Dear Park’s Edge Preschool Families: 

The month of August is always bittersweet in having to say good-bye to departing families and welcoming new families to Park’s Edge Preschool. The staff have a Professional Day scheduled for Friday, August 25, to prepare their classrooms and curriculum for the upcoming school year. There is no childcare service available that entire day while PEP staff gear-up for the new school year. 

Hip, Hip, Hooray! PEP’s Summer Planning Committee deserves a pat on the back for an awesome summer—Thank you Ms. Jenele, Ms. Melinda, and Mr. Cody. They planned a super summer for children over 4 years old, which included a variety of educational and fun fieldtrip destinations. Some of our favorite in-house fieldtrips were the Foam Machine, Giant Water Slide, Lego Bounce House, and coming soon…Blue Crush Obstacle Bounce House. Oh, the places you’ll go… PEP children and staff enjoyed the destination walk to McDonald’s for lunch. They went via PEP bus to Swimtastic in June and July and will go again on August 17th! This month we are also visiting the Racine Zoo! Time at PEP sure flies because we’re having fun! 

Fun was had by all…at the car wash! A big thank you to all PEP families, staff, and Pastor Joshua for participating in the Car Wash. The Zacher family surprised everyone by bringing in the cab of a semi-truck to be washed. PEP col-lected $178.00 for the Pizza Party planned for an end of summer cele-bration. 

I am personally looking forward to PEP’s Talent Show this summer! The talent show is scheduled for Thursday, August 10 at 4pm in Emanuel Church’s Sanctuary. If you can steal away from work early to come and see how gifted these children (and staff) are, you will not be disappointed. Watch for details… 

Thank you to Emanuel Church for inviting the PEP families to participate in Vacation Bible School held July 24, 25, 26, and 27. The theme ‘Stellar Shine Jesus’ Light’ was out of this world! The children…and Pastor Josh delighted in the Foam Machine from outer space. Thank you, Emanuel Church, for this wonderful experience in learning more about God’s crea-tions. Thank you to Karin McElrone, and Emanuel Church’s Board of Christian Education; Ms. Jenele, PEP’s liaison teacher to Emanuel Church; and Ms. Alexis, PEP’s Program Aid, who enjoyed helping with VBS for the very first time…thank you all for making Emanuel Church’s VBS shine through Jesus 

Speaking of light shining…get a free PEP flashlight…look for Park’s Edge Preschool on August 1st at Hales Corners National Night Out from 5:30 to 9pm. This is a very special event in bringing families and the whole community together at Hales Corners Park. Park’s Edge Preschool will participate this year with a booth for temporary tattoos. PEP (still) has koozies to give away that will be wrapped around a bottle of water. All the community helpers are there to showcase their equipment and introduce them-selves to your family. I hope your family will be there when the festivities start at 5pm. 

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and so does summer☹ We will wrap up summer on a positive note with popcorn, pizza, and pajama party on Thursday, August 24! Woot! Woot! What a summer we had with many happy childhood experiences and memories made at PEP! Many of you will continue at PEP but sadly many of you will be moving on. Please remember to stay connected on our Facebook page and save the date, Saturday, June 1st for PEP’s 25-year anniversary celebration! 

Thursday, September 1st is back to school for the Whitnall School District. Please drive carefully when entering and departing Emanuel Church/PEP’s parking lot in meeting school bus safety guidelines. The best to all our PEP students, parents, and staff that are returning to school. 

PEP’s Annual Open House is scheduled on Thursday, September 7 from 5 to 7pm. Families are welcome to tour the facility, meet the teachers, and see your child’s classroom. This year a meet and greet is scheduled for you to meet our new leadership team, PEP’s new director and Emanuel Church’s new Pastor. Please look for details in your family mailbox soon. 

A sad Farewell to PEP families leaving PEP’s program for the school year and an extravagant welcome to new families coming on board. If your family is continuing for the school year at PEP, the annual Registration Fee will be charged to your account on September 1. Park’s Edge Preschool is closed on Monday, September 4 for Labor Day. Regular charges are applied. Rest and enjoy the last summer holiday weekend Thank you! 

Sincerely, 

Ellen M. Kvalheim