PAT President's Message

Hello CPP Parents,


With all the hustle and bustle of the season I want to take a moment and say a big thank you to the parents that have been such a huge help with all of our special events this fall. Most recently, our Book Fair and Grandparents/Special Friends Day were both a great success thanks to the efforts of all those involved! What makes this place so special is the involvement of parents.


Enjoy your Christmas break and I look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.


Jenny Carman

Take Action!

***Not too much on here this month! Please read all the way through. Some great service and growth opportunities below as well as information on Christmas Eve Services at Covenant!***

Help Support the New Nursery at New Covenant Fellowship Church

NCF, Covenant’s sister church, has welcomed several new babies into their church family since April and is converting a large classroom to a true nursery.

They would be so blessed to accept your hand-me-downs of the following items...

Our wish list is as follows:

Partitions

1 rocking chair

1 small changing table

2 small bookshelves

1 crock pot

1-2 folding child size table and 6-10 chairs

4 folding cribs

2 baby swings

Stuffed animals

Assorted toys

Crib bedding sets (at least 4)

Diaper wipes

Cleaning materials

Donations can be left with Christy Milam or contact Nikkie Lee at nlee@ncfaustin.org to coordinate a pick-up.

Christmas Service Schedule at Covenant Presbyterian

Saturday, December 24, 2011

2 p.m. A traditional service with communion in the Sanctuary
3:30 p.m.: A contemporary service in FE 200
5 p.m.: A service for families with young children in the Sanctuary
6:30 p.m.: A service for families with older children in the Sanctuary
8:30 p.m.: A candlelight communion service with the choir in the Sanctuary
10:30 p.m.: A candlelight communion service in the Sanctuary

*Please note that childcare services will only be available during the 8:30 p.m. service.


The Marriage Course

The Marriage Course is basically the cheapest date night in town (which is why we attended it initially).  For a total of $135 per couple, you and your spouse get to share a three course dinner over candlelight for seven evenings, and childcare is included!  

While we initially attended the class since it seemed like a really cheap easy date night, it ended up having a truly positive impact on our marriage.  We went into the class feeling like we had a great marriage, but the class made it even better by helping us open up some additional lines of communication between us. 

Each evening begins with a meal. Over dinner, couples have an opportunity to spend time together.  Dinner is followed by a video presentation, interspersed with exercises and questions for each couple to discuss privately.  At no time during the course is there any group discussion or any requirement to disclose anything personal to anyone other than your spouse. 

We will be leading the class, but the real instruction is on video.  We use materials from "The Marriage Course."  They have very popular with all the past participants.  The materials are nondenominational and even my Jewish business partner and her spouse felt comfortable with them.  For more information, see the website at www.alphausa.org/Group/Group.aspx?ID=1000042047.

The course will be held Fridays, January 13 – March 2, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m in the Fellowship Hall (FEB 200).  If you have any interest in the course, please email me a covenantmarriagecourse@yahoo.com or give me a call at 789-6430 for details. The Application form is below.

Childcare is available by reservation (reserve each session separately). Contact childcare@covenant.org. 

Thanks,
JoAnne McIntosh

Application (click to increase size and print):

HOLIDAY BREAK ACTIVITIES

Here is list of ideas for activities to do with your kiddos as you spend the holiday break together!  ENJOY!

(Two separate pages... Click to increase size and print)

CPP Spring Fundraiser!

Covenant Spring Fundraiser - Saturday, February 25

The Preschool spring fundraiser “Sweet Home Covenant” is coming up February 25, 2012 from 6-9 PM at the Cedar Door. We will offer childcare at Covenant free of charge to all attendees starting at 5:30 until 9:30, so get ready to kick up your heels, have a great time with your Covenant friends and help Covenant at the same time! Tickets will go on sale when we return from the Christmas break. There will also be sponsorship opportunities, so if you have a business or your company might be willing to sponsor this event, please let us know.

As part of the fundraiser, we will have a silent auction to help raise more than $10,000 in contributions. The fundraising committee is looking for goods/services to be donated for the silent auction portion of the fundraiser. 100% of the contributions will go towards the operation of the school, including teacher and staff expenses, enrichment opportunities for students, supplies, ongoing improvements to classrooms and facilities, and scholarships for students. 

If you have goods or services that you are willing to donate, please contact the Fundraising Chair, Roxi Tsakas at 809-6514 or CovenantPAT@gmail.com. Thank you!

