October 3 & 5

What beautiful weather we have been having!  Praise God for His many blessings!  We sure had a nice day to pick apples on Thursday.

Regarding future 3K Family Days, we are making one change in that there will not necessarily be one every month.  October's 3K Family Day will be a simple 30 minute social on Halloween, October 31.  Whoever picks your child up is invited to come 30 minutes earlier for a little gathering.  You do not need to arrive early...only if it works out for you.  Please do not feel like you need to take a day off of work.  (See below.)

We will not be having a specified November or December 3K Family Day.  Instead, you will be invited to events such as the Christmas concert and St. Nick Day (more info. to come).  In January you will be invited to the Catholic School Week events (more info. to come).

October is upon us and we are now in full swing in 3K.  Please note the following upcoming events:

October 3 ~ Temporary Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures

• Important Reminder:  As stated in the school newsletter asbestos will be removed from the old convent and rectory.  Following this, demolition is scheduled.  These events will take place beginning tomorrow, October 3.  Please walk your child into the school building through the Main Street doors.  This is also where we will meet you at 11:00.  Mrs. Gruber will be outside assisting.  We will let you know when procedures return to normal.

October 17 & 19 ~ Parent Teacher Conferences

• Soon you will receive an email from the school regarding parent teacher conferences.  St. Clare School utilizes "SignUp Genius" for coordinating this.  You will be given a link to the sign up.  Please select one time slot per child.  
• *Please note: The online sign up provides time slots beginning at 3:30 and running through 6:30.  However, I am also going to be available between 11:00 and 1:00 on these days.  Please let me know if you would like to book one of these 15 minute time slots.  Feel free to email me or write a note.

October 22 ~ Open House for 3K, 4K & 5K

• Current and future 3K, 4K and 5K students and families are invited to join us for an Open House at St. Clare School on October 22.
• The Open House begins after Wrightstown's 10:00 Mass.  
• Please bring a friend who you think might be interested in seeing our school!

October 26 ~ Picture Day!

• This is picture day for our 3K friends and picture retake day for others.  Miss Mary and I will assist the students with this.

October 31~ Halloween

• You are invited to drop your child off as usual with an appropriate Halloween costume (no blood, guns, etc.)  Non-threatening Halloween costumes are encouraged.  Many young children are quite afraid of some of what they see during this time of the year so we ask that you are mindful of this as you prepare a costume for your littles.  You may either have your child wear a costume to school or be prepared to help your child change into a costume after arrival.  Simply do whatever works best for you, keeping in mind the weather.
• If you would like to send a special treat to school with your child to pass out to the others you are more than welcome to do so.  We have 10 students.  Please note that because we are cognizant of food allergies and sugar intake, the children will be taking these particular treats/snacks home in a treat bag.  We will have a snack during regular snack time.
• We are planning some fun Halloween themed activities with the children on this day including a parade around the school.  
• At 10:30 3K families are invited to join us in the cafeteria for a 30 minute social.  This is our October 3K Family Day.  No need to take off work.  Come if you can, but do not feel obligated.  (It is important that we leave the cafeteria at 11:00 so that the hot lunch volunteers can get set up.)  

September 26 & 28

Hello Parents,

Monday will be school as usual and then on Thursday we have our first 3K Family Day.☺

Just a few reminders about Thursday:

What:    3K Family Day
Where:  Hofacker's Hillside Apple Orchard, W3964 Wege Road, Appleton
Who:     3K students and families, younger siblings welcome
When:   Sept. 28, 8:30 until approximately 10:30

Other Information:

• Just a note that if you are ordering St. Clare School apparel the orders are due by the 28th.  The online customer access code is: stclareschool

• Important:  Please read the note from our principal very carefully regarding the upcoming demolition of the rectory and convent.  This important note can be found in the school newsletter that you receive both electronically as well as in the blue family folders.  It will affect where you park on certain dates.

• In my next letter I will post the names of those who signed up for snack in October.  Thank you for sending in snacks!

Many Blessings,
Mrs. V.

September 19 & 21

Hello!

We are going to begin learning about each letter of the alphabet.  For the next three school days we will learn about the letter A leading up to our apple orchard field trip.  For each letter we will read stories, do art projects, learn about the sounds, sing songs, dance/move to songs, practice letter formation and so much more.  We also have a series of Bible stories and Bible songs that use the alphabet as a teaching tool.  These are short stories and beautiful songs that are just right for preschool children.

We are also ready to begin implementing learning centers during a portion of our day.  We will rotate students through the sand table, painting easels, art table and puzzle area.  We may not get through teaching about each of these centers this week, but we'll get started on them.  It's going to be fun to see their creativity!

If you ever see our group out on the playground around pick up time, you are welcome to come on over.  At St. Clare School, we are all a family and we want you to know that you are a welcomed addition to our school.  I remember wondering how my own children were doing in school when they were young.  It's a great feeling to be reassured that they are content and comfortable in their new environment.

