November 28 & 30

Hello Parents,

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving and enjoyed the weekend with family and friends.  As we move further into the holiday season, let us give thanks to God for family and friends who are here with us as we celebrate the season together.  Let us also remember to keep our loved ones who have passed in our hearts and especially in our prayers.  May all those who have lost loved ones be comforted during this time of the year.  

This week we will be doing some activities that go along with the letter H.  We are going to be reading a story by Jan Brett called The Hat.  In case you go to the library, many of Jan Brett's books make great read alouds for this time of the year.  She writes and illustrates a number of Christmas and winter themed books.  She is one of my favorite authors because her stories and illustrations capture the imagination of readers at all ages.  

Our school has a number of volunteers who help organize a various activities for our students.  If you would like to help out and get to know other St. Clare parents please consider attending Tuesday night's Home & School meeting at 6:30. Babysitting is provided.  Additionally, for each 3K parent who attends, $5 is donated toward our classroom.  We go through a lot of craft supplies so every little bit helps!

Looking Ahead...

• Tuesday, November 28 - Home & School Meeting @ 6:30
• Sunday, December 10 - Breakfast with St. Nick 8:30-11:30
• Wednesday, December 20 - Christmas Program @ 1pm & 6pm

November 21

Happy Thanksgiving, 3K Families!  Thank you, once again, for sharing your young children with us.  We are grateful that you are a part of our St. Clare family.  God bless you all this Thanksgiving week.

Looking Ahead:

• Thursday, November 23 - Thanksgiving/No School
• Sunday, December 10 - Breakfast with St. Nick (3K sings 2 songs)
• Wednesday, December 20 - Christmas Concert @ 1pm & 6pm (3K sings 2 songs and is invited to sing the final song)

November 14 & 16

Hello Parents,

Just a friendly note to remind you that if you have a donation for the St. Nick Breakfast basket please bring with you when you come on Tuesday or Thursday.  They are due no later than Friday.  Thank you for helping out St. Clare School!

New...Near the coat hooks, each child now has a basket on the floor.  These are to be used for placing hats and mittens in.   This will help the children get ready to go home at the end of the school day and it should save us a little time not having to dig through backpacks to see who does/does not have hats & mittens.  Please help us out by reminding your little ones to do this each morning when you drop them off.  

Morning drop off is also a great time to check with your child to see whether or not he/she might need to use the bathroom.  If you don't think your child went at home before leaving, please have them try to go before coming in the classroom.  

Thank you in advance for helping out in these two areas! 

Upcoming Dates...

• Tuesday, November 14-Feasting For Funds @ Hilly Haven Golf Course from 4-9pm

• Thursday, November 16-Last day for 3K to send in donations for our St. Nick Breakfast basket.  

• Thursday, November 23-Thanksgiving / No School

• Sunday, December 10-Breakfast with St. Nick (3K sings 2 songs)

• Wednesday, December 20-Christmas Concert at 1pm & 6pm. (3K sings 2 songs and is invited to sing final song)

Cold Weather Update

Hello Parents,

With the change in temperatures we have made a change to our 3K program with regard to going outside for play time.  Last year a number of 3K children were in attendance at St. Clare for the entire school day.  In that case, going outside whenever the weather cooperated was a necessary and healthy part of the school day.  This year, our 3K children are in attendance for three hours and after discussions with Mrs. Gruber we have decided that we will go outside on occasion.  

Beginning & End of the School Year 
When the weather is quite nice and the playground is dry we will enjoy the great temperatures and go outside every day that we can!

Late Fall & Early Spring
When the playground is rather wet we will generally stay indoors.  During these months if we head outside to the playground most children would soak through their leggings, pants, shoes, etc. because it is often wet in these areas.  Additionally, if a child comes to school not quite dressed for the chilly temperatures, unfortunately that child would need to stay in the office since two adults are needed to be with our class (We try to avoid our little ones sitting in the office because, as friendly as our office staff certainly is, an unfamiliar setting and that can be rather scary for young children.) 

Winter
It can be so much fun to play in the snow!  That being said, it can also be a challenge.  Therefore, on occasion we will go outside to enjoy the snow.  It can be difficult to predict whether or not we will be going outside so please make sure your child is always prepared: 

• Wear a winter jacket, hat and mittens (gloves are difficult for 3K)
• Wear or send snowpants (feel free to roll them up in the backpack)
• Wear or send boots (If wearing boots, remember to send shoes)
• If you have extras and prefer to leave some items at school, you are more than welcome to do so.  
• Please make sure that everything is labeled.  :)

 When we do go outside in the winter, it will be at the end of the school day (around 10:45) so that we are getting all bundled up just once.   

Thank You & Blessings!
Mrs. Van Helvoirt

November 7 & 9

Hello Parents,

In case you've been following along, we are ready to move into the letter F this week.  In 3K we do not expect the children to write these letters, rather we are working on letter recognition. We do various activities with the letters throughout the days.  We are also working on recognizing and naming colors and shapes.  In addition, we count daily.  They sure do count with enthusiasm! 

St. Nick Breakfast
Please remember to send in your form as soon as possible for the St. Nick Breakfast which will be on Sunday, December 10. Hopefully your family will be able to attend.  The 3K and 4K children are the only singers that day so we need as many singers as we can get!  This week we will begin learning two songs that 3K & 4K will sing together.  I am sending home a copy of the words in your child's folder.  It would be great if you could also help your child/children learn these songs at home.  As you will see on the papers, the tunes are familiar so it's mostly just a matter of learning the words.  

Christmas Program-3K & 4K Sings 2 Songs
The same two songs that our children will sing for the St. Nick Breakfast will be the same songs we will sing for the December 20 Christmas program.  In the past, after 3K sings their two songs, parents are asked to walk to the front to get their children.  At that point, you are welcome to stay for the entire program, or if it works best for your family, you are free to leave.  Many of us at St. Clare have been in your shoes with little ones when it's getting late.  We understand that you need to do whatever is best for your family.  

Christmas Program-Final Song
At the very end of the Christmas program, all students will be invited to return to the front of the church with the entire student body for the final song.  It will be up to you, as parents, to decide if this is something you feel your child/children will do.  You do not need to decide in advance nor do you need to tell me.  You might take into consideration whether or not your child might feel overwhelmed among a large group or if they are feeling especially sleepy by that point.  Don't think too much about it...simply decide that night. 

Here's a look at what else is coming up...

• Tuesday, November 14-Feasting For Funds @ Hilly Haven Golf Course from 4-9pm

• Thursday, November 16-Last day for 3K to send in donations for our St. Nick Breakfast basket.  

• Thursday, November 23-Thanksgiving / No School

• Sunday, December 10-Breakfast with St. Nick (3K sings 2 songs)

• Wednesday, December 20-Christmas Concert at 1pm & 6pm. (3K sings 2 songs and is invited to sing final song)