Salem Preschool

Salem Preschool’s Mission Statement:

Growing God’s Amazing Kids cognitively, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually in a Christian environment so they will gain the skills, self-confidence, and love of learning that prepares them for a successful school career.

Our Philosophy:
Children learn best in an inviting, stimulating, caring and safe environment. Teachers strive to promote a Christian atmosphere where students can develop positive feelings about themselves and school. New inviting activities are presented each day in a “center” approach to give students “hands-on” learning experiences. Children also participate in small and large group activities to gain experience in learning how to function in a group. Salem preschool uses developmentally appropriate practices to promote social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual growth for their preschoolers. Daily learning activities include art, music, science, dramatic play, large and small muscle experiences as well as kindergarten readiness skills. Parents are invited to review our program plan at any time.

Our Classes:
Salem Preschool offers four classes: two three-year-old classes (the Green and Orange classes) and two four-year-old classes (the Blue and Purple Classes). Our three-year-old classes meet two mornings per week from 9:00-11:30. The Green class is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the Orange class on Wednesdays and Fridays.

There are two options for the four-year-old classes. The Blue Class meets three mornings per week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9:00-12:00. The Purple Class meets on Monday mornings from 9:00-12:00, and full days from 9:00-3:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays providing a full day experience for the students.

Salem Preschool also offers Marvelous Monday enrichment classes on Mondays from 12:00 -1:30 during the school year. (See enrichment class tab for further details.)

In our three-year-old classes, social skills such as listening, following directions, sharing, taking turns and learning how to function in a large group are our main emphasis. Academic skills such as counting, sorting, rhyming and phonemic awareness are “sprinkled” throughout the day.

Our four-year-old classes continue to work on developing their social skills, however, activities that promote kindergarten readiness skills are the main focus. Students are introduced to letters and sounds, writing activities, numerals, counting, and patterning which helps them prepare for kindergarten.

Salem Preschool’s curriculum is theme based and the week’s activities, projects and lessons center around the theme. Each month, the students have a chapel time with Salem’s pastor, Mark Pattie, and monthly Bible verses are learned. Spiritual truths and Godly character are promoted throughout all the preschool activities.

Shannyn Stoffel

Mrs. Stoffel has been at Salem Preschool since 2018.The first two years she was a teacher and since 2020, she has been the director. Prior to that, she taught kindergarten for 35 years in the Spring Lake Park and Centennial School Districts in Minnesota. Shannyn received her degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota, Morris and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Bethel University.

Mrs. Stoffel and her husband, Mick, have two grown daughters and seven grandchildren. When she is not at preschool, she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, traveling, reading and relaxing on her boat.

Both Mrs. Stoffel’s daughters attended Salem Preschool and as well as five of her grandchildren.

Sheri Harris

Mrs. Harris has been teaching at Salem Preschool for over 25 years. She earned her teaching degree from St. Could State University.

Mrs. Harris and her husband, Bob, have three children and four grandchildren. Reading, biking, golfing and spending time with her family are her favorite things to do as well as teaching three and four-year olds at Salem Preschool. 

Sheri’s mother-in-law was one of the first teachers at the preschool and all three of her children have attended Salem Preschool. “Be kind to one another” is her classroom mantra.

Mrs. Harris teaches the Purple class.

Shelly Wehr

Mrs. Shelly has been teaching at Salem Preschool for over 30 years. She received her degrees from the University of Minnesota in Child Psychology and an Early Childhood Pre-K teaching license. She also works in the Minneapolis Public Schools as a School Success Program Assistant for Early Childhood Screening.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three grown children in the outdoors, fishing, camping, and boating.

Every year at Salem has been new and exciting for her. She loves teaching preschoolers because they are so open to the fun and wonder of learning. Shelly strives to make school exciting so the students will enjoy it and become lifelong learners.

Mrs. Shelly co-teaches the Blue class with Mrs. Sykora.

Kelly Sykora

Mrs. Sykora has been teaching at Salem preschool since 2018! She graduated from Bethel University in 2003 with a BA in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. She taught kindergarten for several years before becoming a mom.

She and her husband, Jason, have 5 daughters. In her spare time, she loves to run, bake, make crafts, and garden. One of her favorite things of all, however, is teaching! She feels it is a gift to watch God’s handiwork shine through working with children.

Mrs. Sykora teaches the Blue and Green Classes.

