605 Douglas

Alexandria, MN 56308

(320)763-4099

MISSION STATEMENT

Calvary Lutheran Church views children and families as a precious resource, given by God, and acknowledges its responsibility to assist parents in providing for their children’s nurture and care. Calvary Lutheran Preschool is a vibrant ministry of Calvary Lutheran Church, a way of meeting the needs of all children and their families, including sharing the gospel and love of Jesus Christ. It is committed to creating a Christian atmosphere in which the social, physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual well being of children is of utmost importance.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

GENERAL INFORMATION

Calvary Lutheran Preschool is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services - Division of Licensing and is owned and operated by Calvary Lutheran Church. It is licensed to serve children who are 33 months old through prekindergarten. Class size is limited to fourteen children. The preschool is open September through May. The children can participate in half day sessions, one or two times per week. Each session is two and one half-hours long.

GOALS

Our goals are to develop in each child a positive self-image and to foster the joy of learning. Our preschool will focus on the whole child and his/her individual needs. We will encourage him/her to explore the environment designed by the staff to promote development in all areas - to help him/her actively learn about their world and about his/her relationships with God and others.

Calvary Lutheran Preschool admits students of any race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin or religious affiliation of the child or family.

QUICK FACTS

*there are fourteen children in each class - a teacher and a teacher aide

*we take time part way through the session to have a short devotion - an opportunity to promote Christian Values!

*the children do a craft project to bring home every day (involves cutting, painting, coloring, etc.)

*they also participate in large group and small (3 - 4 children) group activities

*we teach using themes - holidays, colors, shapes, seasons, family, etc.)

*our goals are to encourage growth physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and spiritually - and have fun doing it!

*we strive to make each child feel special and successful in our classroom!

*although not formally taught we do expose the children to the alphabet, numbers, shapes, etc. through play, projects, and the learning environment

*because we have small classes we have opportunities to cook and bake with the children - throughout the year we make muffins, applesauce, stone (vegetable) soup, gingerbread boy cookies, friendship (fruit) salad, ice cream, biscuits, etc.

*the children are given an opportunity to have show and tell once a week

*music (songs, finger plays, beanbags, rhythm instruments, and creative movement) is an integral part of our day

*books, puzzles, legos, blocks, play dough, trucks, dolls, dress up clothes, kitchen, work shop, computers, science/math table, markers, scissors, etc. are available to the children on a daily basis for play time

*toys (which promote use of large and small motor muscles, creativity, and imagination) and books are changed each month

*each session ends with a story (which is related to the theme of the day!)

*our teachers and aides have had years of experience working with children and have loved every minute!

QUESTIONS?????

Stop in or give us a call - we are always happy to talk with you!

Jan Ferguson, Jan Ollig, Angie Anderson, Alice Commerford

CALVARY LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL

WANTED ~ PRESCHOOLERS!!

Calvary Lutheran Preschool:

- can help keep Jesus in the heart of your

preschooler through songs, finger plays,

prayers, and short devotions

- can help your preschooler get ready for

kindergarten using Minnesota’s Early

Learning Standards

- can offer a warm, loving atmosphere! Small

classes of fourteen preschoolers, a teacher

and an aide, help us get to know your child

on a personal level and meet their individual

needs!

WANTED ~ SUBSTITUTES!!

Do you want to spend some time with young people in a Christian setting? We would love you to sign up to substitute as a teacher (must have a four year teaching degree) or an aide.

Call us (763-4099), stop in, or e-mail us at jferg@calvarylutheranalexmn.com

Our Calvary Lutheran Preschool Staff:

Jan Ferguson – Teacher, Administration

Jan Ollig – Teacher

Angie Anderson – Administration

Alice Commerford – Aide, Administration

Vicki Wohlfeil – Aide

Sandy Buckner – Board Chairperson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CALLER February 2008

Each child is born with his/her own temperamental style and personality. Throughout his/her childhood and beyond, this temperament will influence not only the way others treat him/her but also the way he/she acts and reacts to his/her world and the people around him/her. Your parenting style should suit your child’s temperament. Your child’s temperament can’t be changed however, you can work with it and shape it to help your child learn to love and feel comfortable with him/herself.

We will be talking about love a lot this month as the preschoolers will be getting ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their friends. What a wonderful time to share the love of Jesus and the love of friends!! Stop by our preschool bulletin board sometime this month and enjoy the pictures of our 56 valentines!!