St.Mark Lutheran church

St. Mark has been a part of the Salina community since 1974. Following the command of Jesus to feed his little lambs (John 21:16), we began a preschool program to teach children about their Savior. Parents, God entrusted your children to you. The ultimate responsibility for bringing them up in the training and instruction of the Lord belongs to you (Ephesians 6:4). But, it is for this reason we exist: to assist you in your job.

More than just a preschool

A few years ago, St.Mark built a natural playscape area for our preschoolers. As weather permits, classes go outside for fresh air and large movement play on our playground. When weather prohibits, we get the wiggles out in our clean, spacious, indoor play area. 

Field trips are planned throughout the year to give our students opportunities to learn about the community and state in which we live. Parents are welcome to attend these field trips and are often needed for chaperone and driving purposes. 

Each week, students attend a special chapel service, led by Pastor Scharf, with a Bible message just for them! We memorize Bible passages and songs to sing in our weekly devotions with Pastor. Our students will have the opportunity to sing songs in our church services  throughout the school year. We sing once at the end of September, once for our Christmas program, and once in February. Commencement and Graduation services are held the last week of school.

little lions preschool

Our ultimate goal is to meet each child’s spiritual, academic, social, emotional, and physical needs. We realize that God has created us with individual gifts and talents and those differences are what make us wonderful:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  -Psalm 139:13-14

Recognizing that God has created us all differently we understand that each child will learn differently.  We strive to meet the individual needs of each child.  This is a collaborative effort between parents and teachers.  We want each student of Little Lions to be as successful as possible, which means teamwork between home and school.  We are looking forward to working with you and getting to know your child and family. 

Meet our Director/teacher

Hello!  My name is Ms. Laurel Coates, and I am excited to have this beautiful opportunity to share God’s love with the children of Little Lions Preschool in Salina!

I arrived in Salina during the summer of 2021 with twenty years of teaching experience. I received my BS in Elementary Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, and have taught in various elementary, kindergarten and preschool classrooms. Praise Jesus for all the goodness I have been privileged to experience while serving His percious little ones and their families!

The words of my confirmation verse have given me assurance throughout my life that God is our strength in all things:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be disouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9