The MDO Monthly
Many years ago my Grandmother started an unusual Christmas
tradition. After Midnight Mass, she invited friends and family
over for breakfast. The custom has lasted through the years.
The first whiff of bacon frying in the wee hours of Christmas
morning still evokes the fondest memories of Grandma, who
passed away many years ago. Still, she remains with us in our
hearts, in our minds, and especially in our holiday traditions.
The most valuable commodity of this season is togetherness.
Even though we might be rushing around doing everything our holiday requires,
we are very much together. Our loved ones are on our minds as we search for just
the right gift. They greet us through holiday cards, photos, and letters they send in
the mail or post on-line. They are right behind us, waiting for a cookie fresh from
the oven. And even if they are no longer physically with us, they are near and dear
through treasured recipes, favorite songs, or that classic movie they loved.
As your children grow older, the latest video game will fade from memory, but the
time you spend together will be an everlasting gift. I was reminded of that this
Thanksgiving weekend. We were rushing to put up our tree before my sons returned to college. During that time, squeezed between visits with their friends and
our family, my oldest son turned to me and said, “I think I love Christmas so much
because you always make such an effort.” In that moment, I realized the true purpose of my holiday frenzy, and I was duly validated. So, yes, there are more than a
few traditions I will keep—like Grandma’s (modified) midnight breakfast. And a
couple I’ve thrown away—like yelling at my kids to smile for the (bleep!) Christmas card photo. Amidst all the chaos, my simple wish is that we can spend some
memorable time together, be humbled by the beauty of the season, laugh at the
burnt cookies and other holiday fails, and enjoy a Christmas where presence
is our biggest and brightest present.
You Are Invited...
To The Annual MDO Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.
In The Sanctuary
The children will re-enact the Christmas story and sing holiday songs.
All are welcome! Please remember to bring your camera!
A party, with special guest, will follow in Fellowship Hall.
“I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior has been
born tonight in Bethlehem.” Luke 2:10-11
Volume 11, Issue 4
December 2015
MDO Preschool
924 Middletown—
Lincroft Road
Middletown, NJ 07748
732-671-7028
Elizabeth Hill, Director
mdomiddletown.org
MDO Preschool
MDO Closures
Christmas Break
Dec.17—Jan. 1
Reopen January 4
Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 18
President’s Day
February 15
Easter Recess
March 25—April 1
Reopen April 4
Memorial Day
May 30
Professional Day
June 7
Students’ Last Day
June 8
Curriculum Corner
This month’s curriculum combines Holiday celebrations with the five senses. Activities,
lessons, and stories focus on the sights, sounds, tastes, scents and feel of the season. We rely on our senses
to provide information about our world, but we don’t often focus on each sense individually. Learning about
the five senses promotes self-awareness.
Try This! The Sensory Poem is a simple activity to help your child identify each of
the senses, while expressing their own special feelings. Here’s how it works: Make up
a poem, addressing one sense in each line of the poem—sight/color, hearing/sound,
taste, smell, touch/feel/emotions. Of course this activity works well with many other
themes—tuck this idea away for use while waiting on line or taking a long car trip.
Use the example below to get started:
Sight/Color
The falling snow is fluffy and bright,
Hearing
Mommy sings me to sleep at night,
Taste
A candy cane is a tasty mint treat,
Book Look
DAILY WORK
INCLUDES
ALPHABET,
COUNTING,
COLORS,
SHAPES &
MORE...
Smell
Gingerbread baking smells spicy and sweet,
Feel/Emotions
The people I love hug me so tight.
At Christmas, everything feels just right.
Holiday Celebrations
The Birds of Bethlemen
By Tomie dePaola
A Magical Christmas Eve
By Dyan Sheldon
Llama Llama Holiday Drama
By Anna Dewdney
Red Sled
By Lita Judge
The Five Senses
You Can’t Taste a Pickle
With Your Ear
By Harriet Ziefert
The Five Senses
By Aliki
The Sweet Smell of Christmas
By Patricia M. Scarry
David Smells
By David Shannon
Winter Weather Watch
In the event of a winter storm, please check our school district’s website at
www.middletownk12.org for Middletown Township school closings starting
at 6:00 am.
•
•
If the Middletown school district is closed, MDO is closed.
If Middletown schools have a delayed opening, MDO will be closed for the day.
MDO Preschool Monthly
December 2015
Volume 11 Issue 4