The beginnning of the school year is a time for making new friends, learning class rules and routines, and learning many new things to help us grow and develop spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and creatively.

Jesus Time
During the month of September, we will be learning all about the world God made – including plants, animals, and people. We will also learn about ourselves, and that God loves us so much that He made each of us unique and very special

Theme/Concepts
In the 4 and 5 year old classes, “All About Me” is our theme for the month. We will discuss what makes each of us special. We will learn about ourselves and about the world around us. Many creative activities and special days are planned to help emphasize the concepts that we are learning. Watch for special projects that will come home and use them throughout the year to review, reinforce and maintain many of the readiness skills necessary for kindergarten. The color of the month is red. Our shape is the circle. We will learn about numbers 1-5, and we’ll learn to print the letters a, b, and c.

The theme for the 3 year old classes is “Our Five Senses” (see, hear, taste, smell, etc.). They will learn about the color red, and the shape of the month will be the circle. The letter of the month will be the letter s and the numbers 1 and 2 will be the numbers of the month.

Upcoming events
School Pictures – Please make a not of the following dates for school pictures:

• Tuesday, September 21 – Tue/Thur classes
• Wednesday, September 22 – Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes.

Pictures will be taken by Planks Photos.  Planks’ has offered to take family portraits for our preschool families. If you are interested, please talk to Ken Phillips to arrange a time that best suits your family.

Book/Software Orders
Scholastic Book Clubs and Software Clubs offer a wonderful variety of age-appropriate books, tapes, and computer games for you to choose from. All purchases help our preschool earn free books, tapes, games, and other resources for teacher and/or student use.

All orders should include your child’s name, and all checks should be written to Scholastic. The orders should be turned in to your child’s teacher by no later than Tuesday, September 21.  Thank you for your orders!

Birthdays
Birthdays are lots of fun at school!  It is entirely optional to send birthday treats for the class.  If you do, please put them in ziplock bags or party bags that your child can pass out to the other children when they go home for the day.  Please do not send cupcakes or treats to be eaten at snack time.  You are welcome to stay at preschool the day we celebrate your child’s birthday for pictures, etc.  We want your child to feel special!

Children with summer birthdays will be allowed to celebrate during the preschool year.  If there is a certain day that you would like for your child to celebrate, please talk with your child’s classroom teacher.  Otherwise, your child’s teacher will schedule a special day for your child to celebrate.

Monthly Newsletters
Each month, you will receive a newsletter that will keep you informed about all the important things we will be learning and all the exciting upcoming events.  Please be sure to read them and keep them in a safe place for reference.  Attached to each newsletter will be a “refrigerator note” and a snack schedule.  Check the refrigerator note each preschool day for all the special days for the month and what your child may be asked to do.  Please check the snack schedule and make a note for yourself about the day you are scheduled to share the snack.  Remember that 100% juice and 2% milk are DCFS required.  We appreciate your participation and help!

Please remember to check your child’s bag daily to keep yourself informed throughout the year.  Don’t hesitate to call, or arrange an appointment, if you have questions or concerns.  Open communication between school and home will help to make our school year successful!

Looking forward to a fantastic year!

God Bless,
Sandy Esker, Director

If you’d like to enroll your child for the 2010-2011 school year, please print an registration form and submit it to the office with the registration fee as soon as possible.

For general information about the program, please read the about page.  If you have specific questions, please contact the office at 217.342.4334 or email saintjohns@consolidated.net. 

Have a safe and happy summer and we’ll see you this fall!

All students of Eagle’s Nest Preschool are invited to attend Vacation Bible School at St. John’s on June 21 – 25, 2010.  This year’s theme is “Baobab Blast: God’s Great Get-Together”. 

Set under the impressive baobab tree, kids will have the opportunity to hear the Word, be amazed at God’s wildlife creations, and be a part of a supportive community.  We’re going to grow in our relationship with God, family and others!

This will be a life-changing experience for your kids as they gather together as a community and grow in faith. As the sun rises and sets on the savannah, so, too, will faith and relationships grow as kids explore connections with God, family, friends, and others around the world. Get ready to experience the most amazing community get-together under the sun.

