Dear Parents:

Where did June go? Summer is in full swing already at Park’s Edge Preschool and I always feel melancholy as July 4th approaches that it’s half over already. As many of you know the summer kicked off with our annual bike blessing by Pastor Bill. It’s always fun to see the children excited to bring their bikes, trikes and wheeled toys from home and see their enthusiasm as they peddle around the grounds. We are off to a spiritual and safe summer at Park’s Edge Preschool!

Safety first–Park’s Edge Preschool does a background check on all field trip volunteers/chaperones. Summer popular favorites are field trips to St. Ann’s Intergenerational Aquatic Center for indoor swimming in any type of weather, scheduled for June 22, July 13 and August 17. The staff and children are excited to have the whole pool to ourselves. Swimming safety first… at St. Ann’s the children are provided with swimming vests and a lifeguard is on duty! All ages are enjoying Thursday afternoons with our special in-house fieldtrip… Granny’s Treats. This is a cool way to implement literacy in our program.

This past month we experienced some water damage in our preschool classrooms on the lower level. ServPro was contacted to professionally address the situation. Their representative claimed we are fortunate that most of our walls are concrete and do not absorb water. A few walls are plaster and will be removed and replaced within the next few weeks as a preventative measure. All existing carpets were cleaned and deodorized but as an extra measure they will be replaced as soon as the new ones ordered are delivered. The removal and replacement of the plaster walls should take place the weekends of July 7 and 14. All removal will be contained and the environment and air quality will be protected. If you have any questions please feel free to talk to Ellen or Kristin.

Happy childhood memories made here… Sunday, August 6th is AugustFest from 11am to 4pm. This is an annual collaboration between Park’s Edge Preschool and Emanuel Church and a traditional summer celebration for friends and families to celebrate summer. Family fun for everyone will include a Bounce House and an Obstacle Course. Food of course… wonderful food… roasted chicken, corn, hotdogs, brats, home-made German potato salad, chips and more will be served. You won’t want to miss the variety of home-made desserts available too. Park’s Edge Preschool will be sponsoring carnival games for all ages! ‘Pie in the Teacher’s Eye’ is a great way to let your child ‘connect’ with staff.

More carnival activity highlights: Face painting, Temporary Tattoos and balloon creatures. This year’s added feature is a friendly competition of ‘tug of war’ between Park’s Edge Preschool and Emanuel Church. The match has been lovingly named the ‘John Farina Tug of War Memorial Tournament’. FYI- John Farina served on various committees for Emanuel Church including Building and Grounds Trustee and AugustFest Committee. John passed away a few years ago and is missed by many. Hope you can come and share the summer fun with family and friends here!

Speaking of summer celebrations… I recommend spending the day in Hales Corners on July 4th. There is so much to do; kiddie’s bike parade, Holz Chrevrolet’s annual car show, bed races, parade, fireworks and more. Past years we have participated in the Hales Corners 4th of July Parade, but this year our staff are taking a break to enjoy July 4th Holiday celebrations with their families. Please have a safe holiday weekend whatever you choose to do on July 4th.

Please watch for the ‘Fall Enrollment Survey Form’ to be completed and returned by Friday, August 4th. We look forward to a busy fall when many of the children return to PEP after the summer break. We are planning for AugustFest, Sunday, August 6th and PEP’s Open House will be held Thursday, September 7th from 6:30-8 pm.

Sincerely,
Ellen M. Kvalheim