Noah’s Ark Preschool
Information Packet 2023-2024
Welcome to all new and returning preschool families! The 2023-2024 school year for Noah’s Ark Preschool will officially begin on Wednesday, August 16th.
My name is Mrs. Megan Rokusek. This will be my 18th year teaching at John Paul II! I am honored to have the pleasure of teaching your child this year and look forward to working with you and your child. I will work hard to help your child adjust to the preschool environment, meet new friends, and help them learn many exciting skills and concepts.
Preschool is an important time in your child’s life. I want this to be a positive experience and a strong foundation for your child. This is a time for your child to practice socializing with others, working on letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, growing in faith, and many other concepts. You can help support your child’s education in many ways: Read with your child every day; Talk to them about their day- Ask specific questions, “What letter did you work on today?” “What did you do in gym?” “What book did you hear?”; Go through their backpack to make sure you get any information coming home.
Due to the fast-paced excitement of Open House and large number of preschool families, I’ve included many details in this letter that you can read at home and refer to as needed. Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you may have. My email is [email protected]. You can call me at school: 996-2365.
Parent/Child Info Form
Please fill out and return this as soon as possible. This will help me learn more about your child, including any recent changes or updates you want me to know about. Also, I will use the email addresses included on the form when sending the weekly newsletters home. Thanks for taking the time to fill this information out. I appreciate it. (This was given out at open house.)
Volunteer Training
If you are interested in volunteering at all during the school year (in classroom, field trips, October dance, carnival, etc.) please make sure you complete the Safe Environment Training so we are all well informed about how to keep children safe from dangerous situations. Each adult volunteer must complete Safe Environment Training yearly before he/she is able to help.
Leader and Snack
Each preschool class will have a leader of the day. We will rotate through the class list, so you will receive a leader calendar monthly. This is a very special job! The leader is assigned to be the line leader, helper for the day, will bring snack for the class, and may bring one item to show and tell. We are unable to serve homemade treats, bakery items, or anything that contains peanuts due to allergies within the school. The snack needs to come to school in the original package so we may read through the ingredients to make sure it was not made where peanuts were processed. We will be very strict on this. If it was made in a factory where peanuts are present we will not serve the snack to the students. Please let me know right away if your child has any allergies to food!
The preschoolers are very dependent on the leader schedule, so once it is printed and sent home I will not alter it. We always keep snacks on hand so if your child forgets snack we will have a snack to use; however, he/she can bring an item for show and tell the next time he/she comes to school.
I am asking all afternoon students to bring a non-perishable snack item for emergency snacks. I will ask morning students sometime throughout the year to bring a snack. Thank you!
Caboose
The session before your child’s leader day, your preschooler will be the caboose of the day. On this day, your child will be responsible for walking at the end of the line and checking that classroom toys have been put away.
Non-Milk Drinkers
If your child does not drink milk, be sure you have indicated so to the office staff and myself. Your child will be served water with snack.
Birthday Treats/Invitations
Birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom on the date that is closest to the birth date. We will celebrate any birthdays that are during summer break on their half birthday. I will try my best to schedule your child’s leader day on or close to their birthday. A school rule is that students do not pass out birthday invitations at school, unless the whole class is invited.
Sick Days
If your child is ill or is unable to come to school, please call the school office at 996-2365 as soon as you can. Email is typically a great way to communicate with me if something is not urgent, as I am only able to check messages 2-3 times per day.
Footwear
Please do not send your child to school in flip-flops. Shoes with closed toe and heal are preferred. This is a safety measure. It is also a great idea to have your child wear shoes they can take off and put on with little help to work on independence. On gym day, please make sure your child wears appropriate footwear to participate in class time.
Bathroom
Please remind your child to take the time when he/she needs to use the bathroom. We are unable to assist a child in the bathroom, if your child needs to wipe he/she is required to do it themselves. If your child would happen to have an accident, I do have spare clothes to put on your child. The office will call you if your child has had an accident that requires more cleaning. Please let children dress themselves before school so they become comfortable doing this if they need to.
Mass Days
Mass is on Wednesdays at 9:00am-10:00am. The morning preschool class will be going to Mass monthly at the beginning of the year. We will increase the time we go to Mass as the year goes on. I will let you know when we will be attending Mass in my newsletters. You are welcome to join us. Preschool students are not required to wear the school uniform on Mass days, but we do ask that they do not wear shorts on Mass days.
Specials
Morning Preschool:
Monday: Music at 9:30-10:00
Tuesday: Library at 9:30-10:00
Wednesday: Mass at 9:00-10:00 (monthly at first) and PE at 10:30-11:00
Thursday: PE at 9:30-10:00
Friday: Music at 9:30-10:00
Afternoon Preschool:
Monday: Music at 1:30-2:00
Tuesday: Library at 1:30-2:00
Wednesday: PE at 1:30-2:00
Thursday: PE at 1:30-2:00
Friday: Music at 1:30-2:00
Recess
We will be taking the students outside daily as weather permits. During colder months, we will try to get outside as much as possible - I will inform you when we will go outside so you can send appropriate attire for your child.
