"In like a lion and out like a lamb," I believe this is the saying for March weather. Now we will have to wait and see if this will hold true! During this month we will be learning about "Community Helpers" in the 3-year-old class, which will wrap up with a trip to the Fire Station on their last day before break on Thursday, March 19th. In the 4-year-old class we will be learning about "Reptiles and Amphibians" for the first half of the month and "Life Under the Sea" for the second half. This class will enjoy a visit from the Lake County Forest Preserve on Friday, March 6th with some special "Reptile and Amphibian" guests.
During Jesus time we will be jumping ahead in order to prepare for Christ's death and resurrection. We will be learning the following stories: "Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem", "The Garden of Gethsemane," and "Jesus Before Pilate." Starting on Monday, March 23rd and going through Friday, March 27th, we will be on Spring Break. Additionally, both classes will enjoy a Meaningful Easter Egg Hunt on Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st when they return from their break.
- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director
As the Little Sprouts "March" into a new month, they will examine the saying "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb" for a theme. We will listen to a flannel story version of Aesop's "The Lion and the Mouse" fable and learn that help can come from those that are big AND those that are little! They will also make a lion mask out of a paper plate. During the following week, the students will circle back to the theme of "Taking Care of Me" and learn about the importance of washing hands, staying clean and eating healthy. We will also talk about how important our families and caretakers are because they can help us stay healthy and safe. And before we leave school for a week long Spring Break, we will take a look at lambs. Craft time will feature both a paper bag lamb puppet and a beautiful watercolor lamb. The children will learn that Jesus is their shepherd and listen to the hymn "I am Jesus' Little Lamb."
Jesus Time stories this month include: "Jesus Heals a Little Girl" and the Passion stories of "Blessed is the King," "Jesus Prays in the Garden" and "Jesus Died for Me."
- Mrs. Rachel Andrews
March 6th -- In-Class Field Trip Reptiles & Amphibians (4's)
March 19th -- Visit the Fire Station (3's)
March 23th - 27th -- No School- Spring Break Week
March 30th -- School Resumes
Well, January was very long and cold, but we made it through! During this new month we will be learning about "Shapes" in the 3-year-old class. In the 4-year-old class we will be learning about "Hearts & Valentines" for the first half of the month and then "Living Healthy" for the second half. Hopefully we can get another play day in the snow, as we did not make it out in January for lack of snow and then the freezing temps.
During Jesus time we will learn the following stories: "Jesus Changes Water into Wine", "Jesus Helps His Friends Catch Fish", "Jesus Calms the Storm" and "Jesus Helps a Paralyzed Man." Both classes will enjoy a Valentine's Pajama Party. Additionally, we will be off Monday, February 16th for Presidents' Day.
Finally, we will have an Open House on Tuesday, February 3rd from 5:30 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. After that date, we will open enrollment for the Preschool and Little Sprouts programs to the general public. Before that date it will be open to our current families so they can reserve their spots. If you know anyone with a child between the ages of 2 to 4 years old, please send them our way and tell them about the open house. Also, please pray for our school with the hope that, God willing, it will be filled with many children for the upcoming school year of 2026 - 2027.
- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director
Jack Frost seems to have settled in for a nice long visit! It may be freezing outside, but the Little Sprouts will hardly notice as they discover and learn about community helpers. We will discuss how our helpers keep us and our neighborhood safe - fire fighters, police officers, doctors, mail carriers, teachers and even pastors! There are so many helpers. There will be a big firetruck tent to play in, fun crafts to make and many books about community helpers to read. The Sprouts will also learn about Valentine's Day, exchange cards and make a special craft with hearts. At the end of the month, we will change our focus to a "Taking Care of Me" theme where we will make a colorful fruits and vegetables craft and play a teeth counting game.
Our Jesus Time stories this month focus on some of Jesus' miracles: "Jesus Shows His Powers," "Five Loaves and Two Fishes," "Peter Learns to Trust" and "One Man Gives Thanks."
- Mrs. Rachel Andrews
February 12th -- Valentine's Day Party At 10:15 (3's)
February 13th -- Valentine's Day Party At 10:15 (4's)
February 16th -- No School- President's Day Holiday
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year, remembering all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us, especially the gift of his son! We have been on break the last two weeks and will be back in session on Monday, January 5th and Tuesday, January 6th. We have yet another friend joining us for the second half of the school year. It is another boy. His name is Elliot and will be in our 4 year-old-class. Welcome back to his family as his sister went here last year. I am anticipating the next month will probably be long and cold, but that won"t stop us from having fun! Hopefully we can get another play day in the snow.