Each of the five Baobab Blast daily themes—Trust, Love, Follow, Care, and Share—connects to the overarching theme of community. Throughout the week, kids will get a consistent message of God’s unconditional love and be encouraged to spread the Word of God—both in and out of Baobab Blast.  The kids will see how their faith is part of who they are and how they act in the world.  The daily themes help bridge the Bible stories to everyday life.

To enroll your child in VBS, simply fill out the registration form and submit it to the church office by June 9.

2010 VBS Registration Form

Parents: Are you interested in helping out with VBS?  We still need help in several areas and we’d love to have you!  Simply fill out a Worker Registration Form and submit it to the church office by April 28.

Jesus Time
As we begin the last month of our preschool year, we will review what we have learned this year.  And, we will learn about the joy that God gives us through His love for us in Jesus.  We will learn the Bible story of Peter and the crippled man and of the joy that he experiences after being healed in the name of Jesus.  We thank God for His joy.  Joy is found in the inner happiness that comes from knowing we are God’s children.  We can always have joy through faith in Jesus our Savior.

Theme/Concepts
”Camping” is the theme for the month.  We will learn about fun things that can be learned in the great outdoors that God created for us.  And, Ms. Lori and her husband, Roger, are bringing their camper for us to explore and enjoy.  (He may prepare some delicious “camp food” for us too!)  We will review many of the concepts that we have learned throughout the school year.

Special Events
End of the Year Field Trip: We will be taking our “End of the Year” Field Trip to Cayla’s Power Tumbling and Dance Center on Monday, May 10th and Tuesday, May 11th.  Please encourage your child to use the bathroom and wash hands before coming into the classroom.  We will enjoy several different activities and will have our snack at Cayla’s Power Tumbling and Dance Center, too.  We will leave the church at 9:00 AM.  Please dress your child in comfortable clothes!
Note: Every child will need a car seat in order to participate in the field trip.  Please be sure to label your child’s car seat with your child’s name.  We appreciate your help!

Graduation Celebration: We will celebrate the end of the school year with special promotion/graduation celebrations. 

The promotion/graduation program for the Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes will begin at 6:30 PM in the chapel on Wednesday, May 12th.

he promotion/graduation program for the Tue/Thurs classes will begin at 6:30 PM in the chapel on Thursday, May 13th.

Please help find your child’s class and teachers near the front of the chapel, and then find a seat for yourself.  All of the children will join together to entertain you with some songs before the program.  Our evening will end with cookies and ice cream in the gym and with carnival games, too!

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, May 17th or Tuesday, May 18th.  Parents are invited to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss their child’s progress and/or any concerns.

2010-2011 Preschool Registration: If you know of a friend or neighbor that is interested in our preschool program, please do us a favor and offer them a registration form.  We have added more classes for our 4-year-old program and we have some openings for fall, but our classes are filling quickly!

Reminders

• Monday, May 10th – Last Day of Preschool for Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes.  Field trip to Cayla’s Power Tumbling.  (This includes Mon/Wed/Fri afternoon classes.)
• Tuesday, May 11th – Last Day of Preschool for Tue/Thurs classes.  Field trip to Cayla’s Power Tumbling.
• Wednesday, May 12th – Promotion/Graduation in the Chapel, 6:30 PM for Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes
• Thursday, May 13th – Promotion/Graduation in the Chapel, 6:30 PM for the Tue/Thurs classes
• Monday, May 17th – Parent/Teacher conferences (optional)
• Tuesday, May 18th – Parent/Teacher conferences (optional)

As I close this final newsletter, please allow me to thank you again for your help and support throughout the preschool year.  You have given your time and talents beyond our expectations; in our classrooms and on our field trips.  You have shared with us your most precious treasures, your children.  On behalf of the entire staff, please know that we have experienced and appreciated you.  We have truly been blessed.  May God bless you and your family with a safe and happy summer.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Esker
Preschool Director

Jesus Time
During the month of April we will continue to learn about what happened after the first Easter.  We will learn that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again so that we might live forever with Him in Heaven.  After His death and resurrection, Jesus appeared before His disciples and many other people for 40 days.  His message was to make certain that everyone knew that He loves all people everywhere.  His message continues now, through us.  He wants us to tell others of His great love for them.  Our theme for the month will be “Jesus is with us”.

