November 2013 Newsletter

What We've Been Up To...

The Amazing gRACE Fall Fundraiser - We EXCEEDED our goal!!

Wow!  What an amazing end to a fantastic Fall fundraiser!  We exceed our goal of $2,500 by reaching a head-turning $2,840. 

The BIG class winner for the Cookie Party was… The Brainy Bears.  The Bears raised $425!!!

The individual raffle winner of the Milk and Honey gift certificate (with a value of $250) was Becky McPhaul!

Thank you so very much to everyone who participated!
 

CPP T-Shirts

Our CPP shirts have a brand new look this year, thanks to Lindsey Hanna and Megan Little who redesigned our school logo.  We have VERY talented PAT members this year and we are SO thankful that they helped “update” our look!  The four-year-old classes received their t-shirts today in preparation for their field trip on Friday.  Our three- and five-year-old classes will receive their shirts next week.  CPP provides these shirts to students free of charge once you are enrolled in the three-year-old (or older) class. 

The Four's Firestation Field Trip

Cornerstone 

The August edition of Covenant Presbyterian Church's Cornerstone publication featured an article about our fabulous preschool.  Click the link below.  The article can be found on page 4, titled "A Strong Foundation."
http://issuu.com/covenant_austin/docs/august-2013
 

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If you have pictures from a Covenant Presbyterian Preschool event, please send them to Elizabeth Moore (eamoore@me.com), so that we can feature you on the blog!  Please send pictures of adults only.

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Save the Date!

Tuesday, Nov. 12 – Your Extraordinary Family Life with Carrie Contey, PhD. 
Carrie Contey, PhD is a sought after speaker who is on a mission to transform how people think about human development and family life.  In this workshop, she will provide tips and tools for creating more ease, joy, connection and love every single day! 
Wednesday, Nov. 20 and Thursday, Nov. 21 at drop-off – Make and Take
Monday, Nov. 25 – Friday, Nov. 29 – SCHOOL CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break 
 Dec. 2 – Dec. 6 – SAVE the DATE (and your Christmas shopping) for the Scholastic Book Fair - more information to come!
  

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Meet the Teacher

Meet Ms. Carrie!

Name: Carrie Ostebo

Job: Toddler II's Lead Teacher

Years at CPP: First year here!

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Favorite Children's Book: Where the Wild Things Are

Favorite Band: The Beatles

Hobbies: Reading and Writing

Dream Vacation Spot: Anywhere in Italy

Role Model: Toni Morrison

Favorite Quote: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

Meet Ms. Angie! 

Name: Angie Bird

Job: Toddler II's Assistant teacher

Years at CPP:  5 years

Job Before CPP: Stay at home Mom

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Children: One child who is now a pre-teen... 12 years old!  He just started middle school and he plays quarterback for his flag football team.

Favorite Movie: The Sound of Music
Food: Italian or Mexican

Favorite Children's Book:

Favorite Band: The Rolling Stones or other 70's bands

Hobbies: Walking, hiking and swimming

Pets: A Labrador Retriever named Donner who is 5 years old.

Dream Vacation Spot: Europe or Africa

Role Model: Princess Kate

Favorite Quote: Keep Calm and Carry On

Favorite thing about CPP: To watch these wonderful children grow and develop their little personalities!

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Bible Units

Now, and for the next few weeks, the children are learning about Ruth, Esther and Baby Jesus in Chapel.  Through Ruth 1-4 and Esther 2-9 they are learning that "God Will Help and Protect Me Wherever I Am."  In December, in celebration of Christmas, they will begin to learn that "God Sent Jesus to Earth to Be Born as a Baby."  What an exciting and precious lesson to be learned by such little hearts.  

Please talk with your child about Chapel and learn with them as they digest these important concepts.  They may even teach you a song or two!

 

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Make and Take

This month, the Make and Take will be on Wednesday, November 20th and Thursday, November 21st.  This month our fabulous hosts are Lee Ann O’Neil, Monique Penner and Lindsey Cook.  Thanks in advance to all of our volunteers for the year... we're super excited to see the fun Make and Take crafts that will be coming our way!!

  

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Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

The heART of Austin

As guest blogger this month, I am excited to compile a list of places where you and your family can dive into the thriving visual arts scene in our lovely town!


E.A.S.T- East Austin Studio Tour

This is the 12th year of Big Medium’s EAST- East Austin Studio Tour. Following the bi-weekend trend of ACLFest, EAST is open and available the weekends of 16-18 and 23-24.
Whether you are looking for a fun family outing or a grown-up getaway, EAST is the perfect way to connect with the art scene in Austin. There is no entry fee to studios and artists are ready chat about their work!

