December 2013
Lakeside Presbyterian Weekday Preschool
Important dates
School News

December 2: Pre-K Glen
Allen Library Story Time

December 13: Preschool,
Pre-K, Kg Christmas Play
12noon in the church sanctuary

December 16: Kg Glen
Allen Library Story Time

December 17: Chipolte
Spirit Night 5-8pm

December 20: Last day of
all AM Preschool Classes

December 23: Hive Only
Day 7:30am-6pm

December 24 & 25: All
Programs Closed

December 26 & 27; 30 & 31:
Hive Only Days 7:30am6pm

January 1: All Programs
Closed

January 2 & 3: Hive Only
Days 7:30am-6pm

January 6: all programs
resume regular hours
Inside this issue...
Tots, Toddler, & Playgroup
2
From the Director
3
Pre-K & Kindergarten
4
Pre-K & Kindergarten
5
Preschool & Afternoon Hive
6
Pre-K Specialty Centers
7
Coming up next month
6
2013 Christmas Program
Friday, December 13
12noon in the church sanctuary
The Kindergarten, Pre-K and Preschool
children and their teachers
are very excited to be performing a
new Christmas play this year …
“The Littlest Christmas Tree”.
Since we are presenting our play during
regular preschool hours this year, dismissal for all Preschool, PreK & K children
will take place after the performance using normal dismissal procedure.
When the program ends all of the children
will be taken back to their classrooms to
remove their costumes and get ready for
dismissal or lunch. If your child is not
staying for the afternoon, please send us a
note to let us know so we will have them
ready for you to pick up through the dismissal line. We will not dismiss any child
from the sanctuary or the classroom after
the program. Look for your family’s invitation and RSVP to come home next week
in their red folder. Please be sure to tell
any extended family and/or friends who
are coming not to be late or they'll miss it.
It is going to be wonderful, but quick!
Do not plan to take photos or video
tape during the pageant. An opportunity
to take photos will be provided after the
play. Thank you for making sure you pass
on this information to any extended family
and/or friends who will be attending. The
spirit and meaning of this play is lost for
everyone involved when members of the
audience are busy trying to take a picture
or video of their child instead of really
watching the whole performance. In honoring this request you show the staff and
the children how much you appreciate the
time and effort they have given to this special program.
Happy Birthday, Jesus Gifts
Every year we fill the manger with birthday gifts for baby Jesus. Our gifts are
donated to the Lamb's Basket Food Pantry. Requested donations include: formula, baby food or toddler food items,
diapers, wipes. Please have your child
bring in their "gift" no later than Friday,
December 20..
Hive Only Days
December 23; December 26-31 and January 2-3 are Hive only Days 7:30am 6pm. These days are included in the tuition of all children who are enrolled for
full day or full year. If your child will
NOT be coming on any of these days
please let the Preschool office know as
soon as possible. If your child is not enrolled for these Hive Only days and you
would like to send them, please call the
Preschool office to check availability. Last
minute enrollment is subject to space
availability. The cost is $10/hr used payable when you pick up your child at the
end of each day they attend.
Coats, Hats & Gloves Everyday
We will play outside every day unless it is
raining or there is a weather advisory.
We will use the following temperature
guidelines: 32-50 degrees/15-30 minutes,
50-80 degrees/30-60 minutes. Please
make sure you send your child in clothing
suitable for outside play. Also make sure
to put name labels in all items, including
gloves, hats and coats!
2014-15 Enrollment
Intent to Enroll applications will be sent
to currently enrolled families by Friday,
January 24. To reserve a space for your
child in the program of choice, your application must be returned to Mrs.
Amrhein no later than Friday, January
31. After the 31st any spaces that have not
been reserved will be made available to
new families.
Page 2
Playgroup
Ms. Andrea & Ms. Dori, Ms. Karen & Ms. Lauren
November has been an exciting
month in the Playgroup! We have really
been enjoying the fall weather by playing in the leaves and going on nature
walks. Thanksgiving was our main
theme for the month. The children made
a variety of turkey crafts and artwork
involving the pilgrims and Thanksgiving food. Mrs. Gill taught us many