Theme/Concepts
”Farm” is the theme for the month of April.  We will learn about farm animals and their babies.  And, we will learn about daily chores.  The color of the month is purple, our shape is an oval, and our number is #10.  The 4 and 5-year-old classes will learn the letters W, X, Y, and Z.  The 3-year-olds will be working on the letter F.

Special Events
Easter Parties: Our classes will celebrate the new life we have through Jesus’ death and resurrection with an Easter Party.  We will have special Easter activities including an egg hunt.  Please check the parent board to see if you signed up to help.  We will begin our Egg hunt according to the following schedule:

• Wednesday, March 31 – 10:45 am   (1:30 pm for the afternoon class)
• Thursday, April 1 – 10:45 am

Easter Eggstravaganza: WXEF and KJ Country radio stations are hosting their annual Easter Eggstravaganza at the Thelma Keller Convention Center on Saturday, April 3 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The Eagle’s Nest Preschool is planning a small exhibit and some games for the children.  We hope to see you there for some Easter fun!

Deters’ Farm Field Trip: We are taking a field trip to Joe and Carleen Deters’ farm on:

• Wednesday, April 7 – for the Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes
• Thursday, April 8 – for the Tues/Thurs classes

The children will get the opportunity to learn more about farm animals and all the activities on a dairy farm, and we hope to enjoy seeing some pigs while we are there.  Please dress your child for the weather.  Also, please encourage your child to us the bathroom before washing hands in the morning.  We will plan to leave the church parking lot by 9:00 am each day.

Note: Every child will need a car seat in order to participate in the field trip.  Please take time to label your child’s car seat with your child’s name.  Please write it in a noticeable spot to make the transition from one place to the next easier.  We appreciate your help!

Library Books
All library books and/or videos checked out from the church library need to be returned at the end of the month.

Reminders

• Please remember to sign your child in and out each day.
• No School – Friday, April 2 – Easter Break
• No School – Monday, April 5 – Easter Break
• Field Trip – Wednesday, April 7 – Deters’ Farm
• Field Trip – Thursday, April 8 – Deters’ Farm

Book Orders
We will combine our book orders for the months of April and May to be sure they arrive before the final days of preschool.  Book orders will be due by Wednesday, April 14th.  Make checks payable to SCHOLASTIC.

Upcoming Events

• Our classes will be going to Cayla’s Power Tumbling for our “End of the Year” field trips.  Our tentative dates are scheduled for the last day of class:
• Monday, May 10 – for the Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes
• Tuesday, May 11 – for the Tues/Thurs classes
• Promotion/Graduation celebrations – The classes will celebrate with a promotion/graduation ceremony in the church sanctuary, followed by a carnival!  Our programs will be held on:
• Wednesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM – for the Mon/Wed and Mon/Wed/Fri classes
• Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 PM – for the Tues/Thurs classes

Happy Easter!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Esker
Preschool Director

Jesus Time
During the month of March we will learn that Lent is a time to remember.  We will remember Christ’s suffering in the desert, that God wants us to know His great love for us in Jesus, and that He wants us to praise Him by listening to His Word.  We will remember that Jesus forgives all our sins and loves us unconditionally.

Theme/Concepts
During the month of March we will continue to work on printing our names, remembering that our names begin with an uppercase letter and the letters that follow should be lowercase letters.  We will learn about plants, seeds, plant growth, and the care of plants.  Our lessons will include science exploration of how plants grow and actually planting seeds to raise our own plants at preschool.  The color of the month is green, our shape is the diamond, and our number is #9.  The 4- and 5-year-old classes will learn the letters “S”, “T”, “U”, and “V”.  The 3-year-olds will be working on the letter “P”.

