnival!  Our programs will be held on:
• Wednesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM – for the Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes
• Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 PM – for the Tues/Thurs classes

Happy Easter!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Esker
Preschool Director

The month of February has been fun!  We have enjoyed making, sending, and receiving valentines.  And we’ve enjoyed all of the opportunities to learn about the color pink.  We all had great fun on V.I.P. Night with our bear hunt and campfire theme.

Jesus Time
During the month of March we will learn that Lent is a time to remember.  We will remember Christ’s suffering in the desert, that God wants us to know His great love for us in Jesus, and that He wants us to praise Him by listening to His Word.  We will remember that Jesus forgives all our sins and loves us unconditionally.

Theme/Concepts
During the month of March we will continue to work on printing our names, remembering that our names begin with an uppercase letter and the letters that follow should be lowercase letters.  We will learn about plants, seeds, plant growth, and the care of plants.  Our lessons will include science exploration of how plants grow and actually planting seeds to raise our own plants at preschool.  The color of the month is green, our shape is the diamond, and our number is #9.  The 4- and 5-year-old classes will learn the letters “S”, “T”, “U”, and “V”.  The 3-year-olds will be working on the letter “P”.

Library Books
On March 3rd and 4th, the children will go to the Children’s Library in our church and be allowed to check out books, cassettes, and videos.  We ask that you help your child enjoy them and continue to teach your child how to care for them, and return them on or before the next library day.

Parenting Library
Several books have been purchased over the years for the St. John’s Eagle’s Nest Preschool parenting library.  These books are available to sign out.  Stop by this small library located just outside the doors of the 4-year-old classroom and see if you would like to borrow a book!

Reminders

• Please remember to sign your child in and out each day.  It is important, and is a great help to us.
• No school on Monday, March 1st – Casimir Pulaski Day
• March 8 – 12 is Lutheran Schools Week!  See below for more information!

Book Orders
Book orders are due no later than Tuesday, March 16.  Please make checks payable to Scholastic.

Upcoming Events
Our classes would like to visit a dairy farm during the month of April.  If you or someone you know would like to open your farm to our preschool classes for a field trip, we would love it!  Please just let me know so that we can schedule a convenient time.

Lutheran Schools Week Events
Monday – March 8th – Mixed-up Day
Tuesday – March 9th – Mixed-up Day
Wednesday – March 10th – Silly Hair Day
Thursday – March 11th – Silly Hair Day
Friday – March 12th – Jeans and Hats Day

On “Mixed-up Days” your child may wear mixed-up clothes, such as stripes with checks, stripes with stripes, two different colored socks, or anything fun and creative.  On “Silly Hair Days”, your child may wear several ponytails, lots and lots of gel, old curlers, or any fun silly hair.  And on “Jeans and Hats Day”, the children in the Friday class can wear jeans or hats or both.  Of course, the teachers will dress up too!  (Some children are reluctant to dress silly until they see that their teachers and classmates are dressed silly too – so do not insist that they participate; we want these activities to be FUN!

Enrollment for 2010-2011 Classes
Many of you have already registered for the 2010-2011 preschool classes.  And thanks to many of you, our 4-year-old classes are filling quite quickly.  Thanks, too for sharing registration information with your friends!
2010-2011 Registration Form

Sincerely,

Sandy Esker
Preschool Director

It is hard to believe that January is nearly over.  We are looking forward to our V.I.P. night and are sorry that we needed to change the date.  However, we are sure that our fun night will be worth the wait!  Be prepared, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”!!

Jesus Time
During the month of February we will be learning about the love of Jesus.  Our theme for Chapel Worship is “Caring for Each Other”.  We will learn that Jesus’ love will help us to love and forgive others.  Our Bible stories will include the story of Zacchaeus, The Little Children and Jesus, the Parable of the Lost Son and Ten Men with Leprosy.

Theme/Concepts
“Bears” is the theme for the month of February.  We will learn about bears through many of our projects and activities.  Our lessons will include different types of bears and their habitats.  We will also include lots of pretend play with our “Teddy Bears” and with one another.  The color of the month is pink, our shape is the heart, and our number is 8.  The 4 and 5 year old classes will learn the letters “P”, “Q”, and “R”.  The 3-year-old classes will be working on the letter “V”.

Library Books
On February 3rd and 4th the children will go to the Children’s Library in our church and be allowed to check out books, cassettes, and videos.  We ask that you help your child enjoy them and continue to teach your child how to care for them, and return them on or before the next library day.

Reminders

• Please remember to sign your child in and out at drop off and pick-up each day.  It is important and a great help to us.
• VIP Night – Monday, February 8th 6-7:30 PM  Tuesday, February 9th 6-7:30 PM
• No School – Monday, February 15th – President’s Day

Book Orders
Book orders are due no later than Tuesday February 23rd.  Please make checks payable to SCHOLASTIC.

Upcoming Events

• February 10th and 11th – Valentine’s Day Parties – 11:00 AM
• February is Dental Health Month

Wanted
Baby Food Jars with Lids

Valentine Parties
Each child is invited to bring a valentine for each classmate – simply write who the valentine is from.  You do not need to print each friend’s name on the envelope.  During our activity time, the children will deliver their valentines to each friend’s valentine pouch.

Mommy and Me Class
Mommy and Me classes will begin on February 19th.  We are very excited that so many parents and children are looking forward to this early learning experience!
Mommy and Me Registration Form

Preschool Registration for 2010-2011
Many of you have already registered for the 2010-2011 preschool year!  Beginning February 1, registration will be accepted for the Effingham area community.  If you know of a friend or neighbor that is interested, please ask them to call the church office at 342-4334 to request a registration form, or simply print one for them below.
2010-2011 Registration Form

I pray that throughout the month of February you and your family are filled with love.

Sincerely,
Sandy Esker

…the greatest of these is love. 
1 Corinthians 13:13