Wednesday, December 19, 2012

December Newsletter

What We've Been Up To...

Scholastic Book Fair:
We sold a record number of books this past month – over $2700 in books were purchased during the Scholastic Book Fair.  Thanks to you, we are now have new books for the school library and cash!!  What a great gift!  Thanks also to Emily Taylor, Brooke Howe and Bridgette Stahlman who organized the fair and for ALL our volunteers who worked a shift.  We have the BEST families at our school!!

Christmas Chapel:We hope to see a lot of you at the Christmas Chapel and reception on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 9:30am in the Sanctuary.  The three-, four- and five-year-old classes will perform while our toddler classes will attend to watch the “big” kids.  The children will return to their classrooms for the day while parents enjoy refreshments in Eaton Hall provided by our parent volunteers!  This is an otherwise “regular” day and we will still have extended care available.
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Save the Date!

Thursday, Dec. 20 – Christmas Chapel (9:30am) in the Sanctuary and Reception (10:00am) in Eaton Hall
Friday, Dec. 21 – Tuesday, Jan. 8 – Christmas Break
Wednesday, Jan. 16 and Thursday, Jan. 17 - Make and Take 
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Meet the Teacher!


Recently, Emily Taylor (Ms. Emily) can often be found at the downstairs desk answering questions and directing parents and children, but officially she Covenant's Assistant Director.  Emily has been at CPP for two years, but before coming here, she was everywhere... Literally!  Ms. Emily was an event planner/caterer here in Austin and also in Bozeman, Texas.  She also spent time as a marketing director for Quake Ind. in Bozeman.  Then, she was a membership and adoption coordinator for the Fort Worth 200 in Fort Worth, Texas.  Wow!

Emily is married to Peyton and they have two girls, Avery (5 1/2 yrs.) and Paige (3 yrs.).  Avery is a CPP alumni and is described as girly, kind, smart and the very best traveler.  Paige, who is currently in the Panda class, is fun, charming, clever and very engaging.  Peyton is apparently "pretty awesome, too!"

One thing you might be surprised to know about Emily is that she's originally from Louisville, Kentucky.  Her favorite foods are chips and dips, and in her spare time she loves to wakeboard, play soccer, read, travel, cook and hunt.

Emily's favorite cartoon character is Strawberry Shortcake!  She says that this is because S.S. is the perfect friend - caring, a good listener and fun!

Emily loves working at Covenant.  She says that this is a very special school and she's honored to work here, as well as have her children attend here.

What a blessing it is that we have Emily Taylor as our Assistant Director!

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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!

This week, Ms. Barb was our storyteller in Chapel and continued to tell the story of Christmas – that “God Sent His Son to Earth to Be Born as a Baby.”

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Make and Take

We will not be having a Make and Take this month, as it is a crazy month for all of us!  We will, however, start back with Make and Take on Wednesday, January 16th and Thursday, January 17th!  This upcoming craft will focus on making connections, such as colors, numbers, shapes and many others.  It is going to be a great craft, so be sure to stop by and make one for your child!
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Who Knew? 

Recently, an article was written by a mother who had an epiphany while at an event with her children.  It is such an amazing reminder to all of us to be present with our children, as well as "get in the picture!"  Please, please click the link below when you have time...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html  ________________________________________________________________

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Well, school is almost out and we're about to have our sweet little kiddos all to ourselves!  Needing some Christmas craft ideas to take up some of that time?  Click on the links below for some super cute ideas:

http://drmommyonline.com/10-fun-christmas-crafts-kids-will-enjoy

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Happy Birthday to You! 

Bell Morton (12/18)
Branson Pfiester (12/26)
Avalon Hardy (12/28)
Matthew Earthman (1/3)
Thomas Earthman (1/14)
Sydney Flowers (1/15)
Sam Hanna (2/5)

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Covenant Happenings

Covenant Presbyterian Church Special Services:
 THIS Sunday, Dec. 16,  The Sanctuary Choir will be performing their annual Christmas Concert during 9:30 and 11:00 traditional services. Director of Music, Tom Brown says, “Our Sanctuary Choir will be joined by a professional, first rate brass ensemble (including timpani & other percussion; about a dozen players all together).  The Rutter “Gloria” is exciting, theatrical and a bit like the music of “Star Wars.”   Another work is very rhythmic and playful and includes a movement based on “We Three Kings of Orient Are.”  Additionally, we’ll all sing 2-3 carols, all accompanied by brass.  All this to say:  The choir and I would love to see children on Sunday!”


Christmas Eve Services:
2:00 – Sanctuary - Traditional Service
3:30 – FE 200 – Contemporary Service
5:00 – Sanctuary – Young Children
6:30 – Sanctuary – Older Children
8:30 and 10:30 – Sanctuary – Candlelight and Communion

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.