What a lovely first month of school we’ve had! In the few short weeks we’ve been together, children been busy settling into their new school routines with new friends while exploring a wide range of topics including apples, trees, all about fall, farm animals and outer space. Maria and I have enjoyed greeting you at drop off and pickup and spending time playing in each classroom getting to know everyone a bit more. We had a special visit from Joe Cella, the Early Learning Coordinator at The Collaboration for Early Childhood, who observed our Nature Preschool class as they explored during their morning routine. We love sharing the deep play and exploration happening in our all classrooms, Check out this sweet video highlighting his visit!

October is a busy month at Pilgrim with Picture Days, Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat and our Costume Parade! We are hosting our 2nd annual Banned Book Storytime: Saturday October 4th, starting at 9:30 am in the Square Room. This storytime was created to be held during Banned Books Week as a way to celebrate the beautiful diversity of our Pilgrim community and raise awareness of the dramatic increase in the challenging and banning of children’s picture books in public schools that primarily focus on themes of social justice, race, racism, and LGBTQ. According to Pen America, over 4000 children’s books were challenged or banned in 2024/25 school year alone! Join Pilgrim Teachers Anne, Haeyoung, Lauren, Jen, Maria, Michelle and Whitney as we read some of the most frequently challenged and banned books such as Hair Love, Our Skin, The Family Book, I am Jazz, And Tango Makes Three. All families are welcome, bring a friend :) We hope to see you there!

Pilgrim Family Looking for Another Family to Join Nanny Share:

We are seeking another family to add to our nanny share. The share would be with our five-year-old, who attends half-day preschool from Monday to Thursday. We have been with our nanny for four years, and she is absolutely incredible. She is attentive, caring, dependable, and does pick-up. We started with one family (who she was with for over 5 years), but their kiddos all started school. Now, we are in another share, but that kiddo is also starting school, so we are looking for another family interested in full-time care, open to start date, but available immediately. Open to households with multiple kiddos, but ideally, one would be younger so that our nanny can stay with you for years :)  It isn't necessarily required, but it would be great if the family lived in central or north Oak Park. I am happy to discuss this further and share contact information for the previous families as well, so you can reach out to them. Contact Andrea Krieg andrearoxannegarber@gmail.com with interest and questions.

Community Support for Montenaro Family

We are reaching out to all PCPS community members to rally support for the Montenaro Family; Alexa, Pete, Aurora and Kai. Alexa and Pete have been vibrant community members at Pilgrim Community Preschool since 2022, with Kai now enrolled in Triangle Room and their eldest Aurora graduating Pilgrim to Kindergarten at Beye in May 2025. Families with us last year may recall: in late fall of 2024, Alexa started experiencing some concerning symptoms beginning with upper leg muscle weakness which reduced her mobility as they sought a diagnosis for her symptoms. Alexa’s symptoms have quickly progressed in the past few months to where Alexa utilizes a wheelchair for all mobility and is experiencing decreased muscle strength in her arms and core as well, limiting her ability to interact with her family and friends, or complete daily tasks as she once had. Pete and Alexa have worked tirelessly with specialists for Motor Neuron Disease, ALS and Autoimmune Disorder trying to identify a path to healing for Alexa in a race against the rapid progression of the disease. As one can imagine, this journey is devastating, and we ask our community to help in any way you are able:

Visit Alexa’s Caring Bridge Page for updates (do not donate $ on the “Help Alexa stay connected to family and friends” CaringBridge site - $0 goes to the family!)

Donate to their Go Fund Me to help with medical costs and other financial needs

Sign up for a meal on their Meal Train - Gift Cards welcome too!

We thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support on behalf of The Montenaro Family.

Picture Days begin at 9 am each day. Children in Star or Circle attending both Wednesday and Thursdays may choose either day for their individual photos, please let your teachers know which day you select - children will be in class photo both days. Sibling photos are available too! If you’d like a sibling photo with a child not enrolled at Pilgrim, please let us know so we can let you know approximate time to bring sibling.

Supporting your Child’s Healthy Development

Thank you to all families who have already completed the ASQ Developmental Screenings. If you have not already, please complete both ASQ screening questionnaires: ASQ 3 and ASQ SE2, using the link below by Friday 10/3 All ASQ information is confidential, and will be shared with families during individual conferences. Information gathered in the ASQ screenings have multitude of benefits including:

• Allowing our program staff to be sure that we are meeting each child’s unique developmental strengths and needs. 

• Providing you, your child’s most valuable teacher, with the opportunity to periodically take a closer look at all of the wonderful growth and development that your child is experiencing.

• Helping us to identify and quickly support any developmental areas in which children may need more focused support. Anytime an ASQ indicates further screening and evaluation may be beneficial for a child, or when teachers and families have concerns about a child’s development, we partner with you by referring to support agencies and organizations such School Districts, Early Intervention, and private practitioners such as Kids Unlimited, Pops Pediatrics among others.

Please remember, we are here to support you! If you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s development, contact us anytime.

October Menu and Snack Update

Classroom Corner Square Room

The Square Room has a new class friend! Miss Soda Bunny is a stuffed animal that lives in our classroom.

On the weekends, friends take turns bringing Miss Soda and her book home for a visit. Students will share the weekend adventures by dictating stories, drawing, and adding photos in the Miss Soda book. We all hear about the escapades on Monday when Miss Soda and the student return and share the fun during circle time. Miss Soda already visited Liz and they explored the garden and read a good book together.

The Square Room Friends suggested possible names for our class bunny. We wrote all the suggestions down and picked one name from a hat. Other suggested names included Rainbow, Jewel, Sparkle, Arthur, and Aye Aye. 

Square Room Teachers

Jen and Liz

Calling all artisans: Sign up to sell your creations at our annual Holiday Artisan Market and Cookie Walk below!

PCPS EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

Pilgrim Congregational Church Family Events

Oak Park Community Family Events