Pre School
Welcome to St. Francis Xavier Preschool
Preschool Staff
Sally Simkins
Christine Vanderbosch
Colleen Orth
Anne Dietz
Sally Simkins
Christine Vanderbosch
Colleen Orth
Anne Dietz
Welcome to St. Francis Xavier Preschool. We provide a unique educational opportunity for preschoolers in Wilmette. At SFX Preschool we address all areas of development, including social, emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual growth. All of this occurs in a setting where the children are reminded that they are special and loved by God.
The St. Francis Xavier Preschool program is designed to create a confident learner who is encouraged to explore and learn at his or her own pace. The curriculum emphasizes a play-based program that is developmentally age appropriate for the preschool child. Activities include art, music, literature, dramatic play, and science and math readiness. Small and large motor skills are integrated into all aspects of the curriculum. The SFX Preschool teachers create a nurturing environment in which the children learn to form friendships and socialize with each other in a respectful, caring manner. The SFX Preschool meets all mandated archdiocesan guidelines pertaining to curriculum, safety and discipline.
One of the most unique qualities of the SFX Preschool is its close relationship with the K-8 Grammar School. The preschoolers enjoy a yearlong relationship with upper grade "Buddies" who read to them and assist them with special religious projects. The SFX Preschool children participate in school programs and performances, as well as visit the library and the gym throughout the year. Special activities are designed to insure a smooth transition to Kindergarten. The four-year-old preschoolers enjoy a visit with the Kindergarten teachers during the spring.
The families of the preschool children are welcome at all school and social activities sponsored by the Home School Organization (HSO).
Welcome to St. Francis Xavier Preschool!
SFX Preschool Daily Routine
Welcome
Prayer
Free Choice Time
Snack
Circle Time
Outdoor Time
Pack-up, Closure
Arrival and Departure
Each morning the students should be walked into the preschool by a parent or caregiver. Help your child hang up his or her coat and come into the classroom. At the end of class, children will be picked up in the carpool line, which forms in the alley just outside the Preschool building. Teachers will walk each child to his or her car. Please pull up to buckle your child in, so that the line keeps moving. Parents are always welcome to come into the classroom to pick up their child if they desire.
Parent-Teacher Communications
Good communication between parents and teachers is essential to the success of the SFX Preschool program. A variety of formal and informal opportunities have been established to insure an ongoing dialogue.
Green Tote Bag
Each child will receive a tote bag during their first year at St. Francis Xavier Preschool. We ask that students carry the green tote bag to school every day instead of a backpack. It provides both parents and teachers with a common location in which to place written communications. Additional bags can be purchased at school if your child's is lost or damaged. Please plan to use the same bag both years.
Newsletters
The weekly or bi-weekly SFX Preschool newsletter provides parents with a current and detailed account of classroom activities. It is a wonderful springboard for conversation with your child.
Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences are held each fall. The conferences allow parents and teachers to share information with each other and view samples of their chi8ld's work. Throughout the year, we urge parents to keep the teachers informed of any significant changes in the child's life so that the teachers can offer support and ease any worries the child might have.
Parent Information Night and Parent Coffees
A parent information night is scheduled prior to the first day of school. At this time parents will meet the teachers and become familiar with the day-to-day routines. Throughout the year, there will be opportunities for the parents of the Preschool students to meet with each other at informal morning coffees.
Parental Involvement
Parents have the opportunity to be involved in different capacities throughout the year. For example, parents will be asked to sign up as room parents, holiday party helpers, story readers, and hosts for morning coffees. Parents with special interests or talents (artists, doctors, bird watchers, dentists, chefs, gardeners, librarians, etc.) are encouraged to speak with the teachers about sharing their career or hobby with their child's class.
Mission Statement of SFX School
We believe that Jesus Christ entrusted His Church with the Mission of continuing His presence in the world so that all people of all nations would have the opportunity to know Him. As an integral part of the Wilmette Community, St. Francis Xavier School shares in this mission and is committed not only to teaching the Catholic message but also to developing a community of faith and service in which students, faculty, parents and friends can experience the love and goodness of Jesus Christ.
St. Francis Xavier School is committed to providing an educational environment which develops the whole person by fostering self-discipline, encouraging recognition and respect for the talents, strengths and limitations of others, and exposing students to sound and healthy Christian values.
St. Francis Xavier School is committed to providing a quality education which develops strong and lasting fundamental skills, teaches students to think and choose critically and responsibly, heightens an awareness of and respect for people of different backgrounds and cultures, develops a sense of justice, and nurtures an attitude for lifelong learning that equips the students to handle the challenges of a changing and pluralistic world.
Philosophy of SFX School
St. Francis Xavier School provides a Catholic environment in which students develop spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually to their fullest potential. We believe the whole person develops through active learning, reflective thinking and problem solving. It is our goal to develop students who are intrinsically motivated, therefore enabling the individuals to become lifelong learners.
Through ample opportunities for religious insights and experiences, the students of St. Francis Xavier School grasp the beliefs of our Catholic Faith. These opportunities foster their knowledge, love, service of God and neighbor. We strive to develop a respect for all cultures and genders within the school and world community. For students to embrace this philosophy with intelligence and courage, their lives must be based on the solid knowledge of God's love for them as unique individuals made in His image.
St. Francis Xavier School believes parents are the primary educators who foster academic and spiritual growth in their children. The parents, working with the faculty, guide students toward moral decision making.
We believe that learning is an on-going process in which both the students and the teacher participate. The teacher facilitates learning by identifying the students' learning styles, interests and personal experiences. A variety of significant opportunities are created with the intention of individual student's success.
We believe the student actively participates in learning. Every child learns and succeeds to his/her greatest level of achievement. By constantly striving to create, express, and improve one's individual talents in the learning process, the student gains motivation, self-worth and a sense of personal accountability.
The faculty working in cooperation with parents, guides students toward ethical and moral decision making applicable to all aspects of life. With careful consideration of each student's prior knowledge, interest and learning styles, the teacher creates an environment in which students are fully involved in learning activities. They are expected to participate in the learning process appropriate to their abilities. St. Francis Xavier School believes its responsibility is to create a community of love and a spirit of scholastic excellence in which all persons develop to their fullest potential.
The Role of Parents at SFX School
St. Francis Xavier School believes the responsibility for the education of children begins at home with the parents. It is the role of parents to provide an environment conducive to both intellectual and spiritual learning so that faith and love can help students develop to their full potential Parents must take an active role in the education of their children on a daily basis to review progress and to monitor a child's activity in school.
A critical element is for parents to instill in a child a feeling of self-worth and confidence as this is the basis for all achievement. Indeed, it is through self-confidence that children can build upon success to reach for higher goals.
It is also important for parents to emphasize good nutrition, sports and other physical activities to develop the healthy bodies that lead to emotional and intellectual well-being.