Director's Message

God’s son is born for us (Isaiah 9:6)

Dear Parents,

Welcome to December! December always seems to take me by surprise, and this year is no exception. Everyone starts rushing around trying to get everything bought, wrapped, cooked, baked, mailed, or cleaned. Whew! We have tons of places to go and lots of people to see. It’s exciting but it can also be exhausting. In all the “hurrying-up” and “doing,” please remember to stop and take time for yourself and for your children. My days of having an infant and preschooler seem like they went by in the blink of an eye. Remember that your little ones will not remain little for long, and take time to enjoy the wonder and joy they express at this time of year. It is so much fun to see their eyes light up whenever they talk about all the things they are experiencing and learning. And of course, please remember to teach your children the reason we celebrate Christmas – Hallelujah for Him!

I hope to see you all at our Christmas Chapel and Reception on Thursday, December 15th at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. All friends and family of preschoolers are encouraged to attend. The children will return to their classrooms for the day while the parents enjoy wonderful refreshments provided by our parent volunteers! Friday, Dec. 16 will be our last day of school before the break. Our first day back in 2012 (oh my!) will be Thursday, January 5th.

I would also like to invite you to attend one of the church services on Christmas Eve at Covenant. From 5:00-5:30pm, there is a short service for families with preschool-aged children. This is perfect for the little ones who are still wiggly! From 6:30pm-7:30pm, there is a special service for families with elementary-aged children. Please refer to this newsletter for additional listings of both contemporary and traditional offerings, including candlelight services with communion.

As always, thank you for sharing your children with us. I pray that December and your holidays are filled with peace and joy.

God’s blessings,

Christy O. Milam


**NOTE FROM NEWSLETTER EDITOR: 
Covenant Preschool Director Christy Milam recently received her National Administrator’s Credential and her Texas Director’s Credential, which are issued by the National Institute of Childcare Management. Christy completed 20 hours of off-site training in April, and passed a 25-hour praxis and exam. Way to go, Christy!!!

Bible Study

This is the same Bible Study as November, but it's a big one so we are sharing again!

Jesus coming to earth as a baby is such an important message... he sacrificed himself as Lord to come here and live as one of us! Showing us how to be perfect in His image. Allow those little sponge brains to absorb that Christmas isn't about gifts... it's about Jesus! Here is what your kiddos are learning in Chapel. Let's learn along with them and share in their growth!

(Click to see full size)

PAT President's Message

Hello CPP Parents,

Halloween has come and gone and Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. The PAT has been busy with several projects.

- Our budget for the 2012-2013 school year was approved by the Church Session, and in record time!

- Thank you to everyone who brought donations for Hopefest! We collected three full car loads of clothes, books, and baby gear for a very worthy cause.

- The Fall Raffle was a great success. We made $3,600 and surpassed our goal. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets. Your support of our school is so important and allows our kids to have the best experience possible here. The money we raise goes directly towards the yearly operating budget and is an essential revenue source.

- Dad’s Pizza Night was a great success and was very well attended. It was so much fun to see all the kids with their Dads. They were all so proud to show off their classrooms. A big thanks to all the teachers and staff who take time out of their busy schedules each year to make this evening event so special.

- Our annual Book Fair is coming November 29th through December 2nd. That same week is also our Grandparents (or Special Friends) Days on December 1st and 2nd! We will have pizza parties and classroom visits for Grandparents and Special Friends in the 3s, 4s and Pre-K classrooms. *Keep an eye out for a separate email from the PAT with more details to come.*

Remember to take time this month to thank the staff and teachers here at Covenant. We are all lucky to have such a wonderful environment here for our children to learn and grow!

Jenny Carman

Take Action!

***Events are listed in order by date, not by importance(!), please read through the whole list and mark your calendars!!***


GIVING TREES

In the spirit of the season, the PAT will be posting “Giving Trees” on the teachers’ doors.  The trees have “leaves” on them with items that the teachers would like for their classrooms.  If you are interested in making a donation, just remove the leaf and take it with you.  Bring your item directly to the classroom and say “thank you” to your child’s teacher!  

THANKSGIVING FEASTS

The threes, fours and pre-k classrooms will have special Thanksgiving Feasts.  On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Pandas, Elephants and Giraffes will still have their pizza with some additional menu items keeping in spirit of the season.  On Friday, Nov. 18, Bears, Tigers and Lions will go all out and celebrate their own Thanksgiving with a complete feast.  Because of this event, the fours and pre-k classes ONLY will move their pizza day to Thursday, Nov. 17.  Please know that our Wednesday/Friday Child’s Day Out students will still eat their pizza on that Friday as usual.

