Stay in the Moment

Time goes quickly.....but memories last forever. November is nearly half over and December is right around the corner.... and with that comes the stress of getting all of the "important" things done! Well, the "important" things are right in front of you.....and they don't care if everything is done just right or perfectly. They (aka "your kiddos") just want YOU! 

Next time you are stressing out....take THEM out....for a walk to look at Christmas lights, or on a bike ride, or go to the park, or play a game of Candy Land, or read a book, or just sit and cuddle...or..... what ever it is that you do....stay in the moment.... 'cuz that moment is going to fly by. 

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney......Life skills need to be taught and practiced. Teach your child to: contribute to the household (chores), be responsible for their daily  routine (gather their own backpacks, get ready/dressed on time), self advocate (do not email, call, text teachers, coaches, or other adults in authority on your child's behalf). Listen with empathy but encourage them to communicate respectfully in a positive way for themselves.

Weekly Prayer....Father, help us to prepare our hearts in the manner You would have us to so that we can remain present in the moment. We give you thanks and praise for the joys You provide and pray for all those who are experiencing difficulty or pain. May your loving hand hold theirs and give them strength. In Your Son's holy name, we pray. Amen. 

2019 Patriotism Day Program

Last week I referenced the many signature preschool events we sponsor each year. All are structured as intentional opportunities for growth as a student, or school community.  Now in its eighteenth year, I am particularly proud of Patriotism Day. It has become an American tradition at La Casa Preschool for sure!  This is significant for several reasons, not the least of which is the unique chance for children to express their gratitude to our honored guests for their efforts in preserving the freedoms of this country. To a child, the word freedom can be defined and explained as simply as getting to make choices! And the choices we make can be our own without anyone else telling us it is not ok. We can choose where to go to school, where to pray, where to live, what we want to do for fun. Children have the ability to understand that those privileges are the result of someone else making them possible. 

Of course, the endearing faces and sweet voices of the children are a bonus! They are artfully taught a medley of patriotic songs (with hand motions!) by Mrs. Donovan in preparation for the musical performance for our special guests and family audience. Over the years, our guests have represented every branch of military service. But best of all, whether directly or extended, they are exclusively members from our preschool family!!!!  Think about how amazing that is. We are surrounded by America's finest. It is our honor to let them know we care, respect them and remain forever in in their debt. As parents and staff, it is our responsibility to remember this and to teach the children that selfless bravery should always be acknowledged and never taken for granted. 

This could be the most important lesson ever learned. 

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney......Expect your child to be capable. Allow your child space to struggle. We must help our child build problem-solving and coping skills by allowing them space in their lives to work through everyday complications. Struggle creates strength. Resilience is built from learning and growing from our mistakes, failures, disappointments and the consequences of our choices.

Weekly Prayer....  Dear God, thank you for keeping safe from harm the men and women who stand firm in the face of danger while preserving our country's ideals. You have given them strength and courage.  Help us to show them the appreciation that they deserve. Bring this country together in our admiration for those who do so much for others.  Amen.  

La Casa Country Fair

I may be getting old :) ..... but the joy of the Country Fair never does! Each year there is immense joy in seeing the faces of the children light up as if they have never seen anything so great! And the play based experience a three year old has is remarkably different from that of a four or five year old, which is part of the fun for us as adults, parents and teachers alike to witness.  Not only is it a fun time, but it’s also the culmination of our Fall Curriculum on farming and animals.

The Country Fair is just one of the many signature events that are original to La Casa. I've been at La Casa Preschool for over three decades (old...remember??), certainly long enough to know that these events were once exclusive to us, but have been included into other schools over the years. That's ok, we are happy to share our good ideas!! 

Following Country Fair is Thanksgiving Feast, a dear gathering of our entire school community; then Christmas Programs in December, celebrating our Savior’s birth together through song and fellowship; after that Dad's Day, a chance for a daddy-child outing without any mommy’s (hint); Mother's Spring Tea and Art Walk in April to show off a year’s worth of masterpieces and shed happy, albeit bittersweet, tears while watching the children sing for their mothers; the Preschool Olympics in May to culminate the Pint Size PE program; and last but not least, Ice Cream Social on the last days of school to enjoy a few precious moments longer with the children we have grown to love. All of these events are special and wonderful and ALL who are part of the heart and soul of La Casa are welcome, because part of our "signature" is to include and encourage our families to join in the moments!

