Mrs. Carolyn Hervey, Director
412-486-2322

carolyn@elfinwildchurch.org

Weekday Preschool News
by Carolyn Hervey

Elfinwild Church Preschool was established in 1981 with the mission of providing a positive introduction to the school experience with Christian teachings included in its program.

Thank you for your interest in Elfinwild Church Preschool. We hope the program will meet the needs of you and your child. We look forward to sharing in your child's development.

THE PURPOSE: The purpose of the school is to provide a meaningful and happy experience in a Christian environment with teaching beneficial for the normal healthy development of the preschool child. The program includes motor, creative, manipulative, imaginative, rhythmic, language and science activities which tend to promote the physical, mental, social and emotional development of young children. Christian teachings are also a part of the program. All classes are supervised by certified teachers.

THE SCHEDULE FOR AGES 3, 4, and 5:
Our School years runs from September through May.

The Morning (AM) Session is from 9:00 - 11:30 A.M. The Afternoon Session is from 12:30 - 3:00 P.M.

The 2-day program is Tuesday and Thursday A.M. and P.M.
The 3-day program is Monday, Wednesday, Friday, A.M. and P.M.
The 4-day program is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday A.M. and P.M. (Children in this program
participate in the regular 3-day Class and also come on Tuesdays for enrichment and special activities
unrelated to the 3-Day program.) The 4-day Program is for children who are 4 or 5 when the school year
begins.
The 5-day program is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday’s. The 5 day program is
for children who are 4 or 5 years old when the school year begins.

Elfinwild Preschool offers three levels of curriculum:
The Three Year Old The Four Year Old The Five Year Old

These levels are offered in both the 2-Day, 3-Day , and 5-Day Classes. A brief explanation of these curricula:
A. The Three-Year-Old curriculum provides the child with a first experience without the presence of a parent. Activities are age-appropriately designed.
B. The Four-Year-Old curriculum provides experiences for children who are eligible for kindergarten the following year. Activities are related to kindergarten readiness.
C. The Five-Year-Old curriculum was especially designed to meet the needs of the children most of whom are five before school starts or turn five in early fall. This class offers enrichment activities while giving the children an extra year to grow. Activities are related to Kindergarten Readiness.

THE ACTIVITIES
PLAY TIME - The first half hour of the day includes a play time when the child learns to develop and expand his or her world in learning to play with others, using a variety of toys and objects - building blocks, sand/water table, puzzles, and creative materials and games.

STORY TIME - listening, creating, telling, finger plays, writing our own stories.

MUSIC TIME - listening, moving to rhythm, action games, rhythm band, singing. In addition, a special music teacher holds classes each month introducing various instruments and activities.

ART TIME - A variety of art experiences using paints (finger, easel, water color), crayons, glue, clay, and "everyday household" materials are offered. Emphasis is on the experience, not the product. The enjoyment and experience of using the materials is the important part of this area of learning.

SCIENCE TIME – Our children visit the Science Room each week where our special science teacher presents many “hands on experiences”. The early learning and discovery of God’s world around us is an important aspect of our curriculum.

GYM TIME - Time is spent in various games and experiences helping to develop the large muscle skills. Equipment like the balance beam, parachute, riding toys, and preschool climber are enjoyed in the gym.

THINKING TIME - Preschool activities that help the child in color and alphabet recognition, matching, number concepts, sequencing, visual and audio discrimination, sensory awareness, listening and creative expression are provided. The children are divided into groups at this time to allow special attention for each child.

SNACK TIME - Parents are asked to provide nutritious snacks which help the child learn of the many healthful foods readily available (crackers, small pieces of fruit, raw vegetables, etc.). The children participate by distributing the food.

ORIENTATION: An evening orientation meeting is scheduled for parents new to Elfinwild. Our program will be thoroughly explained at this time. An orientation day is scheduled in early September in which both the child and parent attend to help them each become acquainted with the school.

TRANSPORTATION: Each parent is responsible for delivery to the school and picking up his own child. A child should not arrive before 15 minutes before the scheduled class time because the teachers are frequently preparing materials or working in another part of the building.

HEALTH: The registration form includes names of doctors and neighbors or family to be contacted in an emergency. Doctor's confirmation is asked to confirm that the child has been examined during the preceding year and is able to attend preschool.

CONFERENCES: A scheduled conference with each parent is held each spring; however, if a parent wishes to talk with the teachers, this will gladly be arranged at a time when the children are not in the classroom. Parents are welcome to come into the classroom at any time.

FACILITIES: The school is located in the Christian Education Building of the church. Entrance for preschool is the rear door at the lower parking lot. To reach this, drive under the glass walkway between the church and the education building and turn left. It is the second door and porch area.

MOM (OR DAD) AND ME PROGRAM:
This 12-week program has been designed to offer a time when 2 - 3 year olds can participate with a parent or other adult for two hours of various activities. These include play, art, special music classes, gym, stories, snacks and discovery time. All of these will help the young children develop in fine and large motor skills, language and attention skills, and social and emotional development. Most importantly, it will provide a positive introduction to the school experience while still having the comfort and security of a parent close by. The class meets on Wednesday or Thursday mornings at the following times:
Arrival – 9:00-9:15 or 12:30-12:45 Dismissal – 11:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Fall (Sept.-Dec.) Spring (Feb.-May)
ENROLLMENT: Because of the limited enrollment, registration is necessary. The nonrefundable registration fee must accompany the registration form. This enrollment fee is not part of the tuition. The tuition is calculated on a yearly basis but may be paid in 9 equal monthly installments due one month in advance. The first tuition payment is due July 1 and is not refundable. The registration form lists current tuition costs. The preschool is a community outreach program of Elfinwild Presbyterian Church and does not conduct any fund raising events or have requests for any additional monies.

