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2018-19 School Year at Tree of Life of Lake Zurich, IL
Our School Year



March 2024 Preschool News



Class schedules for March 2024:


Highlights

March 3rd -- Preschool Sings in Church with Sunday School (3's & 4's)
March 11th -- In-Class Field Trip Reptiles & Amphibians (4's)
March 19th -- Visit the Fire Station (3's)
March 25th - 29th -- No School- Spring Break Week
April 1st -- School Resumes





February 2024 Preschool News

We got some snow last month, but unfortunately, the weather got too cold and then the rain came. Hopefully, we will still get a chance this month to go out and enjoy some snow play with our friends!

During this month we will be learning about "Shapes" in the three-year-old room. In the four-year-old room, we will be learning about "Hearts and Friendship" and then "Healthy Living." During Jesus Time we will learn the following stories: "Jesus is Baptized by John", "Jesus Changes Water into Wine", "The Great Catch of Fish" and "Jesus Calms the Storm."

The four-year-old class will make special valentines for the "Valentine's for Seniors" card drive. Additionally, we will celebrate Valentine's Day in both classes with a PJ Party which will include special treats, games, and valentines from our friends. Finally, we will have a day off for Presidents Day on Monday, February 19th.

- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director


Two Year Old Toddler Program - Little Sprouts

The Little Sprouts will begin the month of February by learning about pet turtles as we end our Pets theme. Our next theme is "Community Helpers" where the children study fire fighters, police officers, mail carriers, teachers, doctors and more! We will also celebrate Valentine's Day with a card exchange, special craft and by reading one of our favorite books "The Day it Rained Hearts." We will finish the month by starting the theme of "Taking Care of Me".

Our Jesus stories this month feature some of Jesus's miracles: "Jesus Goes to a Wedding", "Five Loaves and Two Fish", "Peter Learns to Trust" and "One Man Gives Thanks".

- Mrs. Rachel Andrews



Class schedules for February 2024:


Highlights

February 4th -- Sing in Church with the Sunday School (3's & 4's)
February 13th -- Valentine's Day Party At 10:15 (3's)
February 14th -- Valentine's Day Party At 10:15 (4's)
February 19th -- No School- President's Day Holiday







January 2023 Preschool News

I hope everyone had a Happy and Healthy Christmas and Break! We will return to school on Monday, January 8th, and Tuesday, January 9th. This month we will be learning about "Snow and the Animals Who Love It". During Jesus Time we will learn the following stories: "The Wise Men", "God Keeps Jesus Safe" and "Young Jesus Visits the Temple".

We will have a day off on Monday, January 15th for MLK Day. On Monday, January 22nd someone from the Lake County Health Department will come to do hearing and vision screens in the morning for all children who attend preschool. Additionally, we will enjoy a special "Family Read" day on Tuesday, January 23rd, and Wednesday, January 24th. Family members will have the opportunity to sign up to read a short story to the class at the end of the morning sessions.

Finally, if the weather permits and we get some snow we will try to have some snow play days. The children always love doing this!

- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director


Two Year Old Toddler Program - Little Sprouts

I welcome our families back to school and hope everyone had a relaxing Christmas break. As January begins and the cold wind blows, our Little Sprouts will begin the month with a look at winter. We will create a winter collage and make snowmen out of Model Magic. The children will also practice their fine motor skills by creating snowmen using tweezers and cotton balls. We will end the month with a pet theme. The children will study a variety of pets, including cats, fish and reptiles. They will make a paper bag puppy puppet, read a fun story about Pete the Cat and even play a fun fish game.

Our Jesus stories this month include the Epiphany story of "Gifts for a King", as well as "Jesus Goes to Church", "Come and Follow Me" and "Jesus Shows His Power".

- Mrs. Rachel Andrews



Class schedules for January 2024:


Highlights

  • January 8th - School Resumes
  • January 15th - No School - MLK Holiday
  • January 22nd - Hearing & Vision Testing
  • January 23rd - Family Read Day (3's)
  • January 24th - Family Read Day (4's)





 

December 2023 Preschool News

We are happy we got some nice weather in November and were able to have some extra playtime outside. This month in preschool, will be very busy, as we prepare for our Christmas Program which will be on Sunday, December 17th at 1:30 pm. Additionally, we will enjoy a special "Christmas Craft Day". And finally near the end of the month before we go on break we will enjoy a Christmas Party in each class. Our main focus this month will be learning about "Jesus' Birth (what this means for us)" and also "Giving Versus Receiving". During Jesus Time we will learn the following stories: "God's Special Message for Mary", "Jesus the Savior is Born".

