Welcome to Preschool! September 2015

A note from Jen McEneany - Coordinator

A very warm welcome to all of our families for the 2015/2016 preschool year! Most people think of new year as happening on January 1st, but as educators we know that the real new year happens in September! Every new year is filled with so much potential - friendships that have yet to form, fabulous artwork which will soon be proudly displayed and so many lessons to learn, laughter and fun to be had.... We are so excited to share this year with you and your children and hope to make it a year filled with special memories that will last a lifetime!

Housekeeping:

L-R Karen, Susan, Danielle, Arsi, Stephanie, Sali, Gabi. Sousan and Rachel

Please make sure to fill in all forms and return to the office as soon as possible. This information is required by licensing to be updated every year - even if nothing has changed - because the forms need to have the current dates on them. As the year progresses you will also need to update them if anything does change, especially with regards to anyone new picking up your child/emergency contacts. The last thing anyone wants in an emergency situation is not to have a current number for a parent/caregiver.

Please make sure to send your child to preschool with snacks that are NUT FREE, we have a number of children with severe, life threatening allergies. We will let you know about other allergies on a class by class/need to know basis. 

Please  make sure that your children come to preschool in clothing and footwear suitable for playing, painting, climbing and dancing because we want all our preschoolers to be able to fully participate in all the fun of preschool without restriction. We also ask that in case we do need to change your child at some point during their time here, that you send a change of clothes that your children will be happy to change into - we do have spares at preschool but sometimes little ones just want their own outfit!

L-R Tina, Marion and Jen

Parking is limited and we ask that you make sure to be extra vigilant and patient when entering and exiting the parking lot. We have no problem with you running a few minutes late as you try to find parking, we just want everyone to be safe as they make their way through the lot.

Please talk to your teachers, Marion, Jen or Tina in the office if you have any questions or concerns about anything with regards to the program here at St. Catherine's or your child's progress, we are always here to help in any way that we can.

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, October 12 - Thanksgiving - Preschool Closed.
Friday, October 23 - 4's Elmer Visit.
Wednesday, October 28 - 201 Halloween Party.
Thursday, October 29 - 202/302/304 Halloween Party.
Thursday, October 29 - Messy Church! 5:00-6:30pm in the gym.
Friday, October 30 - 301/401/402 Halloween Party.

For general information about our programs please contact Jen or Tina:

Tel: 604-980-1326
Fax: 604-982-3277
Email: stcpre@telus.net
Website: www.stcatherinespreschool.com
Please "LIKE" our facebook page "St. Catherine's Child Care Society" Thank you!

5 things you may not know about...

Tina Spencer - Administrator

1. I was born as Deborah Lee Sky but was adopted at 10 days old and renamed Christina     Marie Spencer.

2. I got 100% in Algebra in high school.

3. In my spare time you can find me singing, dancing and acting on the stage!

4. I am now living the "Empty Nest Syndrome" and LOVING IT!!

5. My oldest son's first name is my last name.

Jen McEneany - Coordinator

1. I have 2 daughters, Ayla who is 12 and Kaitlyn who is almost 9.
2. I recently bought a townhouse on LOLO!
3. I love design shows and decorating my home and my friends often ask my advice on design.

4. I love to read and write and my nightstand is stacked with books, notepads and journals.
5. I am a big daydreamer and it sometimes gets me into trouble!

Marion Porter - Developmental Resource Teacher

1. I have 3 boys  (32, 31 and 29).

2. lived in Montreal, St. John’s, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

3. Just moved after 19 years from a house to a townhouse in C-Lo.

4. Youngest son is getting married in April in Campbell River.

5. Been at St. Catherine’s 18 years and love my job.

Rachel and her parents!

