Wednesday, October 3, 2012

October Newsletter

What We've Been Up To... 

 Parent Coffees and Play Dates 
Every September brings parent coffees and play dates for classes to get to know each other better.  This September some classes got creative!  We had both an Ice Cream Social in the big gym and a Mom's Night Out (graciously hosted by Heather Potts) at the Cedar Door. 





Back to School Picnic
On September 20th, we kicked off the beginning of school with our annual Back to School Picnic on the patio and playground.  Covenant Chef Mark Toussaint prepared our great meal of BBQ, hot dogs and all the fixin's!  Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us... it was great to see all of the families together!  A special thanks to Megan Little for taking all of these great pictures.














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Save the Date!

Monday, Oct. 8 – School CLOSED (no Enrichment Monday)
Tuesday, Oct. 9 – Parent Education Night 6:30pm-8:00pm
Thursday, Oct. 11 – Vision/Screening Hearing for four-year-olds
Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 17 & 18 - Make and Take after Drop-Off
Thursday, Oct. 25 – Dad’s Pizza Night 6:00pm-7:30pm
Friday, Oct. 26 – Fours and Pre-K Conferences and Staff Development (School CLOSED) 
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Meet the Teacher!


 Meet Covenant Presbyterian Preschool's Director, Christy Milam!  Christy has been the director here for the past 5 years, but has been working at Covenant since 2002.  Christy majored in Journalism, and before she transitioned to Preschool Director, she worked for many years in marketing and communication.  Christy was also a Catering Director.

Christy has two awesome boys - Ben (11) and Max (8), who both graduated from CPP!  They both play select soccer and are known to be the fastest students in their classes.  Christy finds it hard to keep up with them sometimes!

You might be surprised to learn that Christy met her husband while producing amateur theater here in Austin!  She loves Shakespeare!

Christy's favorite foods are hummus, pasta, beans and cheese - Yum!  In her downtime, she loves to go running, camping, hiking and loves to bake.  Christy's family has one pet, a 3-year-old German Short-haired Pointer named Scout.  She says she has trouble keeping up with him, too!

 When asked who her favorite cartoon character is, Christy replied that she likes Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes.  Her boys love them and the commonalities between the cartoon characters and her boys are amusing!

 Christy LOVES being at Covenant.  She loves working with an amazingly gifted staff and in an environment that is God-centered.  Seeing the children grow so much in just one year's time is a wonderful gift to her.  And, of course, the families at CPP are the best!  Christy says that she is very blessed. 

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Bible Units

Take some time to check out what Bible Unit your child is studying at school... You might find great opportunities to discuss what he/she is learning at home!

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Make and Take

The September Make and Take Workshop was a big success! Over 50 moms and dads participated and left with a sandpaper and yarn activity bag. If you missed this month, you can easily create this same activity at home with a sheet of sandpaper (we used 60 grit) and some yarn cut to various lengths. The sandpaper acts as a base for the yarn to adhere to so that your child can create letters, numbers, and designs with the yarn lengths. This great activity promotes creativity, fine motor skills and letter/number formation. Be sure to join us again on October 17th or 18th after drop-off to make foam lacing cards!

Click here for a copy of the yarn/sandpaper template designs used in the kits:
 Click here to see where Kristen and Erinn picked up this cool idea:






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Who Knew? 

 Simon Says Don't Use Flashcards - Read more about research supporting the importance of play.  Click link below:

  Happy Birthday to You! 

Thomas Witzel (10/7) 
Miles Windler (10/8) 
Ruby Grant (10/12) 
Reese McDavid (10/13) 
Thomas Traweek (10/13) 
Angie Bird (10/21) 
Marissa Galvan-Hernandez (10/23) 
Jack Roberts (10/24) 
Max Abraham (10/28)  
Lucy Clough (10/30) 
Charlie Farrar (10/30) 
Leighton Scarbrough (10/31) 

Recent Birthdays We Missed! 