We will be on Winter Break from Thursday, December 21st until Friday, January 5th. School will resume on Monday, January 8th, and Tuesday, January 9th.

We wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

- Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director


Two Year Old Toddler Program - Little Sprouts

Christmas is coming quickly! The Little Sprouts will be very busy at school this month, as they only have 5 days of classes and there is so much to do! Our themes for December will focus on bears and Christmas. We will begin the month with a fun pajama day, where students will wear their pjs to school and bring a stuffed bear or other stuffed friend as a special guest for the day. We will read the book We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and even go on our own bear hunt to find a lost bear. Bear counters will be used to practice counting during class and we will also learn about hibernation. During craft time, we will work on some very special (and one secret!) Christmas crafts.

Jesus time this month will feature the Christmas stories of "Mary's Big News", "The Savior is Born" and "Go and Tell". We will learn why Christmas is celebrated and discover the very best gift of all: Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

I wish all of my dear students and their families a very blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

- Mrs. Rachel Andrews


Class schedules for December 2023:


Highlights

  • December 1st - Field Trip To See Snow Queen (4's)
  • December 3rd - Preschool Sing With Sunday School Children & Advent Family Crafts
  • December 4th - Parent/ Teacher Conferences
  • December 11th - Craft Day (10:00-11:30am) (4's)
  • December 12th - Craft Day (9:45-11:30am) (3's)
  • December 17th - Christmas Program (1:30pm Please Arrive No Later Than 1:20pm)
  • December 18th - Christmas Party (10:00-11:30am) (4's)
  • December 19th - Christmas Party (10:00-11:30am) (3's)
  • December 21st - January 5th - Winter Break
  • January 8th - School Resumes







  • November 2023 Preschool News

    We finished October with some nice weather and enjoyed our Fall class parties. As we move into November, we will learn about "Our Five Senses" in the three-year-old class. The four-year-old class will learn about "Native Americans and being Thankful". During Jesus Time, all the children will learn the following Bible stories: "Joseph Forgives His Brothers", "God Takes Care of Baby Moses", and "God Chooses Moses". Both classes will enjoy a field trip to the Marriott Theatre to see the show "Snow Queen". Additionally, I will be testing children and getting ready for our first Parent/Teacher conferences. The conferences will be held on November 30th and December 4th.

    We will be on Thanksgiving Break from Wednesday, November 22nd through Friday, November 24th. When we get back from Thanksgiving Break, we will continue to practice for our Christmas Program which will be held on Sunday, December 17th at 1:30 pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

    - Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director



    Two Year Old Toddler Program - Little Sprouts

    As the autumn leaves continue to fall from the trees, the Little Sprouts will begin the month of November with a look at the season of fall. We will discuss the different colors of leaves and examine them with magnifying glasses. We will also make a fall collage and a dot art acorn. Our next study piggybacks on the fall theme by learning about animals that are often with fall, including squirrels, foxes and owls. We will create a cute fox puppet, play a Sneaky Squirrel game and read the beautifully illustrated book "The Busy Little Squirrel". For the week of Thanksgiving, we will be reminded of all of God's blessings and color a Thanksgiving Prayer book to take home and share with families.

    Our Jesus stories this month focus mainly on Moses, including "God Keeps Baby Moses Safe", "God Chooses Moses" and "Bread From Heaven". The last story of the month begins the nativity story with "Mary's Big News".

    - Mrs. Rachel Andrews


    Class schedules for November 2023:


    Highlights

  • November 5th -- Preschool Sing In Church w/ Sunday School Kids (3's & 4's)
  • November 21st -- Field Trip Day - Snow Queen: Leave At 9:30am Back Around 11:35-11:40am (3's)
  • November 22nd - 24th -- Thanksgiving Break
  • November 30th -- Parent/ Teacher Conferences
  • December 1st -- Field Trip Day - Snow Queen: Leave At 9:30am Back Around 11:35-11:40am (4's)
  • December 4th -- Parent/ Teacher Conferences
  • December 5th -- Sing in Church with the Sunday School (3's & 4's)





  • We Have So Much To Be Thankful For!

