Greetings from the Office

Dear Joyce families,
Welcome back to all our returning families and a big welcome to all our new families who join us this year! We're looking forward to a wonderful school year. Staff gathered in August and discussed goals for the year, including wanting to make sure all children have a wonderful preschool experience and are ready to succeed when they move on to kindergarten, and that all parents feel welcome and part of their child's school experience. We're also looking forward to adding more hands-on math and science activities to our curriculum this year.

I have lots of news for you. First of all, staff updates.... We are happy to welcome Riana Dilley to our 3-4 year old teaching team. Riana comes to us from Concordia Language Camps, where she coordinated language instruction in an immersion setting. Nate Watters and Erika Boelk have become permanent members of the teaching staff for the 4-5 year old class, after filling a long-term substitute position last year. We're also happy to have Natalie Ehalt, our AmeriCorps*VISTA member return for a second year of service with Joyce as she continues to refine our curriculum documentation and volunteer outreach systems. Finally we have four Cristo Rey high school interns with us again this year. Please say hi to Jessica, Victor, Jessica, and Mariah!

We look forward this year to making sure all parents and/or family members have lots of opportunities to get involved in your child's preschool. We invite all of you to think about monthly participation in our classroom. We will also be hosting Classroom Connections, September 22nd and 23rd, which are a great opportunity for families to learn more about the school and meet other parents from your child's classroom. In addition, Joyce's board of directors will be meeting on September 23rd to kick off the year. We have a fantastic board and about half the members are parent directors. If you are interested in serving on our board please contact Paola Nuñez Obetz, our board chair, or me about openings (paolaobetz@gmail.com or Laura.Johansson@joycepreschool.org).

Finally, a note about living out the cultural exchanges that are so emblematic of Joyce Preschool.... Our lead teachers, Carol and Victoria, traveled together to Victoria's family's home in Peru this summer. They had a wonderful trip and Carol was immersed in Peruvian culture, history and Spanish. My family also still plans on traveling abroad this winter. It will be with a heavy heart that I leave my position as Director at Joyce. I feel so fortunate to have been part of this amazing organization and community for the last eight years. The board is currently interviewing a promising group of candidates for the Director position. I feel happy that this transition comes at a time of programmatic and fiscal strength and that we are afforded the time to ensure a smooth transition.

Again, we're looking forward to a great year with all of you. Thank you for entrusting your precious children to our care. It is our honor to learn alongside them everyday!

Sincerely,
Laura Johansson
Executive Director
Joyce Preschool

Attachment	Size
Parent Handbook 2010-11.pdf	1.38 MB