December 2016
From the Director
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us — Christmas! It’s easy to get
caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, but our wish for you is that you
are able to slow down and spend quality time with your family! We have a two
week break that should help with that! Please use this time to reflect upon the
beauty that is Christmas — the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
If you don’t have a church family, I would like to cordially invite you to worship at one of Windwood’s
Sunday services — or one of the Christmas Eve services. You will find information on the Windwood Presbyterian Church programs on the website at www.windwoodpc.org.
I and the entire staff of The Adventure Preschool want to wish all of you a safe, restful, and joyous
Christmas and the happiest of New Years! We will see you back at school on January 3, 2017!
Michelle Asous
Christmas Programs at
The Adventure Preschool
All programs begin at 9:15 am in the Worship Center.
Just drop your child off at their classroom and head over to the Worship Center
to find a good seat! 4’s classes will be performing on December 6th and 7th — and after the concert, will head to
the Atrium for Gingerbread House building (see below). 3’s classes will be performing on December 13th & 14th.
Tuesday, December 6th
Wednesday, December 7th
Tuesday, December 13th
Wednesday, December 14th
Trevino/McQueen Wise Owls
Baxter/Davis
Busy Bugs
Elmblad
Zoo Crew
Rivera
Burns
Happy Hedgehogs
Cullen
Brilliant Birdies
Fleming
Beautiful Butterflies
Patterson/Vogt Funny Fish
McLaren/Nelson
Shining Stars
Mullin/Garcia Dragonflies
McDaniel/Vogt
Mighty Monkeys
Standlee/Bulot
Bears
Salas
Fantastic Foxes
Tighe
Standlee/Patterson Bears
Ortiz/Garcia
Funny Frogs
Bearkats
4-year-old Classes
Gingerbread House Build
December 6th & 7th
Immediately following our 4’s Christmas Concert, parents and
kids will head to our annual Gingerbread House Build! Please
note — we will be providing a house for your student only!
Mighty Safari
Christmas Holidays!
Dec. 19th through Jan. 2nd
We will see you back at school
on Tuesday, Jan. 3rd!
Food Drive & Operation
Christmas Child
We are so grateful for the amount of
food and Operation Christmas Child
boxes that was collected. Due to your
generosity, we turned in loads of Operation Christmas
Child boxes and a truck full of food to CAM. Thank you to
all who participated in making sure that those less fortunate have a chance to know the love and joy of Christ!
Parking Lot Safety

While you are in the parking lot, it is MANDATORY that you
maintain a SLOW SPEED!

Don’t be a distracted driver! Take care of your business before you start your car and head out!

Be sure to hold your child’s hand as you go across the parking area to the buildings. Don’t leave your child unattended
in your vehicle!

