Dear Park’s Edge Preschool Families: The month of March at Park’s Edge Preschool we go from children celebrating friendship and valentines to shamrock season and spring. Did you know that Park’s Edge Preschool sponsors a St Patty’s Day Parade right here at Emanuel Church? Be sure to dress your leprechauns (children), in green and come join the fun— 10 am Friday, March 17th! Sorry, no green beer will be served here that day but we are serving many other green foods including mint chocolate chip ice cream.

The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries range in size from small care centers to large hospital networks, bound together by the call to serve others in faith. CHHSM’s purpose is reflected in the logo, where the central image is the basin and towel, traditional Christian symbols of service. The symbol and name of the United Church of Christ’s is integral to the logo as well, expressing the commitment of the ministries to be one in service and covenant with the church. In 1999, Park’s Edge Preschool was established as one of those ministries.

CHHSM’s 2017 Annual Meeting will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 2-March 4th! Emanuel Church/ Park’s Edge Preschool has the distinguished honor hosting CHHSM’s Annual Meeting Opening Worship Service in Emanuel Church’s beautiful sanctuary on Thursday, March 2 nd at 3pm. Reverend John Dornhauer, the President of the United Church of Christ, will be presiding. The worship service has been planned to include Pastor Bill Utke, of Emanuel Church, Hales Corners, doing a scripture reading. The Park’s Edge Preschool children will play a small role in the worship service by singing several Christian songs expressing our mission in teaching Christian values. Park’s Edge Preschool families are encouraged to join us for this exciting and memorable experience for the UCC Church and ministry.

Can you believe spring is almost here already… and so is Emanuel Church’s Spring Irish Ceilidh. This is an annual fundraiser that is more than just Shepherd’s Pie…it includes bagpipe players, The Garlic Mustard Pickers, the Glen Castle Irish Dancers and a talent show too; complete with a dessert bar! The excitement is all happening here on Saturday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. Hurry and purchase your tickets for only $15 before (see Ms. Ellen) or $17 at the door. Where else can you go for a dinner and a show for less than $20/person? If you bring two non-perishable food items you will get a free drink ticket! Come join us to celebrate spring!

Spring is the time of year we start planning our summer fun at PEP…’summer fun’ program packets will be available to families the first week of April…please be sure to watch for details! If you are interested in getting your school-age child involved in the Summer Fun Program at Park’s Edge Preschool please let us know. Summer will be here before you know it!

We are thankful and looking forward to our brand ‘new and improved’ kitchen for 2017. The Park’s Edge Preschool staff and children will have an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 7th at 4pm. Come and check out the improvements…cake and ice cream will be served! Thank you to the generous donors whose gift to Emanuel Church has also been a blessing to Park’s Edge Preschool. Did you know that our program serves over 80 nutritious lunches, on-site here, Monday through Friday? The catered lunches from MCFI have been delicious during the kitchen renovation but nothing beats ‘home cooking’! You are welcome to come for lunch, any day you are welcome to ‘come read-a-story’ and stay for lunch with your child in their classroom. Please consider making your lunch reservation at Park’s Edge Preschool.

Wanted…parents who want to learn how to be better at parenting through ‘Love & Logic’! Sign-up today to learn effective communication tools for long-term parenting. Classes will be held on Tuesdays starting May 2nd through June 6th from 5:30 to 7pm (with the exception of Tuesday, May 23rd). Hurry… classes are very affordable at $25 a couple/$15 single. Parents are pleasantly surprised to experience how fun and easy parenting can really be! In support of this valuable opportunity Park’s Edge Preschool is offering free on-site child care with spaces limited. Make your reservation today by calling P.E.P. at (414)427-9561 or sign-up at the P.E.P. office desk. Become a better parent and call today!

Sincerely, Ellen M. Kvalheim