Library Books
On March 3rd and 4th, the children will go to the Children’s Library in our church and be allowed to check out books, cassettes, and videos.  We ask that you help your child enjoy them and continue to teach your child how to care for them, and return them on or before the next library day.

Parenting Library
Several books have been purchased over the years for the St. John’s Eagle’s Nest Preschool parenting library.  These books are available to sign out.  Stop by this small library located just outside the doors of the 4-year-old classroom and see if you would like to borrow a book!

Reminders

• Please remember to sign your child in and out each day.  It is important, and is a great help to us.
• No school on Monday, March 1st – Casimir Pulaski Day
• March 8 – 12 is Lutheran Schools Week!  See below for more information!

Book Orders
Book orders are due no later than Tuesday, March 16.  Please make checks payable to Scholastic.

Upcoming Events
Our classes would like to visit a dairy farm during the month of April.  If you or someone you know would like to open your farm to our preschool classes for a field trip, we would love it!  Please just let me know so that we can schedule a convenient time.

Lutheran Schools Week Events
Monday – March 8th – Mixed-up Day
Tuesday – March 9th – Mixed-up Day
Wednesday – March 10th – Silly Hair Day
Thursday – March 11th – Silly Hair Day
Friday – March 12th – Jeans and Hats Day

On “Mixed-up Days” your child may wear mixed-up clothes, such as stripes with checks, stripes with stripes, two different colored socks, or anything fun and creative.  On “Silly Hair Days”, your child may wear several ponytails, lots and lots of gel, old curlers, or any fun silly hair.  And on “Jeans and Hats Day”, the children in the Friday class can wear jeans or hats or both.  Of course, the teachers will dress up too!  (Some children are reluctant to dress silly until they see that their teachers and classmates are dressed silly too – so do not insist that they participate; we want these activities to be FUN!

Enrollment for 2010-2011 Classes
Many of you have already registered for the 2010-2011 preschool classes.  And thanks to many of you, our 4-year-old classes are filling quite quickly.  Thanks, too for sharing registration information with your friends!
2010-2011 Registration Form

Sincerely,

Sandy Esker
Preschool Director

Jesus Time
During the month of February we will be learning about the love of Jesus.  Our theme for Chapel Worship is “Caring for Each Other”.  We will learn that Jesus’ love will help us to love and forgive others.  Our Bible stories will include the story of Zacchaeus, The Little Children and Jesus, the Parable of the Lost Son and Ten Men with Leprosy.

Theme/Concepts
“Bears” is the theme for the month of February.  We will learn about bears through many of our projects and activities.  Our lessons will include different types of bears and their habitats.  We will also include lots of pretend play with our “Teddy Bears” and with one another.  The color of the month is pink, our shape is the heart, and our number is 8.  The 4 and 5 year old classes will learn the letters “P”, “Q”, and “R”.  The 3-year-old classes will be working on the letter “V”.

Library Books
On February 3rd and 4th the children will go to the Children’s Library in our church and be allowed to check out books, cassettes, and videos.  We ask that you help your child enjoy them and continue to teach your child how to care for them, and return them on or before the next library day.

Reminders

• Please remember to sign your child in and out at drop off and pick-up each day.  It is important and a great help to us.
• VIP Night – Monday, February 8th 6-7:30 PM  Tuesday, February 9th 6-7:30 PM
• No School – Monday, February 15th – President’s Day

Book Orders
Book orders are due no later than Tuesday February 23rd.  Please make checks payable to SCHOLASTIC.

Upcoming Events

• February 10th and 11th – Valentine’s Day Parties – 11:00 AM
• February is Dental Health Month

Wanted
Baby Food Jars with Lids

Valentine Parties
Each child is invited to bring a valentine for each classmate – simply write who the valentine is from.  You do not need to print each friend’s name on the envelope.  During our activity time, the children will deliver their valentines to each friend’s valentine pouch.