Remember to secure your valuables and lock your
vehicle! P lace valuables out of sight — take your purse
with you into the building!
Winter Wear at School
Even Texas winter weather can be cold! Please remember to ‘dress your child for the weather’!
We like to get fresh air every day that we can — so please have an appropriate jacket and winter
wear for your child.
And — since things can get misplaced — please LABEL all jackets and outerwear with your child’s
name — so that it may be returned to you promptly if lost!
REMINDERS:
 Tennis shoes must be worn — no boots!
 All children must have a change of clothing, including socks, in their bag or backpack for emergencies! With the weather turning cooler — it’s the perfect time to change out clothing!
Keep Clipping!
Box Tops for Education & Labels for Education
both help us earn FREE STUFF for use in our school!
Please keep clipping throughout the holiday season!
http://www.boxtops4education.com/
www.labelsforeducation.com
Classroom
News
Little Owls Pumpkin Planting!
The Little Owls 2 Year Old Classroom taught by Cassi
Chaney and Hana Parris had a blast with their pumpkin
planting experiment. Each child got a cup of soil to place
in the planter box. Then they placed the pumpkin seeds
and added water. Next the children got to top it off with
the remaining soil, which was each child’s favorite
part. Each week the Little Owls check out the planter
box to see how many new sprouts they have. They are
awaiting anxiously to see a pumpkin growing from the
sprouts.
Mighty Safari Class Enjoys Mat Man!
The Mighty Safari 3’s Class are learning with Mat Man
from Hand Writing Without Tears with a great sing
along CD. It’s a perfect way educationally to teach
body parts, positional words, weather and numbers.
The students love getting Mat Man out every week
when we change the body shape and clothes. Mat
Man always makes it super fun to listen and follow directions. We include Mat Man in our theme, and our
theme this week was My Family, My Self. The Mighty
Safari class is taught by Mrs. Rivera.
Busy Bugs Disguise Turkey!
Can you guess where Mrs. Lena’s turkey is hiding? The Busy
Bugs spent all afternoon disguising “Old Tom” Turkey. We
hope she doesn’t find him and that he didn’t end up on her
dining room table for Thanksgiving! The Busy Bugs 4’s class
is taught by Mrs. Baxter & Mrs. Davis
The Real Meaning of Christmas
One week before Christmas, a well-known visitor made a surprise appearance. I had just finished the household chores
and was preparing for bed when a noise startled me. I cautiously opened the door to the front room. To my amazement,
Santa Claus stepped from behind the Christmas tree! He placed one finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. “What
are you doing here?” I exclaimed.
Then I realized that Santa had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. The eager, boisterous soul we all know
was quite sad. Santa offered these simple words, “TEACH THE CHILDREN!” I was puzzled—what did he mean? Anticipating my question, with one quick movement he brought forth a great bag from behind the tree. I stood there, bewildered. Santa explained, “Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. So many people today have
forgotten what Christmas is really about!”
Santa then reached into his bag, pulled out a tiny FIR TREE, and placed it on the mantle. “Teach the children that the
stately fir tree remains green all year round, showing the everlasting hope of mankind. The needles point heavenward,
making it a symbol of our prayers that always reach God.”
Santa again reached into his sack and pulled out a brilliant STAR. “Teach the children that the Bethlehem star was the
sign of promises long ago. God promised to send a Savior to deliver the world. The bright star pointed to the fulfillment
of that promise—God’s only Son had been born!”
Next, Santa pulled a CANDLE from his bag. “Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Jesus, God’s Son, is the
light of the world. When we see this light, we remember the One who overcomes the darkness.” Once again Santa
reached into his sack. This time he removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. “Teach the children that the wreath
reveals the endless nature of God’s love. Real love never ceases. Nothing can stop God’s amazing love.”
Santa then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. “Teach the children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity
and good will we show to others because God has given us His very special Son. Don’t forget to tell the children that
Saint Nicolas was not part of the first Christmas in Bethlehem.”
Santa then reached into his sack and carefully placed a CANDY CANE on the tree. “Teach the children that the candy cane
represents the shepherd’s staff. The crook on the staff rescues sheep who have strayed from the flock. God never gives
up on people who wander from Him.”
Next, He removed a delicate ANGEL and lifted it to the very top of the tree. “Teach the children that angels shouted the
glorious news of the Savior’s birth. These heavenly messengers sang ‘Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good will to
everyone on earth!’”
Finally, Santa pulled out a beautifully wrapped GIFT. He said, “Teach the children that God deeply loves people, so He
gave them His most precious gift—Jesus, His only Son. When the wise men arrived in Bethlehem, they bowed before the
Child and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is why we give gifts to others each Christmas.”
Then Santa paused. He stared at the tree and seemed to be pleased. I saw that the twinkle had returned to his eyes. He
slowly turned, looked at me, and smiled. Santa offered these final words, “Remember to teach the children the true
meaning of Christmas. Please don’t put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant. Jesus Christ is the real reason for
the Christmas season. I am glad to join all others who bow down and worship Him, our Lord and God!
—Author Unknown