This month we will learn about snow and cold and all the animals that love this weather. We will do a variety of different activities to help us learn about these things. Both classes will enjoy a special "Family Read Day" and finally, we will be off Monday, January 19th for MLK day. During Jesus time will learn the following stories: "The Wisemen, God Keeps Jesus Safe, Young Jesus Visits the Temple" and "Jesus is Baptized by John."
- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director
Welcome back, students and parents! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, full of family, friends and celebration for the birth of God"s Son, Jesus. While winter weather can be bitterly cold, the Sprouts will be warm inside and busy making wintertime crafts, including a winter collage and a snowman created with Model Magic clay. There will also be a snowman game where the children can practice their fine motor skills by using tweezers to move cotton balls. Pets will be our next theme. Cats, dogs, turtles, fish. . .there are so many to learn about! We will listen to both informational and entertaining books, make a puppy puppet and even play a fish game.
Our Jesus stories this month include the Epiphany story of "Gifts for a King," as well as "Jesus Goes to Church," "Come and Follow Me" and "Jesus Shows His Power."
- Mrs. Rachel Andrews
January 5th - School Resumes (4's)
January 6th - School Resumes(3's)
January 19th - No School - MLK Jr Day
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, remembering all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us! December will be a very busy month as well as an exciting one. We did gain a new friend in our four-year-old class this month, a little boy named Mark. We welcome him and his family. This month we will learn about "Jesus Birth," as well as "The Joy of Giving." Both classes will enjoy a special "Craft Day" and a Christmas Party on their last days of school in December, before Christmas break begins. During Jesus time will learn the following stories: "God's Special Message for Mary" and " Jesus the Savior is Born."
We will continue to work on our Christmas Program which will be held on Sunday, December 14th at 1:30pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Additionally, on Sunday, December 21st, the preschool children are invited to sing again with the Sunday School children. They have been working very hard on this hymn and we would love to see you, so please mark this date on your calendar and join us if you can! Our service starts at 9:30am. The children should meet in the fellowship hall at 9:15 to practice with the Sunday School children and then will be brought up to join you in the sanctuary by 9:30.
Our first parent/teacher conferences will be held on Friday, December 5th from 11:45am -2:45pm. We will be on Christmas break from Monday, December 22nd through Friday, January 2nd. The four-year-old class will resume on Monday, January 5th and the three-year-old class will resume on Tuesday, January 6th. I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!
- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director
Christmas is coming! It is exciting to see Christmas decorations, hear Christmas carols and taste yummy Christmas treats. Our Sprouts will be getting to do a bit of each of things this month. We will be making some special (and surprise) Christmas crafts while listening to Christmas carols and there just might be a special Christmas treat or two for snack time. The children will also learn about all kinds of bears during our Bear unit. There will be some bear crafts, bear songs and we will even have a special pajama day where the children can bring stuffed bears and go on a bear hunt in our church building. It will certainly be a busy month!
Our Jesus time will focus on the Christmas stories of "Mary's Big News", "The Savior is Born" and "Go and Tell". We will celebrate Jesus' birthday and learn that he is the very best present of all.
I sincerely hope that all our families have a blessed Christmas and a very happy New Year.
- Mrs. Rachel Andrews
December 7th - Advent Family Crafts (10:45am)
December 10th - Craft Day (10:00-11:30am) (3's)
December 11th - Craft Day (10:00-11:30am) (4's)
December 14th - Christmas Program (1:30pm Please Arrive by 1:20pm)
December 18th - Christmas Party (10:00-11:30) (3's)
December 19th - Christmas Party (10:00-11:30) (4's)
December 22nd - January 2nd - Winter Break - No School
January 5th - School Resumes (4's)
January 6th - School Resumes(3's)
It is hard to believe we are already through two months of Preschool. Sunday, November 2nd will be an opportunity for the preschool children to join the Sunday school children to sing the song we have been working so hard on. Please plan to come and meet us in the fellowship hall at 9:15 for practice before the service starts at 9:30. Refreshments and drinks will be served after. We hope to see you there!
This month will be busy as we prepare for Parent/Teacher conferences and start preparing for our Christmas Program. The Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 14th at 1:30. During the month we will be learning "My Five Senses" in the three-year-old class and the four-year-old class will learn about "Native American Indians and Thanksgiving." During Jesus' Time, we will study the following stories: "God Takes Care of Baby Moses, God Chooses Moses," and "God Leads His People Through the Red Sea." Near the end of the month, both classes will enjoy a field trip to the Marriott Lincolnshire to see Cinderella.
We will be on Thanksgiving break from Wednesday, November 26th, through Friday, November 28th. The Four-Year-Old Class will resume on Monday, December 1st, and the Three-Year-Old Class on Tuesday, December 2nd. Conferences will then be held on Friday, December 5th. Finally, please note that the December Preschool/Sunday School singing will be on the second Sunday, the 8th. That day will also be our Family Advent Festival. More information on this to come! I wish everyone a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving.
- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director
While brightly colored leaves may be leaving the bare, the season of fall is still upon us so the Little Sprouts will spend the month of November with a look at Fall Animals. The month begins with an acorn dot art craft and some cozy fall books. We will also read the beautifully illustrated book The Busy Little Squirrel. Fall animal crafts include a bushy tail squirrel, a paper bag fox puppet and a hedgehog painted with a fork to create its spikes. The children will practice taking turns with two board games as well. For the week of Thanksgiving, we color Thanksgiving Prayer cards to take home and share with our families.
Jesus Time this month includes the Old Testament stories of "God Keeps Baby Moses Safe, God Chooses Moses, Crossing the Sea," and "Bread from Heaven".
- Mrs. Rachel Andrews
November 2nd - Preschool Sing In Church w/ Sunday School Kids (3's & 4's)
November 20th - Field Trip To See Finding Nemo (3's)
November 21st - Field Trip To See Finding Nemo (4's)
November 26-28th - Thanksgiving Break - No School
December 5th - Conferences 12:30 - 2:30pm
We have successfully finished our first month of preschool. This month in the three-year-old class we will learn about "Colors." The four-year-old class will be learning about "Fall & Pumpkins." During Jesus time the four-year-old class will learn the following stories: "God Answers Abraham's Prayer for a Son, Jacob Sees a Beautiful Dream, God has a Plan for Joseph." and "Joseph Becomes a Ruler." The three-year-old class will do all the same stories but, before starting the above stories will learn "God Saves Noah and His Family." Towards the end of the month both classes will have a special field trip to Country Bumpkin and finally, on the last days of the month, will enjoy a Fall Party.
- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director
As the daylight slowly begins to wane and the leaves begin to fall, the Little Sprouts will be staying busy inside with lots of different activities. We will begin the month with a look at "Shapes." We will make a shapes color book, sing shape songs and build with some fun magnetic shape blocks. We will even create Noah's Ark out of different shapes. Our next theme is "Apples." We will taste red, yellow and green apples, read some fun apple stories and create a tissue paper apple. Our month ends will a look at fall. We will have a fall celebration day on October 30th with a delicious fall snack, finger plays and extra special craft.
Our Jesus stories this month feature: "Noah's Big Boat, Count the Stars! Jacob's Beautiful Dream, Joseph's Special Gift," and "Joseph's New Job".
- Mrs. Rachel Andrews
October 8th - Picture Day (4's)
October 9th - Picture Day (3's)
October 13th - Columbus Day - No School
October 17th - Hearing & Vision Screening
October 22nd - Field Trip To Country Bumpkin 9:10-11:30(4's)
October 22nd - Field Trip To Country Bumpkin 9:10-11:30(3's)
October 28th - Paint Pumpkins(4's)
October 29th - Paint Pumpkins(3's)
October 30th - Fall Party 10:00 -11:30am (3's)
October 31st - Fall Party 10:00 -11:30am (4's)
November 2nd - Preschool Sing In Church w/ Sunday School Kids (3's & 4's)
Singing in Church on October 2nd, 2022
Here we are again ready to start a new school year! I hope everyone had a fantastic summer. Our first days will be Tuesday, September 2nd, and Wednesday, September 3rd. I'm looking forward to seeing some of my students from last year and getting to know my new ones. To date, we have 7 three-year-olds and 8 four-year-olds enrolled. We do still have room so if you know anyone still looking for a preschool send them our way.
During the month we will be learning "All About Me" in the three-year-old class and the four-year-old class will do two days of learning about each other and then we will go into the theme "Apples." After that, we will learn about "Pets." During Jesus Time we will study the following stories: "God Creates Our Beautiful World, God Creates Man and Woman, God Saves Adam and Eve," Additionally the fours, we will also study "God Saves Noah and His Family. As I am sure we should have some nice weather this month we will try to get out a lot to enjoy the outdoors before the colder days arrive.
- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director
School is back in session and the Little Sprouts are ready to meet new friends, play with and learn something new! In September, we will begin by learning our classroom routines and rules. The children will also learn a bit about the concept of school make a backpack craft and sing "The Wheels on the Bus." Our second theme of the month is "Colors." students will observe a color mixing experiment, learn a beanbag color song, and make a rainbow craft, which ties into our first story.
Our Jesus time stories this month are: "Jesus Blesses the Children, God Made the World, God Made Me," and "The Sneaky Snake."
- Mrs.Rachel Andrews
September 2nd - First Day of School (3's)
September 3rd - First Day of School (4's)