• Another step forward in registration was the creation of an online system to allow current families to re-register their children for the next year. This eliminated early-morning lines and lots of paperwork. We heard many positive thoughts from parents. • The leadership team at Saint Michael Preschool attended the Biennial conference for the National Association of Episcopal Schools in California in November 2014. It was an honor to be included among and interact with some of the nation’s top schools. • With a very generous grant from the Saint Michael Foundation, we are now working with Greenlight branding/ advertising agency. They will assist us in moving forward with a plan to help position Saint Michael Preschool to be the leading preschool in Dallas.
The Disciples Class retreat helped prepare Saint Michael 6th graders for Confirmation.
Two pillars that we work on in every program are: 1. Building a sense of belonging and 2. Creating opportunities for young people to use the gifts that God has given them. This means opportunities for leadership, service, and giving kids a chance to wrestle with the hard questions. It also means we spend a lot of time being very intentional about sharing life which means meeting for coffee, sharing highs and lows every time we get together, and putting relationships ahead of our “lessons” or “programs.”
Spiritual • Strengthening our Chapel program was a priority for our school this year. We created a weekly service in the Saint Michael Chapel for all of the PreK classes. Father Greg is telling interactive stories from the Bible to help them learn the teachings of Jesus. Children have been involved in the processional in carrying the cross and this has also brought more parents in as visitors to our Chapel. The Lord’s Prayer grows stronger and louder each week as the children are learning this most special prayer. • We held our first Family Thanksgiving Service in November and invited all families to attend. The Sanctuary was filled with faces young and old as Father Greg led us in a service to begin the holiday season. Children brought almost 80 bags of canned goods to help serve North Dallas Shared Ministries.
Andy Sahl Youth Director
Administrative • Saint Michael Preschool welcomed 133 families with 166 students into our school this year. We currently have about 60% parishioner families and 40% non-parishioner families. • Saint Michael Preschool initiated an online waitlist application system in September 2014. This ensured accurate tracking of interest in our preschool.
Academic • We were thrilled to install the interactive Mimio learning boards in all of the PreK classrooms. We have also integrated the Everyday Math curriculum and it’s made learning the foundations of math both age-appropriate and fun. • Ipads are also now in every classroom thanks to the funds raised by our wonderful parents at the 2014 Chairish our Children Party. • Our current staff consists of 21 degreed classroom teachers and 4 teachers certified as a Childhood Development Associate.
Saint Michael and All Angels church members with young families were given the first opportunity to apply via this system. By the time the waitlist closed on January 8, 2015, we had 81 children on the list.
Enrichments • For children that choose to extend their day at Saint Michael Preschool, we offer seven different enrichment opportunities. These activities included Catechesis, Mr. Donovan, Stretch
Saint Michael Preschool
Katie Riley Director, Saint Michael Preschool
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