July 20, 2013

Hello Preschool Parents!

I would like to welcome you and your child to our Preschool Program for the2013-2014school year at St. Paul Lutheran. Summer is quickly passing us by and preparation for the school year continues.

I believe I have met everyone this year, but if you don’t know me, my name is Mandi Ehrenberg. I am theDirector and Teacher at St Paul. This will be my fourth year teaching in South Haven. Before I was inhere, I taught inPhoenix, Arizona where I wasthe preschool teacher at St. Thomas Lutheran School for four years and the director for two years.An interesting fact: Last year I was named the Early Childhood Education Coordinator for the Michigan District. This basically means that I have to go to a lot of meetings and try to answer a lot of questions. I am very excited about this opportunity, but rest assured that it will not interfere with my teaching at all. I am a teacher first, and all of this other stuff second!  I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child throughout the coming year!

We currently have a full morning class and 7 in the afternoonclass. We still have a few spots open in the afternoon class, so if you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them give the school a call. We currently have an aide to help in the morning class, and the potential for an aide in the afternoon class if needed.

Below is a list of important information to read through. The heath form and immunization requirements have been given to you already. If you do not have them, please let me know!

HEALTH FORM - (Green sheet) needs to be signed and completed in detail from your child’s doctor BEFORE your child can attend school. If a health form is not on file by the first day of school, I cannot allow them into the classroom. Please do not put me in that situation. Thank you. NOTE: A physical lasts two years, so, returning students,for the second year, do not have to have another physical.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS - (Blue sheet) has the state requirements for children attending preschool. NOTE: If your child has had chicken pox, a written note verifying the date of occurrence from a parent is sufficient to have on file in the school office. Forms are also available to you choose to opt out of vaccines for your children.

PRESCHOOL CALENDAR – A calendarwill be distributed every month to keep you informed of the activities of your preschooler. On the calendar you will find information such as the Snack and Sharing day for your child, days off from school, planned field trips, and any other pertinent information. You will receive your first calendar at School Registration Night on FRIDAY, AUGUST 23.

SCHOOL OFFICE - Please call the school if you need to contact me, 269-637-4459 ex. 5. If I am not available, please leave a detailed message and I will return your call as soon as possible. You may also feel free to call me on my cell phone any time at (269)923-9082

ITEMS TO BRING TO SCHOOL - EACH preschooler will need to have the following:

  1. Gym Shoes- These shoes are to be left at school each day. PLEASE write their name on them!
  2. Three Ring Binder– This will be used to make a portfolio of your child’s work throughout the year.
  3. Box of Kleenex– To share with the class that will be used throughout the year.
  4. Glue Sticks- To share with the class. We go through A LOT of these every year.
  5. Disinfectant Wipes or Spray- To help battle all of those germs. 
  6. Extra Set of Clothes- Just in case an accident happens.

PARENT REGISTRATION–On Friday, August 23 anytime between 4-7, there is a chance for you to come to the school, see the classroom, hand in paperwork, pay tuition, and ask any final question you may have. You will also have an opportunity to meet other families that will have children in the preschool.Your child is welcome to come with you and they will be allowed to visit the classroom and check out their cubbies. This will enable the children to become familiar with their new surroundings.

Please bring: 1. Completed green forms/ good health forms

2. September Tuition

3. Any other completed forms

4. Any questions you may have

SNACK & SHARING CALENDAR & PRESCHOOL HANDBOOK - will be handed out at School Registration Night

I will be making home visits the week of orientation (Aug. 19-23) to all new preschoolers (this includes siblings of former students). During that week, I can come whenever is convenient for you- morning, afternoon, or evening. It would be great to have both parents in attendance at the home visit so I can meet everyone, but I realize this may be impossible for some. Home visits allow me to get to know you and your child a little bit better and for the child to meet me first in familiar surroundings. This also allows me to answer any questions or concerns you might have and to give you any further information you might need. Please contact me to set up a time and date at , at the school 269-637-4459 ext. 5, or on my cell phone 269-923-9082. Thank you for your help in getting these times set up. I look forward to meeting you and your child!

Again, welcome to the St. Paul Lutheran Preschool Program. I pray that God blesses our work with His children.

In Christ,

Miss Mandi Ehrenberg

*Just a note: A change from previous years-Starting this year, families will have to sign their children in and out of the classroom with a time and signature. This is the state policy. Binders with children’s names and a week’s worth of sign in sheets will be located on top of the new mailboxes near the door, along with a clock. We also have new mailboxes for each child. Paperwork will no longer be put in each cubby, but in the mailboxes instead.