Water Day

Because the city of Forney has implemented water restrictions this summer, we are modifying our water day. We will have a small blow-up pool for the younger classes and water guns and water ballooons for the older classes. If your child has water guns, they may certainly bring them to school. We'll also have popsicles and other activities to do outside.

Please send your child to school with their swimsuit and sunscreen already on. And don't forget your towel!! Pack their clothes in a bag and we'll change into our normal clothes after our water day activities.

If you have any questions, please let us know. We'll see everyone on Wednesday!!

Vacation Bible School

Join us for VBS at People's Fellowship
10630 FM 740
Forney, TX 75126

Forney - Summer Reading Program

"Registration for the children’s 2011 Texas Reading Club begins Monday, June 6th at the Ellen Brooks West Memorial Library of Forney.

Library cardholders 3 through 12 years of age may register for the reading club during library hours, June 6th through June 15th and library cards are free for Forney ISD residents.

The library also invites children and their parents to the kickoff week of free children’s summer programs!"

Summer Library Hours:
Monday 12pm-7pm
Tuesday 10am-4pm
Wednesday 10am-4pm
Thursday 12pm-7pm
Friday - closed
Saturday 10am-2pm
Sunday - closed

For additional program information please visit the library or call 972-564-7027 for details.

Taken from: http://www.forneypostnews.com/Story.aspx?ArticleID=1432&HL=Forney-Library-Announces-Summer-Reading-Club.

"P" Week

On Monday we all brought "P" snacks - popcorn, pineapple, popsicles, peanut butter crackers, pickles, pears, peanut M&Ms, Pepsi and more!

On Wednesday we had PURPLE Day!  Only the girls wore purple today; the boys didn't participate since none of them have purple in their wardrobe :)  We'll have a more universal color next time!

We also made "P"eople houses from marshmallows and pretzel sticks.  All of the kids really enjyoed this activity!  Our PreK class made paper planes and flew them around the building.  I love the sound of children's feet at play!!

What to look for in a good preschool?

I always love meeting new families and answering their sometimes challenging questions when they are inquiring about enrolling their children in the program.  Lots of times though they are easy questions that every parent want's to know - How do you discipline?  What if my child won't nap?  What do you do if they cry?  What if he/she isn't potty-trained?  What do I make for his/her lunch at school?  Where do I find a nap mat?

These are great questions for every parent!

But what exactly do parents need to look for when searching for the right preschool for their children?  Here are some great articles I found online:

A good reputation
A good preschool should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and be known for its nurturing environment and stimulating curriculum. Ask the school for names and numbers of other parents and call them, or stop by during afternoon pickup time and approach other parents then.

Of course, take anything you hear about a school with a grain of salt and wait to judge it until you see it for yourself — disgruntled parents may simply have had a personality conflict with the preschool director. Also, your own first impressions definitely matter here. Be sure to observe the children when you visit: If they don't seem happy to be there, that's probably a signal to look elsewhere.

Bottom line: If you don't hear too many good opinions about a certain school, and if it doesn't feel right, look elsewhere.

Established ground rules

It's important for a preschool to be flexible — letting you pick up and drop off your child at different times, for instance — but it should also have clearly established written regulations for everything from operating hours to how to handle emergencies. That way you know the staff takes its responsibility — your child — seriously.

Along the same lines, look for a school with a strict sick-child policy. Find out which illnesses mean your child has to stay home, and for how long. A tough policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keeping sick children (and staff) away makes sense. A good preschool helps cut down on illness by requiring all children and employees to have current immunizations and regular checkups.

If a preschool doesn't encourage parents to stop by unannounced anytime, chances are it has something to hide. Keep looking. A great preschool will go beyond merely letting you in; it will invite you to become part of its community by helping with activities, accompanying the children on field trips, and so on.

Bottom line: If a preschool is poorly organized and has lax or nonexistent rules, it's not likely to be right for you.

