Shining Stars Academy
Preschool
Making a difference - one child at a time
First Day of School
8/18/2025
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Students, Monday-Thursday Students, Monday-Friday Students
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We can't wait to see all of our new friends!!!!! Come with a smile ready to have fun! There will be a few cute 'First Day of Preschool' signs and props out front for your photo-taking fun and excitement. If you would like to take a cute picture, please come a few minutes early to account for the photo fun.
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Normal Class Time
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8/19/2025
Tuesday/Thursday Students
We can't wait to see all of our new friends!!!!! Come with a smile ready to have fun! There will be a few cute 'First Day of Preschool' signs and props out front for your photo-taking fun and excitement. If you would like to take a cute picture, please come a few minutes early to account for the photo fun.
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Normal Class Time
No School - Labor Day
Fabulous Friday
4/12/2024
All Students Invited
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$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
9/1/2025
All Students
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Enjoy the holiday with your families. School will resume September 2.
Fall Picture Day
9/8/2025
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Students,
Monday-Thursday Students, and Monday-Friday Students
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Normal Class Time
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We are excited this year to partner with Soots Photography for our Picture day - You don't want to miss this event!
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9/9/2025
Tuesday/Thursday Students,
Normal Class Time
We are excited this year to partner with Soots Photography for our Picture day - You don't want to miss this event!
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Fabulous Friday
9/12/2025
All Students Invited
$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
Teddy Bear Picnic
9/18/2025
All Students and a Parent Invited
Mountview Park
1651 E. Ft. Union Boulevard
Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121
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Please Bring: a smile, at least 1 parent, a teddy bear, a blanket, a sack lunch, and WEAR YOUR SCHOOL SHIRT
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Group 1:
Lunch will take place at 10:00am
Teddy Bear Stations will follow lunch and then families are free to go home or stay to play at the park. Please be courteous by completing your center activities by 11:00am to make room for the next group.
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Group 2:
Lunch will take place at 11:00am
Teddy Bear Stations will follow lunch and then families are free to go home or stay to play at the park. Please be courteous by completing your center activities by 12:00pm to make room for the next group.
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Group 3:
Lunch will take place at 12:00pm
Teddy Bear Stations will follow lunch and then families are free to go home or stay to play at the park. Centers will conclude at 1:00pm.
Pajama Parties
Field Trip to Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
4/25/2024
All Students and a Parent Invited
Wear School Shirts
Shining Stars Academy
Please check your child's wristband and flyer to find out your time assignment.
We are so excited to get to experience everything we learn this week hands-on!! The field trip will last approximately 2-4 hours (tickets are good for all day admission) and will include lunch, a party, and all of the fun you can possibly have. School shirts are required for admission to the aquarium. This will be class for the day. Can't wait to see everyone there!
Graduation Pictures
5/2/2024
All Students
Whitmore Library Auditorium
2197 Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights
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School Graduation Pictures will take place downstairs in the Auditorium. This will be class for the day. Please have your child wear blue denim jeans/shorts or skirts and their 2024 School Shirt. We will be doing class pictures as well as a large group picture. Please make every effort to have your child present at this event. This is the only chance they will have to be in our school graduation pictures. Parents do not need to stay for this event. Please see the Graduation Events Letter for times specific to your class.
Fabulous Friday
9/30/2025
Tuesday/Thursday Students,
Monday-Thursday Students, and Monday-Friday Students
Normal Class Time
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Please remember to bring a pillow and wear your comfiest pajamas
*We will have “Bring your Pretend Pet to School Day” that day as well, so remember any Pretend Pet can come with you to the party! (it is helpful for the pet to come in your backpack or your pillowcase)
We will play games, eat treats, and have tons of pajama fun!
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10/1/2025
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Students and
PARTY #2 for
Monday-Thursday Students, and Monday-Friday Students
Normal Class Time
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Please remember to bring a pillow and wear your comfiest pajamas
*We will have “Bring your Pretend Pet to School Day” that day as well, so remember any Pretend Pet can come with you to the party! (it is helpful for the pet to come in your backpack or your pillowcase)
We will play games, eat treats, and have tons of pajama fun!
In-House Fire Station Field Trip
10/2/2025
All Students Invited
@Shining Stars Academy
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Group 1: 8:40am-10:40am
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Group 2: 9:20am-11:20am
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Group 3: 10:00am-12:00pm
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We are so excited to kick off this week with a hands-on experience!!!
The field trip will be class for the day, meaning no regular class.
