Dear Park’s Edge Preschool Families:

Where did October go and how can it be November already? Thursday, October 28th was ‘spooktacular’ because PEP’s second annual ‘Trunk or Treat’ outdoor event was safe Halloween fun! The staff dressed in costumes and decorated their cars with a matching theme. They passed out treats to the costumed families. In case you missed it the car themes were: Lovebugs (infant 1)–Mummies; Beautiful Butterflies (infant 2)—Baby Shark; Darling Dragonflies (toddlers)—Paw Patrol; Busy Bees (2’s)—Dr. Suess; Sunshine Room (2½-3’s)—Pumpkin Patch; Fantastic Frogs (3½-4’s)—80’s Party; Shining Stars (4-5’s)— Under the Sea; Slithering Snakes (school-age)—Snakes Spooky Wooky, PEP Office Staff— Hocus Pocus; and last but not least PEP’s ‘child-friendly’ Haunted Bus with ghosts. Non-perishable foods were collected for Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force…it’s not too late to donate more nonperishable! Thank you for joining us and the food donation!

The PEP preschool and school-age children in the Shining Stars and Snakes classrooms (Whitnall School District was off) paraded in Halloween costumes at the Hales Corners Care Center on Friday, October 29. This was a real ‘treat’ for the Hales Corners Care residents to see and celebrate this year. ‘Happy Halloween’ cards were made by the PEP children for a bonus treat to all the residents. We hope your fall season festivities were safe and fun too!

Speaking of ‘community’… PEP children learned ‘Love of Neighbor’ feels good by taking care of others! Thank you and your child for filling the decorated lunch bag with ‘non-perishable foods’ and returning it to PEP to donate to Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force. The food box was filled to the brim with lots of nutritional foods collected in just the first 2 weeks of October. The many food items donated were delivered to the Milwaukee Hunger Task Force new location at 5000 W. Electric Avenue, West Milwaukee. Park’s Edge Preschool is yet collecting more food since PEP’s ‘Trunk or Treat’ was held Thursday, October 28. Food is love…thank you!

Speaking of food…Who likes pasta? Who doesn’t like pasta? It is already that time of year again for Emanuel Church’s Good News Group’s ‘Frazzled Family Dinner’ scheduled for Wednesday, November 17th. Be sure to watch for a sign-up sheet which will be located on Park’s Edge Preschool’s front desk. Pasta-to-go is the perfect way for Emanuel Church to ‘reach out’ in support of today’s ‘frazzled families’ to find time to reconnect with a prayer and conversation card included too. Have you or anyone in your family been frazzled this year? Treat yourself and your family and RSVP for a Free Frazzled Family Dinner on PEP’s front desk by Wednesday, November 10th! Thank you!

The Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) mission is to sustain and advance the work of healing and service as a ministry of the United Church of Christ. Park’s Edge Preschool has been recognized as a CHHSM ministry since 1999. Friday, November 5th, CHHSM’s leadership is ‘virtually training’ all PEP staff as part 2 of ‘Nollau to you too!’ Part 1 of the CHHSM Leadership training was April 23rd. PEP will be closed to families/children at noon on Friday, November 5th, so all staff can participate from 12 to 6 pm. This training opportunity allows for PEP to emphasize our mission in serving as an outreach for Emanuel Church in sharing Christ’s teachings with the families/children we care for. The training meets state/NAC Accreditation education requirements.

PEP’s Parent-Teacher Conference Night at PEP on Thursday, November 18, from 5:30-7:30pm. Parents will have an opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher for 10 minutes to confer about their child’s growth and development. You will have an opportunity to review your child’s portfolio and Portage Assessment Tool. Sign-up will be available in your child’s classroom Monday, November 8th, to reserve 10 minutes with your children’s teacher(s). The conferences will be held in Kurth Hall; childcare will be available—be sure to sign-up for child care when signing up for conferences. CDC protocol please—masks and six-foot distance required. Thank you!

Count your Blessings… Thanksgiving is almost here! PEP is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Park’s Edge Preschool has a lot of little blessings to be thankful for…including good health and happiness for every family!

Sincerely,

Ellen M. Kvalheim