By Renee Hennessy, Preschool Director

Our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon is more than just a meal; it is a gathering of our children’s most treasured people: their families and their teachers, all of us connected by the common thread of St. Francis Preschool. We came together as a small community representing many different cultures and countries. Families sat in small (and I mean tiny) chairs to share a meal and conversation, all because of their children. As I walked around and visited each class, I was reminded of how special this day truly is.

On Tuesday we hosted our Open House for prospective families. We had a wonderful turnout, and I want to thank Keyonda Turner and Ilana Stewart for assisting us in Preschool parent tours. We understand how important this decision is to families. When talking about our program, the first thing I mention is the relationships that we build with our children. Our teachers take the time to connect with, and get to know “full well,” each child in their group. Establishing this trusting relationship is at the heart of our program. Harvard’s Graduate School of Education released an article for parents titled How to Pick a Preschool, written by Suzanne Bouffard, writer and researcher on child development and education. The article discusses five evidence-backed signs of a successful program that parents can use as a guide. This informative article can serve as a reminder for our current families and contains points to share with friends and neighbors about how to determine a quality program.

The Preschool PA’s Coat Drive officially kicked off today! They are accepting gently used or new coats to benefit the children and adults at Keystone Learning Academy through Friday, December 7th. Donation boxes are located in front of the Preschool doors in the Main Amp.