Please indicate your choices by number (1, 2, 3) on the registration form of the session you wish your child to attend. Registration will be accepted beginning Sept. 15 one year prior to child entering preschool. Confirmations will be mailed beginning Jan. 15. Placement is made first of Elfinwild Church and preschool families.

Preschool News For May
As we conclude our 20007-8 school year, we thank God for the many experiences we have had. We discovered how things grow and work, made new friends, exercised in gym class, sang and moved to music, heard and saw Bible stories, and worked with all kinds of art materials. We read interesting and colorful books and even became authors and illustrators ourselves!

Mark your calendar for Wednesday and Thursday, May 7 and 8 from 5-8 pm for our Annual Open House where our work will be on display. All are welcome to come and see our Biblical Village that we have created from 15 refrigerator boxes in the gym. On the first and second floors you will see Max and Ruby's party place and grocery store, the art museum with works of our own, the sea creatures in our own "aquarium", many special people of God's creation, and dinosaurs.

We look forward to the visits from the Elfinwild Fireman who help us hear about fire safety. How exciting it is to climb up on the big fire truck and see all the equipment inside! We also will find out from Mr. Porter, from Ross-West View EMS, how we are cared for if we would need their help. It is meaningful to walk through the ambulance and know that people are kind and comforting if someone in our family needs to go to the hospital.

We sill celebrate the end of our year with a program and pizza luncheon for all our families in each class.

Our thanks to all the Elfinwild Church community for your interest, support, and prayers. God has truly blessed the Preschool with your kindness.

We are now accepting applications for the 2008-9 school year. This includes programs for children two years of age with a parent or care giver (Mom and Me Class) and also the regular programs for three, four, and five year olds. These begin in September and continue through May. For information on all of the classes, please call Carolyn Hervey at the Preschool Office 412-486-2322.

Requests for places in the Mom & Me Program for 2 & 3 year olds have increased. We have decided to put in another session on Monday mornings for the Spring Semester. Classes will start in Feb. and continue once a week until mid-May. We also have a few openings in the afternoon classes for 3,4,and 5 year olds of the regular program for this current year (2007-2008).

It is truly a blessing to reach out to the children of our community and surrounding townships. Children come to us from Shaler, Hampton, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Ross, McCandless, Cranberry, Wexford, Pine-Richland and the city of Pittsburgh. Our staff of 26 dedicated and caring teachers bring energy, creative ideas, patience, an understanding of child development, and most of all an abundance of God’s love.
We welcome new staff members. Van Lesnett, Jackie Donoven, Aimee Rihn, and Megan Couts (as a substitute). We are thankful for God's leading these teachers to us.

The Elfinwild Preschool is a Christian outreach to the community and is under the direction of the Elfinwild Prschool Board through the Educational Ministry of the church.

SPECIAL EVENTS:
Fall Parent Participation Day includes a parent-child project and a meeting with parents. If a parent cannot come, a grandparent or other adult may come in his/her place. (Wonderful and unique pumpkins have been decorated together!)

A Thanksgiving Feast is prepared by the children after learning about the first Thanksgiving. A few parents are needed to assist with this. (We create our own applesauce, blueberry muffins, butter, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie!)

Our Annual Christmas Program includes the children in costume reenacting the Nativity. Parents and guests are invited.

A Christmas Party follows a few days later to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Valentine Day is celebrated with a party and exchange of valentines.

Kindergarten Readiness is discussed by the staff at a meeting for parents whose children are eligible to enter kindergarten the following September.

Visitors from the Post Office, Police, Fire, Ambulance/EMS departments as well as a ventriloquist bring interesting programs to the classroom. Parents are also welcome to come in and share their occupation or hobby with the children.

Spring Parent-Child Participation Day once again brings a family member or friend to the classroom to share a project with the child. A brief meeting also is included informing parents of the upcoming events at preschool. (Your creativity can shine through as you and your child design an elegant T-shirt.)

Children’s Literature is an important and integral part of our program. During the school year each class features certain stories incorporating many activities relating to the book and the author. In May a special day called Reading Adventure Day is set aside for all of the children to participate in special activities. Each classroom chooses a book or author and through art, music, creative expression and problem solving makes the story “come alive.”

Open House follows on the Wednesday and Thursday after Reading Adventure Day to provide a time for parents and friends to see the results of the children's activities. Prospective and newly enrolled students are also invited to attend from 5-8 p.m.

The End of the Year is celebrated in late May with a program presented by the children and a luncheon. Family members are invited to attend.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding enrollment or any other part of the program, please call us. In addition to the school number (412-486-2322), you may call Carolyn Hervey at home (412-487-1302). We welcome the opportunity to speak with you, have you visit the school, or assist you in any way in your decision regarding your child's preschool experience.
The Preschool is under the direction of Carolyn Hervey and Co-Directors Kristin Coco, Eileen Hughes, Debbie Piel. Certified teachers supervise all classes.

The tuition for the school year 2008-09 is:
$90/mo. or $810/yr. 2-day program for 3, 4, 5yr. olds
$112/mo. or $1,008/yr. 3-day program for 3, 4, 5 yr.olds
$153/mo. or $1377/yr. 4-day program for 4 & 5 yr. olds
$198/mo. or $1782/yr. 5-day program for 4& 5 yr. olds

Registration Form 2008-2009
REGISTRATION FORM.
After printing, please complete the Registration form and mail to: