ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER SEWARD, NEBRASKA

Last day of morning preschool is Thursday, December 22.  The first day after break is Thursday,  January 5th.

May your family be truly blessed by God’s riches this Thanksgiving and holiday season!  Enjoy the time gathered together with family and friends!  Happy Thanksgiving!

With the aroma of turkey and stuffing drifting through the kitchen, greetings from friends, and warm embraces from relatives, one can not help but be thankful for this time of year!  As a staff, we are so thankful for YOU – our center community!  As the monthly activities fill our days, may we join together in grateful praise, with overflowing hearts!

One way to come together and share in our blessings is our annual Thanksgiving Breakfast Buffet.  It is scheduled for Friday morning, November 18^th from 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.  Please plan to join your child for breakfast at the center when you drop him/her off that morning. 

God continues to bless us at our center through weekly chapels. Parents are always welcome to come and worship with us in the school-age room at 9:15 a.m. every Monday morning. 

November’s Family Night is entitled “Emotional Coaching.”  Come and learn how to become comfortable with young children’s emotions and how to help them learn managing skills.  Kelly Vanness, Early Childhood Professional Development Coordinator, is the presenter for this program scheduled for November 8^th at the United Methodist Church.  A free meal will be served from 5:45 – 6:30, followed by the program.  Free daycare is provided by the students of Concordia University.  Remember to sign-up on the sheet located at the front lobby area of the CDC.   All families in the Seward community are invited! 

There will be no morning preschool on Wednesday, November 23^rd.  St. John and Seward Public will also be closed on that day.  Remember to sign-up for your school-age student on the NO SCHOOL SIGN-UP form located at the front lobby area of the CDC.

As a staff, we wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving. 

 Enjoy and give thanks!

The first day of Fall has come and gone.  The days are getting shorter, with darkness blanketing the horizon sooner.  Our family’s fire pit has been in use with glowing ambers.  My daughter and I have taken evening flashlight walks.  Using tools of light to cast a warm glow on our path in  the cool, crisp evening hours is much needed now.  As we move into the darkness of seasonal changes, I am reminded of the theme for this current school year: Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.  Christ’s light is essential in our Christian walk, for it cuts through the blanket of darkness that sin wishes to cover us in, so that we can glow for Christ for all to see!

The Light of God’s Word was glowing within our hearts as our center held its first chapel worship for the new school year.  Pastor Bruick was our guest and reminded us of those family members, teachers and friends who help us to glow AND grow in His Word.  We look forward to hearing from the members of St. John’s ministry team as they come to share worship with us each week.                 

Chapters Books & Gifts and St. John Child Development Center are once again teaming up with Jumpstart’s annual Read for the Record program to promote early literacy.  The event will be held on October 6, 2011, from 9:00am to 7:00pm. Visit Chapters with your favorite child(ren), participate in literacy activities and be one of the first 25 families to receive a free copy of Llama, Llama, Red Pajama! So, grab a book and read aloud to a child.

One of our tastiest fund raisers begins the week of October 10^th!  We will have order forms available for Butter Braid braided pastries.  Order one, two, three or more, for your upcoming holiday brunch!  They are delicious!

Family Night in October is entitled “Sick Kids! What Do I Do Now?” and will address the do’s and don’ts of sick kids and how to keep kids healthy.  Dr. Connie Novac, Seward Memorial Health Systems Physician will be the presenter for this program scheduled for October 18, 2011 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.  A free meal will be served from 5:45 – 6:30 followed by the program.  Free daycare is provided by the students of Concordia University. There will be a sign-up sheet for October’s family night at the front lobby area of the CDC.  All families in the Seward community are invited to call the CDC to reserve your family spot!

Please note the following NO SCHOOL DAYS at St. John and Seward Public Schools.  St. John will not have school on October 14^th.  Seward Public will not have school on October 19^th,  for K-4 only, and no school for all ages on October 20^th and 21^st.  There will be no morning preschool on the 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st  due to the increase in enrollment.  Yes, our center will be bustling with laughter and learning!