Parents are welcome to leave their child or stay for the event. If you decide to leave your child with us, please arrive at the school no later than your designated time to drop off your child. The Fire Safety Event will last 2 hours and will include a safety presentation in the back lot, and fire safety activities in the other rooms. DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP FOR ALL CLASSES WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE. It is extremely important to arrive on time to pick up your child as the rooms will need to be ready for the next group.
WEAR SCHOOL SHIRTS FOR THIS EVENT.
Fabulous Friday
10/10/2025
All Students Invited
$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
Halloween Service Performance
10/17/2025
All Students and a Parent Invited
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The Ridge Cottonwood
5600 Highland Drive, Holladay, UT 84121
Check Email for Sign-Ups
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*This event is OPTIONAL. Costumes are optional. Meet at The Ridge at 1:00pm
*Sign Up to help bring some fall joy to the residents of The Ridge. We will be performing a few songs for the residents
Fall Break
5/10/2024
All Students Invited
$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
Unbirthday Parties
5/13,14/2024
All Students​
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Normal Class Time
Happy Unbirthday! We will celebrate all of our friends with summer birthdays and those who we missed due to starting late in the year. You won't want to miss this celebration!
Last Day of School Party
5/15/2024
All Students and a Parent Invited
Mountview Park
1651 E. Ft. Union Boulevard
Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121
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Please see Graduation Events Letter for details.
Graduation Dress Rehearsal
5/21/2024
All Students Mandatory
Whitmore Library Auditorium
2197 Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights
Please see Graduation Events Letter for specific details.
2024 Graduation
5/22/2024
All Students and Families
Viridian Event Center
8030 S 1825 W West Jordan, Utah 84088
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Please see Graduation Events Letter for specific details.
Summer is Magic!
5/28-8/2/2024
Children 3-7 Invited
Shining Stars Academy
See Our Summer Flyer
1st Annual Culture Night!
2/20/2025
All Families Invited
​6:00pm-7:30pm
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Come experience and learn about Norway, the Northern Lights and the Sami Culture as you hear about Miss Sam's ADVENTURES in Norway!
We will have Norwegian foods, treats and drinks, and will have crafts, artifacts, and stories all about NORWAY!
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Open House Style. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
10/20-24/2025
All Students
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Enjoy the time with your families. School will resume October 27.
Halloween Parties
10/29/2025
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Students
Monday-Thursday Students and Monday-Friday Students
We will be playing games and rotating through fun Halloween Centers. Wear costumes (NO scary masks and NO WEAPONS -If your child wears a scary mask or has a weapon, it will be left in his/her backpack or sent home with you). Please make sure your child can get in and out of their costume to use the restroom.
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Normal Class Time
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10/30/2025
Tuesday/Thursday Students, AND SECOND PARTY for
Monday-Thursday Students and Monday-Friday Students
We will be playing games and rotating through fun Halloween Centers. Wear costumes (NO scary masks and NO WEAPONS -If your child wears a scary mask or has a weapon, it will be left in his/her backpack or sent home with you). Please make sure your child can get in and out of their costume to use the restroom.
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Normal Class Time
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Halloween Performances
10/31/2025
All Students Invited
Whitmore Library Auditorium
See Performance Time Letter and Halloween Week Events email for times
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Families are invited! Costumes are optional.
*We will be performing a few songs and then children and parents will be invited to stay to make a craft and get a treat if they would like to
Planetarium Field Trip
11/7/2025
All Students and a Parent Invited
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Please see flyer for details. All tickets must be requested by Tuesday, 11/4/2025 and paid for by 11/5/2025. Meet at Clark Planetarium at 1:30pm.
Wear School Shirts.
Fabulous Friday
11/14/2025
All Students Invited
$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
Cans for Cocoa
National Reading Week
3/3-7/2025
All Students
Normal Class Time
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Please see Reading Week Packet for important information about the activities each day of this special week.!
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Monday:
Please Try to Remember the First of Octember
Assignment: Read a Dr. Seuss book
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Tuesday:
The Lorax
Assignment: Draw a picture of your favorite book character
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Wednesday:
The Shape of Me and Other Things
Assignment: Complete Wednesday Assignment on Homework Sheet
*Catch a Kid Reading Night - Morning Classes
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Thursday:
The Cat and the Hat
WEAR A RED SHIRT TO SCHOOL
Assignment: *Catch a Kid Reading Night - Afternoon Classes
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You won't want to miss this event!
Miss Sam will call kids randomly throughout the evening. If she catches you reading, you will get a prize. Please see Reading Week Activities Note for your class' time slot.