A stimulating curriculum
The best preschools have daily schedules that include plenty of time for physical activity, quiet time (including regular reading sessions), group programs, socializing, crafts, individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time. TV and videos should not play a big part in your child's day. A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child's development and makes daily life more fun. At this point, teachers can begin helping children learn things like letters and numbers in an everyday context (counting toys, cutting out pictures of things that start with the different letters of the alphabet, etc.). Don't evaluate the school based on how many numbers and letters your child is learning, though — preschoolers aren't ready for a rigorous academic program.

The curriculum should change over time, providing your child with the chance to try something new, and should be adjusted to match each child's abilities and skill levels. Some preschools (such as Montessori) have specialized educational philosophies, but overall, look for a program that encourages independence and inspires your child's individuality and creativity.

Look for a school with a wide range of age-appropriate toys that will encourage your child's development and, as she gets older, stimulate creative, imaginative play.

If you have to bring your child's food, find out the school's guidelines. Some may require you to pack only nutritious foods; that's okay — preschools that don't restrict candy or other sweets may not have your child's best interests at heart. If the school does have a food plan, find out what it serves at meal and snack times. Does it encourage healthy eating habits and cover all the food groups? If not, keep looking.

Bottom line: If your child won't get a wide range of age-appropriate activities, move on.

A qualified, caring staff
A trained, qualified staff is one advantage preschools and daycare centers have over nannies and home daycare providers, who often have no specialized education. Preschool teachers should be educated, with at least two years of college, a background in early childhood development (though many states don't require this), and CPR and other emergency training.

When you're at the center, note how the staff interacts with the children. Teachers should also be responsible, enthusiastic, and well prepared. Look for a preschool with a staff that shares your philosophy about sleep, discipline, feeding, and other care issues. Good teachers will ask detailed questions about your child's health and care requirements to help determine whether their preschool is right for you.

Make sure the preschool has plenty of staff so your child will get the attention and care he needs. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a preschool should have one teacher for every seven children, with no more than 14 kids per group (so, two teachers per group of 14). Note that preschools aren't required to follow NAEYC's recommendations, so ask what each school's teacher-child ratio is and decide whether that's okay for you. A good preschool will keep groups of children small no matter how many teachers they have, to encourage interaction and development.

Look for a preschool with good staff benefits. Preschools that pay their employees well and offer them good wages, vacation time, health insurance, and an education allowance, for example, are more likely to have teachers who stick around. Low turnover is key to ensuring consistent, stable care for your child.

Bottom line: If the staff doesn't stick around long, seems overwhelmed, or doesn't have enough experience, the school isn't for you.

Clean, safe facilities
A good preschool is clean and safe; in fact, it has to be to meet most states' licensing requirements. Nevertheless, make sure floors, walks, and the kitchen area are clean, food preparation areas are far from toilets, trash isn't be left sitting unemptied, and the building is adequately heated, lit, and ventilated.

Make sure the preschool follows the basic rules of safety, too. Toys and play equipment should be in good repair, upstairs windows (if any) should have screens or bars, all medicines and other hazardous substances should be out of reach, and the outdoor play area should be level and secure. Smoke detectors should be in place and working, radiators and heaters should be covered or otherwise protected, and a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher should be close at hand. The school should be secure as well so strangers can't just walk in off the street.

Look for a school with an outdoor play area. Children should have the chance to play outside every day — running, jumping, and skipping are good for them physically, mentally, and socially. If you live in a city, where it can be difficult for even the best preschools to have enough space for a safe outdoor play yard, make sure they have a spacious indoor area (the next best thing). According to NAEYC, preschools should have at least 35 square feet of indoor space per child and 75 square feet per child outside.

Bottom line: Spot a safety hazard? A missed hand wash? Keep looking.

Visit and Ask Questions
If you visit a good interactive kindergarden for an hour or two, you may come away thinking that the center only lets the children play and not learn - especially if you have a traditional learning experience (which many of us were exposed to).

A good Preschool lesson plans and activities strategy is not easily detected by parents who do a one day visit to a good Preschool center.Good preschool lesson plans and activities will only be proven over time. The best way to know is to ask different parents of their views and experiences. Ask the right questions to parents and to the principal of the school, trying to draw out the philosophy and dynamics of the Preschool.

