|
St. Anselm's focuses on youth programs. We offer programs for youth
ranging from toddlers to those in senior high. We seek to help our
youth experience God's love through these programs.
The young people of St. Anselm’s
are actively involved in the life of the parish in many different ways.
They attend Church (Sunday) School and serve in worship as Acolytes
and Readers. Some sing in the Youth and Children’s Choir. From time to
time they enact the scripture readings, bringing new life to ancient
words. Their active and visible participation helps to make worship
here a rich experience.
Youth are involved in other
ministries here as well, from working in the library guild in organizing
our new library to creating and maintaining this web site! Some work
with younger children by assisting in Church School classrooms and
caring for toddlers in the nursery. The youth work at parish social
events, preparing food and serving. One of the most important
contributions of the young people is in raising awareness of social
justice issues, working to raise money to address needs in the local
community and in troubled places around the world, and setting an
example by going out to offer direct service.
| Church (Sunday) School |
 We offer church school for pre-kindergarten up to and including eighth grade. Parishioners
staff the school. We also have a nursery
for smaller children. Church school starts at 10 a.m. At 10:30 the
children leave their classrooms and join their parents for communion
in the regular church service.
Church School programs are designed to meet the children where they
are. Through participation in arts and crafts, outreach projects,
and other activities, the children are invited to develop their
relationship with God. Parents are drawn to our church because their
children enjoy Church School so much.
|
|
Our small but active youth group offers a place
to learn more about ourselves, our world, God, and have fun too! It’s a
place to spend time with good friends, explore questions we have about growing
up in the 21st century, and try new things. We go on adventures, learn
skills and face challenges, and sometimes we share lunch, play games, watch
movies and talk about them. We have gone
skiing, camping, and kayaking. We participated in a ropes course challenge.
It’s not all about ourselves though; we’re serious about serving other people!
We have prepared meals at a family shelter, participated in an environmental
cleanup day, collected hundreds of socks for homeless people and school supplies
for Iraqi children. After the tsunami disaster we made prayer beads to
sell to raise relief money. We also prepared a presentation for the
congregation on the situation in Darfur, sold wrist bands and had a bake sale
for relief efforts there. We also had a car wash to help support one of
our college students on a mission trip to Sri Lanka this summer.
Some of
us went on mission trips ourselves, working at a Head Start school in San Diego, an American Indian school in Idaho,
a church restoration project in Mississippi, and helped with restoration in
Katrina-ravaged New Orleans .
Sound Interesting?
We welcome middle school and high school-aged people who are interesting in
making new friends, trying new things, and finding a way to make a difference in
the world! Check out the new things that will be appearing on our web site
announcing upcoming events. |
|
High-School aged
students are welcome to join us and people from other Contra Costa parishes on
monthly community service days. We have done many different projects.
We fixed up a child development center in Alameda and packaged and delivered
Christmas gifts for Adopt-a-Family in the Monument Boulevard area. We did
painting and gardening at Youth Homes sites and spent a day at a senior complex
washing their cars, doing crafts and playing board games with the residents and
prepared and served a BBQ lunch. We went to San Francisco and served lunch
at Glide Memorial Church. GOD Squad is a great way to work with a larger
group, get to know new people, and really experience what it means to love our
neighbor! |
Acolytes |
 Acolytes fill important roles in our 10 a.m. Sunday worship services.
Acolytes (which means "one who helps") are in grades four through
twelve. They help the priest prepare the holy table for communion,
take up the collection, and light and put out the candles. They also
carry the cross in and out of the church at the beginning and the end
of the service. Being an acolyte is a great way to learn "hands-on"
about what goes into a worship service.
|
|
Youth Choir |
| The Youth Choir sings on special occasions throughout
the church year. All children who want to sing are welcome. Some choir
members play musical instruments and their accompaniment of the singers makes
the music especially appealing. Youth choir practices are held after the 10 a.m. service.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| At Michael Lane
preschool we learn to play and play to learn! Nestled
in the beautiful hills of Lafayette, we provide an inviting,
secure, and non-critical preschool environment for children to
grow and develop through supervised play. Our child
centered program is built on a solid base of trust between
teachers, children, and families while providing a supportive
and educational community for both children and parents.
Each child is accepted and valued as a unique individual
that is allowed and encouraged to develop at his or her own
pace. We promote each child's social, physical and
cognitive growth while sharing the wonder of learning through an
emergent curriculum of play activities. We work to have
each child, regardless of age, learn from other children, value
their gifts, and develop a positive attitude toward school and
learning. We believe when children share positive
experiences with other children, they grow and develop both
socially and academically.