ADVENT EVENT: Journey to Bethlehem

“Journey to Bethlehem” is an Advent experience designed for children to participate with their parents and grandparents. It’s a chance to spend some quality time together before being plunged into the whirlwind that surrounds the holiday season. Rather than being hustled and bustled from store to store, you can enjoy learning a trade from a shopkeeper and work on projects for as much or as little time as you want. In addition there will be a farmers’ market filled with produce to sample, a stable with a wide range of small animals to pet, and folk music.

Advent Event is November 30th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Eaton Hall. Join us as we begin the season of Advent by leaving the modern world behind and prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of a very special baby! 

For more information, contact Stacey Grooms at sgrooms@covenant.org or 334-3005.


BOOK FAIR
The Scholastic Book Fair is November 28th – December 2nd on the third floor next to Ms. Barb’s Music room. 


The Book Fair will be open at the beginning and end of the school day, as well as Wednesday evening from 4:30 – 6:00pm. A portion of all sales goes towards donating books to the school library. AND it’s a great opportunity for Christmas shopping and coincides with...


GRANDPARENTS' DAYS
We are so excited to announce Covenant Preschool's first "Grandparents or Special Friend’s Day"! On Thursday, December 1st (3's classes) and Friday, Dec. 2nd (4's and Pre-K classes), Covenant Preschool would like to thank and honor some of the special adults in your child's life by welcoming them to the school and sharing a Christmas lunch.

This will be a chance for your child to choose someone important to them (a grandparent, aunt or uncle, a favorite babysitter or a neighbor would be perfect!) and invite them to school to see their classroom, meet their friends and share a pizza lunch.

Pizza, drinks, and holiday desserts will be provided by the preschool. *And please don't worry if your child doesn't have a friend able to come that day -- we'll make sure the event is fun for all!*

The school book fair will also be open before and after the event if Grandparents or Special Friends would like to stop by.

Please send any questions to Emily Taylor (ETaylor@covenant.org).

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE MEETING

Spring Home Covenant is Coming! Please join Roxi Tsakas and this great committee on Tuesday, December 6th at 9:15am in FEB 104 as they continue the planning process! Your connections and expertise are so crucial to the success and continued growth of this event. Please join us or contact Roxi if you'd like to help. CovenantPAT@gmail.com


CHRISTMAS CHAPEL

We hope to see you at our Christmas Chapel and Reception on Thursday, December 15 at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary.  All friends and families of preschoolers are encouraged to attend to watch our three, four and five year-olds sing Christmas songs and hear the story of the birth of Jesus. Following the service, the children will return to their classrooms for the day while parents enjoy wonderful refreshments provided by our parent volunteers!

BOOK SPRING PROJECT

CPP is partnering with the Lamplighter’s Bible Study program to support a program called Book Spring!

We’ll be collecting pre-reading and early reading books in a box in front of room 200 on Wednesdays.  Book Spring is for children who are seen in the Seton clinics and are “prescribed” reading by the doctors. It  gets the children up to speed with their reading and involves parents in their children’s education.  They constantly need book donations.  It’s a great way to recycle books our children have outgrown.  

Hazel Nichols is in charge of this ministry, if you or would like more information. hazelrn@earthlink.net

Director's Message

Dear Parents,

I am so happy to welcome the fall season to Covenant Presbyterian Preschool – it is my favorite time of year for sure!  I love that the weather finally turns fall-like and maybe a little bit cooler!  There is definitely an excitement in the air and that is largely due to the coming for the holidays – and Thanksgiving in particular.  What a wonderful time of year it is and how special it is to share these times with our preschoolers and teach them about giving thanks.  November brings us closer to our families and reminds us to be thankful for all the gifts we have received from God!

I am thankful for having such professional, creative and motivated teachers here at Covenant.  It is truly remarkable to watch them with your children and observe how they interact with them both when learning and at play.  They are loving, patient, funny and firm all at the same time! The gifts our teachers share with our school each and every day are an inspiration to me.

