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Copyright © 2024, Holy Cross Stars Academy of Whitestone – Website by Shapiro Consultants
Dear Parents,
April brings warmer weather and sunny days; a perfect recipe for spending time outdoors, playing in the playground, throwing balls, drawing with chalk, going for walks, and enjoying the wonders of spring! Parents, please take the time to point out all the miracles we can see in our everyday life. Take time to show your children how to fly a kite, start riding a tricycle, bicycle and scooter, spend an afternoon watching cloud shapes and blowing bubbles. Keep in mind, your child is always learning!
It seems cliché to say that this school year has absolutely flown by. However, it is now April and we only have two months left of the 2023-2024 school year. April is a busy month as we prepare for Easter and the Resurrection of the Lord. Two-year-olds are learning about bags; shopping bags, luggage, plastic bags, school bags and sensory bags, The three-year-olds will be exploring water and how it is used in our daily activities. The children will learn about the states of water and how water helps people and the environment. Buildings are the focus for our four-year-old children. I wonder if there are any future architects in the class.
As you plan for the month, please remember these special dates:
April 4 Open House 7:00 PM
April 10 Presanctified Liturgy – Church attendance
April 15-19 Career Week – parent volunteers needed
April 22 Happy Earth Day
April 25 Protomayia Wreaths – Adult/child activity 11:45 AM
April 28 Orthodox Palm Sunday
April 29 – May 6 School closed. Spring Break
Our next Open House is April 4. Seats are filling up. If you are still interested in registering your child for September or if you know a friend who would like to register, please inform either Ms. Joanne or me.
We at Stars Academy appreciate all the ways you have shown your support and cooperation since the beginning of the year. Thank you for entrusting your precious angels to our care.
Cathy Helfrich
Education Director
Good Afternoon Parents and Guardians,
In spite of a warm beginning, February ended with a blast of winter! As we move into March, we look forward to warmer days, plenty of sunshine and the beginning of spring. Our Rising Stars, our future environmentalists, are continuing their unit on Recycling. Please send in clean recyclable objects for the class projects. Our Little Stars class has recently begun their unit on “Wheels.” Will they be designing the transportation of the future or redesigning the chariots of the past? The Tiny Stars class is continuing their unit on “Containers.” They are becoming very adept and independent when opening their snack boxes.
We have several special activities planned for the month of March:
March 1 Dr. Seuss Day observed/ Crazy Socks Day
March 6 Open House 7:00 PM
March 8 Parent Teacher Conferences – All students dismissed at 11:30 AM
March 15 Apokries/Carnival Celebration – Ice cream class parties
March 18 Clean Monday
Community kite flying event – details to follow
March 25 Greek Independence Day- wear blue and white or traditional Greek costumes
Church attendance for the Annunciation followed by Mini-Greek Parade
Please continue to send your child to school with a hat and gloves every day. Outdoor recess is preferred, even if it is a little colder. However, we will use the gym when it is colder than 42 degrees or raining.
As we head into the spring, please note that we are beginning to prepare for the 2024-2025 school year. We will be opening registration to new families beginning March 11, 2024. For our current families, if you plan to return in September, please remember to send in the registration form and fee by Friday, March 8, 2024. We cannot guarantee or hold spots without registration.
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation and for entrusting your precious angels to our care.
With warmest wishes,
Cathy Helfrich
Education Director
Good afternoon Parents,
Your children have done an outstanding job for the first 5 months of the school year. I predict the during the next five months they will make major strides in social-emotional, fine motor and language development skills. Ms. Joanne and I will be sending you information, very soon, about tuition and registration for the 2024-2025 school year. May I remind you that registration for the 2024-2025 school year will be open to our current students before we invite new families to register. Please share with your family, neighbors, and friends that we will have four Open Houses. The dates are March 6, April 4, and May 22 in the evening and one beginning at 9:00 in the morning on May 9. Please feel free to join us for these meetings.
February is a short month but full of learning as we press forward with our educational goals, full of fun, engaging activities. Love and friendship are a special theme for the month. Many children like to send valentine wishes to their classmates. If you plan to send valentine cards, and /or a simple gift, please refrain from sending candy or sugary treats. It is also dental health month. What a wonderful time for your child’s first dental visit. Our teachers are nearing the completion of their current unit and are eagerly preparing to begin a new adventure with your children.
Please take special note of the highlights for the month:
February 2 – Groundhog Day – Will spring come soon or will winter stay?
February 14 – Valentine’s Day – wear red and pink to school
February 15 – Church attendance, Liturgy, and communion
February 19 – 23 – Winter break – school closed
When dropping off and picking up your children, please minimize conversations with the staff to ensure proper supervision of your children in the rooms. Spend time every day reading books together with your children and take special notice of environmental print, including signs on stores, street signs, and numbers on houses.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Regards,
Cathy Helfrich, Education Director
Good Afternoon Parents,
Welcome Back! I hope you and your family had a wonderful and restful holiday season and are as eager as I am to begin the 2024 school year. Ms. Joanne and I will begin working with the School Board to plan for the 2024-2025 school year. We currently have no plans for expanding our program. We hope to finalize tuition and registration information for 2024-2025 within the next few weeks. Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will be open to our current students before we invite new families to register.
This month the Tiny Stars will be exploring “brushes.” They will talk about careers and community helpers. The Little Stars are finishing their clothing unit and will start learning about architecture and buildings. They will become creative thinkers as they use various shapes to design buildings. Additionally, we plan to begin scheduled Greek lessons later in the month with the three-year-old class. Our Rising Stars will be starting off the new year with a unit on exercise, a new year resolution that many people embrace. The classrooms will be buzzing with excitement and new adventures.
Please take special note of the highlights for the month:
January 3 – Vasiliopita Cake cutting (Nut free)
January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr Day – School closed
January 19 – National Popcorn Day; We plan to string popcorn to provide animals with a special winter treat!
January 30 – Church Attendance for 3 Hierarchs Day
The Department of Health required all students (under age 5) to have the annual influenza vaccine by December 31, 2023. Please make sure you provide the school with the required documentation. Warning letters from the Department of Health will be sent out to those who have not complied with this requirement. As the weather gets colder, it is imperative that you send hats and gloves to school every day as the children will continue to have outdoor activities.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Regards,
Cathy Helfrich, Education Director