Saint Theresa School

Preschool

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Parent Orientation

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1/2026

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712 North School Street

Honolulu, HI 96817-3098

Phone: (808) 536-4703 Fax: (808) 524-6861

www.stshi.org

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Welcome Message

Meet the Teachers

Class Schedule

Supply List

Classroom Policies

Preschool Curriculum

Parent Questionnaire form

Emergency Drop off/Pick Up Info form

Table of Contents

Aloha families and welcome to our STS Preschool Ohana! We want to help make your child’s adjustment to school as smooth, seamless, and as happy as possible. We would like to share with you some of our ideas and suggestions:

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YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD

• Talk about school as a natural step they will take. Convey a happy, positive feeling. Do not build their expectations too high or unrealistically.

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• Be sure your child has other opportunities for friendly relationships with adults outside of your family (neighbors, baby-sitters, Sunday School teachers, etc.)

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• Provide occasional opportunities to play with other children.

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• Demonstrate that when you leave them, you will return – and on time.

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• Help them grow in their independence.

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• Listen to your child’s feelings and fears about going to school and assure them that you understand what a big step it is for them.

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YOU CAN HELP THE PRESCHOOL

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• Be sure your child is completely toilet-trained and can take care of their needs in the bathroom independently, including being able to correctly wipe bowel movements in a front to back motion. Encourage and teach your child to be able to button buttons, zip zippers, snap snaps and buckle belts. Clothing and underwear that is too tight are difficult to remove and increase the chances of an “accident” occurring in the bathroom – your child may have reached the bathroom in time but couldn’t take off their clothing/and or underwear fast enough.

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Welcome Families!

• Please be sure to periodically check that your child always has an extra set of clothes and underwear. It is also a good idea to check to see if your child has outgrown the extra clothing in their cubby.

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• Offer a variety of foods in texture and taste. Encourage a willingness to taste different foods and to feed themselves. Preschoolers are old enough to use a fork and spoon, drink from a cup and display good table manners.

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• Help them recognize their own name when printed in manuscript letters – using both upper and lowercase letters, i.e. Mary not MARY.

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• Select a blanket together. Sleeping blankets should be large enough in size to cover completely over the vinyl nap mat (Kinder-Mat). Allow your child to practice folding their blanket by themselves. The sleeping blanket must fit into their cubby. Please do not send bulky quilts or oversized comforters. Please label with their name.

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WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER

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• One of the important ways in which we can help each other is your attendance at the Visitation/Orientation sessions. It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know your child’s teachers as well as the other parents and children.

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• Help your child understand they will stay at school without you. For the first few days of school, you may want to help your child feel confident by showing that you are relaxed, matter-of-fact, consistent, and supportive of the teacher’s efforts. We understand that it is sometimes difficult for parents to separate from their child as it is for the child from the parent. Your child may cry as you leave but seldom for long. We are sensitive to your child’s needs and will do everything we can to make the first few days as happy and secure as possible. Be assured that if your child is unhappy throughout the morning and unable to function, we will contact you.

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• To encourage independence, refrain from carrying or strolling in your child to school. Allow your child to walk independently.

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• When you come in the morning to drop off your child, please do not plan to stay more than a few minutes. This will help your child to understand that parents do not stay with the children at school but rather need to leave and go to work/home.

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• Never leave without saying goodbye and without assuring your child that you will be back when school is over. Make your goodbyes warm but brief. Be sure your child understands that they are to stay for lunch/nap. And please be sure you are on time to pick them up.

• Encourage their new experience by really listening to what they say about their day at school. Take time to read your child’s message book daily and to check for any upcoming school events.

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• Take a real interest, ask questions, and praise the artwork and projects brought home to share with you.

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• Keep in close contact with the Preschool. Let us know when something out of the ordinary is happening in your child’s life (both good and bad). Sometimes, changes at home or a dramatic or exciting experience may cause a change in your child’s behavior at school and even cause a separation problem during drop-off, even after school has been in session for months. Open communication between home and school becomes an important link in providing for your child’s best interest. Let’s be partners in a cooperative venture in making your child’s preschool experience a fun and rewarding one!

Aloha families! My name is Magdalena Collins, Preschool Director/Teacher. I am so excited to be your child’s teacher this year. This will be my 19^th year of teaching, and it has truly been a blessing to watch my students learn and grow throughout the years. We opened STS Preschool in 2015 and this will be our 10^th year in operation.