    October 2023 Preschool News

    What a great start to our school year! The children have got most of our routines down, and because of this, we can enjoy longer free play and outdoor time when the weather permits. This month marks our first opportunity to sing with the Sunday school children on Sunday, October 1st. The children have been working very hard. I hope to see some students attend. We will be learning about "Colors" in the three-year-old class. The four-year-old class will be learning about "Fall & Pumpkins." Both will enjoy a field trip to Country Bumpkin. Additionally, they will enjoy a fall party at the end of the month. During Jesus Time, all the children will learn the following Bible stories: "God Answers Abraham's Prayer for a Son", "Jacob Sees a Beautiful Dream", "God Has a Plan for Joseph" "Joseph Becomes a Ruler in a Faraway Land."

    Finally, we will have picture days on Tuesday, October 10th & Wednesday, October 11th.

    - Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director



    Two Year Old Toddler Program - Little Sprouts

    The Little Sprouts class had a fun September getting used to classroom routines and meeting new friends. It is hard to believe that October is already here! We begin our month by learning about shapes. We will sing some songs and do a shape scavenger hunt in the classroom (with some help from the teachers).The children will color a book about shapes and create a "shape" Noah's ark, complete with sticker animal pairs! Delicious and crunchy apples is the next theme. Children will learn the songs "A-P-P-L-E" to the tune of "Bingo" and create an apple tree using Duplo blocks dipped in red paint for the apples. An apple taste test will take place during snack time one day where the Sprouts can decide on their favorite apple - red, yellow or green. Storytime will feature both fiction and nonfiction books about apples - there are so many titles to choose from!

    Jesus Time stories this month include: "Noah's Big Boat", as well as a look at Abraham, Jacob and Joseph in the titles "Count the Stars!" "Jacob's Beautiful Dream, Joseph's Special Gift," and "Joseph's New Job".

    - Mrs. Rachel Andrews


    Class schedules for October 2023:


    Highlights

    October 1st - Sing in Church with the Sunday School (3's & 4's)
    October 9th - Columbus Day - No school (4's)
    October 10th - Class Pictures (3's)
    October 11th - Class Pictures (4's)
    October 16th - Field Trip To Country Bumpkin (4's)
    October 24th - Field Trip To Country Bumpkin (4's)
    October 30th - Fall Party 10:00 -11:30 (4's)
    October 31st - Fall Party 10:00 -11:30 (3's)
    November 5th - Preschool Sing In Church w/ Sunday School Kids (3's & 4's)






    Pumpkins!

    September 2023 Preschool News

    Here we go, about to start another school year! I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer break. It has been a fun and busy summer. I have enjoyed some great trips and fun activities.

    Additionally, I have been preparing for our first days on September 5th and 6th. We have 15 four-year-olds and 8 three-year-olds enrolled. I can't wait to see all my returning families and get to know my new ones.

    We will learn "All About Me" in both classes. Also, the four-year-old class will learn about "Apples" and "Pets". During Jesus Time, the three-year-old class will hear the Bible story "What is God Like?" All the children will learn the following Bible stories: "God Creates Our Beautiful World", "God Creates Man & Woman", "God Saves Adam & Eve", and "God Saves Noah & His Family". At first, we will focus on getting students acclimated and familiar with our routines. Our goal will be to have the children be able to separate from their parents while enjoying school.

    I anticipate an exciting and wonderful year ahead!

    - Mrs. Lori Dundore, Teacher/ Director



    Two Year Old Toddler Program - Little Sprouts

    After a summer full of sun and relaxation, I am very excited about and looking forward to the first day of Little Sprouts! We currently have eight 2-year-olds signed up for class, so it should be a fun filled school year.

    We will begin the month of September with a "school" theme where we will read some first day of preschool stories and make some fun crafts, including a school bus and a colorful backpack filled with pictures of school supplies. Our next theme is "colors". The children will practice color recognition and make a "My Colorful World" book and listen to the flannel story "Dog's Colorful Day". We will also sing a fun song about colors while we toss different colored beanbags between our hands.

    Our Jesus stories this month will feature: "Jesus Blesses the Children", "God Made the World", "God Made Me", and "The Sneaky Snake".

    - Mrs.Rachel Andrews


    Class schedules for September 2023:


    Highlights

    • September 5th -- First Day Of School (3's)
    • September 6th -- First Day Of School (4's)
    • September 10th -- Sunday School Resumes
    • October 1st -- Preschool Sings in Church with Sunday School (3's & 4's)




     

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