Display of Arts and Crafts
Look around the Preschool classroom. Are there displays of the children's arts and crafts? Note: Children's art - and not teachers' or parents'. It is easy to detect who the master art designer is. If you see the wall filled with identical near perfect crafts, you know that the kids were stifled and not given ample opportunities to express themselves or that there were too much adult involvement.

Resources:
http://www.preschool-lessonplans-and-activities.com/good-preschool.html
http://www.babycenter.com/0_signs-of-a-good-preschool_6054.bc

Muffins with Mom

In honor of Mother's Day, we will host a "Muffins with Mom" on Wednesday, May 4th.  Come a bit early before school and sit down for a breakfast with your little ones.

If You Give Mom a Muffin

Author: unknown

If you give a mom a muffin,
She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.
She'll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her
she has to plan for supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook
("101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger").
The cookbook is setting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse
that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.
She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two-year-old's diaper.
While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.
She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her
that she was going to have a cup.
And chances are...If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Teacher Appreciation Week

It's Teacher Appreciation Week!  Thank you to ALL our teachers who nurture, love, teach and help raise our children.  We appreciate you!

May Newsletter

Mother’s Day

In honor of Mother’s Day, we will have a “Muffins with Mom” on Monday, May 2^nd.  We will have breakfast in the morning.  Come a bit early before school starts and have breakfast with your little ones. 

Summer Enrollment

The summer session will start on June 13^th through August 10^th.  Tuition is $130 per child and will be due on June 13^th and then again on July 11^th.  We will be closed on July 4^th.

To enroll your family, fill out the Summer Enrollment form and send $20 PER CHILD for their summer supply fee.  There is no enrollment fee due for summer!

Memorial Day

We will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 30^th.

Snack time – Letter “P”

On Monday, May 23^rd, bring a snack to share with your class that starts with the letter Pp.  Some ideas include: popcorn, popsicles, pretzels, pineapple, pickles, pasta, pizza, pancakes.  Be creative and see if you can think of something other than what’s already listed.

Curriculum Highlights

May 2^nd and 4^th

Mother’s Day, Letter Mm

May 9^th and 11^th

Birds of a Feather, Letter Nn

May 16^th and 18^th

I’m Me!  I’m Fantastic!, Letter Ii

May 23^rd and 25^th

In a People House, Letter Pp

May 30^th – No School

June 1^st – Review        

School *P*A*R*T*Y*

To celebrate our last day of the Spring semester, we will be having a pizza party on June 1^st.  Please send $3 per child for pizza, fruit, dessert and drinks.

We also want to THANK YOU for being with us through our very first semester.  Through your prayers and support, this program will continue to grow in Christ’s name.

Dates to Remember:

·         Muffins with Mom 5/9

·         Tuition Due 5/10

·         Bring a snack that starts with “P” 5/23

·         PURPLE Day 5/25

·         NO SCHOOL 5/30

·         PAJAMA Day 6/1

·         Last Day of School 6/1

Kids Bowl FREE

Want some FREE summer fun?  Kids bowl free all summer long!  Click HERE for more information.  There are tons of locations all over the states. 

Shenaniganz in Rockwall is our local bowling alley offering Kids Bowl Free.  Our family participated at this location last summer and it was awesome!  They were so accommodating and accepting of our passes.  You will get your coupons emailed to you weekly.  All you do is print and take them with you.  You will just have to pay for shoe rentals for those participating.  Adults can purchase bowling shoes for around $20 and never have to pay for shoe rentals which makes this deal a little bit sweeter.

Happy Easter

Christ has died.  Christ has risen.  Christ will come again!

Happy Easter from Grace Christian Preschool to your family!

Good Friday

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.  It's also important to understand that Jesus clearly understood his mission on earth involved laying down his life as a sacrifice. In other words, Jesus knew it was His Father's will for him to die.
 

The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.

Taken from: http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatisgoodfrida.htm

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is observed during Holy Week on the Thursday before Easter. Also referred to as "Holy Thursday" or "Great Thursday" in some Christian denominations, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified. In contrast to joyful Easter celebrations when Christians worship their resurrected Savior, Maundy Thursday services are typically more solemn occasions, marked by the shadow of Jesus' betrayal.