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Teaching is my passion! My very first Kindergarten students graduated from high school in 2020 and I was lucky enough to attend one of their ceremonies. It was an incredible feeling to witness my former student reach such an important milestone! I am incredibly proud of all my students, and it is a huge honor and privilege to be a part of their educational journey.

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I am looking forward to a new year of fun, learning, growing & great memories with you all!

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I received my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Chaminade University. I did my student teaching at STS with Mrs. Newman and Miss Lenie and after graduation I was blessed with a position at Cathedral Catholic Academy where I taught Kindergarten for 8 years.

In 2015 St. Theresa School decided to open a Preschool and once again I was blessed to become the Director/Teacher and start this Preschool Program. It has been an absolute blessing to return to the school that helped to shape the very beginnings of my educational career.

Email: macollins@rcchawaii.org

I love working on home improvement projects. I’m always tackling something new in the preschool building as well as at home. It’s a fun learning experience.

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I love long distance running. I completed my first marathon 10 years ago and I hope to find time to train for another. I enjoy Half Marathons and 5 and 10ks too! My daughter now joins me in Keiki Runs and it’s so fun to see her enjoying something I love!

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A Few of My Favorite Things:

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• Mom-Life
• Coffee
• Target
• Star Wars Themed collectibles
• Organizing Projects
• Ballets
• Running & Spin Workouts

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Aloha! I am Mrs. Gonzalez and I am very excited to work with your little ones this school year! This is my 2nd year working as a teacher’s aide in STS Preschool. Before this, I was a middle school teacher. I love working with children. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family. I look forward to getting to know everyone this year!

• I play the piano at St. John the Baptist Church on Sundays
• I have 2 daughters (Audrey & Amelia)
• I have a Lionhead rabbit (Louie)
• I binge watch Friends
• I worked with children with special needs
• Going to the beach is my therapy

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Food: Pizza

Drink: Boba Tea

Candy: Chocolate

Store: Target, Macy’s

Color: Pink

Music: R&B

Disney Character: Belle

Movie: Beauty and the Beast

About Me

Fun Facts

Favorites

Meet the Teacher

Preschool Supply List

Wish List Items:

• Colored construction paper 18” x 12”
• Method Cleaning Spray
• Method foaming soap refill
• Playdough 4 oz
• Dot pens
• Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag refill

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Saint Theresa Preschool – Classroom Policies

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Morning Drop Off:

Students are to be dropped off at the door of the preschool classroom. Doors will open at 7:20 am. We strongly encourage that parents say their Good-byes at the door, so students may begin their morning routine and to place their belongings in the appropriate places on their own. This is to strengthen student independence and to get them ready for the school experience. All students must be signed in by 7:45 am. Parents must exit the preschool at this time so students may begin their school day.

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Message Books:

Students are to bring home their message books daily and parent signatures are required to ensure open communication between home and school. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to write a note in the message book. School notices as well as class notices/memos will be sent home via the message book. All notices/forms that are being returned to school should be placed back in the message book. Message books are considered confidential and should only be shared between parent and preschool teacher/aide. **Please refer to message book overview/agreement found on the front cover of the message book for additional information.**

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Classroom/Behavior Management:

Students are expected to behave properly and to follow school rules and regulations. The classroom rules at Saint Theresa Preschool is as follows:

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1. We raise our hands.

2. We keep our hands and feet to ourselves.

3. We use polite words.

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Students who do not adhere to the school/classroom rules will first be given a verbal reminder to stop and follow the school/classroom rules. If inappropriate behavior continues, the student will take a short time-out to “think about it” and have a short discussion with the teacher/aide. Parents will be notified via message book of any time-outs or persistent inappropriate behavior.

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Classroom Policies

Absences:

If your child is absent, please call the school office at (808) 536-4703 by 8:00 am. Upon your child’s return to school, provide a note covering the circumstances of your child’s absence.

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Allergies:

If your child has any allergies, please notify me as soon as possible to ensure the proper precautions are taken.

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Snacks/Lunch:

Half Day students: Breakfast provided by Tatsuo’s

Full Day students: Breakfast, Lunch & Afternoon Snack provided by Tatsuo’s

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Water Bottles:

Students may have their water bottles in class. Please ensure they are properly labeled with your child’s name. We are not responsible for lost or misplaced water bottles.

