March Newsletter

What We've Been Up To...

Sweet Home Covenant Photo Books Are In!
If you ordered a class photo book as part of our fundraiser, please stop by the office to see Emily Taylor to pick up.  Be sure and say a special “thank you” for photographers Elizabeth Moore and Megan Little who did an amazing job!!  You can also email questions to etaylor@covenant.org.

New Mulch on the Playground!On the heels of our amazing fundraiser, we had an informal playground workday to spread out new mulch on the playground this past Saturday.  A HUGE thank you goes to Eric and Jenny Carman (and family), Roxi and Tasos Taskas (and family), Megan and Nathan Little (and family), Bridgette Stahlman (and boys) and Lynda MacQueen.  These folks are astounding and I am SO grateful that we are surrounded by a community that is dedicated to taking care of our little school!!

 

Sweet Home Covenant Brings Raises over $14,000!!
We had another successful fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 23!  Over 100 preschool friends and supporters joined together at the Cedar Door for a night of fun, fellowship and fundraising.  It was an amazing event!!  Thank you to each and every family who contributed time, energy and of course funds to help keep our school operating.  Many of you may not realize that we are a true non-profit and rely on every dollar raised to keep our program functioning and to offer enrichment opportunities such as Music and Spanish.  A HUGE thank you goes to our generous hosts from the Cedar Door, Heather and Steve Potts.  In addition, this event was made possible all through the hard work of Covenant parent volunteers:  PAT President, Bridgette Stahlman and Fundraising Chair, Roxi Tsakas!  These two women did a phenomenal job and deserve the credit for the event’s success!  Thanks also go to PAT members Kristen McDavid, Brooke Howe, Shannon Knisely, Erinn Windler, Elizabeth Moore and Megan Little.  There were also scores of other volunteers who helped out  behind the scenes!  We are SO blessed to have such dedicated volunteers!

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Save the Date!

Thursday, March 28 at 9:30am – Easter Chapel and Reception (see below)
Friday, March 29 – School closed for Good Friday
Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5 – Picture Days (class and individual)

 Sunday, May 26 - Registration closes for Camp Kingdom Vacation Bible School

Easter Chapel and Reception, Thursday, March 28 at 9:30am
Our threes, fours and fives have a special Chapel in the Sanctuary NEXT Thursday that is open for all friends and families to attend!  Come hear our children sing their praises to the Lord!  Our wonderful PAT hospitality team will have a reception for parents on the patio immediately following Chapel.  It’s a great way to celebrate that Christ has risen!  I look forward to seeing you.


Easter Sunday Services6:30am – Sunrise Service (on patio)
8:00am, 9:30am and 11:00am – Traditional Service in Sanctuary
9:45am – Traditional Service in Eaton Hall
11:00am – Contemporary Service in Fellowship and Education Building

Enrollment Forms
In mid-April, we will be sending out enrollment forms for next year, along with a reminder about your May 2014 prepaid tuition.  We had a very difficult time this past fall getting our enrollment forms in before the start of school so I encourage you to get your forms in EARLY so we don’t have to harass you come September!
 
Summer Camps and Kindergarten Camp
You still have time to sign up for summer camps.  All weeks are still open EXCEPT for July 23-26 (ONE spot open in Big camp only).  Also, we are still planning to offer our 5-day Kindergarten Camp as well and have 5 spaces left!  Please stop by the office to get your form!

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Meet the Teacher!

Meet Nancy Bissell, the Lead Toddler I teacher.  Nancy has been at Covenant Presbyterian Preschool for two years now, and before that she stayed at home for 22 years, "attempting to raise productive members of society!"    She has two sons: Danny, who began at CPP in 1989 in the Toddler I class, and Tom.  Danny is a Senior at UNT Denton, and Tom is a Junior at Anderson High School.  

People might be surprised to know that Nancy began college as a Piano Major, switched to Elementary Music Education, and then ended up with a degree in English Literature.  The amazing thing is that she did it all in four years!!

Nancy's favorite food is Mediterranean, and her hobbies are piano, reading, cooking, crocheting, gardening (but only when it isn't hot!) and playing in Covenant's handbell choir.  She has a crazy Humane Society dog named Ruby, and a grumpy cat named Ginger, who's life, she says, was perfect prior to Ruby's adoption.  When asked for her favorite cartoon character, Nancy says it's Jimmy Neutron, because he's a cool nerd!  