 
While different denominations observe Maundy Thursday in their own distinct ways, two important biblical events are the primary focus of Maundy Thursday solemnizations:
 
Before the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. By performing this lowly act of service, the Bible says in John 13:1 that Jesus "showed them the full extent of his love." By his example, Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service. For this reason, many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as a part of their Maundy Thursday services.

During the Passover meal, Jesus took bread and wine and asked his Father to bless it. He broke the bread into pieces, giving it to his disciples and said, "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Then he took the cup of wine, shared it with his disciples and said, "This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you--an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you." These events recorded in Luke 22:19-20 describe the Last Supper and form the biblical basis for the practice of Communion. For this reason, many churches hold special Communion services as a part of their Maundy Thursday celebrations. Likewise, many congregations observe a traditional Passover Seder meal.

What does "Maundy" mean?  Derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice.

Taken from http://christianity.about.com/od/easter/qt/maundythursday.htm.

Easter Party!

We celebrated today with an Easter egg hunt and an Easter lunch - ham, green beans, carrots, macaroni and cheese and bananas.  And of course juice and cookies as well!  We had SO MUCH FUN!  Here are just a few pictures.  To see them all, click HERE.

Homemade Resurrection Rolls

This is a simple way to share the message of the cross with your children and family and end up with a yummy treat! This recipe serves 24.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup warm water
1 large egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp sugar
6 tbs butter
3 tbs dry milk
1 1/2 tsb yeast
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tbs cinnamon
24 marshmallows

Combine first 8 ingredients. Let rise until double. Divide into 24 balls and flatten. Rolled dough represents the tomb.
Mix sugar and cinnamon together.

Dip rolls in melted margarine, then into sugar mixture. Wrap roll around a marshmallow, covering completely. Marshmallow represents Jesus’ body. Rolling each roll in butter and then in the sugar mix represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial.

Dip once more into butter, and again into sugar. Place rolls in a large greased pan and allow to rise till double (about 35 minutes). Rapping the tomb around the body and seal it tightly represents rolled a stone over the tomb to secure it.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until done. Rolls should be completely empty when cooled…like the empty tomb.  Jesus is ALIVE!

Homemade Resurrection Eggs

What a terrific way to share the Easter story of Jesus's resurrection with your children. You will need a dozen plastic Easter eggs, an egg carton, and the items listed to go along with the scripture. Each egg is to contain the item along with the paper describing the verse. When you are all done filling the eggs you can even decorate a the egg carton!

 PLEASE NOTE: Some of these items are very small and adult supervision is necessary for the little ones.

1. (Bread) Matthew 26:26
"While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread,
gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples.
'Take and eat it,' He said, 'This is My body.'"

2. (Coins) Matthew 26: 14-15
"Then  one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to
the chief priests and asked, 'What will you give me if I betray
Jesus to you?'  They counted out thirty silver coins and gave 
them to him."

3.  (Purple cloth, representing a purple robe) Mark 15:17
"They put a purple robe on Jesus. . ."

4.  (Thorns) Matthew 27:29
"Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on
His head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they knelt
before Him and made fun of Him.  'Long live the King, of the 
Jews!' they said."

5. (Scourge-a small piece of rope or thick string)  Mark 15:15
"Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for
them.  Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to be
crucified."

6.  (Cross) John 19: 17-18a
"He went out, carrying His cross, and came to 'The Place of the
Skull,' as it is called.  (In Hebrew it is called "Galgotha.") There
they crucified Him."

7.  (Nails) John 20:25b
"Thomas said to them, 'Unless I see the scars of the nails in His
hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His
side, I will not believe.'"

8.  (Sign) Luke 23:38
"Above Him were written these words:  THIS IS THE KING OF 
THE JEWS."

9.  (Sponge) Matthew 27:48
"One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap
wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it."

10.  (Spear) John 19:34
"One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at
once blood and water poured out."

