The summer of 2017 has flown by and we find ourselves about to start preschool on September 5. We had a full house with thirty families in attendance for the orientation meetings on August 22, where we got to put all of the new names with faces. We are excited about this upcoming year with full classes (and waiting lists), new staff members and a full calendar of events to keep us very busy all year long!

In September we will have our first field trip to the Environmental Learning Center and our first fundraiser, The Bike Rodeo. We will be learning all about our new friends, school rules, feelings, manners and apples. We will also be having our eye screening by the Lions Club and school pictures taken. We are super excited for our new music curriculum, presented by Kids in Harmony Music, which will happen every Monday during the fall semester.

Since it’s the beginning of the year, I’d like to reintroduce myself and introduce our new preschool staff members. I’m Kandy Wise, the director of Open Arms Christian preschool. I have a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Home Economics Education and have taught child development classes. I taught preschool in Arizona, ran my own licensed home day care, participated with my four children in parent cooperative preschools, helped with scouting programs, bible study program child care, and was assistant director at Open Arms Christian Preschool for six years before taking on the Director role.

Our new Monday through Friday Aide is Ashlee Sturgeon. Ashlee is a 2010 graduate of Missouri Baptist University, where she received two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Ministry and Leadership as well as Worship Arts. She has worked with children in numerous capacities over the past ten years, including as a nanny, Sunday School teacher, volunteer in after-​school programs with at-​risk youth. She is the mother of two little ones.

Our Tuesday and Thursday Aide will be Saint John’s member Jessica Stephens. Jessica has her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University. She has been a full time stay at home mom for the past six years. In addition, she has worked with children of various ages through Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and Kindergarten small groups.

If you’re in the building during preschool hours, feel free to pop in to say hi and meet our new staff and all of the wonderful new kiddos!

Kandy Wise is the Director of Open Arms Preschool, a ministry of Saint John’s Lutheran Church. You may reach her at 482-1357 or OpenArms@StJohnsFC.org with any questions about the Preschool.