3K Notes:

• Please return
• Your signed permission slips about our field trip to the apple orchard by September 21.
• Your signed preschool handbook signature page indicating that you have read the handbook asap.
• Any VIRTUS paperwork asap.
• Just a reminder to please send in a photo of your family.
• Picture retake day will be on Thursday, October 26.  Any 3K students who did not have their pictures taken on Sept. 18 will do so then. 
• There will be an Open House following the 10:00 Mass on Sunday, October 22.  
• If fresh fruits or veggies are brought to school for a snack, we try to serve that on the day it is brought.  Therefore, a dry snacks may be pushed back another day or two.  Thank you for your understanding.

Blessings,
Mrs. Van Helvoirt

September 12 & 14

Parents,

Miss Mary and I have really enjoyed our first two days of school.  It has been our pleasure getting to know your little ones.  While older students have been in school several days already, Tuesday marks just the 3rd day for our little 3K friends.  If you feel anxious about a few things, not to worry...we are just getting started.  For many 3K children coming to school is the first time a he/she is in a social setting away from parents and grandparents.  Much of what we do in 3K (besides painting and singing and so much more!) is learning to adapt to our new environment.  Practicing age-appropriate social skills such as learning to say please and thank you, understanding that we need to "take turns" with favorite toys, etc. is a large part of our curriculum.  The early stages of these teachings can be a bit challenging for some.  Again, not to worry...we will get there! :)

While I would love to jump into teaching our letters of the alphabet, it is very important that we talk about fire safety.  While this is traditionally taught in October (Fire Prevention Week), our school building is brand new to your children.  Therefore, we will address fire safety both on Tuesday as well as Thursday.  We will practice going to our safe spot outside.  We will repeat this practice a few times.  Now would be a good time to talk to your children about your own fire safety plans at home.  Do you have a safe spot?  Does your child know two ways out?  Does your child know what your smoke alarms sound like?  Is it time to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm?  Since we will be addressing fire safety at school, it would be great if you could also talk about these things at home.

On most Thursdays we are going to get together with Miss Bohman's 6th graders.  They are our "Reading Buddies."  I will read a story aloud to the group and then our buddies will assist with a related art activity.  We will meet our buddies this Thursday!  This should be an enjoyable experience for everyone.  The older kids just love being around young children.

Finally, the office asks that you return your blue Family Folders each week.  They will be refilled and sent back home on a weekly basis.

Looking Ahead:

• September 3K Day:  You will receive information about an upcoming field trip.  Be sure to check you child's folder after school on Tuesday.
• Photo:  If you haven't sent in a 4x6 photo of your family, please do so.
• Mass:  3K students traditionally attend Mass twice during the school year.  Once during Catholic Schools Week (end of January/beginning of February) and again at the end of the year.
• Picture Day:  September 18 is picture day.  This is a Monday.  If it works out for you to come in and have photos taken you are welcome to do so.  Please come between 9:00 & 11:00am.  If this is not convenient, the picture retake day will be on a Tuesday or Thursday so your child will be here for that anyway.  As soon as I know that date I will pass it along to you.
• Pizza Pick Up:  If you ordered Little Caesars Pizza, the pick up for that is also on Monday, September 18 from 3pm till 6pm.
• Open House:  The Open House for 3K, 4K & K has been moved from Sun., Oct. 29 to Sun., Oct. 22.  I will pass on more info. about that soon.

Many Blessings!

Mrs. V.

It's the First Day of School!

Dear Parents,

The day has arrived!  It's the first day of school!  We are all very excited and look forward to a great year ahead.  Just a few notes to keep in mind:

• Extra Clothes:  Please send in an extra set of clothing for your child (some have already done so.)  We suggest leaving an extra sweatshirt in school as well. 
• Buddy Class:  This year 3K's buddy class will be 6th grade.  On occasion, we will get together with our buddies.  Generally, we will read a story together and do a craft activity.  
• Snacks & Food Allergies:  A letter about snacks and food allergies is going home with your child.  In addition, the September snack volunteers is attached.  Please remember to check your child's "Take Home" folder each day.  
• "Remind:"  A note was sent home about signing up for "Remind."  This was in your Family Folder.  Please be sure to sign up as it is the first way to find out about school closings and delays.
• Blue St. Clare Family Folder:  If you have all of your Back to School forms filled out please put them back in the blue Family Folder and return to school.
• Student of the Week:  We will have a "Student of the Week," however, that does not start until January.  
• Changes in Plans:  If you have a change in your school plans (a different person will be picking up your child, you need to pick your child up early for an appointment, your child will be arriving late, your child is absent, etc.), you MUST inform the school office.  You are welcome to send an email to me as well, but please know that you must also inform the office.
• Emails During the Day:  Regarding emails to me, please be aware that it is very likely that emails sent during the school day will not be read until after 11:00.  If you need to contact me during the school day, please go through Lea in the school office so that you can be certain that I will get the message.  
• Family Photo:  Please send in a 4x6 photo of your family.  We will make a 3K Family Tree in our classroom.  Thank you for your help!  There is no deadline for this...just send it in whenever you can. 

Blessings,
Mrs. Van Helvoirt