Category Archives: Noah’s Ark

Cedar Chips, News, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark Preschool – January 2018 Update

In January we began testing our 4-year-old classes. Testing is presented in a game format on a one-on-one basis with the teacher. Most children really enjoy the time with their teacher. After testing is completed, teachers will send out a final progress report. Then, each family will decide if Alternative Kindergarten or Kindergarten is best for their child. Our 3-year-old classes focused on spatial concepts, shapes, daytime/nighttime, and pockets. The younger classes have come a long way since September!

Noah’s Ark will have another blood drive for the Mississippi Valley at church on March 19. Please donate if you can.

Our 2018-2019 enrollment is underway. If you know someone who wants to register their child, please have them call preschool at 396-3125 or email us at [email protected]. Reminder: any CHCC active member whose child attends Noah’s Ark Preschool will receive 10% off tuition. We feel as a member you already support CHCC financially and Noah’s Ark, as a ministry of this church, wants to support your child’s Christian education.

If your child is attending AK or Kindergarten in the fall, you should be receiving a letter from your child’s school soon. If you have not been contacted, please call the school your child will be attending.

We are amazed with the amount of growth in the children already and feel privileged to be a part of their lives.

In Christ,
Leslie Clauson, Director

Cedar Chips, Family and Children Ministry, News, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark – November 2017 News

I am a planner. I have a hard time waiting for answers. I want to know everything now so I can plan. This past year enrollment was very slow. Our numbers were low for a long time. We decided to adjust staff, cut hours, and changed some classes around. So all summer long we prayed hard, did some advertising on social media and our enrollment shot up! So again, we adjusted staff, added hours for some, and remembered to keep praying. How many times are we so focused on the planning that we forget to pray? This year reminded me that all the planning in the world wasn’t going to help if I wasn’t willing to pray to God as well. I’m more focused on what God wants as opposed to what I want done. I love that God still teaches us lessons and doesn’t give up until He’s ready for us. His time is not fast or slow, it’s perfect.

The preschool’s board works hard to keep a tight budget. Basically what comes in covers our budget and our gift back to the church. This year we are again giving a 10% discount to active church members. We gave back $10,000 directly to the church at the end of 2016. Our board for the 2017-2018 school year consists of: Jana Houghkirk as acting chair, Allison Johnson, Kaci Maire, Melissa Oberembt, Jennifer Miller, Carrie Campbell, Katie Curtis, Jan Fick, and myself. I absolutely love my staff! Jan Fick, 24 years, Assistant Director/Lead Teacher; Marcia Bruggink, 15 years as Assistant Teacher; Lori Larson, 11 years as Lead Teacher; Kris Crowther, 4 years as Lead Teacher, and Lorri Anderson, 3 years as Assistant Teacher. Bridgit Humphreys and Rachel Freeman join us as substitute teachers. We are grateful for all 62 families, who have stayed with Noah’s Ark and value a quality Christian education.

I believe in free preschool for those who can’t afford to pay. I don’t believe that our taxes should pay for all those who can pay. As a Preschool Director, it hurts my heart knowing that we have a quality preschool and loving Christian teachers who can offer way more than ‘free’ and we could reach twice as many families as we do. Please join with me and pray for the future of Noah’s Ark Preschool.

In Christ,
Leslie Clauson
Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool

Cedar Chips, Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark – March Update

February was full of fun activities! Everyone learned about the mail and what happens to your letter after you put it in the mailbox. We all enjoyed giving and receiving valentines!

Our testing is done for our 4– and 5-year-olds and report cards have been sent out. The 3-year-old classes had fun learning about snowmen and winter birds. We also learned about mixing colors and transportation! Second report cards for our younger classes will be sent out before Spring Break. (Spring Break will be March 13-17, the same as CR Schools.)

We were blessed by visitors from Linn County Conservation. Programs included ‘Winter Birds’ and ‘Winter Wildlife.’

Our 2017-2018 registration is on-going. If you know someone who wants to register their child, please have them call preschool at 396-3125 or email us. Classes are from 9-11:30 AM.

Please mark your calendars for March 21 to donate blood! Mississippi Valley Blood Center will come here and set up in the Gathering Space. Your time from check-in to check-out is less than an hour. Please call me to donate; our area is in desperate need.

I can’t believe there are only three more months of school left! I’m ready for Spring and we can’t wait to see all those flowers come up in front of our windows again!

I want to remind everyone that we will be offering a 6-week summer school program (of two 3- week sessions) in June and July. This program is for current Noah’s Ark students only. More details coming next month.

In Christ,

Leslie Clauson, Director