Dear Park’s Edge Preschool Families: 

Park’s Edge Preschool held our bi-annual Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, May 11th. We had a great turnout—50 families attended to discuss their child’s individual growth and development with their child’s teacher. Staff value the opportunity of going through each child’s portfolio and Portage Assessment Tool with each family in attend-ance. The Portage’ Assessment Tool is used to document each child’s progress physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. The portfolio is a wonderful keepsake when the child leaves PEP’s early childhood program. Thank you for attending the Parent-Teacher conferences. 

PEP celebrated mothers and grandmothers with breakfast and gifts on Friday, May 12th. We had 50 mothers/grandmothers in attendance with their (grand)child(ren). PEP is looking ahead to Father’s Day too. Park’s Edge Preschool fathers and grandfathers will be specially treated on Thursday June 15th. PEP’s Father’s Day is an Ice Cream Social celebration from 4 to 5pm. Watch for an invitation in your family mailbox! 

‘Play The Foundation of Children’s Learning’ is a book study with 2 hands-on workshops that PEP staff are involved with this year. The staff are exploring the ‘7 things’ they should do with children every day: create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read, and play. They are learning fun ways to integrate into play. The ‘Play Workshop-Part 1’ was held March 10th and Part 2 is scheduled on Thursday, June 1st. We are excited to play and learn through new, engaging activities for children. The staff look forward to ‘playing with’ and teaching your child(ren) daily. 

Whitnall School District’s last day of school is Thursday, June 8th. PEP is looking forward to a super fun summer for all age groups. The children ages 4 and up have many exciting outings planned out in the community. We are especially excited to have 3 swimming fieldtrips, at ‘Swimtastic’ located indoors, in Franklin, complete with certified lifeguards. PEP is blessed to have a minibus to take us places, and experienced staff that enjoy children. 

PEP is well-staffed during the summer. Several college students, studying to be future teachers, have come on board for the experience of working with children. Ms. Octavia Luster has joined PEP’s team full-time in the infant room. She is also a student at Mount Mary College for a Social Work bachelor’s degree. We welcome back Ms. Bella Krall returning from UW-LaCrosse, Ms. Riley Nowak, new to PEP, is also attending UW-LaCrosse, and Ms. Alex Jifas, attending UW-Milwaukee. We are delighted they chose PEP for their summer job. 

Makenna Grant, a sophomore at Franklin High School and former PEP student has been hired part-time MWF for the sanitation associate position, opposite of Alexis Rick on TTh for the summer. They are responsible for cleaning all toys, furnishings, and equipment; sanitizing high-touch point areas; and restocking classrooms with supplies, etc. They have no responsibility for the children. 

Summer Staffing— Upper Level–Love bugs-Nicole & Octavia; Beautiful Butterflies-Julie, Ruslana M+F, Holli T,W,TH; Darling Dragonflies-Terri & Jacque; Busy Bees-Emily & Jacinda *Anna—Wednesdays only infant-toddler float. Lower Level–Sunshine Room-Mariah M+F, Kasey M-F, & Bella M-F; Frogs-Sandra & Jenni; Shining Stars-Melinda & Nyanna; (5-k) Purple Moon Room-Riley M-F School-age/ Slithering Snakes-Jenele, Cody and Alex. 

Another milestone to celebrate…June 1st, 1999, is Park’s Edge Preschool’s 24th Anniversary! It should come as no surprise that I’ll be retiring in the fall of 2024 after I reach my 20-year anniversary milestone and celebrate PEP’s silver anniversary. I am working with the PEP Board and staff in developing a succession plan and will keep you informed as things progress in the upcoming months. 

Sincerely, 

Ellen M. Kvalheim