St. Jude Parish in New Lenox is celebrating its preschool’s 5th anniversary. Opening St. Jude Preschool five years ago was the fulfillment of the parish’s wish to be able to offer a complete Catholic education under one roof, beginning at age 3, and continuing through 8th grade. From its inception, its preschool has continued the St. Jude tradition of offering a family-like atmosphere by providing a warm, welcoming and safe environment for three- and four-year-old beginning learners to not only succeed, but to flourish.
Its preschool curriculum promotes and nurtures four critical areas of a young child’s development: cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual. Each morning or afternoon session consists of structured routines which engage the child’s curiosity, imagination and creativity. The preschool introduce reading and math through fun and relatable lessons that capture a child’s attention, while also teaching both pre-literacy and pre-math skills. Through group and partner activities, the child learns sharing and cooperation, respect for others, patience, how to follow directions, problem-solving, and sometimes even how to manage moments of frustration or anger. The child will build relationships with other children, while building self-confidence at the same time. And, best of all…while all of these developmental skills are taking place, the child will recognize that the school “is a really fun place to play!”
In addition, St. Jude highly values the spiritual development of all of its students (as the St. Jude School motto reminds us, we are a place of “Learning and Living Our Faith.”) Each morning or afternoon begins with a prayer, helping all the children to become more aware of God’s presence in their daily lives and to thank Him for their many blessings. St. Jude’s also emphasizes the importance of helping others, through various service projects throughout the year, in conjunction with both the school and the parish; for example, helping to collect food for the needy, making holiday cards for the elderly, and hosting a bake sale to help fundraise for its Parish Lenten Project. As part of St. Jude School, along with grades K-8, the preschool also takes part in the annual Thanksgiving Feast and Christmas Program, as well as the Grandparents’ Tea, and other events throughout the year.
St. Jude Preschool offers a 3-year-old program that meets three days per week on Monday-Wednesday-Friday; and a 4-year-old program that meets five days per week, Monday-Friday. In addition, it just recently added a 2-year-old program that meets two days per week on Tuesday-Thursday. The tuition costs are competitive and reasonable. St. Jude School also offers extended daycare for those needing childcare before or after school hours. This very affordable option is available to all families, including preschool families, on a consistent, or occasional, basis.
St. Jude Preschool builds the knowledge, skills and confidence for every child to be able to step into kindergarten prepared and excited to continue a lifelong journey of learning. The school’s open house is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2015, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to tour the school, meet teachers and students, and get answers to all your questions. Parents can also call the school office at any time to schedule a visit, or get more information: 815/485-2549; or visit the website at www.stjudes.org, and click on ‘School’ on the top toolbar.
