Sunshine & Rainbows

This year, Leah started preschool at the Joliet Park District Sunshine and Rainbows Learning Center.  It was a hard decision to make as I was so nervous about her being in the classroom with all those kids and all those germs.  Leah had a rough fall/winter the year before, and the thought of her being around all the kids during the cold and flu season was scary to me.  

As a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis, you quickly learn that keeping your child as healthy as possible is top priority as this can have a long-term impact on their health in the future.  After talking with some other CF parents and my care center team, we thought the benefits and enjoyment for Leah attending preschool outweigh my tendency to want to keep her in a bubble.  

During the summer, I meet with Karen Cooper, the preschool director, to talk about my concerns.  I come to find out that she is not only familiar with cystic fibrosis, but one of her daughter’s closest friends has cystic fibrosis.  In fact, she and her daughter have been involved with the GREAT STRIDES walk to support this CF friend (who we also know through the walk).  Right there, that spoke volumes to me as a CF parent.  She went on to encourage us that they would do their best to accommodate any specific needs we have to make preschool a safe environment for Leah.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Leah’s teachers before school began to talk with them about Leah.  They were very supportive and ready to do their part in making Leah’s first year of school a success.  I must do a BIG shout out to Leah’s teachers – Miss Connie, Coach Jesse, and Miss Tammy.  She LOVES preschool and LOVES her teachers!  

Leah with her preschool teachers Miss Connie & Coach Jesse on the day of her Cinderella play.

A couple of weeks ago, Leah performed in a Cinderella play at preschool.  She was one of Cinderella’s step sisters.  When she was first assigned the role, I asked her if she was going to be a good step sister.  She said, “No!  I am going to be a BAD step sister, just like in Cinderella.”  She is so cute!  We were so proud of her as she worked hard to learn all her lines.  All the kids did a fabulous job performing the little plays!

Preschool has been a great experience for Leah!  We are thankful to have a great start to her school experience, especially as Leah will be in full day kindergarten next year.  We are pleased to say that she had a very healthy fall and winter this year.  She only missed a couple of days of school.  Her teacher even called to check on her to make sure she was okay.  Love them!  It is nice to know that we made the right decision.