Thank you again to the grandparents who joined us on September 12^th for a preschool Grandparent Tea.  The joy you bring to your grandchildren reflects in your warm smiles, gentle hugs and kind words.  You share Jesus’ love with them in so many ways!  Your wisdom and experience bring the power of the Law and Gospel, which is unconditional and well received.  God has brought you to this most spectacular time of life, with great purpose, influence and love!  Praise to Him for YOU!

May We Shine As Embers of His Light to All! 

Mrs. Rebecca Bimler, Director

St. JohnChild Development Center

Your child will change through the years and what better way to capture that than through school pictures!  School picture days at the CDC will be this week – September 7^th & 8^th beginning at 9:00am each day.  Studio E will be capturing the smiles of our little ones this year!  Come smiling with your pearly whites!

On September 12^th, our Monday morning chapel talks will begin.  Parents are always welcome to come.  They begin at 9:15am.  Pastor Bruick will be our guest that morning.  We look forward to hearing from the members ofSt. John’s pastoral team as they come to share God’s Word with us each week.

The preschool classrooms will be hosting a Grandparents= Tea the evening of Monday, September 12^th. At 7:00pm, Grandparents are invited to bring their grandchildren to the center and have a little snack AND ALOT of fun!  We should be finished between 7:30 and 8:00pm.

Do you have a sweet tooth as I do?  The annual St. John Parent Teacher League (PTL) “SWEETS ON THE SQUARE” will be starting on Wednesday, September 14^th during the Farmer’s Market!  Bring your change and enjoy a delicious treat!  Proceeds go to further the ministries ofSt. JohnLutheranChurch and School.  

Please note that the first NO SCHOOL DAY for St. John and Seward Public Schools will be on Monday, September 19^th.  There will be no morning preschool that day due to a higher ratio of school-age students on site. Yes, our center will be bustling with laughter and learning!

Family Nights are back!  Our first Family Night is scheduled for September 20^th.  “Family Nature Night” is the theme.  Children, young and old, will be given opportunity to explore nature as you walk the “trail” within the fairgrounds!  A free meal sponsored by Subway will be served by St. Andrew Church from 5:45 – 6:30.  Join us at Seward=s County Fairgrounds/4-H Center for food, fellowship and fun!  There will be a sign-up sheet at the front lobby area of the CDC.  All families in the Seward community are invited, so sign-up now to save your family a slot!

As a CDC staff, we enjoy promoting early literacy development in children!  Encourage your child to check out a book from our center’s Book Buddy program (located in the CDC lobby).  Watch for flyers in early October promoting the Jumpstart’s Read for the Record sponsored by Chapters Books & Gifts.  Go online at www.cune.edu/plumcreek and read about the wonderful literacy opportunities for children and parents alike that will be offered at the Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival. 

Another way to enjoy literacy learning…participate in the Scholastic Book Orders through the CDC! 

Please return the attached book orders to Mrs. Bimler

in the office;

in the basket located in the center’s entry;

or to your child’s teacher.

Book orders are due by

Friday, September 23, 2011.

Please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs

and write “Book Order” in the memo line.

Welcome back for another great year!

Rebecca Bimler, Director

St. JohnChildDevelopmentCenter

402/643-3122

rebecca.bimler@stjohnseward.org

“…And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again!…”

Do you recall that song phrase normally shared at the Christmas holiday season?  I can still see my father’s grin when he sang that to my siblings and I around the dinner table one late July evening!  Does the message ring true for you?  Tired of the summer heat?  I know I am!  I’m ready for the fall schedules and routines to start up!  With the stores displaying the school supply lists and new school clothes hanging on the racks, you know that the start of a new school year is just around the corner!  

We were blessed, however, with the opportunity to share Jesus’ love with a large enrollment of “summer campers” this year!  The school-age children enjoyed swimming and water play, field trips, UNL science tours and clay works; Vacation Bible School and a lemonade stand…to name a few!  The preschool children enjoyed discovering new foods and physical activities through the Four Corners Animal Trackers Curriculum Program.  It was a summer packed full of fun! 

A BIG THANK YOU from the School-age Summer Program

We hope you enjoyed the lemonade stand as much as we did!  Thank you for stopping by and buying lemonade and treats!  Your support will help kitties, puppies and other animals at the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln.  We raised an amazing $269.51!  We are thankful for all our loving CDC families!  Thanks again!

Fall Registration

Fall 2011 registration is nearing completion with only a few openings in the three and four year old rooms.  Registration packets are due back by the first day of the new school year, August 16th.

School Calendars

With September just around the corner, please take note of the special events planned on the attached calendars.  We have contracted with Studio E for school pictures this year.  The dates will be September 7^th & 8^th. 

Family Nights are back as well!  Our first Family Night is scheduled for September 20^th.  Join us at Seward County Fairgrounds/4-H Center for food, fellowship and fun!

If that wasn’t enough fun…the preschool classrooms will be hosting a Grandparents’  Tea the evening of Monday, September 12^th. At 7:00pm, Grandparents are invited to bring their grandchildren to the center and have a little snack AND ALOT of fun!  We should be finished between 7:30 and 8:00pm.

School Year Theme

THE THEME FOR 2011-2012, “JESUS CHRIST: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD,” has been chosen and will be highlighted with a different emphasis each quarter. Look for the many ways the Light of the World has meaning for each of us!

Program Routines

As our school year begins, a reminder of routines are always helpful.  As you enter our center don’t forget to sign in AND out with your child’s pin number!  Also remember to arrive on time for breakfast.  School age students MUST be here for breakfast by 7:30am as the bus will arrive by 7:50am for morning pick-up!  Mrs. Sommerer’s extended day preschoolers begin breakfast by 8:15am; Mrs. Hendrickson’s students and Mrs. Zoya’s toddlers by 8:20am.  For those parents with preschool only students, class begins at 8:45am.  Arriving before 8:40am does make it difficult for the completion of breakfast and clean-up before class time begins.  We appreciate your understanding.

Parking

We understand that parking is at a premium.  Walking, bike riding or parking within the block has assisted families in the past.  Remember our lot is a one way, right turn only traffic flow.  Parking at the police station is not permitted.                                                                                                                                    

IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION FOR 2011-2012

Effective July 1, 2011, Nebraska state regulations will require all students K-12 to have had 2 doses of the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, unless the student has had the actual disease. This is a new regulation for the 2011-2012 school year. All immunizations must be documented, and a copy of the paperwork provided to your child’s school office. Blue Valley Community Action has regular immunization clinics every 3rd Tuesday of a month, 10:30am-12:30pm, at Faith Lutheran Church. All immunizations are free, and no appointment is necessary. You must take a copy of your child’s immunization record to the clinic.

Finally,remember that we will be closed on Labor Day, September 6

Enjoy time with family and friends as we officially close out the summer!

St. John Child Development Center is “going green” – ECO-friendly!  The material contained in our annual Parent Handbook can now be found throughout the information links of our website.  Please take the time to review the website links prior to signing your parent contract.  You can also “Like” us on FACEBOOK! 

In addition, we will be sending newsletters and additional info by email this year, so if you would like to receive information by email, please share your address(es) with the CDC office.

Parents, thank you so much for the opportunity to attend the Early Childhood Conference at Concordia University on Wednesday.  The staff has returned with a fresh outlook on the work we do, and are ready to tackle the upcoming year!

Our keynote speaker was Dr. Judy Harris Helm, who spoke to us about the importance of continutity and integrity in what we do – integrity being ‘KNOWING the right thing to do, DOING the right thing, and then most importantly, TELLING WHY we do the right thing’.   As educators, we know to do the right thing, but often don’t share with parents WHY we are doing what we are doing.  Later this week look under our ‘For Parents’ section of this website to read some updates of WHY we do what we do here at St. John Child Development Center.