11.  (Rock) Matthew 27:59-60
"Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and
placed it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dug
out of solid rock.  Then he rolled a large stone across the
entrance to the tomb and went away."

12.  (Empty) Matthew 28:6
"He is not here He has risen just as He said."

Easter Egg Hunt and Class Parties

To celebrate Easter, we will have our class Easter Egg Hunt on Monday, April 18^th.  Please bring 12 FILLED plastic eggs to school.  We will make an Easter Bag and they will return home with 12 eggs they found on their hunt.  Please make sure that the items in the plastic egg will not melt.  You may also send a camera to school and we will take their picture for you.  And of course you are always welcome to join us for our class parties.

We’ll also have a special lunch on this day.  Please send $3 per child to cover their special lunch – ham, turkey, cheese, fruit, veggies and juice.  We will cook this for them and all eat together in honor of Easter.

April Newsletter

Spring Pictures

Holly Reyna Photography will be here Wednesday, April 6^th to take the kids’ Spring pictures.  A price sheet will go home soon!  If you have multiple children, they can have their pictures taken together and/or individually.  You will need to make a check out to Grace Christian Preschool.  A portion of your child’s pictures will go back to the preschool; we thank you for taking your child’s pictures here at the school.

Holly Reyna Photography

214-577-0626

holly.reyna@hotmail.com

reynaphotos.blogspot.com

Fall Enrollment

Fall enrollment begins March 28^th for current GCP families.  Enrollment will open April 4^th for church members and April 11^th for new families.  Fill out the Fall Enrollment form and attach the $50 enrollment fee to reserve your child’s spot.  Refer your friends for discounted rates!!

Summer Enrollment

Summer Enrollment begins March 28^th.  There will be classes for infants through 5^th grade.  The summer session will be in progress from June 13^th through August 10^th.  Tuition is $130 per child and will be due on June 13^th and then again on July 11^th. 

To enroll your family, fill out the Summer Enrollment form and send $20 PER CHILD for their summer supply fee.  There is no enrollment fee due for summer!

Curriculum Highlights

April 4^th and 6^th

At the Zoo, Letter Zz

April 11^th and 13^th

A Rainbow of Colors, Letter Aa

April 18^th and 20^th

Happy Easter, Letter Ll

April 25^th and 27^th

Let’s Go Camping, Letter Gg

Easter Parties

To celebrate Easter, we will have our class Easter Egg Hunt on Monday, April 18^th.  Please bring 12 FILLED plastic eggs to school.  We will make an Easter Bag and they will return home with 12 eggs they found on their hunt.  Please make sure that the items in the plastic egg will not melt.  You may also send a camera to school and we will take their picture for you.  And of course you are always welcome to join us for our class parties.

We’ll also have a special lunch on this day.  Please send $3 per child to cover their special lunch – ham, turkey, cheese, fruit, veggies and juice.  We will cook this for them and all eat together in honor of Easter.

Dates to Remember:

·         PICTURE DAY!!  4/6

·         Tuition DUE 4/10

Summer Enrollment

Summer Dates:
June 13th - August 10th
Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30-2:30
Infants through 5th Grade

Due Upon Enrollment:
$20 Supply Fee per Child
There is NO Enrollment Fee for Summer

Tuition is $130 and due June 13th and then again on July 11th. >

Fall Enrollment

2011-2012 School Year
First Day of School: August 22, 2011
Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30-2:30

Enrollment Dates:
March 28, 2011 for current families
April 4, 2011 for church members
April 11, 2011 for new families

Due Upon Enrollment:
$50 Annual Enrollment Fee (per family)
$50 Supply Fee (per child) due on the first day of school
Tuition begins September 2011

Picture Day!

Holly Reyna Photography will be here Wednesday, April 6th to take the kids’ Spring pictures. A price sheet will go home soon! If you have multiple children, they can have their pictures taken together and/or individually. You will need to make a check out to Grace Christian Preschool. A portion of your child’s pictures will go back to the preschool; we thank you for taking your child’s pictures here at the school.

Holly Reyna Photography
214-577-0626
holly.reyna@hotmail.com
You can also find her on Facebook!