April 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)

Thursday, April 11 – Grandparents and Special Friends Day at 1:00pm in Room 300 (more information below) 

Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18 – Make and Take Parent activity in FEB lobby
Thursday, April 25 – End-of-Year Spring Fling 6:00pm-7:30pm in FEB 200

 Sunday, May 26 - Registration closes for Camp Kingdom Vacation Bible School 
(more information below)

Grandparents and Special Friends Day on April 11
Invite a Grandparent or Special Friend to visit your child for refreshments, a classroom visit and a craft! This fun event is open to all 3rd floor students and there is no charge.  After signing out your child at 1pm, join  other friends for refreshments in Room 300.  At 1:15pm, you may return to the classroom for craft time with the teacher until 1:45pm. Aftercare is still available on this day until 2:15pm.  Please R.S.V.P. to etaylor@covenant.org or 512-454-8370.

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!

Introducing Jean Pravednikov, the Pre-Kindergarten teacher here at Covenant Presbyterian Preschool.  Incredibly, Jean has been at CPP for eleven years!  Before coming here, she taught Special Education in Virginia, and then taught Special Education and 2nd grade at Doss Elementary.  

Jean has three children... all of which are alumni of CPP!  Paul is a Sophomore, Matthew is in 6th grade and Claire is in 4th grade.  You might be surprised to know that Jean is a military brat!  She has been to more countries throughout the world than she can count!  Her favorite food is Mexican Food, and she loves cooking, running, traveling and reading.  Jean's family has one dog, named Miles.

When asked what her favorite thing about teaching at Covenant is, Jean said it's watching her children grow, develop and mature throughout the year.

We are so blessed to have Jean as our Pre-Kindergarten teacher! 

Meet Lynda MacQueen, the 4-year-olds teacher at Covenant Presbyterian Preschool.  Before coming to Covenant, Lynda taught elementary school in Christchurch, New Zealand, and then preschool at Riverbend.  She has two daughters, who live in Chicago - Alice is in graduate school at the University of Chicago, and Jessie is doing Teach for America at a High School.  Her "baby" is in the 8th grade at Murchison Middle School.

One thing people might be surprised to know about Lynda is that she's from New Zealand... the first country in the world to give women the vote!  Her favorite foods are actually healthy foods... lots of fruit, vegetables and salad!  She also loves seafood and TexMex.  Lynda's hobbies are making jewelry, reading, gardening, walking and running.  She enjoys traveling and the outdoors.  

When asked about pets, Lynda said her class has a pet, a Chinese Dwarf hamster, called Lily.  At home, her family has a cat.  Her favorite cartoon character is Dory from Finding Nemo.  Lynda says she feels like she has about as good of a memory as Dory does some days, but she loves that she has a good heart!

Lynda's favorite thing about teaching at Covenant is working with all of the teachers who are "fun in each of their own ways."  She also loves the 4-year-olds, because they are always so excited about what they are learning... and life in general!  Last, Lynda likes meeting all of the parents and getting to know them through co-oping.  

We are so thankful for Lynda and her contribution to our school!  What a blessing it is to have such a wonderful 4-year-old 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!

In Chapel this past week, the kids continued to learn the story of Easter – that Jesus is Alive!!  They also learned about the Road to Emmaus. 

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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, Apr. 17 and Thursday, Apr. 18 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!

In case you missed the last blog, 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! 

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

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.