The Meaning Behind KIDS4KIDS Underwear Drive


As we look ahead to another school year, we begin our annual Kids4Kids Community Outreach program that has been a cherished tradition for nearly three decades! Our first campaign will be for the collection of NEW pairs of UNDERWEAR! And not just children's underwear, the need is equally, if not more so with teenagers and young adults. Please take the time to open this article entitled: She Changes Lives With Underwear. This poignant story is so inspirational and a testament to the power of purpose driven actions. Watch for clear collection bins placed outside each classroom door beginning Monday, September 18 and extending until Wednesday, September 27. In the classrooms the teachers will discuss with the children how the packages of underwear represent their generosity. Teaching children to exhibit intentional kindness is one of the greatest character features they will ever possess. Instill that in them through your actions as well. Take them shopping with you as you plan your contribution. Let them place the underwear into the collection bin and complete the giving act. The pride they will feel in their "gift" to another person they will never meet or get to know is a gift to themselves! Thank you in advance for your love and support of our united efforts!

A Note from Mrs. L on the Importance of Play

Never at a loss for words (much to the chagrine of many on occasion, I'm sure:), I love chatting with you all whenever the chance happens, and about any number of topics! From darling babies and your precious preschoolers, to the weather, even to where to shop!!! Such a joy and blessing!

But since I can't catch all of you on the sidewalk, allow me to expand here (and maybe toot our own horn a bit) on the recurring theme of my Notes these days as registration approaches. It bears repeating that early academic expectations look a bit different than when you started school and the importance of a child's emotional preparedness has never been greater, especially when it is time to move on to Kindergarten.  It is obvious then, given the pace and scope of what is expected as our children move ahead, the piece of the puzzle that comprises "the whole child" should be firmly intact!  Not surprisingly, the kindergarten teachers in the surrounding schools can attest to the preparedness of our kiddos. They can consistently recognize the students in their class that came from La Casa, and conversely, those that did not. They applaud our efforts and results. To that end, everything we do here at La Casa, from Mini 3's to the Kindergarten Prep 5's and all classes in between , is filled with play and learning!!!!  You may have once thought....all they do is play? Or heard that statement expressed by others when questioning the validity of that very important component in a child's education.  That is a misconception that must be dispelled.

PLAY is fundamental to a child's learning. It allows them to explore concepts and see the world in a way that is meaningful to them.  Developmentally appropriate materials and challenges set forth in a play based manner effectively give the child the ability to succeed AND fail and to accept both outcomes: success with confidence and pride, as well as failure without distress or frustration or judgment.  Both attributes are so necessary. And be assured, to love school is the only mastery we seek from them.

Through play children increase their language skills and vocabulary. Through play imagination and creative thinking skills emerge and begin to demonstrate themselves in their art and role play activities. Through play a child manipulates objects and materials to discover their use, function, potential and tap into critical thinking processes. If "it" is in their hands, "it" is in their minds, meaning they see and do and retain knowledge. Through play children learn negotiation skills, and conversely, conflict resolution skills, team building, time management. Sounds like what you need at YOUR job, doesn't it? School IS a child's job.....we are just here to provide them the support to do their job.....towards that goal our philosophy of teaching is simple....why not make it fun and let them play while they do it?????

You are all amazing parents and make such good decisions on behalf of your children. Thanks for trusting us to assure your decision about the choice of a great preschool remains the right one!

Screen Time

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. Certainly video games and Ipads, even your phone apps were never envisioned when the early cautionary messages were issued years ago. Factor in the recent school closures and online learning exclusively, this is even more so disturbing. Regardless of what side of the debate you are on, it is imperative that we also consider the physiological AND 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 for good reason. 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 witness the variety of activities we present to the childen, including the STEAM FAIR we had this past week. (Check out our FACEBOOK page for a video!) Plus, the learning fun continues with next month's curriculum topics coming to life! Shopping carts and pretend "grocery stores", farm animals and barns, "milking cows" (yep, udderly hilarious), sorting and matching egg patterns, and the best of all, sensory tables filled with great things to explore and experience. Like the simplicity of black and white large beans (yep, just beans!) and measuring cups for pouring and mixing; a flavorful "apple pie" mixture of flour, and cloves, and nutmeg and cinnamon, with plastic apples of all colors. It smells heavenly and is the best way to sift, measure, pour, weigh, and create!!! 