Wednesday, June 22nd

Much is happening at the CDC!  The preschoolers cooked and tasted two kinds of squash as part of our Try New Foods Adventure!  We microwaved acorn squash with butter and sugar, and sauteed yellow squash with butter and salt.  (Butter makes everything better!)  It was tasted by all and enjoyed by most.  You have some very brave and adventurous children!

Be sure to check back later today for some photos of the School-Age field trip!

Monday, June 20th

The older preschoolers began their first day of Music Time with Karen Buck.  Miss Buck is a retired teacher from St. John who comes every summer and school year to share her love of music and Orff instruments with our class.  The children did a splendid job playing xylophones, glockenspiels,  finger cymbals, a triangle, and a drum as they sang, “Sally go ’round the sun, Sally go ’round the moon…..”

Thursday. June 16th  Brussels Sprouts and Swimming Pools

The preschoolers tried brussels sprouts as the New Food of the Week, and surprisingly – most of us liked them!  We helped Mrs. Sommerer prepare them.  She cut off a bit of the stem then cut an ‘X’.  The workers peeled of the outer three leaves (great counting & direction following), then we boiled them for a mere 4 minutes.  (They retain some of their crunch that way, also overcooking brussels sprouts makes them bitter.)  Sliced in half with a sprinkle of salt – they were delicious!

The school-age children had their first day at the pool!  We are so thankful that it is open (though we do wish it were a tad warmer outside).

Tuesday, June 14th A slice of history:  God blessed us with a Big Stump!  The trees on the south side of the police department were dying, so the city came in to remove them.  The children were fascinated watching the process all morning, and when we asked if we could have a little piece of a tree for our playground, we were rewarded with a giant stump!  What a blessing!

(Some of these aren’t the best photos, but that’s alright.)

Vacation Bible School!  Look for new photos to go up each day.  (Posted ‘today first’.)

Wednesday: Guess what? Mrs. Sommerer couldn’t find her camera, so she took some teeny-tiny photos with her phone.  I hope you’ll be able to see them.  Today’s skit showed our Jungle Adventure team trying to find their way in a dark jungle.  They needed a light to guide them, just as we need Jesus, our Light, to guide us.  We ate a ‘candle’ snack (a marshmallow on a pretzel stick, dipped in yogurt and sprinkles), made a cross to remind us of our true Light, and heard the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.

Ha! I just saw how bad that last one is, but I’m leaving it up.  Can you tell it’s Jesus on the mountain?

Tuesday was even better than Monday! We started by singing songs that we learned yesterday, and added some new ones.  Then we saw a skit about seeing  a hippo – scary, but it actually ended up saving the day!  The rest of the morning was filled with a snack that taught us about God; making a bracelet that says ‘Fear Not’, and helping to tell the story of Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt.  Whew! We are exhausted at the end of the day!

For an extra treat, watch the preschoolers and kindergarteners practice their song here.

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Monday

Our theme is Big Jungle Adventure, and we are having a blast! “A Jungle Adventure – a Journey with Jesus! God never leaves us, he’s always around. A Jungle Adventure -a Journey with Jesus, he keeps! me! safe! when there’s danger around.”

We begin in the sanctuary and learn some rockin’ songs!

Next we heard a skit about using a map to find your way in the Jungle.

We had snacks, played games, listened to a Bible story about Moses (God takes care  of you!), played outside, and decorated our name tags.  All in all, a fabulous first day!

Look here for some photo updates! (Reverse chronological order.)

Mrs. Hendrickson’s son, Ian, brought in his bearded dragon, Draco, for the toddlers and preschoolers to meet. The preschoolers are working on a curriculum called Animal Trackers this summer and had just finished studying how lizards crawl. What a great, real-life example!

Last Monday was Mr. Karl’s last day with us. He’ll be getting married in June and we wish God’s richest blessings for him!

Sunshine and sidewalk chalk – a match made in heaven.

One of the school-age children taught the preschoolers how to make a mighty structure in the sandbox. Now THAT’S a WALL.