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Unity Preschool News
February 2024
Ms. Linda's Letter
Dear Preschool Families,
We had fun celebrating Kindness Day in January. Below are some pictures from our special day. The Twos class made a kindness chain. Anytime someone was being kind, a link was added to the chain. Ms. Danielle also adopted a bin for an organization called Isaiah House 117 in York County. As a class, they helped fill the bin with new items for a 12-24 month girl. When a child enters foster care, they will enjoy new items while awaiting their placement. Ms. Lindsay from Isaiah House was also able to visit the class and see all the items they collected.
The Threes classes put together a snack basket for our hard-working and grateful Church Staff and delivered it to them. Our Fours classes made Valentines cards that we will mail to some of our homebound church members. The Twos and Fours classes also brought home books about kindness from our Book Fairies. It was a beautiful day at Unity Preschool.
Just a reminder that we will not have preschool on Monday, February 19th because the FMSD will be closed in recognition of President's Day.
Much love,
Ms. Linda
Director - Unity Preschool
Two's Class - Special Visitor Ms. Lindsay
Two's Class - Kindness Chain
Three's Classes with Unity Office Staff
Three's Classes - Treat Basket
Fish Class - Wild About Kindness
Owl Class - Wild About Kindness
Color Day - Pink Day
Our next Color Day is Wednesday, February 14 and it will be PINK DAY! We are looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day in our classrooms. Your student's teacher will send additional information this month.
Spirit Day - Leap Day
Our February Spirit Day will be on Thursday, February 29 when we celebrate Leap Day. We have some fun activities planned to teach us about animals that leap and why we have a Leap Day.
Teacher Feature - Fish Class
This month, we feature our Fours (Fish) class teachers: Ms. Maureen and Ms. Kellie.
Ms. Maureen Nolin is beginning her fifth year at Unity Preschool. She currently is our Lead Teacher in the Fours (Fish) class. This is her fourth year working with our Fours classes. She was previously our Lead Teacher in our Threes class. Ms. Maureen is a former Kindergarten teacher when she lived in New York. Ms. Maureen and her husband, Tim, have three daughters: Ellie (a student at Fort Mill High School), Bailey (a student at Pleasant Knoll Middle School), and Colleen (a student at Orchard Park Elementary School). Ms. Maureen and her family are members of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill.
Here are a few of Ms. Maureen's favorites:
Favorite Foods: Seafood, BBQ, and Chocolate!
Favorite Music: Country Music
Favorite Book: "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae. Gerald the giraffe learns that "we can all dance when we find music that we love." This is a great motto to teach and to live by.
Favorite Movie: “Grease”
Favorite Activities: Spending time with my family and going to the beach!
Ms. Kellie Ellis is celebrating her eighth year at Unity Preschool and her fifth year with Ms. Maureen. She currently assists Ms. Maureen in our Four's (Fish) class and serves on the Preschool Advisory Board. This is her fifth year working with our Fours classes. She previously worked in both Twos and Threes classes at Unity and other preschools. Ms. Kellie and her husband, Jeff, have two children who attend Clemson: Ainsley, a Junior, and Ryan, a Freshman, and a beloved dog, Savvy. We are so grateful for Ms. Kellie and the abundant joy that she shares with us often, especially when she dances in our hallways.
Here are a few of Ms. Kellie's favorites:
Favorite Foods: guacamole, tacos, and Korean food ("bulgogi and kimchi are amazing!")
Favorite Music: all music but country. Ms. Kellie loves going to concerts, especially with her daughter.
Favorite Book: "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio. Ms. Kellie says "I think everyone should read this book so they can learn about humility, acceptance, and inclusion."
Favorite Movies: action/adventure with a good "chick flick" sprinkled in once in a while.
Favorite Activities: Clemson football games, playing cards (Wipeout and Seven), traveling, and riding rollercoasters.
Volunteer Spotlight - Ms. Dannie
Did you know that Unity Preschool has a Team of volunteers who help us in the classrooms and behind the scenes? Ms. Dannie is one of our special VIPs (Volunteers Impacting Preschool) who has been helping us for the past five years. Ms. Dannie is a weekly classroom helper who assists with Center Time in our Fish class every Wednesday. Ms. Dannie has been a member of Unity for over 50 years. She is a retired school librarian and worked for 40 years in various school districts. She loves the Clemson Tigers, her dog (Roxie) and volunteering at Unity Preschool!
Vacation Bible School
Unity Presbyterian Church will once again host in-person Vacation Bible School this summer. VBS will be held Monday, June 10 - Thursday, June 13 from 9 am - 12 pm for children in rising 4K-4th grade. Mission Camp will be held concurrently for children currently in rising 5th and 6th grade. Registration will open for Unity families, grandchildren of Unity members, and Unity Preschool families (current Three's and Four's students) on March 4. More detailed information will be in the March Newsletter.
Four's Conferences
Conferences for Ms. Elizabeth's class will be March 6 and 7 and conferences for Ms. Maureen's class will be March 12 and 13. An email with more details and a sign-up genius link will be sent later this month.
Registration 2024-25 Update
We had a successful registration in January and we are full in our Older Two's and Three's classes with wait lists. We have a few openings in our Four's classes. Please let your neighbors and friends know - we love referrals.
If you registered your child or a sibling for next year, Ms. Linda will contact you if we still need registration documents. We only need immunization records for new siblings enrolled, not for current students. We will send an email in May with fall date information.
Miscellaneous Reminders
*Preschool Closed:
President's Day Holiday: Monday, February 19
Spring Break: April 1 thru April 5
*Warm Jackets and Hats: We go outside if the temperature is above freezing and it is not rainy or too wet. Please send your child in warm jackets, hats and mittens. They need and enjoy fresh air and exercise!
*Folder Reminder: Please remember to empty your child's folder at least every week!
*Tuition Withdrawal: Our next tuition withdrawal date will be Friday, March 1st.
Unity Preschool Staff 2023-24
Front Row - Left to Right by teaching pairs:
Ms. Maureen and Ms. Kellie (Fours - Fish)
Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Sarah (Fours - Owls)
Back Row - Left to Right by teaching pairs:
Ms. Carolyn (Librarian/Tues & Thurs Helper/First Call Sub)
Ms. Danielle and Ms. Kristen (Older Twos - Bees)
Ms. Becca and Ms. Jen (Threes - Monkeys)
Ms. Brandi and Ms. Laura (Threes- Frogs)
Ms. Linda (Director)
Unity Preschool
Email: preschoolatunity@gmail.com
Website: https://www.preschoolatunity.com/
Location: 303 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-396-8454