FROM THE DIRECTOR
The 2020-2021 school year is finally here! It feels SO good to be writing this message as we eagerly return to doing what we do best – teaching and loving your Little Saints.
We have a new face here this year! Welcome to Ms. Diana (Threes). Diana comes to us with over a decade of experience in early childhood education and most importantly, a passion for developmentally appropriate, play-based learning. She is a wonderful addition to our All Saints team!
We spent the last few months working hard to prepare for the reopening of our precious school. In addition to cleaning and setting up the classrooms, the staff spent a few days in development and training, which centered around our Trauma-Informed Care theme for the year. Thank you to fellow All Saints mom, Dalena Taylor, for a wonderful and insightful training titled “Connection in the Time of Covid.” As we embark on a school year unlike any before, we are committed to building trusting and meaningful relationships with your little ones that will lead to a successful year of learning and growth. We are rejuvenated, inspired, and ready to get busy with the important work of childhood…play!
Our number one priority is the safety of our children, families, and staff. Please make sure you are familiar with our COVID-19 FAQ (link) and updated sick policy (link). We are in this together, and we are relying on all of our families to adhere to these guidelines and be honest with us regarding illness and travel. I pray over our entire All Saints community daily, and I feel confident that we will come together for the common goal of keeping each other healthy and safe!
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all adjust to the new policies and procedures. It certainly looks different, but what isn’t different is that joyful, nurturing All Saints feeling. Even with masks and cohorts, as I walk through the hallways and peak into the classrooms, I see teachers on the floor playing, singing, reading, snuggling, building, and exploring with the children. This is a special place, and our school year is off to a great start!
With Love,
Emory Messeroff
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FROM THE PTO PRESIDENT
After this extended break, I know we are all so excited for school to start!
- None of this would be possible without our wonderful teachers, for whom we are so grateful, returning to take care of our Little Saints. I especially want to thank Emory, Rosie, and the staff at All Saints for their tireless efforts this summer to ensure that our children return to school in the safest environment possible.
- As you know, there are so many aspects of the school that make it truly special – from the loving staff and teachers, to the learning-through-play methodology, and all of the little friends and precious memories made along the way. On top of all that, we are blessed with an amazing community of parents. Being new to Winter Park and All Saints four years ago, the PTO and this community of parents offered me a great opportunity to meet and make friends through volunteering in my son’s class and attending the many family events held during the year.
Our goal as a PTO this year is to hold as many of our annual events as possible.
- While some of these events will look a little different this year, we will do our best to find ways to use parent volunteers and to involve your entire family whenever we can do so, safely.
- Upcoming events in the short-term will likely take place during the school day just for our Little Saints to attend with their classes, but we are open to any and all suggestions for participation as we evolve with local health and safety conditions.
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If you would like to be involved in a specific event, overall planning, or have ideas, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
Lastly, I would like to thank Kristin Pontius for being an exemplary PTO President last year – your leadership and amazing contributions to the school will be remembered! I am excited to announce that Maggie Rhine will join me as Vice President of the PTO!
We look forward to continuing to grow our school and parent community this year and hope to continue to make memories!
Caitlin Yarbrough
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DROP OFF / PICK UP
Car Line Locations Explained - Please Read Carefully!
A friendly reminder for Parents/Caregivers that there are TWO car line locations this year.
Our Pre-K, Kindergarten as well as Young/Older Twos families will use the Breezeway Car Line during separate times noted below. Enter from westbound Lyman Avenue (no left turns into car line from Lyman) and proceed to the designated drop-off/pick-up area. Watch a preview of what you can expect in car line for Pre-K and Kindergarten here, and for Young/Older Twos here.
Threes will use the Interlachen Car Line for drop off and pick up during the designated times below. Enter the church parking lot from southbound Interlachen Avenue (no right turns from Interlachen into the church parking lot) and proceed to the designated drop-off/pick-up area. Watch a preview of what you can expect in car line for Threes here.
8:35-8:45 a.m. (BREEZEWAY CAR LINE) - Pre-K and Kindergarten
8:50-9:10 a.m. (INTERLACHEN CAR LINE) - Threes
8:50-9:10 a.m. (BREEZEWAY CAR LINE) - Young Twos and Older Twos
1:50-2:00 p.m. (BREEZEWAY CAR LINE) - Pre-K and Kindergarten
2:05-2:15 p.m. (INTERLACHEN CAR LINE) - Threes
2:05-2:15 p.m. (BREEZEWAY CAR LINE) - Young Twos and Older Twos
Please see the school website COVID-19 FAQ for additional information.
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We couldn't resist providing a peek into All Saints School's newest outdoor play area addition - the Imagination Playground.
Simply put, this space is meant to let our Little Saints' imaginations run wild!
In addition to the Imagination Playground blocks, the space features a hopscotch, trampoline, balance beam, sensory table (with water), tunnel, books, and coloring table.
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OUTDOOR CLASSROOM UPDATE
Speaking of our outdoor spaces, you might miss seeing a familiar face for a couple of months. Our Outdoor Classroom and Spanish teacher Ms. Carol is taking a Family and Medical Leave of Absence and plans to return in mid-November. Behind the scenes, she will continue to make play dough for our classrooms and will write lesson plans for Outdoor Classroom. For the time being, the teachers will set up Outdoor Classroom each day using age-appropriate materials and themes provided by Ms. Carol for the children to explore; and Spanish class for Pre-K and Kindergarten students will being when Ms. Carol returns.
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WELCOME BABY SAINTS!
We are so happy to welcome new Baby Saints to the All Saints family!
Congratulations to the Kaplan family who welcomed Ellie May Kaplan to the world on May 16th. We're delighted to have her in the infant room with Ms. Emily and Ms. Jill. Big brothers Ollie, in Older Twos with Ms. McKinley and Ms. Victoria, and Ari, in Pre-K with Ms. Jackie and Ms. Christy.
Sebastian Mauricio Rojas was welcomed into the world on June 29th. Big sister Aria is in Young Twos with Ms. Courtney and Ms. Cathy. We are so happy for the Rojas family!
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Please mark your calendars with these upcoming events.
School Closed for Labor Day
Monday, September 7th
School Closed for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, October 23rd and Monday, October 26th
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