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Friday:
Green Eggs and Ham
WEAR A GREEN OR YELLOW SCHOOL
Assignment: Read with a pet (real or pretend)
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Fabulous Friday
3/14/2025
All Students Invited
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$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
Parent's Night Out
3/14/2025
All Children 3-8 Invited
$25 pre-pay / $30 drop-in
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It’s Parent’s Night OUT!! Let your kids party hard and zany while you take a break!
* This will be the liveliest reading night your kids have ever had. Our celebration will be complete with games, stories, Seussville cooking activities, and SO MUCH MORE!
* The cost for this is $25.00 per child if you pay by March 12th and $30.00 per child if you pay after the 12th.
* Siblings over the age of 3 are welcome.
* “Big Kid” activities for older kiddos 6 and up!
Bakery Day
11/15/2025
All Students and Families Invited
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Bring a canned food item by the school and receive a free cup of hot cocoa. All canned food items will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Drive up donations are welcome. We will be outside ready to receive all canned food items.
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Thanksgiving Parties
11/19/2025
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Students , Monday-Thursday Students, and Monday-Friday Students
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We are super excited to experience the fun of the first Thanksgiving, combined with some of our current traditions - hands on!
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Normal Class Time
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11/20/2025
Tuesday/Thursday Students and SECOND PARTY for
Monday-Thursday Students, and Monday-Friday Students
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We are super excited to experience the fun of the first Thanksgiving, combined with some of our current traditions - hands on!
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Normal Class Time
Thanksgiving Recess
11/24-28/2025
No School - Thanksgiving Recess
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Enjoy the time with your families!
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Christmas Toy Drive
12/1-19/2025
All Students Invited
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This year we will be hosting our ninth annual Christmas Box International Toy Drive. We will be collecting new, unwrapped toys all month to donate to the Christmas Box International. Bring them in to the school between now and December 18. There will be a collection area at the Friends and Families Christmas Performance as well. Toys will be taken to the Christmas Box House on December 19.
Fabulous Friday
12/12/2025
All Students Invited
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$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
3/27/2025
All Students and a Parent Invited
Wear School Shirts
Shining Stars Academy
Please check your child's wristband and flyer to find out your time assignment.
We are so excited to get to experience everything we learn this week hands-on!! The field trip will last approximately 1 hour and will include stations for a variety of bakeries. This will be class for the day. Can't wait to see everyone there!
Spring Picture Day
4/1-2/2025
All Students Invited
Normal Class Time
More Details TBA. This Picture Day will include Spring Pictures and Graduation Pictures.
Fabulous Friday
4/4/2025
All Students Invited
$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
Spring Break
4/7-11/2025
All Students
Enjoy the time with your kiddos!
Egg Hunt and Butterfly Release
4/18/2025
All Students Invited
Wear School Shirts
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Mountview Park
1651 E. Ft. Union Boulevard
Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121
Please see the April Newsletter for your child's specific group time.
We will begin with our Egg Hunt PROMPTLY at the time listed on the Egg Hunt Information Letter. We will follow the Egg Hunt with our Butterfly Release (as long as the caterpillars and weather cooperate) and then our Picnic.
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Detailed information can be found in the March Newsletter and in the Egg Hunt Information Letter.
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Christmas Around the World Parties
12/17/2024
Tuesday/Thursday, Monday-Thursday, and Monday-Friday Students
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We will be doing a lot of fun activities and will be making very special crafts as we celebrate Christmas and go on a trip Around the World (Please make sure to bring backpacks to class that day!). Please let me know by Wednesday, December 6th if your child will not be able to attend the Christmas parties, as I have a very special gift for them. For our party, children are welcome to bring a fun holiday treat for the class if they would like. Please remember all treats need to be dropped off at the school by December 8th. I need 1-2 parent helpers from each class for our special parties
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Normal Class Time
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12/18/2024
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Students, and SECOND PARTY for Monday-Thursday, and Monday-Friday Students
Location: Shining Stars Academy
We will be doing a lot of fun activities and will be making very special crafts as we celebrate Christmas and go on a trip Around the World (Please make sure to bring backpacks to class that day!). Please let me know by Wednesday, December 6th if your child will not be able to attend the Christmas parties, as I have a very special gift for them. For our party, children are welcome to bring a fun holiday treat for the class if they would like. Please remember all treats need to be dropped off at the school by December 8th. I need 1-2 parent helpers from each class for our special parties
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Normal Class Time
9th Annual Friends and Families Christmas Perfomances
See Our Summer Flyer
Summer Super Week
7/28-8/1/2025
All Children 3-7 Invited
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​Princesses, Superheroes and Kindergarten Readiness is what make this SUPER week SO MUCH FUN! See our summer information flyer to find out what all of the hype is about!!
