Dear Park’s Edge Preschool Families: 

Spreading God’s love…that is what we do here at Park’s Edge Preschool! The past few weeks we have sprinkled sunshine and valentines on the veterans at the Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center. The preschool children also made special valentines, filled with love and good wishes for our friends at Forest Ridge Senior Community and Hales Corners Care Center too. Valentines can go a long way in spreading good cheer and warmth during this long winter season. I hope your Valentine’s Day was warm and special! 

Did you know that Park’s Edge Preschool has been a recognized ministry of the United Church of Christ’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) since 1999? CHHSM is a nonprofit association of the United Church of Christ. CHHSM’s mission, on behalf of the entire church, is to sustain and advance the work of healing and service as a ministry of the UCC. These ministries include acute health care services, services to the aging, services to persons with developmental disabilities, and services to children, youth, and families, such as Park’s Edge Preschool, as an outreach of Emanuel Church, to serve the community with Christian childcare. CHHSM’s logo design is of a washbasin and towel, reminding us of Jesus’ servant leadership in washing the Disciples feet. 

CHHSM offers a year-long study of servant-leadership through the Nollau Institute. Those that successfully complete the program are consecrated as Diakonal Ministers and gifted with a washbasin and towel. Two PEP staff have been consecrated, Ms. Jenele (2020) and me (2013). Ms. Jenele ceremoniously ‘blessed the hands’ of the Park’s Edge Preschool staff at our recent staff workshop, on Friday, February 25, in commemoration of Health and Human Services. Please pray for Health and Human Service caregivers and those they are caring for. 

Teacher on the mend…Ms. Mackenzie recently had foot surgery and we are anticipating her return sometime this month. Mackenzie has a very positive attitude and energy that is contagious among the classrooms. She has been missed by the children, staff, and families. We are looking toward her safe and speedy recovery and return to PEP. 

Some more good news to report to you on staffing…we have hired two new staff. You will find Ms. Cathleen in our kitchen as our cook preparing lunch. Ms. Jacinda has been recruited for the teacher’s assistant position in our Frogs classroom with Ms. Sandra. Ms. Jacinda is very new to the childcare field and will be taking correspondence courses to meet entry level status. I am encouraged by her willingness to learn. She will be paired with Ms. Sandra and Ms. Jenele, both excellent mentor/teachers, role modeling PEP’s values in the classroom to children and co-workers. Check out our staff bios to learn more about our staff. 

March brings green things to PEP… ‘spring’ green, I hope! St. Patty’s Day is right around the corner, and we will be dressed in green for PEP’s Annual St. Patty’s Day Parade scheduled for Thursday, March 17th at 10 am. (Sorry, no green beer served here!) Watch out for little leprechauns enjoying St. Patty’s Day festivities and shenanigans! 

Happy St. Patty’s Day! 

Ellen Kvalheim, Park’s Edge Preschool Director