I am also thankful for our room parents, Parent Advisory team and co-oping parents.  You all are doing a fabulous job in the classrooms and I know your children are happy to have you there.  Your involvement demonstrates to them that you value their day and what is important in their lives.  I cannot express how this preschool just wouldn’t be the same without our parents.  The willingness to cooperate and pitch in whenever needed is apparent every day!  Your participation in their school program now is a great habit to start as it becomes the key to a child’s success in the public school system.

And, I am of course EVER so thankful for the CPP children – they are a joy!  Every day brings a new event and a new experience and being able to share in that is the best part of my job!  These children love coming to school and I am thankful that God has made a place here for them.

Lastly, I am thankful for our “behind-the-scenes” helpers – Jesse Reyes, Rosa Robles and Al Ortega (custodial staff) and Chef Mark Toussaint who make sure we are clean and fed!  Please take a moment to say “thank you” to these folks if you see them.

I am looking forward to the continued cooler weather and to spending more time with my family.  Remember, the preschool will be closed Nov. 21-25 for Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your time with your loved ones and have a safe and peaceful holiday!

With many blessings,

Christy O. Milam

Bible Study!

Click on the image below to see what your kiddos are studying in chapel this month!

Jesus coming to earth as a baby is such an important message... he sacrificed himself as Lord to come here and live as one of us! Showing us how to be perfect in His image. Allow those little sponge brains to absorb that Christmas isn't about gifts... it's about Jesus!

And let's not forget Thanksgiving! Such an important season for teaching that we have MUCH to be thankful for. And to whom much is given, much is required. It's a season for giving and being thankful that we can!

Director's Message

What an incredible first month we have had at Covenant Preschool! I’ve seen joyous, singing faces in Chapel, tearful, unsure expressions in classrooms, energetic and bold movements on the playground and proud, straight (almost) queues just about everywhere I turn. Are we having fun or what? The children have, for the most part, adjusted to their new schedules. That is due primarily to the teachers, who give your children a sense of peace and comfort each and every day. We are wonderfully blessed by each of the teachers – to see them in the classroom is inspiring and motivating!


We are also blessed by the community of families we have this year! Our Parent Advisory Team (PAT) is outstanding and I am already blown away by the level of involvement that our parents have. We can only flourish as a co-oping school with the help of YOU, the parents. We have so many events and activities that will become special memories for you and your children – take time to enjoy and savor them. I think you will really enjoy reading our first newsletter and finding out what the PAT is up to this year and more ways that you can be involved.

At school, we want to meet the needs of your child on a variety of levels – social, cognitive, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Our Bright Beginnings curriculum provides the basis for the ways in which we will help your child begin to build a foundation of spiritual understanding. Bright Beginnings is designed to help us apply Bible concepts in a way that relate to a child’s everyday life. We will tell Bible stories in a variety of ways that invite your child’s involvement. Music, circle time fun, creative learning activities, finger plays and more will help each child understand the Bible concepts being presented. Each month, we will aim to include a Parent Page that gives an overview of the unit’s Bible concept, Bible verse and Bible stories. In addition, the page will include a short article that explores the unit’s Bible concept as well as simple definitions of some Bible-related words.

Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in the growth of your children. As always, please feel free to contact me with any and all feedback.

With God’s Blessings,

Christy O. Milam

October 2011

PAT President's Message

Hello fellow CPP parents!

I hope everyone is getting into the swing of the school year by now. I don’t know about you but my family is glad to be getting our routines down, and there is nothing better than seeing those happy faces at the end of the school day. I am very grateful that my children have such a warm, loving, and special environment to grow in.

My fellow PAT members have been working already on several important items I wanted to share. We just submitted for approval the budget for 2012 (while we may be on a school calendar, the church works on a yearly calendar) and we worked very hard to make sure our estimates for revenue and expenditures are on target. Bridgette Stahlman has done a fantastic job of crunching numbers to get everything in order. 


Roxi Tsakas has been hard at work preparing our Fall Raffle. This is an important fundraiser that goes directly to support the Preschool’s operating budget. We rely on the families at the preschool to support our Fall and Spring fundraisers in order to provide such an excellent learning environment at Covenant. This year’s raffle has some great prizes and is open to everyone and anyone to participate. 


Brooke Howe added her special touch to make sure our Back to School picnic was a success. Jenny Stone Wolkind has done a great job of getting all of the co-oping schedules organized and room parents signed up. Susanna Butler is busy working on all sorts of publicity for our upcoming raffle as well.  Liz Farrar has gotten this blog up and running in record time and it is going to be a great way to share information. Melissa Abraham, Gayla Zachry and Christy Milam also serve on the PAT and we are so very grateful for them. These women know how to get things done!