Lunch
If your child also goes to daycare, they will have lunch at 11:15-11:45. Each family will get a monthly lunch menu.
Show and Tell
The leader of the day may bring one item to show and tell. If your child is gone on their leader day, they may bring show and tell the next day they are in class.
Notes and Money
Please return all notes and money promptly. When money is being sent to school, please put it in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and what the money is for: such as book orders. Book Orders: Please write your check out to “Scholastic Book Clubs” if you are ordering. Please do not send cash.
Communication Folder
Your child will have a communication folder that will go home daily. Please send the folder back to school every day. This folder will help us communicate with you by showing you your child’s daily work, behavior, and any important information that you need to know.
Visitations and Conferences
Parents are welcome to visit school at any time. Make sure you check in at the office as a visitor when you come. For the afternoon preschool class, there will be two scheduled individual conferences for parents/guardians. For the morning preschool class, there will be one scheduled individual conference for parents/guardians in the spring. At any time, the teacher or parent/guardian can call a conference if there is a need. If you need to reach me, please call the school 996-2365.
Coming and Going
Morning Preschool: School begins at 8:15 a.m. Children that arrive before 8:00 a.m. need to go to the Multi-Purpose Room. At 8:00 a.m., we will get the children from the Multi-Purpose Room and escort them to the classroom. Children that arrive after 8:00 need to come to the classroom. School ends at 11:15 a.m. If your child stays all day, they will go to lunch at this time and then to daycare. If you are picking your child up, we ask that you pick them up at the office doors between 11:10-11:15am. Please walk to the doors to get your child. Children that stay past 11:15am will need to wait in the office until their ride comes.
Afternoon Preschool: School begins at 12:30 p.m. The classroom doors will open at 12:15 p.m. If your child stays all day, we will escort them to the classroom after lunch. School ends at 3:15 p.m. If your child goes to after school care, we will escort them to the after school care room. If you are picking your child up, we ask that you pick your child up at the east doors. Please come into the school to get your child. Children that stay past 3:30 p.m. will need to wait in the office until their ride comes.
I want to know how your child will be transported from school: bus, walking, After School Care, or getting a ride. If there is a change in the routine, please let me know.
Thank you, Mrs. Megan Rokusek
Information Packet 2023-2024
Welcome to all new and returning preschool families! The 2023-2024 school year for Noah’s Ark Preschool will officially begin on Wednesday, August 16th.
My name is Mrs. Megan Rokusek. This will be my 18th year teaching at John Paul II! I am honored to have the pleasure of teaching your child this year and look forward to working with you and your child. I will work hard to help your child adjust to the preschool environment, meet new friends, and help them learn many exciting skills and concepts.
Preschool is an important time in your child’s life. I want this to be a positive experience and a strong foundation for your child. This is a time for your child to practice socializing with others, working on letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, growing in faith, and many other concepts. You can help support your child’s education in many ways: Read with your child every day; Talk to them about their day- Ask specific questions, “What letter did you work on today?” “What did you do in gym?” “What book did you hear?”; Go through their backpack to make sure you get any information coming home.
Due to the fast-paced excitement of Open House and large number of preschool families, I’ve included many details in this letter that you can read at home and refer to as needed. Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you may have. My email is [email protected]. You can call me at school: 996-2365.
Parent/Child Info Form
Please fill out and return this as soon as possible. This will help me learn more about your child, including any recent changes or updates you want me to know about. Also, I will use the email addresses included on the form when sending the weekly newsletters home. Thanks for taking the time to fill this information out. I appreciate it. (This was given out at open house.)
Volunteer Training
If you are interested in volunteering at all during the school year (in classroom, field trips, October dance, carnival, etc.) please make sure you complete the Safe Environment Training so we are all well informed about how to keep children safe from dangerous situations. Each adult volunteer must complete Safe Environment Training yearly before he/she is able to help.
Leader and Snack
Each preschool class will have a leader of the day. We will rotate through the class list, so you will receive a leader calendar monthly. This is a very special job! The leader is assigned to be the line leader, helper for the day, will bring snack for the class, and may bring one item to show and tell. We are unable to serve homemade treats, bakery items, or anything that contains peanuts due to allergies within the school. The snack needs to come to school in the original package so we may read through the ingredients to make sure it was not made where peanuts were processed. We will be very strict on this. If it was made in a factory where peanuts are present we will not serve the snack to the students. Please let me know right away if your child has any allergies to food!
The preschoolers are very dependent on the leader schedule, so once it is printed and sent home I will not alter it. We always keep snacks on hand so if your child forgets snack we will have a snack to use; however, he/she can bring an item for show and tell the next time he/she comes to school.
