| Foundations Early Learning & Family Center <cpsmith@146.66.103.211> |
Sat, Oct 14, 2017 at 10:07 AM |
Reply-To: cpsmith@146.66.103.211
To: trsander@gmail.com
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Volume 1.9 September 2017
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Learn.Give.Grow… together!
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“We all have something to learn. We all have something to give.”
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Kathleen Drake is Foundations’
New Head of School
Through the spring and summer, the Foundations Board of Directors was busy interviewing and hiring new employees. Mattie Conaway, the School Secretary, and Catherine Pittman Smith, the Director of Communications & Development, were hired, but the search for the new Head of School position continued. Trusting in the Lord’s providence and provision, the Board wanted to find just the right fit for Foundations. And the Lord did provide… abundantly in fact. His timing is perfect but not necessarily on our timetable. He’s not always early, but He is never late.
Kathleen Drake accepted the call as Foundations’ new Head of School and reported for duty on August 31st. We couldn’t be more excited. Full of energy and experience, she brings with her such a wealth of wisdom, discernment and grace, not to mention her huge smile. Mrs. Drake is more than equipped to serve as our new Head of School! She has a deep love for the Lord and a passion for children and Fairfield.
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Working as the Director of Volunteers for Better Basics, she spent the past six years working in the Fairfield community, developing strong relationships with Fairfield City elementary schools and Miles College. This experience gave her an awareness of the strong sense of history and community, as well as the supportive relationships from Restoration Academy, life-giving churches and other groups in Fairfield.
“I am beyond thankful to have the opportunity to play a role with Foundations Early Learning & Family Center as we offer children of this community the very best possible preschool experience,” says Mrs. Drake. She continues, “Foundations staff, volunteers, families and the Fairfield community partners work together daily to build up our precious preschoolers —it’s an amazing concept!”
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According to board member, Ty Dodge, “It’s clear from the first time you meet Kathleen that she is a relationship person with a servant heart and a vision for the mission of Foundations.” Another board member characterized her as “winsome, confident, open, honest, and enthusiastic. She is an exceptional fit for our Head of School.”
As Mrs. Drake takes over the reigns as Head of school, Ms. Jamese Daniels, who has been Program Director for the last two years, is following her passion and is thrilled to be back in the classroom teaching 4K.
Foundations provides a gospel-based Christian environment for children to develop academically, physically, socially and spiritually. Drake says, “It’s not just that Foundations maintains the best early childhood education practices; more importantly, children and their families (and staff!) are surrounded with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. I can’t imagine a better way to spend the day…”
And at Foundations, we are glad she is. Welcome! We look forward to Kathleen’s leadership on behalf of the Lord, the children and the families we serve.
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Mrs. Drake & Ms. Brown at After-School playtime.
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Above photo: Mrs. Drake at morning worship with the children. Below: Mrs. Drake with Christ Church volunteers with a special delivery.
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Top photo: Mr. Daniel Cason leads 4K students in worship- what a powerful witness to the Lord.
Bottom photo: Ms. Daniels & a student at morning worship with the memory verse.
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Photos: Morning worship is such a meaningful way to start the day. The children love singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and learning their weekly Bible verses that correlate to their classroom curriculum.
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Volunteer Focus: Christ Church
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Inside a Servant Heart
Foundations Early Learning & Family Center has been immeasurably blessed by members of one of our local Fairfield Community Partners, Christ Church.
Look up the definition of “servant heart” and you will find a picture of these faces. Led by Growth Network Leader, Sarah Davis, (also a 3K mom), Christ Church members donated and served dinner at our first Parent Involvement Meeting (PIM) for approximately 75 people. They also served dinner at our second PIM and recently blessed us with a “special delivery” of copy paper for the office staff, as well as arts & crafts and supplies for the 4K Gold class.
They first learned about Foundations through Kendal McWilliams, 4K teacher, who shared her passion of teaching here. Ms. Davis says, “At Christ Church, we believe the Lord has placed us here and called us to make a meaningful impact in Fairfield.” She continues, “Our core value is love, and if we show love, we can be the hands and feet of Christ and can make powerful community connections and relationships.”
“Our mission outreach is to know Christ and to make Christ known, “says Ethel Patton, Elder at Christ Church. She continues, “volunteering (at Foundations) gives us the opportunity to bless the students and teachers and, in turn, the community. We please God by serving and making people smile.”
Ms. Davis adds, “By sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are uplifting this community, and serving at Foundations allows us to address the local needs and make a difference. We love the child/parent-centered aspect of Foundations.”
“We understand that education opens doors for children,” Ms. Davis says, “and Foundations provides that Christ-centered environment that will make a difference in their lives. Knowing their identity is in Christ at an early age, provides the foundation they will need when they encounter difficult situations in their lives.”
Thank you, Christ Church, for your friendship, generous support, servant leadership and prayers. Each of you is a blessing to us.
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Photo, left to right: Mrs. Shamburger (far left), Fairfield Career Tech teacher & 3K mom, is being served dinner by Christ Church volunteers: Vashonte Major, Ethel Patton, Maddison & Sarah Davis.
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4K Gold students celebrating with Mrs. McWilliams & Ms. Spell the blessing of supplies and arts & crafts donated by Christ Church members.
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Supplies delivered by Christ Church volunteers for
4K Gold students & teachers.