The next Parent Advisory Team meeting is October 13^th at 9:15am in FEB 104. Our meetings are open to everyone and we encourage parents to attend. I also wanted to remind everyone to take time occasionally to thank the faculty and staff that work here at Covenant. They really are superstars and are what make this place so special!

Jenny Carman

President, Parent Advisory Team

October 2011

Take Action!

Every month, this is where you go to find out what's going on and what items to add to your awesome and ever-growing To Do List!

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2011 Covenant Presbyterian Preschool and Child’s Day Out Fall Raffle

Tickets on sale October 11 – 21 with the drawing on October 21st (don't have to be present to win.)

Here's what YOU could win: 

- Apple iPad 2 (WHOA!)

- Apple iPod nano

Here's what Preschool Families could win: 


- Your very own parking space at Covenant for one month (7 opportunities to win) 


- A Christmas cookie decorating party for one child's class 


- A special and memorable lunch for your child with his/her teacher

You get to CHOOSE which prize(s) your ticket(s) could be drawn from!!! And this raffle is open to EVERYONE so please sell to anyone who wants a chance to win an iPad2 for $25... which means everyone on the planet. :)

All proceeds from this drawing go to support the operating budget of the preschool. Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100... that's one whole chance to win for FREE. Tickets will be sold on the first floor of the preschool building before drop off at 9am and after pick up at 1pm. Please contact CovenantPAT@gmail.com with any questions.

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Love and Logic - Early Childhood “Parenting” Made Fun!™

There is still space available for the remaining four sessions!!
MORNING SESSION: Tuesdays, October 4 – November 1, 2011 from 10:00-12:00
EVENING SESSION: Sundays, October 2 – October 30, 2011from 6:00-8:00 PM

(Click above then zoom in for full details and contact information!)

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Parent Education Night

We are offering our first Parent Education Night of the year on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6:30pm, featuring Dr. Paula Stiernberg (from Parenting with Purpose).  Knowing Your Gift is open to anyone in the community!  Please contact Christy directly at cmilam@covenant.org for more information.  Free childcare is available by making a reservation at least 48 hours in advance by contacting childcare@covenant.org.  


As a parent, you have been given the most amazing little gift that continues to grow more amazing as we “unwrap” it. How well do you know your gift, your child? 

During this workshop, Dr. Stiernberg will share the latest research about temperament styles and help you identify which one might be your child’s. Knowing your child’s temperament – and perhaps even your own – will not only help you interact, enjoy and spend quality time with your child, but also help to understand why certain behaviors tend to “push your buttons."

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Hopefest 2011

Until October 20th, please bring your gently used clothing (baby, kid and maternity!), children's' books and baby equipment. Put items in the red bins on the 2nd and 3rd floor. No toys please!

Jenny Carman has delivered two car loads of items and they have been received with great appreciation. Let's finish strong!

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Dad's Pizza Night

This fun gathering is October 20^th at 6:00pm in Room 300.  This is a night for Dads (and granddads and uncles!) to enjoy pizza and fellowship with their children* and other Dads.  There will be an opportunity for Dad to visit the classroom and see what fun things we are doing. It's $6 for Adults and $4 for kids. Please return the form you picked up at your child's class by October 12th.  

*Only bring children attending Covenant, please! And this is the last day for Hopefest so send your items with Dad!

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A Note from Miss Barb

MUSIC WEB SITE

I invite you to visit the web site that I started several years ago to give you and your children access to the songs that we are singing in music class and chapel.  I have not updated it recently, but hopefully will do so shortly.  However, on this site you will find numerous songs that are already posted for you to enjoy.

The site is organized so that you can search various categories for songs, such as by music class or chapel, by age of the child, by active or quiet songs, and by unit number.  You can also search by song title.  Also included are the chapel and music lesson plans for each unit, as well as other items of interest (listed under “Music Notes”).  For each song, there is a link to the words and motions.

Just go to missbarb.org and enter user name “music” and password “pr3sk00l” (00l is zero zero and lower case “L”).  I hope that you will enjoy this with your children!

Barb Miaso

Music Teacher

Bible Study!

Here's what our kids are studying this month! Let's study along with them and encourage as they learn! 

(Click on image to see full size flyer)