Carolyn Trapskin

Mrs. Carolyn has taught at Salem Preschool since 2018 and holds a degree in theater arts from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. 

Carolyn is married to her husband, Sam, and they have three children, all who have attended Salem Preschool. When she isn’t working at Salem, she enjoys skiing, going for walks, spending time outside, being with friends and family, and creating plays and pretending with kids.

Some of her favorite parts of working with preschoolers is witnessing their curiosity, their ability to be in the moment, their generosity with love and friendships, and their ability to play and pretend. Mrs. Carolyn also loves preschooler’s willingness to joyfully
jump into any song, fingerplay, game, or activity with no inhibitions.

Mrs. Carolyn teaches the Purple and Orange classes.

Tanya Eliason

Mrs. Tanya has served as the Musical Mondays instructor and as a substitute teacher at Salem Preschool since 2022. This year, she is joining the staff as teacher assistant in the green class. Tanya graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2000 with a degree in K-12 Music Education and also holds a Master’s Degree from Wheaton College in TESOL. Tanya leads preschool music classes with Music Together in the community and teaches piano lessons out of her home. She has spent the past twenty-four years teaching in some capacity (five of those years teaching English in China). She can’t wait to join the Salem Preschool team!    

When she’s not teaching, Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children (two of whom attended Salem preschool).  She also loves being outdoors, making music, being creative, photography, and baking. She especially loves working with preschoolers, as their creativity, curiosity, authenticity, and hilarity are wonderfully refreshing! She truly can’t think of a more fun and rewarding job!

Beth Hamilton

Mrs. Hamilton is a long-time member of Salem Covenant Church. She started attending Salem as preschooler with her parents when she was four years old. She began teaching at Salem Preschool in 2023.

Beth attended North Park University in Chicago Illinois, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She also attended graduate school at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and received a licensure to teach students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities and mental health issues.

During her teaching career, she has taught at Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis Public Schools and St, Joseph’s Residential Treatment Center in Minneapolis.

Beth loves children and has a special heart for those that struggle with disabilities.

She assists the Green class and substitutes for our teachers.

A Typical Day at Salem Preschool

The morning begins with an hour-long free play time where students may choose from a wide choice of activities and centers. A dramatic play center may be set up as a home living center, a McDonald’s restaurant, a construction site, a grocery store or pet hospital. Students may choose to build with blocks, Duplos or Magna Tiles, explore in the science center, play in the sensory center or sandbox, do fine motor activities such as tracing and cutting, do counting, numeral identification, and sorting activities; match pictures that rhyme or begin with the same letter or read a book in the book center. During this free play time, all students will complete an art or craft project they can take home.

Large Group Time
After the students help with clean up, students gather to talk about the calendar and weather and to do sharing. The theme for the week is introduced and stories are read, and songs are sung relating to the theme. During the large group time, many literacy and math skills are introduced and worked on.

Bathroom Break and Snack

Students are taken to the bathroom and hands are washed to get ready for snack time. Parents provide a snack that includes foods from two food groups and a water bottle for their children. The “snack helper” chooses the prayer that will be said before they eat.

Learning Games and Activities/Music and Movement Time

The weekly theme is expanded upon at this time through games, music and movement activities.

Large Motor Time

If the weather permits, students go outside and play games in the back yard or play on the playground west of the church. When the weather is not suitable for outdoor play, students may play on the large motor equipment in the “Climber Room, play a game in the gym, or do activities with the parachute.

Dismissal Time (Green, Orange and Blue Classes, Purple Class on Mondays)

The preschoolers gather their belongings and get dressed to go home. The day ends with the “Good-bye Song” before parents pick up their children at the classroom door.

Lunch (Purple Class, Tuesdays and Thursdays)
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Purple Class takes a bathroom break and washes their hands for lunch. Students bring a lunch from home and pray before they eat.

Project and Play Time

After lunch, the children have the opportunity to complete another project related to the theme and work on the center activities.

Academic Skill Time

During this time, the teachers continue to introduce, practice and review literacy and math skills through activities, games and stories.

Large Motor Time

Before getting ready to go home, the Purple Class has another opportunity to work on their large motor skills by going to the park, playing a game outside or in the gym, or playing on the equipment in the “Climber Room.”

Dismissal Time

Students gather their belongings and get ready to be picked up by their parents. The day ends with singing the “Good-Bye” song.

