It’s been quite an interesting summer down the hall as we work to adjust to being primarily outdoors when the school year begins. We are excited about our new “nature trail and classroom,” and the covered areas going up on both playgrounds. Our focus for health and safety this fall will include outdoor activities, small group interaction, and lots of sanitizing along the way.
We are sad to say goodbye (for now) to Teacher Megan and Teacher Olivia. As their own children continue with a fully remote school model, it is important for them to be available to support learning at home. We will miss them both, but respect the need to prioritize their own families. This is a challenging time for everyone!
When the children return to school in September, we will greet them outside for temperature checks and check-in. They will have small “bubbles” of friends to engage with, but there will be no large group activities. Throughout the summer we have been listening to parents as they share what they hope for and what concerns they have about the return to school. We are confident that we have a safe plan to provide our preschool students with the opportunity for social engagement and age appropriate learning.
We will begin our fall classes on September 21, with the hope of completing an 8-week program, ending November 20. We are limiting this fall to 3 small classes to ensure the safest possible environment for everyone. Should the need arise, we are prepared to transition to a remote learning model for completion of the fall session.
We will take guidance from the CDC, state, and county with regards to planning beyond Thanksgiving.
We are incredibly thankful for the support of preschool families and this congregation as we navigate this challenging time. Preparations for a safe return to school have meant some significant spending, even as we know we will be serving fewer families this fall. This would not be possible without your support. We continue to pray for a future that includes more interaction with peers and a return to hugs and high-fives!
As I have been telling our families and staff since March,
stay well and stay tuned!
Felicia Lindus
Trinity Preschool
A Word from Pastor Jim
The Trinity Preschool is the largest Christian Education and outreach program that we have. For 34 years the Preschool has been mostly self-sufficient and self-funded. Covid-19 has changed all of that; lower class sizes, and complicated state safety regulations have dramatically altered budgets. The added cost could not be passed on to already stressed young families. Consequently, the Preschool is anticipating a $35,000 operating deficit in the 2020-2021 school year. After prayerful deliberation we will move forward in faith knowing that students and parents need our support more than ever before. Blessed to be a Blessing – we would welcome the financial support of anyone who would like to be a Friend of The Trinity Preschool. One Day Closer!