Here are a few of my fave studios from years past:
Big Medium Gallery at Bolm- 5305 Bolm- Live music, interactive art, a retro motorcycle shop, food trailers- this place is awesome and kid-friendly.
Pump Project Art Complex- 702 Shady Lane- A great spot to check out the art gammut. Painters, Ceramicists, Sculptures under one roof.
ARTPOST- 4704 East Cesar Chavez- Seriously good artwork and plenty o room for the kiddos to run amok.
CoLab Project Space- 613 Allen- Presenting work from all of their 2013 artists and a spectacular one-woman show.

Check out the studio map and event schedule: www.eastaustinstudiotour.com

THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN
The Contemporary Austin has plenty of opportunities to help with events, education programs, and their art centered public programs. Join the volunteer roster and find out what fun opportunities are coming up in 2014! Kiddos and adults can take advantage of the array of art classes offered at the Art School. They also host monthly family days out at Laguna Gloria- great fun for the whole fam! With a new grant under their buckle, the former AMOA-arthouse is striving to bring cutting-edge artworks to both their downtown location and the estate on 35th Street. Check out new works and more at www.thecontemporaryaustin.org

THE BLANTON MUSEUM
The Blanton Museum’s BScene is a fab way to see the University’s stunning collection and make it a night on the town. Or, if you wanna involve the kiddos, they have upcoming Holiday Family Days at the end of December. We are so lucky to have an incredible range of significat artworks right in the center of our town. Check it out at blantonmuseum.org

WOMEN & THEIR WORK

I have to shout out to the organization nearest and dearest to my heart: Women & Their Work Gallery’s THIRST project will be on view on Lady Bird Lake until mid-December. This haunting installation memorializes the 300 million trees at perished in the 2011 drought. Since the "ghost tree" and 14000 prayer flags were installed, we have seen unprecedented rainfall here in town. (Coincidence?) Check out THIRST.org and enjoy a jog around the lake to take in this monumental piece. Women & Their Work also presents amazing works by female artists. AND for gifts, their Gallery Shop cannot be beat! www.womenandtheirwork.org

HAVE FUN!
-Lindsey Hanna

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Who Knew? 

We have all witnessed the holidays approach faster and faster each year, and this year is no different!  While I'm not a huge fan of skipping over Thanksgiving to head into Christmas, I do think we can all benefit from knowing what's around the corner where TOYS are concerned!  Here are a couple great Toy Guides for Christmas gifts this year... 
happy reading!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2013/10/08/toy-guide/2943775/ 

http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=10811023
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Happy Birthday to You!  

Mason Luckett (11/9)

Sylvia Hurtado (11/12)

Declan Lavelle (11/13)

Fleet Robinson (11/22)

Hugo Thompson (11/22)

Channing Dempsey (11/24)

Charles Pfiester (11/26)

Weston Gardner (11/29)

Adella O’Neil (11/30)

Maggie Gray (12/5)

Donny Howe (12/10)

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Covenant Happenings

The MoMs Group

When: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 9:30–11:30 a.m. Where: SA 114 Contact: Becky Butterworth, beckybutterworth@gmail.com, or Rachel Gossen, rachel.gossen@gmail.com

Covenant MoMs Group is for new, expecting and experienced moms. We generally meet on the first and third Monday of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. to share informative and helpful presentations, parenting ideas, and general support.
All meetings are open to Covenant members and non-members alike. Free childcare is available from our wonderful Covenant childcare staff and infants are always welcome in our meetings. Please make childcare reservations at least 48 hours in advance by contacting childcare@covenant.org or 334-3020. Come join us for coffee and a snack. We provide interesting topics, support from understanding moms and well-deserved breaks for busy, hard-working moms!

Lunch Group

When: 11:30–1 p.m. (3-4 times a year, dates pending) Where: FE 107
Contact: Amy Johnson at aanort@yahoo.com or Gelsey Mahanes at gelseym@gmail.com

We also have meetings for working moms and moms who are unable to attend the morning meetings. The MoMs Lunch Group meets over lunch to give mothers (especially those who work in jobs outside the home) time to meet other moms, get practical advice and enjoy lunch and fellowship. Lunch and childcare are provided free of charge with a reservation.
Please make childcare reservations at least 48 hours in advance by contacting childcare@covenant.org or 334-3020. Please make lunch reservations at least 48 hours in advance by contacting Amy Johnson at aanort@yahoo.com.
For more information about the MoMs Group, please contact Rachel Gossen at 426-7120 or rachel.gossen@gmail.com or Alicia Gostylo at 589-6161 or azappgo@gmail.com.
 

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.