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Foundations Teacher Profile
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Mary Claire Spell: 4K Gold
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Through God’s leading & providence.Mary Claire Spell, one of our 4K Gold teachers, came to Foundations in the fall of 2015.
Having spent most of her life here in Birmingham, Miss Spell was constantly being told by friends and family that she should be a teacher, but she didn’t believe them. She worked at summer Christian camps all through High School and college.
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At Auburn, a little fickle-minded about her major, she first started out in engineering, then looked into business. Through a very roundabout path (she laughs), she found her way to the education department. Because of her love for math and science, she decided she could turn that passion into making learning fun for children. She finally believed her friends and family and double majored in Human Development & Family Studies and Early Childhood Education.
With an adventurous spirit, Miss Spell is always level, calm, encouraging, understanding and loads of fun. The children enjoy and have a great respect for her. She says, “If you make school fun for kids, they can be life-long learners.” She loves teaching at Foundations because she is able to combine both the academic & spiritual components that are crucial in early childhood learning. She goes on to say, “Starting our day with worship allows us to get the day off on a good, solid footing.”
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Inspirations for daily living and teaching:
Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? “This scripture has always been a good reminder of how to live my life.”
Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. “This gives me the inspiration to teach what is right and Godly in the classroom.”
We are so blessed to have Miss Spell be an integral part of our Foundations Team. We’re real glad that she changed her major.
Miss Spell teaches & entertains her 4K Gold students.
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Head of School: Blessing & Training Up
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H
O
S
From the desk of Mrs. Drake…
School has been in full-swing for one month and routines are forming, friendships are blooming, and we are looking forward to a fantastic fall! Thank you to all of our parents and grandparents who have joined us for Parent Involvement Meetings and who made time to stop in to “meet and greet” this new Head of School. It’s hard to imagine a more supportive team! Walking the halls, visiting our classes, worshipping in morning chapel alongside your precious children, and seeing our amazing daytime and after-school teachers in action makes it abundantly clear…Foundations is the place to be!
In the coming weeks, we’ll grow in our knowledge of apples (week of October 2) and pumpkins (week of October 23). We’ll focus on fire safety (week of October 16) and our five senses (week of October 9), and we’ll officially welcome fall during the week of October 30! Along with all of this excitement, we’ll plant seeds of faith and knowledge of Jesus with scripture. I have witnessed your sweet little ones exclaiming His word with joy…if you haven’t already, just ask them to share each week’s verse!
We can’t wait for next month’s adventures to unfold. As aways, know that we are here to support you! Feel free to call, email or stop by to share your joys and your concerns.
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October Memory Verses
- Wk. of 10/2 – Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye.”
- Wk. of 10/9 – Proverbs 20:12 “Ears that hear & eyes that see, the Lord has made them.”
- Wk. of 10/16 – Hebrews 12:29 “Our God is a consuming fire.”
- Wk. of 10/23 –2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly.”
- Wk. of 10/30 – John 8:12 “I am the light of the world…”
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Child Safety
For the safety of our children, when entering our building, please:
- Ring the bell & stand in front of the camera.
- Let us know whom you are picking up.
- Please shut the door firmly behind you as enter & exit the building!
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Prayer Walks in Fairfield
Urban Hope Church
hosts “Prayer Walks” the 2nd Saturday of each month.
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Students enjoying our beautiful planters donated by Billy Angell of Oak Street Garden Shop.
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Be sure to order your own
Foundations T-shirt.
Available in blue & green.
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Attend both Parent Involvement Meetings & receive $15 off your child’s
Tuition
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Gospel Seeds
Generational Legacy
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting
of the Lord for the display
of his splendor.”
God is making us & our children His planting for the display of Himself. He wants us to be a showcase of his beauty & character & to give evidence of His glory. Bear fruit of His righteousness. Be blessed as you give life in the same way that in every acorn is an oak.
Isaiah 61:3
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Fall School & Events Calendar
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Important Dates to Remember
*September 22 – Early Dismissal/Fairfield Homecoming Parade
September 26 – PIM: Managing Your Finances
*October 9 – Early Dismissal – Professional Development
October 10 – PIM: Math Readiness
October 20 – Fire Safety Day
October 24 – PIM:Family Time
October 25 – Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 26 – Fall Festival
October 27 – Fall Break – No School
November 10 – Veteran’s Day – No School
*November 13 – Early Dismissal – Professional Development
November 14 – PIM: Thanksgiving Program
November 20-24 – Thanksgiving Break – No School
November 28 – PIM: Celebrate Christmas as a Family
*December 11 – Early Dismissal
December 12 – PIM: Christmas Program
December 21-Jan 7, 2018 – Christmas Break – No School
*January 8, 2018 – Classes resume – Early Dismissal
*Early Dismissal pickup by 11:30am
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“I feel such a peace when I leave
my children every morning
at Foundations.”
– Brandy Coleman, 4K parent
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Love a good story?
Foundations has a great one. Click above to check out our video. Thanks for being a part of our story.
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Looking for a way to bless our teachers & students, Here’s our Amazon
supply wish list:
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Foundations Early Learning & Family Center was established in 2013 to serve families in the Fairfield, AL area. It is a high-quality, DHR-certified, Pre-K program that provides a Christian environment where children develop academically, physically, socially, emotionally & spiritually. Foundations partners with families to equip them to prepare the children for school by combining the best-known practices in early childhood education with the love, grace, salvation & power of Jesus Christ.
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Foundations is located in the Forest Hills Community Development Center
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