We are proud to be accredited by the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Please see NAEYC logo and link to its website at the bottom of
this page.
Our preschool building contains three classrooms filled
with books and toys aimed at developing the children's interest
in art, music, math, and science through imaginative play. They also enjoy an outdoor recreation area with a play
structure, tricycles, and opportunities for sand and water play.
We are open Monday through Friday. Our hours are 9
a. m. to noon with a lunch option from noon to 1 p. m.
Parents have a choice of sending their children two, three, or
five days per week.
For more information about facilities, teacher credentials, preschool
tours, directions to the preschool, and for printable
applications, click
here.
Hear what our parents say about.....
Our Play Based Curriculum:
- Never could I have imagined the exciting and ever
changing activities that happen every day at Michael Lane
Preschool! When searching for a preschool I was
looking for a place that emphasized learning through play,
but this school really does epitomize the meaning of play
based curriculum.
Amy
P., parent of a 3 year old child.
Our Mixed Age Program:
- The mixed age classroom provides many opportunities
for children to learn from each other, and I'm especially
happy to see how things have come full circle for my
daughter. She started school just before she turned
three, and was one of the youngest children in the class.
On her first day of school, one of the older children came
over and introduced herself, then led her to the other room
to meet Fuzz, the guinea pig. Three years later my
daughter is now the one who takes the young ones under her
wing, helps them out, plays with them, and even lets them
sit in her lap during circle time. I love that she has
learned through experience, that kindness goes both ways,
and I'm thankful she's in an environment that provides these
types of learning opportunities.
Selena L., parent of a 5 year old child.
Our Small Class Size:
- The class size is big enough for my daughter to
interact and learn from different personalities and ages.
But its small enough so its not at all overwhelming - a
tight bond is formed between the kids and the kids and the
teachers.
Rebecca M., parent of a 3 year old child.
- I'm also thankful that the class size is so small.
It means children can be more purposeful in their social
interactions and that teachers can give more attention to
each child. It also means children are
well-supervised, which is particularly important given the
mixed age setting. The small class size is also
wonderful in terms of allowing parents to get to know the
teachers and other parents. It contributes to creating
a community of families, rather than just being a school.
Selena L., parent of a 5 year old child.
- The fact that there is only one class really offers a
feeling of community for all and a lot of security for the
kids. Teachers really get to learn about each child
individually, and the kids feel very much at home.
Amy P., parent of a 3 year old child.
General Comments on our Program:
- I am so delighted I decided to send my child to
Michael Lane! All the teachers are unique, talented,
and creative. It's obvious that they genuinely care
about each and every kid. They greet each child
individually at the beginning of the day and say goodbye at
the end. I always feel like the teachers are open to
my comments and questions. And they will often
share noteworthy information about my child's day at school.
They are very easy to talk to via e-mail or causally in
person. I think Michael Lane's program is a really
nice mixture of creativity, spontaneity, guidance,
relationship-building, free-play and structure. The
teachers are attuned to each child's unique make-up.
Most importantly, my daughter always looks forward to going
to school, making friends, trying new things,
practicing skills, exploring, and playing in Michael Lane's
loving environment makes her introduction to school
extremely positive.
Rebecca M., parent of a 3 year old child.
- I love that my child is learning new concepts through
play. She is free to choose between different centers
or projects based on her current interests. She
especially loves the cooking center then tasting at snack
time. She is always excited to come to school.
We love Michael Lane Preschool.
Michelle. H., parent of a four year old child.
- My daughter is in her third and final year at Michael
Lane, and she says she wants to stay there forever. In
many ways, I wish she could.
Selena L., parent of a 5 year old child.
- If you're wondering, like many parents are, what's
the best learning environment for my child, visit Michael
Lane Preschool (MLP), a magical little school nestled in
Lafayette's Burton Valley. The MLP staff are committed
to using the latest early childhood research theories and
practice, set forth in an always-changing and developmentally
appropriate learning environment. Seeing is
believing though...come take a look at what a great
preschool looks like, happy children engaged in their own
learning with highly skilled teachers guiding the way!
Betsy D., parent of a 3 year old child.
For more information and/or a tour of our facility, please call our
Director Kim Olson at (925) 284-7244 or email us:
michaellanepreschool@mail.com
We are licensed by the California State Department
of Social Services #073403896, and fully conform to all state laws
regulating child care and school facilities. This school admits students
of any race, color, national or ethnic origin.
Please click here
for more information about the National
Association for the Education of Young Children
Back to Home Page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