Rachel Buttress - Music Teacher

1. My last trip was a choir tour to France.

2. I go to yoga every week.

3. To Kill A Mockingbird is my favourite book.

4. My favourite type of food is Mexican.

5. I have two cats and really wish I had a dog!

Arsi Amirians - Teacher Class 402

  

1. I have a 3 year old son named Luca & a 9 year old daughter named Lara.

2. I don't know how to whistle even though I've tried.....

3. When I was a little girl, I played with Barbies all the time.

4. I have a fear of any sized spiders (especially the bigger ones, eww!)

5. Dream travel destination: anywhere in Italy!!! 

Karen - Teacher Class 202 Aide Class 401/403

1. I still have my childhood stuffy from when I was in grade 1!
2. I have 3 children and they all came to St. Catherine's.
3. My favourite tea is peppermint.
4. I am a Girl Guide leader.
5. I have lived in North Van my whole life!

Susan Morgans - Teacher Class 201/302 Aide Class 401

1.  I was born in the city of Vancouver but have lived my whole life on the North Shore.

2.  My favourite part of a meal is dessert.

3.  I have backpacked in South East Asia with my boyfriend.

4.  I like baking better than I like cooking.

5.  I have a dog named Bentley who is in an agility class. 

Sali Chippet - Teacher Class 401/202

1. I have a house-trained rabbit named     Flipples.
2. I love to grow vegetables.
3. I enjoy hiking up mountains and swimming in Glacier lakes.
4. I never kill bugs or spiders.
5. I like to watch scary movies!

Estelle Stojcic - Teacher Class 301/403

1. I am married with two daughters ages six and nine.

2. We are a bilingual household. We speak French and English.

3. I have lived in France and Germany.

4. I am afraid of heights.

5. I have worked with children for over 20 years.

Danielle Moore - Teacher Class 201/402

1. My favourite Colour is Purple

2. I like the number 3.

3. I have a brother and a sister.

4. My favourite animal is a horse

5. I would like to visit Egypt one day.

Stephanie Mah - Teacher Class 202/401/304/403

1. I have a Pomeranian named Chi Chi.

2. I enjoy baking on my free time.

3. My favourite food is French fries.

4. I like to read Nicholas Sparks books.

5. I try to change the colour of my nail polish every week!

Vibha!

Vibha Sisodraker - Teacher Class 201/202

1. I grew up in the Fiji Islands.

2. I dislike participating in winter sports.

3. I love travelling.

4. I really love to get a shellac manicure!

5. I have four sisters and one brother.

Gabi Pasek - Teacher Class 301/302 Aide Class 304/403

1. I am a compulsive reader, I read everything! Street signs, transit ads, flyers, ingredients lists on boxes. (I've just wasted some time to re- read what I wrote!)

2. I had a magical childhood, I believed in Santa until I turned almost 13 (and I had my first boyfriend in the same year. Go figure...)

3. I was sick and tired to read "The little red hen" for the millionth time so I made up silly stories to my toddler, who loved them so much, she never again asked for that worn book again. Hopefully I will have some time and energy left to write at least one book and get published. (should I sign it as The Little Red Hen? )

4. I'm a bit crazy - I teach preschoolers, need I say more?! I am a late bloomer too, I learned how to bike when I was 12, how to snowboard and swim in my early 40's, my most recent career change happened in my 40’s as well.

5. I’ve always been a big fan of literature, drama, arts, and fell in love with acting in grade one when I wrote a play and my classmates and I performed it for our parents. I am a treasurer for a non-profit theater and I do some acting too.

Sousan Hakimy Kashany - Aide Class 402

1. I have 3 children. 1 son and 2 daughters.
2. My son graduated from UBC where he studied International Relations and Economics. My eldest daughter has a masters degree in Civil Engineering and Building Science from UBC and my youngest daughter is in grade 11 at Handsworth with plans to become a psychiatrist.
3. I have worked in ECE since 2003 and believe that each child is a unique individual with the potential to learn in a comfortable atmosphere full of love and support.
4. In my spare time I enjoy walking, yoga and reading.
5. I love to spend time with my family and friends.

Thanks for reading!