Open House
8/4-5/2025
Open to and Required for All Students Registered for the 2025-2026 School Year
@Shining Stars Academy
Come to the school for a fun scavenger hunt and get excited for the new school year to begin!!! Sign-Ups will be emailed July 28. Choose the day and time that works best for your schedule.
5/27-7/25/2025
All Children 3-7 Invited
@Shining Stars Academy
Join us for fun and engaging summer classes! Each class is different all summer long and registration is open all summer until 7:00am the day of the class!
Summer is Magic!
12/19/2024
Families and Friends Invited
Location: Whitmore Library Auditorium
2197 Ft. Union Boulevard
Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121
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*Times listed on invitation and wristbands.
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*There will be a list at each school entrance the week of the performance.
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On Thursday, December 19th, we will have our 9th Annual Friends and Family Christmas Performance, which will take place at Whitmore Library Auditorium. I would like all children to dress in Sunday/Holiday dress for this performance. The focus of this event will be to share our Christmas songs and holiday cheer with our friends and families. Everyone is invited. There will be music, crafts, and light refreshments for everyone! This performance will take the place of class for the day.
17th Annual Christmas Service Performance
12/20/2024
All Students Invited
Location: The Ridge Cottonwood
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On Friday, December 20th, Shining Stars Academy will be performing for the Residents of The Ridge Cottonwood. This performance will take the place of class for the day. Sign-Up Links will be sent via email.
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We will start promptly at the time listed on the Newsletter. There will be no check-in for this event. Please plan ahead for parking and bringing your child in. I would like all children to dress in Sunday/Holiday dress for this performance. Please practice the music with your child at home so they will be prepared for their special day. You should have received the music files via email. You can also have your children watch the videos posted on the website. There is a link on the Parents Page.
End of Summer Bash
8/6/2025
All Students 3-7 Invited
@ Shining Stars Academy​​
Parents: Need a Break? Need to get ready for Back to School? Let us help you out!
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We're sending summer out with a BANG! See our Flyer for details!
New Parent Orientation
8/14/2025
REQUIRED for all First-Time Shining Stars Academy Parents
@ Whitmore Library Auditorium​​
Come for important information about the school year including policies and procedures.
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Information Presentation:
10:30-10:50, 5:00-5:20
Q&A:
10:50-11:10, 5:20-5:40
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Light Refreshments will be served. Children do not need to attend
Christmas Break
12/23-1/3/2025
All Students
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Enjoy the time with your families. School will resume Monday, January 6.
Fabulous Friday
1/10/2025
All Students Invited
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$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
No School - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/17, 20/2025
All Students
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No School due to Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Day
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Dental Awareness Field Trip
2/6/2025
All Students and a Parent Invited
Wear School Shirts
Salt Lake Pediatric Dentistry
1548 E 4500 S #102
Salt Lake City, UT 84117, USA
Please check your child's wristband and flyer to find out your time assignment.
We are so excited to get to experience everything we learn this week hands-on!! The field trip will last approximately 40 minutes and will include a presentation, stations, and a visit from a very special guest. This will be class for the day. Can't wait to see everyone there!
Fabulous Friday
2/7/2025
All Students Invited
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$15 for a drop-in class, Normal Class Time
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Centers, Centers, and MORE Centers
This exciting program gives preschoolers the opportunity to rotate through fun and engaging Shining Stars Centers
Valentine's Day Parties
2/13/2025
Tuesday/Thursday Students,
Monday-Thursday Students, and Monday-Friday Students
Normal Class Time
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We will be making Valentine’s Day projects, having fun treats and exchanging valentines. If you would like to send a Valentine’s Day treat with your child for the party, any treats would be welcome!
We will also be learning about post offices. I will have a special school mailbox where I will be collecting mail throughout the week. Please see the February newsletter for details.
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2/14/2025
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Students and PARTY #2 for
Monday-Thursday Students, and Monday-Friday Students
Normal Class Time
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We will be making Valentine’s Day projects, having fun treats and exchanging valentines. If you would like to send a Valentine’s Day treat with your child for the party, any treats would be welcome!
We will also be learning about post offices. I will have a special school mailbox where I will be collecting mail throughout the week. Please see the February newsletter for details.
No School -
President's Day
2/17/2025
All Students​
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No Class due to the President's Day Holiday