Pebbles September 2015

Events

Letter From the Directors

Dear Families,

Thank you so much for your confidence in bringing your children to

us. We will encourage them, challenge them, and love them! When

they leave Stepping Stones Preschool they will be ready with

confidence to take the next step in school, whatever you choose

that to be!

Socrates, the revered philosopher and renowned teacher once

said, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a

vessel". We promise to be a part of the kindling of the flame - we

will challenge them, bring them excitement and a passion for

learning. We will encourage their creativity both through art

projects, but more importantly through challenging their minds to

problem solve and solutions. We will continue to teach them the

social goals you have set for children - politeness, kindness and

respect. We'll nurture them, love them, laugh with them, and help

them grow.

We want every child to come home each day with a smile on their

face, enthusiasm in their heart and a story to share with you!

Remember, sometimes those stories are not quite the whole

truthful story - so if you have any questions, ask their

teacher! Communication with the teacher is one of the keys to

understanding the events and fun of your child's days. Enjoy the

stories, the smiles and the hugs-we do!!

- Joanne Black and Julie Ruebsamen

September 7

Labor Day—NO SCHOOL

September 8

Preschool Board Meeting

September 14

NO SCHOOL

September 28—October 2

Monster Book Fair (All Day)

September 29

Family Night

M/W/F Families 5:45-6:30p

T/Th Families 6:45-7:30p

Welcome to the 38th year of Stepping Stones Preschool! We are so glad to see so many familiar

faces and equally glad to see all the new ones too. Some of the familiar faces even come packaged as parents who attended SSP when they were preschoolers. I am so proud to be associated with a school that is beloved by so many in our community and a school who has a staff that loves and cherishes all of our children.

Part of what has kept us going strong for our 38 years are our families and our fundraising efforts. From the Ice Cream Social and Silent Auction in April to our smaller events like the upcoming Book Fair, Hot Dog Lunch and Gold Canyon Candle sales, we are able to purchase special things for our classrooms and enhance our facilities. Last year, our fundraising efforts allowed us to raise the fence around the main playground, re-carpet the playroom and nursery, and purchase four tablets for use in our classrooms. We are so excited to have the tablets – they’ve already been used to research what snakes eat and to find out what kind of beetle Mrs. Allen’s class found on the playground.

Lastly, we so highly value time spent in classrooms by the parents, grandparents and caregivers of our students. Thank you for all the work that each of you has done to complete all the paperwork that the State’s Licensing department requires of our volunteers. Without that, Stepping Stones Preschool would not be, and could not be, who we are today.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of the Stepping Stones Preschool family. We look forward to watching our children grow and learn this year!

UPCOMING TEACHER & STAFF BIRTHDAYS 9/9 ~ MICHELLE GRENKE

9/26 ~ TAMMA SUE McMURRAY

Jennifer Blake

Letter From the

Chair

From Our

Teachers

Julie Harpt

The Importance of Circle Time

Since the opportunities for reading, discussion, and play in circle time are endless, the opportunity for children to learn and grow is as well. How to behave appropriately in a group is a learned skill, which prepares young children for more formal education, for other group activities, and for many experiences in adult life. Everything from social skills to language to empathy can be gained with practice in circle time.

When children are allowed to express feelings and ideas to a group without judgment, they gain confidence.

When children practice taking turns listening and speaking during circle time, they learn valuable skills in positive communication.

When children are introduced to a wide variety of concepts, people, and ideas in circle time, they learn acceptance.

If you were to ask your child why circle time is important, he or she may respond by discussing the biased and discriminatory decision by the teacher to assign someone else as the line leader. As you console your child and discuss the other possibilities, just know that although your child wasn’t the line leader, and was not able to enforce his or her true gift of leading, he or she grew in immeasurable ways just as a participant during circle time!

Dear Parents and Families:

Reading for pleasure inside and outside of school has real and long-lasting benefits. It unlocks the power

of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help

children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:

Set the example. Let children see you read.

Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep pace with

changing tastes and reading skills.

Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read.

Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school.

It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to

visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.

Book Fair dates: September 28, 2015 – October 2, 2015

Shopping hours: Before and after school

Special activities: Family Night, Tuesday, September 29

If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at scholastic.com/

fair. Our online Fair is available from 9/20/2015 to 10/9/2015.

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!

Remember, all purchases benefit our school.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Blake

Jennifer Blake

Book Fair Chairperson

STEPPING STONES NEWS YOU CAN USE

Hello! I’m so glad the school year is back in full swing. It’s strangely quiet around here in the sum-mer and I prefer it when this place is buzzing with activity. My office is located in the Administration building, you are welcome to come by anytime to say hi or ask any questions you may have. At Foothills Christian Church this month we started a new year of Children’s Worship and Wonder. This program is for children potty-trained to 2nd grade. Children’s Worship and Wonder is a Mon-tessori influenced worship experience tailored for young children. It also goes by the name of “Godly Play.” We invite you to join us on Sunday mornings at 10am.

Peace,

Bekah Krevens

Pastor of Foothills Christian Church

Greetings from Foothills Christian Church

STEPPING STONES NEWS YOU CAN USE

Monthly aide calendar goes up on the 15th of each month. Unless the 15th is a Saturday

(calendar goes up 8 am on the 14th)...or a Sunday (calendar goes up 8 am on the 16th)

Please be on time for aiding. It makes the day more successful for our teachers and students.

If you are aiding in the morning please the nursery opens at 8:30 am for drop off and please be

in the classroom by 8:40 am. If you are aiding in the afternoon, the nursery opens at 12:00

pm for drop off and please arrive in the classroom by 12:10pm.

Please use the Parent Aide email: parentaide@steppingstonesaz.com for any aiding changes.

If it is within 2 weeks of the aiding date, it is your responsibility to replace yourself with another

aide.

Drop a note by the office if you need to change any information in the Parent Participation

Directory.

Please do not park in the RESERVED Church spots at any time.

Healthy Smiles at SSP

Brush your teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day!