Preschool & Kindergarten

St. Andrew’s Preschool & Kindergarten

St. Andrew’s Preschool and Kindergarten Ministry is an intentional and supportive community of families and early childhood educators with the goal of investing in children’s growth and development through play and faith formation. The Preschool and Kindergarten is made up of a dedicated group of 34 staff members, 151 students and their families, and the Preschool Governing Board.

PRESCHOOL Our preschool serves children ages 2-4 in 15 classes. Our current school enrollment stands at 88%. In 2022, we opened one additional 2s class to meet the needs of families, welcoming 10 new families to our school! We continue to employ two teachers in each class while providing student/teacher ratios below the state requirements, fulfilling our goal to provide a small class size with a quality learning experience. In 2022, our staff spent significant time focusing on the socialization and emotional learning needs of our students after the peak of pandemic.

KINDERGARTEN Due to tax credit donation and scholarship funds, our tuition for our Kindergarten students has been fully funded for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. We have one Kindergarten class for the 2022-23 school year. We are noticing a trend in decreased Kindergarten enrollment over the years. Many families are hearing from elementary schools the need to register for Kindergarten at the elementary level because of space allowed for new students. Because of this, we see a need in our community to grow younger. We are excited for a future class offering in the 2022-23 school year for a Grow With Me one-year-old class, a parent/toddler class offered weekly for families.

SCHOLARSHIP AND DONATIONS In the 2021-22 school year, we were able to provide families with $11,538.15 toward Preschool and Kindergarten scholarship funds. Much of this funding is due to the charitable tax credit donations through AZ income tax as well as individual donations. Generous financial donations were made to the Preschool scholarship fund in the amount of $5,610 from our church and community members. These donations help to remove any financial obstacles that could stand in the way of a family choosing St. Andrew’s Kindergarten for their child. LEADERSHIP TRANSITION Thanks to the support and vision of the Preschool Governing Board as well as the leadership of our Business Manager and Acting Director, Carolyn Rapp and Administrative Assistant (now Associate Director), Katie Vidal, our school remained a pillar for early childhood learning in the community during the director transition early in 2022. We’re so thankful for their support and administrative guidance offered to teachers, staff, and families to provide day-to-day leadership for school operations during the transitional period. Under the leadership of Carolyn Rapp, a classroom conversation/renovation was initiated and completed through funding from a State Childcare Recovery Grant as well as the sweat equity of the Physical and Technical Resource Committee allowing us to gain space for a new class offering.

DIRECTOR HIRE In June, the Preschool Governing Board led the search for a new director, and I, Jennifer Bultman, am so pleased to move from the role of teacher at our school and into Director, leading our staff forward. The sense of calling I have is to see families grow and thrive during their time here at St. Andrew’s. At our Preschool and Kindergarten, I believe in a unified staff, a nurturing environment, and the love of Christ. One of my goals is that graduating families would feel empowered in their parenting journey and strengthened in their walk with the Lord. It is a blessing to serve our school and church community in this way.

PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES Children and their families were welcomed back on campus in early August for the start of the school year, followed by an invitation to Preschool Family Sunday in August. Despite inclement September weather, our School Carnival, in collaboration with Church Life and Family Ministries, was well attended and enjoyment was had for all! The proceeds of this carnival went directly into the Preschool scholarship fund. In October, our campus was full of grandparents and loved ones during our Storybook Days and Book Fair. We also had a visit from our local fire department to learn fire safety and tour the trucks! Kindergarten students had a walking field trip to Tohono Chul, learning about desert plant life. In December, Christmas concerts were attended by family and friends, and Santa made a visit with each class.

TEACHER APPRECIATION TEAM This school year brought the formation of a Teacher Appreciation Team, geared toward providing support, encouragement to our teaching staff, as well as a monthly Starbucks delivery to celebrate teachers’ birthdays! This team coordinated a beautiful luncheon for our school staff for Christmas, and teachers were so thankful for a lovely experience. FAITH OUTREACH The school is looking forward to strengthening the partnership between the church and the community. Some of the ways the Preschool and Kindergarten ministries have served this school year are through donations and giving. In the fall, families donated clothing to the Amphi Clothing Drive organized by Youth Discipleship Ministry. At Christmas, students brought in gifts to bless YoungLives teen moms and their babies, and our entire School Staff participated in the church’s Adopt a Family to bless a family in December.

CHAPEL We are excited for the renewed partnership between Children’s Discipleship Ministry and our Preschool and Kindergarten. Both Heather and Jennifer have been leading Chapel together, and it has been a joy to teach children that Jesus loves everyone. Families have been welcomed back to participate in Chapel with their children and classes take turns leading us monthly in our chapel songs and worship.

SUPPORT Our school focus verse this year is from Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Please continue to pray for our school staff, students, their families, and school leadership as we grow and develop into what God has in store for our future. To learn more about our school ministry, please visit sapcschool.org.