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Birthdays:

Birthdays may be celebrated in class. The birthday child will receive a birthday certificate and a crown that may be worn inside the classroom. Cupcakes and Goodie bags will be allowed. Please drop off birthday treats during morning drop off time. PLEASE DO NOT BRING SHEET CAKES, ICE CREAM, OR CANDLES. (We do not light candles or host “parties” during the school day). If you are planning an out of school birthday party and would like to send invitations to the class, we will gladly send them out for you via message book.

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**Please do not bring in treats for the class that contain any type of nuts, peanuts, or peanut butter. We may have a student in class with an allergy. (We will inform the class of any other food allergies, i.e. chocolate, gluten, etc.)**

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Holiday Goodie Bags:

During the Holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, etc.) students may bring treats for their classmates, as long as there is enough for EVERY student. Please DO NOT BRING SHEET CAKE OR ICE CREAM. **Please see previous note regarding food allergies.**

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Classroom Policies

Nap Time:

Nap Time will take place in the afternoon from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Students will use the provided cot along with their Kinder Mats and blanket/pillow. All personal blankets/pillows must be taken home at the end of each week for proper cleaning.

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Dress Code/Uniform:

Students must arrive at school in proper school uniform each day. Please make sure that shirts are properly tucked in. Covered shoes must be worn at all times.

Please refer to the Preschool Handbook for more information. An extra set of clothes (Not uniform) must be provided in the event of an accident. It should be in a large ziplock bag labeled with your child’s name. It will be stored in your child’s cubby.

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Shoes/Socks:

Shoes must be plain white or plain black or a combo of both

black/white and worn with school socks. School socks are no longer required. Plain

white crew is ok too. VELCRO SHOES ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PRESCHOOL STUDENTS.

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Hair:

Please make sure that hair is kept neatly, trimmed, and kept out of the eyes. No fad haircuts, dyed hair, glitter, or hair tinsels. Hair clips need to be secured. Headbands and other hair accessories should not be excessive/overly large or cause a distraction to the child or others.

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Jewelry:

Only simple stud type earrings may be worn. No hoops or dangly styles. No bracelets or necklaces. Exception for a very simple cross or religious medal pendant. It should not be a distraction to the child or others.

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Cosmetics:

Nail Polish may NOT be worn on fingernails.

Please refer to the Preschool/Parent Handbook for more information.

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Personal Hygiene:

Please go over proper hygiene/bathroom procedures with your child.

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Classroom Policies

Preschool Curriculum

Reading Readiness/Phonics

• Letter recognition
• Letters aA-zZ beginning sounds (initial position)
• Writing: correct formation of letters (upper & lower)
• Correct pencil & scissor grip
• Sight words
• Rhyming words

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Math

• Numbers/counting
• Shapes/patterns
• Classifying/sorting
• Sequencing
• Measuring
• Colors

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Religion

• God’s Gift of People
• God’s Gift of Our World
• God’s Gift of Ourselves
• Growing As God’s Family

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Science

• Weather/seasons
• Five senses
• Science experiments
• Life cycles of plants & animals
• Germs
• Bugs/insects
• Living & Non-Living things
• Different kinds of matter (wood, metal, water)

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Social Studies

• Holidays
• Safety
• Families
• Cultures
• Community
• Buyer Seller

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Music & Movement

• Beats, tempo, dynamics, & interpretation
• Songs (sing in varying voice & sounds)

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Art

• Drawing
• Coloring
• Painting

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Emergency & Drop Off/Pick Up Information

Mother/Guardian Name: ____________________________

Father/Guardian Name______________________________

Mother/Guardian Contact Numbers: Cell __________________ Work _________________

Father/Guardian Contact Numbers: Cell ___________________ Work _________________

Address: _____________________________ __________________________

Mailing Address: __________________________________ _________________________________________________

My Child is dropped off/picked up by:

Name: ______________________________________ Relationship: ___________________

Name: ______________________________________ Relationship: ___________________

Names & Phone Numbers of Emergency Contact/Closest Relative:

1. ______________________________________ _______________________________
2. ______________________________________ _______________________________
3. ______________________________________ _______________________________�

Child’s Physician: ____________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________________

Parent Signature: ________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________

**Please notify us of any changes in the emergency information listed above. We want your child to get home safely and cannot allow your child to go home a different way other than what is listed above, unless you notify us in person, phone or by note via message book.

School Office Contact Number: (808) 536-4703

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Emergency & Drop Off

Pick Up Information