December News  

Well this is a bit late but of course, better late than never!  I am sitting at home writing this newsletter on our “ice day” with no heat or electricity.  Where did this storm come from???  Anyway, we have all been very busy in the preschool with welcoming new families and keeping our little CUBS busy with exciting activities. For this newsletter I thought I would just give you a few important tidbits:

Holiday Vacation:  Vacation begins on December 23^rd and the children return on Monday, January 5^th, 2009!  The entire staff wish you a very happy holiday break.

AM/PM Class Switch:  Due to the three days that the afternoon sessions of preschool and kindergarten were cancelled, the school district has recommended that for the three upcoming curriculum days, the AM and PM classes switch.  Therefore there will be NO SCHOOL for the AM sessions on January 29^th, March 10^th, and May 6^th  The PM students will come to school in the AM for those three days.  This is an effort to be equitable for all students

Staff Gifts:  Just a reminder that for this holiday season, the CUBS staff ask that you refrain from sending in gifts.  We would love to just encourage you to have your children draw a picture or a card – that would have tremendous meaning to all staff.  We thank you for your attention.

New Building:  There have been many questions as to when the new building will be started and when will it open.  The new building is now out to bid and a contractor will be hired before the holidays.  It is right on schedule at this time and is set to open in September of 2009.  It is all very exciting – yahoo!!!

School Website:  As you have probably seen (I hope) our preschool website is up and running.  I will make every effort to keep it updated throughout the school year so be sure to check back often.  You will notice that our picture gallery has been updated a few times and yes, I continue to blog!  So your feedback is always welcome on our website – just send me an e-mail.  Our therapists and teachers will also add “staff tips” that you will want to check out! 

Things are busy in the preschool.  Our waiting list has grown by the day as word get out about our new preschool and the quality of our current preschool classes.  If your children are in our program already and are not kindergarten eligible, they automatically will get a slot for the next school year.  I will be sending home a form for you to fill out to secure your children’s slots. 

I want to take this opportunity also to thank all of our teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, administrators, custodians, and secretaries for getting the Preschool CUBS off to another great year.  We currently have over 92 children in our program and more to come during this school year.  It is exciting to welcome each new family as they are referred to us.  I feel so very lucky to have all of the best working with your youngest children in the school system.  As I have spent a great deal of time this fall walking through the classrooms, I have continued to be so impressed with the work our staff are doing with your children.  When you walk through the rooms you hear happy children voices and see happy children’s work throughout the preschool classrooms.  It is so obvious when you are in the rooms how much work has gone into planning each of the activities and making it specific to the needs of all of your children.  I thank all of the Preschool CUBS staff for their hard work and dedication as we leave for our first break of the school year.  I wish them a happy, healthy and restful vacation and thank them all for their continued hard work!

Marylou Connors, Preschool Coordinator