Luke McReynolds (9/6) 
Kenner Stahlman (9/9) 
Mary Watterson (9/10) 
Dylan Stokes (9/10)
 Riley Furlong (9/11)
George Gray (9/11) 
Jennifer Carsner (9/14)  
Millie Weber (9/18)
Henry Haegelin (9/18)

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Covenant Happenings

"Trunk or Treat"  October 24th
For the seventh consecutive year, Covenant Children's and Preteen Ministries hosts "Trunk or Treat Your Way through the Bible" Wednesday, October 24th, 5:30-7:00 p.m. This annual event has grown to be a real favorite. It is a wonderful way for kids to learn the Bible in a hands-on way as they go from car to car, see how each trunk has been transformed into a Bible story, hear the point of the story and receive a "treat" that reinforces the Bible point; think of Sunday school and tailgating coming together! For more information, contact Gayla Stuart at gstuart@covenant.org or 334-3042.

Wednesdays for Children at Covenant
On Wednesday nights from 6-7:30 children four years old through 4th grade are invited to meet with Coach Kelly for a time of very active games with a Biblical message. Midway through the evening the kids are divided into age groups to explore the Bible through story time, crafts, snacks and Bible story videos.
To reserve childcare for children three years and younger during Wednesday night activities, contact childcare@covenant.org.

Children's Choirs
Covenant offers children's choirs for children ages 4 by Sept. 1, 2012, through 6th grade. The choirs rehearse on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. during the school year. In addition to experiencing the joy of music and singing, our choir members learn the importance and the excitement of being actively involved in worship. The children sing special music at worship services, present a Christmas program, and perform in our annual spring musical.
  • Choristers: 4th - 6th grades
  • Carolers: 2nd and 3rd grades
  • Sunshine Singers: 1st grade
  • Praise Makers: Kindergarten
  • Music Makers: Pre-Kindergarten
Questions? Contact Stacy Curtis at scurtis@covenant.org or 334-3033.

Children's Programs at 9:30 on Sundays 
Covenant offers numerous learning programs for your children. At 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, kids can play games and socialize while learning about the Bible. Refer to the menu at left for more information on these programs.

Tot Spot 
Tot Spot is loving childcare for babies three months up to two years old. It is available Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

Preschool Place
Preschool Place is Sunday school for two-year-olds through pre-kindergarten. At 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, Children enjoy an hour of song, prayer, Bible story time and crafts. The curriculum is activity-oriented for those energetic little ones. Tons of fun!
zone k-4
zone k-4, for kids in kindergarten through 4th grade, is Sundays at 9:30 a.m. This elementary age Sunday School program provides 10 different learning labs for children to be immersed in the Bible. It incorporates food, games, computers, science, art, music and storytelling. The children are divided into groups according to grade and gender and are led by “Shepherds” to a different lab each week. The hands-on lesson presented at each station reflects stories being studied throughout the year.
“Bible Bucks” are issued to students for memorizing the point of the day, the scripture of the month, leading in prayer, etc. Those bucks can be redeemed at our “Inspiration Store” where kids can purchase items that reinforce what we are teaching in zone k-4. Our hour concludes with a large gathering time where we sing songs of worship and praise. It is truly an energizing and motivating hour for kids!
Club 56
Club 56 is a Sunday school program for 5th and 6th graders on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Club 56 starts the hour with fun games that introduce the Bible lesson for the day. Later in the hour students break into groups by gender and have deeper discussion and prayer time. Club 56 on Sunday mornings is led by Club 56 parents and our fabulous Club 56 Interns.
 
Children's Programs at 11 a.m. on Sundays
Treasure Island
Children, from four-years-old to second graders, may sail away to Treasure Island at our 11 a.m. services.  Kids begin the hour with their families in either the 11 a.m. Traditional or the Contemporary Service. After 10-15 minutes, the kids are invited to join a member of the Children and Preteen Ministry staff and make their way to FE 300. There, the kids learn a Bible story and engage in activities that enhance the learning experience. Parents should pick their kids in in FE 300 at the conclusion of the worship service.