- Mrs L.

40 years and going strong

When I look back 40 years ago to when my children were at this very same preschool I am happy to note that, other than cosmetically, nothing has really changed. The same qualities that endeared my generation to La Casa are still present today, enticing a new generation (aka: ALL OF YOU!) to seek us out and to continue the legacy of La Casa. 

Legacy. It evolves organically over time. It is borne out of creating something magical by doing the right thing always. By being true to what is important and real, and on behalf of others: in this case, the children and families in this community for four decades! The legacy of La Casa de Cristo Christian Preschool will be that no matter what transpired over that vast span of time, or even during a single, unprecedented school year; our indefatigable spirit and commitment has never wavered. Having its mission established forty years ago, La Casa has remained focused on bringing the word of the Lord to the children in an environment that is conducive to forming relationships with Him and others, as well as inspiring a desire for life-long learning in a way that is honest and steadfast. This school has indeed withstood and prevailed. It shall prevail, that is legacy defined. 

Regardless of time or events, there will always be eager students who love to come to school and learn. There will always be dedicated, caring teachers who continue to help them learn. Most certainly, La Casa will always have the blessing of forever families that help to shape the legacy of love that began to form so many years ago! Each of us, individually and collectively, through those years are part of this legacy. 

So many have come before and, with full faith, there is no doubt that many others will also find their way to this special school in the years ahead. There is simply no other place quite like La Casa; no other place where the meaning of “family” is demonstrated and lived out each day of the school year. 

It continues to be one of my greatest joys to ring the school bell each morning. The school bell harkens the day to begin. As time will bear out, it also signifies the call to the children of La Casa Preschool, from then until now and long into the future, to come to learn and to be loved. And most importantly, to come and grow in God’s love together.  

Family Open House later this month will give us all the perfect opportunity to enjoy a nostalgic return to a time filled with very "happy days".  May they always include the memory of days spent here at La Casa!!!

Love and Kindness

Recently, I read a Facebook post written by an elementary school teacher about one of her students. It really may just as readily have been written by any one of our own amazing teachers. As you read it, please know why we make a solumn promise to you to instill in the precious children in our care all the most important skills they will need to be successful not just in school but also in life.

The following are her words, and I reprint them as I did last year at this time, because the message so resonates. They mirror my thoughts and those of our entire staff who love these sweet children. Your children! Thank you for sharing them with us and allowing us to consider them our children, too:)

From Susan Caver, first grade teacher: 'When I look around my classroom, I couldn't tell you who crawled first, who walked before one or spoke in sentences by 15 months. I can't tell you if their parents breastfed or bottle fed. No clue if they still wear pull-ups at night, because I'm sure many do! I don't know if their mom ever left them to cry it out for a few minutes or if they strapped them to their bodies 24/7. You know what I can tell when I look at my kids? I can tell which families value kindness in their homes. I can tell when a child feels loved and secure at home (and at school which sadly isn't always everyone's school experience!) I know who has pizza and movie Friday nights and which mom reads in different voices for bedtimes. I see how kids handle scary situations like thunderstorms. I can see who has a solid routine at home and who has chores and responsibilities. I can hear how you speak to your children by how they speak to others. When I look at my little friends I don't see their milestones I see who they are: their heart, their actions, their inner voice, their struggles and triumphs, and I see you; and all the love you pour into them. We are always supposed to talk about testing and benchmarks and data during parent teacher conferences and I had a mom last time look at me and say "I don't worry about all the reading and math, she will get there. I want to know....how is she, as a person? Is she kind? Does she include others?" '

It takes your breath away in its simplicity. Just love them and teach them to show love. That's our job. That's the job of a family. We feel very strongly that together we are a family here at La Casa. We will do this job together. And just love them.

In all things and to all others, Be A Blessing.

Trish (Mrs. L)