Mommy and Me Class
Mommy and Me classes will begin on February 19th.  We are very excited that so many parents and children are looking forward to this early learning experience!
Mommy and Me Registration Form

Preschool Registration for 2010-2011
Many of you have already registered for the 2010-2011 preschool year!  Beginning February 1, registration will be accepted for the Effingham area community.  If you know of a friend or neighbor that is interested, please ask them to call the church office at 342-4334 to request a registration form, or simply print one for them below.
2010-2011 Registration Form

I pray that throughout the month of February you and your family are filled with love.

Sincerely,
Sandy Esker

…the greatest of these is love. 
1 Corinthians 13:13

• Members of St. John’s during the months of December/January
• Current enrollees/siblings during the month of January
• Effingham area community beginning February 1.

Please submit your registration form and fees as soon as possible.  The registration form can be printed below, or you can contact the office to have one sent to you.

2010-2011 Registration Form

Jesus Time
During the month of January we will be learning about the life of Jesus as a boy.  He grew bigger and stronger in His knowledge of God, and in His love for His family and friends, too.  We’ll learn more about Jesus’ friends and that he chose 12 to be His disciples.  God chooses us to love others and helps us to tell them about Jesus, our best friend and Savior – just like the Disciples.

Theme/Concepts
“Transportation” is the theme for the month.  We will have many special projects and activities and our lessons will include many different types of transportation, including transportation by air, land, sea, and rail.  The color of the month is blue, our shape of the month is the rectangle, and our number is #7.  The 4 and 5 year old classes will learn the letters L, M, N and O.  The 3 year old children will be working on the letter T. 

Library Books
On January 13th and 14th, the children will go to the Children’s Library in our church and be allowed to check out books, cassettes, and videos.  We ask that you help your child enjoy them and continue to teach your child how to care for them, and return them on or before the next library day.

Special Announcement
The teachers at Eagle’s Nest will attend a teacher’s workshop; therefore, classes will not meet on Friday, January 15.

Reminders!

• Please remember to sign your child in and out at drop off and pick up each day.  It is important and a great help to us.
• School will not be in session Friday, January 15.
• No school Monday, January 18th – Martin Luther King Day
• VIP Night – Monday, February 8th (M-W and M-W-F classes)
• VIP Night – Tuesday, February 9th (T-Th classes)
• Please remember to listen to the radio during adverse weather conditions.  If Effingham Unit #40 Schools are closed, Eagle’s Nest Preschool will be closed.  WXEF often names Eagle’s Nest Preschool closing as a courtesy.
• Preschool Classes – Sing in Church on Sunday, January 31st.

Book Orders
Book orders are due no later than Thursday, January 14th.  Please remember to make checks payable to SCHOLASTIC.

Upcoming Events

• Shirley Marshall, Helen Matthes Youth Librarian will visit preschool to share transportation books January 11th and 12th.
• Sunday, January 31st – All preschool classes sing in Church at 10:30 a.m.  Please have your child there by 10:15 am.  We will meet in the upstairs classroom.
  

Very Important Person (VIP) Night
Your child and a Very Important Person are invited to join us for preschool at night!  It will be a time loaded with fun: Free play!  Art!  Special snack!  Gym!  Story!  All of the activities will follow our ”bears” theme for the month.  Please invite Dad, but if he can’t come, please bring another important adult instead (grandparent, mom, etc)  Our special event is scheduled for Monday, February 8th (M-W and M-W-F classes) and Tuesday, February 9th (T-Th classes) from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.  Please watch for the invitation that your child will make at preschool, then deliver it to that Very Important Person and return the R.S.V.P. so we can prepare for our BIG event!

Parent Lending Library
There are many interesting and helpful parenting books available in our Parent Lending Library.  The books outside the doors of the 4 year old classroom are available for parents to check out for a two week period.  We are planning to add some new books to our library over the Holidays, so be sure to look over what is on our shelves in January.

Special Thanks
Thank you to everyone who helped to make our lives a little brighter throughout the month of December.  A special thanks to the Moms that helped paint reindeer shirts in our classroom and all of the extra volunteers that helped to paint wreath door mats in Ms. Lori’s classes.  We can never express to you how much your help is truly appreciated! 

We pray that you and your families will be blessed throughout the New Year of 2010!