Special Activities
Throughout the year, there are several special activities for the students. Programs such as Mr. Freeze, the 3M Visiting Wizard, and the Raptor Center come to preschool to enhance the students’ learning. Holidays are celebrated at preschool. On Halloween, there is a parade and a party. At Thanksgiving there is a Thanksgiving Feast. Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter are celebrated with a class party. Special days such as pajama day and beach day are held during the year. The three-year-old classes go on at least one field trip during the year and the four-year-old classes go on field trips to Silverwood and Tamarack Nature Centers.

Preschool Programs for Families

Two programs are given during the school year by the preschoolers for their families. In November, both four-year-old classes present a program of fall songs, poems and dances in our Fellowship Hall. In February, the two three-year-old classes present their program of songs, poems and dances for their families. Participating in these programs gives our preschoolers experience of performing in front of others and gives our families the opportunity to watch their children perform. It’s a win-win for both!

2024-2025 Schedule and Tuition Information

• 3-year-old Green Class:
  Tuesday/Thursday, 9:00-12:00
  $130.00/month

• 3-year-old Orange Class:
  Wednesday/Friday, 9:00-11:30
  $130.00/month

• 4-year-old Blue Class:
  Monday*/Wednesday/Friday, 9:00-12:00
  $205.00/month

• 4-year-old Purple Class:
  Monday*, 9:00-12:00;
  Tuesday/Thursday, 9:00-3:00
  $355.00/month

*Marvelous Monday Enrichment Classes are offered on Monday afternoons from 12:00-1:30. Each run for five weeks and tuition is $10 per week.

Tuition is paid monthly September though May, either online or by check, and the amount due remains the same regardless of the number of sessions each month. 

$65 non-refundable registration fee for all classes. 10% discount for Salem members and families with two or more children enrolled.

All classes above are in session from September through May. 

Admission Requirements

To enroll in Salem Preschool a child must be three, four, or five years of age. Threes must turn three before September 1 and be toilet trained before school begins.

Click HERE for the 2024-2025 registration link. 

If you have not created a KidCheck account, you will need to complete that process and then re-click the link to register for Preschool.

Forms

Registration Form

Immunization Form

Medical Form

Emergency Care and Photo Release Form

Calendar 2024-2025

Marvelous Mondays

Salem Preschool offers Marvelous Monday enrichment classes on Mondays from 12:00 – 1:30 during the school year. These four-week or five-week classes include Movement Mondays (sports and games), Musical Mondays (making music together), Uno, Dos, Tres! Let’s Learn Spanish, Adventures in Children’s Literature, and Act It Out (an introduction to drama). Parents can register their children for any or all these classes.  The cost is $10 per week and classes run for four- or five-week sessions. Students bring a bag lunch from home to eat before the class begins. 

Classes are taught by physical education, music, Spanish and drama teachers from Salem Preschool and Salem Covenant Church.

Here’s what Salem Preschool families are saying

Salem Preschool is a warm, welcoming school that has exceeded our expectations for our children! In the Green classroom, Mrs. Shannyn, Mrs. Carolyn and Mrs. Sykora came along side our 3-year-old daughter, as we navigated our second born struggling with separation anxiety at the beginning of the school year. Thru their loving help, and support now our daughter cannot wait to get out the door to get to preschool! It means the world having teachers who really care, invest and build up each child. In the Purple Classroom, Mrs Shelly and Mrs Harris make every day an absolute adventure geared for FUN while incorporating love for God, friendships, developing self-esteems, and growing leaps and bounds with their knowledge. They’re helping cultivate wonderful little people, and kindergarten ready. My oldest writing skills, letter identification, independence has just blossomed, and we couldn’t be more grateful to her teachers who have helped foster those skills. We are so thankful for Salem Preschool!
SA

Salem Preschool has been a highlight for my kids’ education journey! Each staff member is so welcoming and kind. There is thought and care that goes into each lesson. I appreciate how God is incorporated into their day, and my son loves all the hands-on learning. He loves coming to school which makes me a happy mama!
LD

We have been so fortunate to have Salem Preschool as a part of each of our children’s early education. What I love most about Salem Preschool is how the teachers focus on learning through play, seeing children as who they uniquely are, and allowing children to grow and develop at their own pace. They incorporate Christ’s love in how they value each child and also teach the children to love one another and make their first friendships. Some of my own first memories were as a student at Salem Preschool many years ago; now our children also share in developing these precious early memories!
CR