January 2014 Newsletter - #1

What We've Been Up To...

Happy New Year! 

The Year of the Horse

For more interesting fun facts about this year, visit the website below:

http://susanlevitt.com/astrology/horse-year-2014/

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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Meet the Teacher

Meet Mrs. Christy

Name: Christy Milam

Job: Director

Years at CPP: 5 years

Job Before CPP: So many things, it's hard to remember!

Children: One sixth grader who goes to Murchison and player soccer and the trumpet.  One 4th grader who plays soccer and is a great pianist.

Favorite Book: The Accidental Tourist

Favorite Movie: Shakespeare in Love

Favorite Food: Mexican, but also loves spicy hummus

Favorite Children's Book: The Giving Tree

Favorite Band: 10,000 Maniacs

Hobbies: Running, camping, hiking, baking

Pets: 4 year-old German Short-haired Pointer named Scout - best running companion ever!

Dream Vacation Spot: Paris (was promised a trip back in college and never got to go!)

Favorite thing about CPP:  The amazingly gifted staff who arrive every day ready to share their kindness and knowledge with CPP kids.  Of course, Chapel with the preschoolers is the highlight of every week!

Meet Mrs. Emily! 

Name: Emily Taylor

Job: Assistant Director

Years at CPP: 3 years

Job Before CPP: Event planning at the Driskill, Marketing at several fun companies including the Ft. Worth Zoo

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

Children: Paige (Giraffe) - curious, caring and fun.  Avery (1st @ Davis) - thoughtful, responsible and a great artist.

Favorite Book: Uncle Tom's Cabin

Favorite Movie: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Favorite Children's Book: Pippi Longstocking

Favorite Band: Queen

Hobbies: Wakeboarding, reading, traveling, hunting and her girls' dinner group

Favorite Food: Chips and Salsa

Dream Vacation Spot: Croatia

Role Model: Dad (Mom is a close second)

Favorite Quote: "Sometimes you are the windshield, sometimes you are the bug." - Mary Chapin Carpenter

Favorite thing about CPP: The teachers and staff are a great team of fun, lovely ladies.  The CPP families are supportive and involved with their children's education.

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Make and Take

This month, the Make and Take will be on Wednesday, January 15th  and Thursday, January 16th .  This month our fabulous hosts are Kirsten Scarbrough and Lynette Weber.  Thanks 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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Happy Birthday to You!

Jean Pravednikov (12/16)
Branson Pfiester (12/26)
Robin Selman (12/28)
Avalon Hardy (12/28)
Cassandra O’Farrell (1/3)
Linda Lisby (1/04)
Sydney Flowers (1/15)
Finnuala Gee (1/16)
Wyatt Russell (1/18)
Alexander Doles (1/19)
Harris Tarun (1/27)
Henry Egliht (1/30)
Constance Carlin (2/4)
Peyton Luckett (2/4)
Sam Hanna (2/5)
Nancy Bissell (2/7)

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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.