As the year moves ever quickly forward please take intentional care not to miss a single event, because they are more than just signature moments to our school, they are special to YOUR CHILD ESPECIALLY.  

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney......As parents, it is our job to purposely teach our children the life skills today that we want them to leave our home armored with tomorrow. ''It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings' (Ann Landers)

Weekly Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to include prayer into my daily life and to encourage those around me to do so as well. Help them to find the peace that comes from prayer.  Amen 

Always Growing

The school year has been in full swing now for several weeks. With so many big fun things happening it is easy to get caught up in the excitement. There is definitely value in being present in the moment and enjoying this very precious time. It is so joyful to see happy children, learning and exploring and loving school at La Casa Preschool. 

It would be easy to miss the less noticed things that are happening with our children as well. Things that bring immense joy and pride to us, as teachers, and undoubtedly to you as parents. That is, simply: growing in their character. Good moral character is learned by example and our preschoolers are blessed with the best role models at home and here at school.  RESPECT is perhaps the most important foundational piece. Together, we are teaching the children to show respect to others. Respecting that each person has rights: albeit to a particular toy or the coveted place in line... you know, real world issues :).  Or respecting that we show gratitude to our friends and parents and teachers.  Or thanking our friend who holds the door for us, and those who bring us snack to share, or Miss Vicki for a piece of candy from her special drawer. Or remembering to make eye contact and thank the teachers at the end of the day for providing that great day and acknowledging the hard work that was so willingly and lovingly put into it.   Respect and be polite. Reflect and do what's right. Respect is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. Well.....we've been looking. And we love what we are seeing in these wonderful little beings, our preschoolers, your children!!!! 

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney......Parents, we must purposely prepare our children for the launch into adulthood now. Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child. The world needs confident, capable and compassionate adults strive to raise them. 

Weekly Prayer:  Dear Jesus, help me to be humble and respectful in all situations. Help me to turn the other cheek in the face of injustice and to pray for those who trespass against us. Amen 

La Casa Christian Preschool

As a faith community we are often called upon to lift others up in prayer. We are proud to be a Christian preschool in more than just name only. Our staff routinely prays for each other, ever mindful of the Lord's work we are blessed to do. Please be assured that as a staff we routinely pray for all of the families in our classes, in our school, in our lives, too! We do so willingly and fervently, for all.

If, however, there is ever a time when you feel overwhelmed or even overjoyed by what is happening in your life, please share that with us so that we may include you directly into our intentions. It is a privilege to feel that you trust us to add our words to God on your behalf. May He keep all us in His care.

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney......We've already established how we need more playful moments in our lives, so let's reframe time spent around our family dinner table as a form of healthy play. "The magic that happens over family dinners isn't the food on the table, but the conversations around it." Research links regular family dinners too better academic performance, higher self- esteem, and a greater sense of resilience as well as lower rates of substance abuse teen pregnancy and depression.

Weekly Prayer: Dear Jesus, we pray for skilled surgeons hands as two of our precious children anticipate surgery. We trust in You to guide them. Watch over the families and bring them strength and a feeling of peace knowing that You are with them. Restore their good health and happy smiles and return the smiles to the faces of those who love them and the ones we care so much about.

In Your holy name, Amen

Screen Time and Preschoolers

There is a great amount of research available, as well as debate about the research, regarding the amount of "screen time" that our children experience these days. Screen time is no longer relegated to television either. Certainly video games and Ipads, even your phone apps were never envisioned when the early cautionary messages were issued years ago. Regardless of what side of the debate you are on, it is imperative that we consider the physiological AND the sociological effects of using these types of electronic media to entertain or teach.

Our preschool is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and as such we must comply with their very specific regulations on the use of screen time within a preschool setting. There are strict limits. I am pleased to advise that we NEVER have an issue with compliance on this topic!! Our philosophy of teaching children through play and meaningful, age appropriate activities aligns perfectly with the intent of the ADHS guidelines.