 Nancy's favorite thing about teaching at Covenant is the staff!  She says she is surrounded by kind, generous, loving women who are committed to our children's well-being and education.  

What a blessing it is that we have Nancy as our wonderful Toddler I teacher!

Meet Angie Bird, the Toddler II's Assistant Teacher.  She has been teaching at Covenant for four years now, and before that she was a stay-at-home mom.  Angie has one child named Barrett.  He is 11 years old, and is in 5th grade at St. Theresa's Catholic School.  He loves both school and sports.  

One thing you might be surprised to know about Angie, is that she went to the same pediatrician as John F. Kennedy Junior.  Her favorite food is Mexican food and chicken tacos.  She loves walking, swimming, hiking and cooking.  Angie and her family have a dog named Donner.  He is four years old this Thanksgiving, and they named him Donner because he was born near Christmas!  Angie's favorite cartoon character is Scooby Doo, because she loves that he solves mysteries.  

Angie's favorite thing about working at Covenant is watching the children grow.  She loves how precious they are, and that she gets to be a part of their lives.  

We are so very blessed to have Angie as our Toddler II's Assistant Teacher!!  

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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!

Last week, we had our first Chapel to begin learning about the Easter story. Ms. Barb shared the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey for Palm Sunday.  The students are learning all of their music for Easter Chapel which will occur Thursday, March 28, before we are closed on Good Friday.  

Additionally, if you haven’t worshipped on a Sunday before, come see us at Covenant this Sunday and watch the children’s traditional palm processional at the 9:30am and 11:00am services.

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Make and Take

The Make and Take for March was precious!  Parents stuffed Easter eggs with items matching a number on the outside of the egg, or matched up letters/numbers on either side of the egg for their kids to work with at home.  Very quick and easy, and very cute!!
 
Make and Take for April will be Wednesday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 21 at 9:00am in the second floor lobby.  Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to grab a quick craft to do at home with your kid(s)! 

Also, the Make and Take girls will be needing volunteers to help facilitate Make and Takes next year, so if you're interested in helping one month, please contact Kristen McDavid or Erinn Windler so they can keep your contact information for next year.  They also have a sign up sheet at the Make and Take table.

Kristen McDavid - kkmcdavid@gmail.com
Erinn Windler - erinnwindler@yahoo.com
  

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Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

When you have time, check out this very interesting article regarding families and the story each one tells. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html?src=recg.

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Happy Birthday to You! 

Barbara Miaso (3/9)

Kate O’Farrell (3/12)

McCrae Moore (3/20)

Carter Lyons (3/24)

Gretchen Palm (3/24)

Joshua Williams (4/3)

Jane Ann Skaggs (4/5)

Beckett Carlin (4/8)

Emma Zabaneh (4/11)

Shepherd Howe (4/13)

Sally Butler (4/17)

Micah Marroquin (4/17)

John Risinger (4/17)

Elly Williford (4/18)

David Kilday (4/20)

Mary Soper (4/20)

Hampton Edgar (4/21)

Elizabeth Wolkind (4/22)

Harper Henrichson (4/23)

Logan Potts (4/28)

Tristan Tsakas (4/30)

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Covenant Happenings

Easter Sunday Services

6:30am – Sunrise Service (on patio)
8:00am, 9:30am and 11:00am – Traditional Service in Sanctuary
9:45am – Traditional Service in Eaton Hall
11:00am – Contemporary Service in Fellowship and Education Building

Vacation Bible School

Kingdom Rock, June 17-21, 2013

Where kids stand strong for God.
Get ready for a week of faith, fun and friends. At Covenant's Vacation Bible School, kids learn about God and the Bible through song, taste, smell, touch and sight. It's a glorious week of fun activities that center around God. For more information, download the Parent Letter and FAQ @ http://www.covenant.org/vbs, then download the appropriate registration form and return the completed form to Stacey Grooms.
 

Wednesdays for Children at Covenant

On Wednesday nights from 6-7:30 children four years old through 4^th 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 4^th 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 5^th and 6^th 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.