I am asking all afternoon students to bring a non-perishable snack item for emergency snacks. I will ask morning students sometime throughout the year to bring a snack. Thank you!
Caboose
The session before your child’s leader day, your preschooler will be the caboose of the day. On this day, your child will be responsible for walking at the end of the line and checking that classroom toys have been put away.
Non-Milk Drinkers
If your child does not drink milk, be sure you have indicated so to the office staff and myself. Your child will be served water with snack.
Birthday Treats/Invitations
Birthdays will be celebrated in the classroom on the date that is closest to the birth date. We will celebrate any birthdays that are during summer break on their half birthday. I will try my best to schedule your child’s leader day on or close to their birthday. A school rule is that students do not pass out birthday invitations at school, unless the whole class is invited.
Sick Days
If your child is ill or is unable to come to school, please call the school office at 996-2365 as soon as you can. Email is typically a great way to communicate with me if something is not urgent, as I am only able to check messages 2-3 times per day.
Footwear
Please do not send your child to school in flip-flops. Shoes with closed toe and heal are preferred. This is a safety measure. It is also a great idea to have your child wear shoes they can take off and put on with little help to work on independence. On gym day, please make sure your child wears appropriate footwear to participate in class time.
Bathroom
Please remind your child to take the time when he/she needs to use the bathroom. We are unable to assist a child in the bathroom, if your child needs to wipe he/she is required to do it themselves. If your child would happen to have an accident, I do have spare clothes to put on your child. The office will call you if your child has had an accident that requires more cleaning. Please let children dress themselves before school so they become comfortable doing this if they need to.
Mass Days
Mass is on Wednesdays at 9:00am-10:00am. The morning preschool class will be going to Mass monthly at the beginning of the year. We will increase the time we go to Mass as the year goes on. I will let you know when we will be attending Mass in my newsletters. You are welcome to join us. Preschool students are not required to wear the school uniform on Mass days, but we do ask that they do not wear shorts on Mass days.
Specials
Morning Preschool:
Monday: Music at 9:30-10:00
Tuesday: Library at 9:30-10:00
Wednesday: Mass at 9:00-10:00 (monthly at first) and PE at 10:30-11:00
Thursday: PE at 9:30-10:00
Friday: Music at 9:30-10:00
Afternoon Preschool:
Monday: Music at 1:30-2:00
Tuesday: Library at 1:30-2:00
Wednesday: PE at 1:30-2:00
Thursday: PE at 1:30-2:00
Friday: Music at 1:30-2:00
Recess
We will be taking the students outside daily as weather permits. During colder months, we will try to get outside as much as possible - I will inform you when we will go outside so you can send appropriate attire for your child.
Lunch
If your child also goes to daycare, they will have lunch at 11:15-11:45. Each family will get a monthly lunch menu.
Show and Tell
The leader of the day may bring one item to show and tell. If your child is gone on their leader day, they may bring show and tell the next day they are in class.
Notes and Money
Please return all notes and money promptly. When money is being sent to school, please put it in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and what the money is for: such as book orders. Book Orders: Please write your check out to “Scholastic Book Clubs” if you are ordering. Please do not send cash.
Communication Folder
Your child will have a communication folder that will go home daily. Please send the folder back to school every day. This folder will help us communicate with you by showing you your child’s daily work, behavior, and any important information that you need to know.
Visitations and Conferences
Parents are welcome to visit school at any time. Make sure you check in at the office as a visitor when you come. For the afternoon preschool class, there will be two scheduled individual conferences for parents/guardians. For the morning preschool class, there will be one scheduled individual conference for parents/guardians in the spring. At any time, the teacher or parent/guardian can call a conference if there is a need. If you need to reach me, please call the school 996-2365.
Coming and Going
Morning Preschool: School begins at 8:15 a.m. Children that arrive before 8:00 a.m. need to go to the Multi-Purpose Room. At 8:00 a.m., we will get the children from the Multi-Purpose Room and escort them to the classroom. Children that arrive after 8:00 need to come to the classroom. School ends at 11:15 a.m. If your child stays all day, they will go to lunch at this time and then to daycare. If you are picking your child up, we ask that you pick them up at the office doors between 11:10-11:15am. Please walk to the doors to get your child. Children that stay past 11:15am will need to wait in the office until their ride comes.
Afternoon Preschool: School begins at 12:30 p.m. The classroom doors will open at 12:15 p.m. If your child stays all day, we will escort them to the classroom after lunch. School ends at 3:15 p.m. If your child goes to after school care, we will escort them to the after school care room. If you are picking your child up, we ask that you pick your child up at the east doors. Please come into the school to get your child. Children that stay past 3:30 p.m. will need to wait in the office until their ride comes.
I want to know how your child will be transported from school: bus, walking, After School Care, or getting a ride. If there is a change in the routine, please let me know.
Thank you, Mrs. Megan Rokusek