To perfectly illustrate our commitment to play based, non-techy methods one need only have witnessed last week's Courtyard Curriculum-Down on the Farm fun! Shopping carts and pretend "grocery store", farm animals and barns, "milking cows" (yep, udderly hilarious), sorting and matching egg patterns, and the best of all, two sensory tables! One was filled with black and white large beans (yep, just beans!) and measuring cups for pouring and mixing; and the other table was our "apple pie" mixture of flour, and cloves, and nutmeg and cinnamon, with plastic apples of all colors. It smelled heavenly and was simply the best way to sift, measure, pour, weigh, and create!!! And, yep, no internet connection needed. We just "connected" with the kiddos and had a blast!!!! I would definitely urge that you DO "try this at home"!

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney......When we start a family tradition that celebrates something we value , a part of us lives on and comes to life every time the family talks about or celebrates that tradition. Traditions are the unique ways we teach values and build family legacies. They are the glue that holds a family together and provide children with comfort because they create predictability in an unpredictable world.

Weekly Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to reach out and stay connected to the people in my life that are important to me. Please watch over them as I keep them in my prayers always. Amen

Keeping a Healthy School Environment

As the flu and cold season (and apparently croup, too) will slowly creep up on us, let's be proactive in remembering that there are many things we can all strive to do that will help us keep a healthy school environment for the children, their families, and even our staff family.

First and foremost, monitor the health status of your own child. Our school policy states, which aligns with most educational settings, that we will adhere to a "24 hour: fever free, diarrhea free and vomit free" protocol when preventing a child from being at school or returning to school until this period has passes. If your kiddo is not feeling well before school, please keep them home to recover where they are certainly most comfortable. If they do become ill at school, however, we will remove them from the classroom and the other children as soon as detected to minimize the increased spread of germs and then immediately contact you. (Remember, we WILL track you down at the gym or closest coffee shop:-) Until then, your child will receive TLC in the preschool office and remain there until picked up.

Secondly, proper and diligent hand washing is a huge deterrent when it comes to prevention. We have a variety of cute jingles we sing with the children to encourage them to wash long enough to be nice and clean! Besides "Happy birthday", another favorite, sung to the tune "Frere Jacques", is: "Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms, in between, in between, all around in circles, all around in circles, nice and clean, nice and clean." Their hands will clean enough for surgery prep!!

Also, reinforce to your children what we teach them at school: to use their "sneeze or cough catcher: - aka elbow or inside their shirt to catch the flying germs! This really helps!

Thank you for understanding these small steps can have huge results!

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney....As parents, we must purposely strengthen our family identity, culture, and relationships. Love on purpose. Prioritize play. Our "job" is to step away from the organized activities and more frequently create room for authentic life giving moments of play for our children and ourselves.

Weekly Prayer: Dear Jesus, when I pray to You I feel comforted. When I am sad, afraid, lonely or even angry, all I have to do is say, Jesus help me every day. I know You are always listening. Amen

Little Free Library on Our Campus

Have you noticed the little blue house on our preschool campus? It’s actually a Little Free Library. Students and parents, feel free to take and leave books! Reading is fundamental.

Our La Casa Preschool Family

Very soon we will be welcoming all our families to Open House. Watch for a flyer to come home. The night proves to be such a great event for everyone! Once again, the theme is purposefully "Fifties" (aka 1950's), sparking an attempt to recapture the attitude of a much simpler time when bobby socks and sock hops were the norm. When families celebrated fun times together.

This just seems apropos for us here at La Casa. WE ARE A FAMILY!! And hope that in all we do, that feeling is imparted to you. Our blessings are so many, and each of "them" has a name .... Student …. Parent.... Sibling…. Teacher. Each is important. Each is treasured. Each is needed. Individually and collectively, all combine to make us a strong, happy La Casa family!

In keeping with the theme, we will be collecting packages of new WHITE SOCKS to be donated to those in need within our community. Kids4Kids, families for families. We hope that you will be able to join us on this evening. What's a party without family????

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney....As parents, we must purposely lead not only with vision, and values, but with authority. Our "job" is to be a strong leader and authority figure who can confidently guide our child into adulthood. Decide to be the CEO of your home!

Weekly Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to show kindness and caring to all those I encounter. Help me to treat them with dignity so that they may feel their worth through my words and actions. Help me to always build others up and never tear them down.

In Your name I ask this and pray, Amen

We're Off to a Great Start!

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! Welcome new and returning families. We are off to a fantastic start!