Thanksgiving themed songs in music.
“Turkey Dinner” is a favorite among
the Playgroup.
We also celebrated Veterans
day.
Our library visits have been
great fun too. The children look forward to hearing a story from Mrs.
Lawton and picking out a new book to
take home each week.
This month Ms. Dori & Ms. Andrea welcomed Grace Gwizdala to their
class and Ms. Karen & Ms. Lauren welcomed Raina Keshwani to their class.
Other highlights of November
were our first fire drill, picture day, and
watching the Pre-k/Kindergarten
Thanksgiving play. We are looking forward to lots of fun Christmas crafts and
songs in December!
Toddlers Class
Ms. Valerie, Ms. Emily, & Miss Emma
We’ve had a great month of November! We welcomed
Jandi Herman, Audrey Bell and Ella Landis to our class.
In the upcoming month we will be making special
Christmas presents for our parents, decorating for Christmas ,
and learning all about winter.
We are looking forward to celebrating and learning
about holidays with your children.
Tot’s Class with Ms. Kathryn, Ms. Sarah, Ms. Sharon, and Ms. Shelly
These past 3 months have flown by for
the staff in the "Tot Room". The babies are all
growing and showing us so many developmental milestones that are so important in the life of
a young child. We have so much fun in circle
time singing songs, doing finger plays and sharing a favorite book. On Wednesday and Thursday Ms. Donna comes in and has Music class
with us. We are very musically talented babies
and we love to sing and play shakers to our favorite songs. We all enjoy our stroller rides
when the weather permits so please remember
to send coats, hats, and gloves on those days
when ”it stings the nose and bites the toes”. We
won't go out for long periods of time on those
days but a little fresh air is very enjoyable for all
when we are warmly dressed.
Friendships and attachments with one another are very evident in our play, smiles, hugs and
kisses during the day. Babbling and cooing can be
heard on any given time of day along with many dada-das and mum-mum-mums. Baby giggles and
laughs can also be heard in our “tot” room. We have
the best personalities! Because we are so active and
energetic we have brought in more staff to help with
lunch breaks and afternoons. During lunch Ms.
Karen and Ms Lauren come up from the “playgroup”
class to help out. Ms Lauren returns on Tuesday
and Thursday afternoons from 4:00-6:00pm.
We’ re welcoming two new tots in the this
month Libbie Davis and Drew. We are one special
group of happy babies and a very content staff.
We wish you peace and goodwill during this
very special holiday season!
December 2013
Page 3
From the Director … God is Good! All the Time!! aamrhein
Many Christmases ago a friend gifted me with a copy of Max Lucado’s book
One Incredible Moment.. How little did I know what powerful messages this
little book would share with me every time I read it. It has become one I treasure most of my collection. I love to tell people about it and share my favorite
parts from it …
(selected from “Do You See Him?”)
“It’s Christmas night.
The midnight hour chimed and I should be asleep, but I am awake. I’m kept
awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed...more than at any other time, we think of Him. More
than in any other season, His name is on our lips...For a few precious hours, He
is beheld. Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing Him, suddenly see Him. People who have been accustomed to using His name in vain,
pause to use it in praise. All of sudden He’s everywhere...
It is Christmas night.
In a few hours the cleanup will begin - lights will come down, trees will be
thrown out. Size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale for
half price. Soon life will be normal again. December’s generosity will become
January’s payments and the magic will begin to fade. But for the moment, the
magic is still in the air. Maybe that’s why I’m still awake. I want to savor the
spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld Him today will look
for Him in August. And I can’t help but linger on one fanciful thought: If He
can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how
much more could He do if we thought of Him every day …” I am so very
blessed to be in a place where it is hard not to think about Jesus every day because I see Him in the face of every one who shares each of my days. What an
incredible gift given in one incredible moment! Peace of Christ … aamrhein
December 2013
Page 4
From the Parent Handbook
About Sickness...
Ways to help Lakeside Presbyterian Church
Weekday Preschool
I-Give
Christmas will be here before you know it! Help us
every time you shop online.
The i-Give button is easy
way to earn cash for our
school . We hope you'll give
it a try. Click on the link to
get started.
http://www.igive.com/
a0LxAM
Chipotle Spirit Night is
December 17 5:00-8:00pm
Please join us on Tuesday,
October 8 from 5:00-8:00pm
for LPCWP’s Spirit Night at
the Chipotle on Staples Mill
Road. 50% of the proceeds
will come directly back to our
preschool. Look for a flyer to
come home next week.
The staff will make every effort possible to protect the health of
the children. The full co- operation of
parents in helping prevent the spread
of communicable diseases is extremely important. Parents should
monitor their children for colds and
other disease symptoms and keep
them home when in doubt. Please do
not send a child when he/she is
nauseous and vomiting, complains of a sore throat, has a
runny nose, diarrhea, skin rash,
inflamed eyes, discharging ear,
a consistent cough, earache,
enlarged glands, flushed face or
fever of 100+.
If a child develops any of these
symptoms at school, the parent will
be called and arrangements must be
made for the immediate pick up of the
child. We are not prepared or staffed
to care for sick children.
A child must be naturally fever
free 24 hours before
they may return to Preschool.
Reminders …
Shoes...soft-soled shoes that fit their feet securely with socks are required when your child is here.
Early Arrival … Opens at 7:30am. Please do not bring your child in the building before that time. Ends
at 8:40am. Please come thru the regular arrival line when arriving after that time
Unscheduled Closings, Delays, Early Dismissals...
Decisions to take any of these actions are made by the Director.
When any of these actions must be taken, parents will be notified as soon as possible...
1. at the email address parents provided on their child's enrollment form
2. on TV Channel 8 scrolling under Private Schools and online at www.WRIC.com
3. online at www.NBC12.com under Private Schools
4. on the Preschool office(804-261-7942) answering machine
5. on the home page of our website lakesidepreschool.org
Children who attend on MWF may not make up days missed regardless of the reason. Tuition is not adjusted or reduced for missed days regardless of the reason. Makeup days are not built into our school
year calendar.
Scholastic book order packets will come home tomorrow.. The deadline to order books is Monday, December 9. To browse the catalog online go to https://orders.scholastic.com/GWC4K. Thanks!
Pre-K & Kindergarten
News
Mrs. Oliver’s Pre-K Class
During November, our alphabet letters included G, H, I, and J. The children played many
games to reinforce beginning sounds, differentiating
upper and lower-case letters and recognizing letters.
Art projects included gorillas, houses, igloos, and
jelly bread emphasizing painting, cutting, gluing,
and finger painting. Stories we read include: A
house for Hermit Crab, One Hungry Monster, Hide
and Seek Hippo, Gorilla be Good!, Iggy the Iguana,
and The Jaguar Jamboree.
We spent a great deal of time practicing for
the Thanksgiving play ”T is for Turkey” which I hope
you all enjoyed. I am really proud of the great job
our children did, especially with the speaking parts!
Thanks for making our feast a success!
We talked about Pilgrims and Native Americans (and why they were first called Indians), the
celebration of the First Thanksgiving and different
things for which the children are thankful. Monday
we made our annual trip to the Lamb’s Basket Food
Bank to deliver all the food you donated. On
Wednesday we had our very own Caring and Sharing snack which everyone enjoyed.
Mrs. Hudson’s Pre-k Class
Page 5
November was a very busy month for us! We
covered four letters in addition to practicing and learning a Thanksgiving play and music. The boys and girls
did a wonderful job and you all should be very proud of
them! We talked about Thanksgiving and what they
are thankful for as well as doing a lot of fun arts and
crafts related to Thanksgiving. When they return to
Pre-K on December 2nd we will cover the letter “K” and
begin practicing for our Christmas program which will
be on Friday, December 13th. On Wednesday, December 4th we will have our ice cream social with your children for earning three big stars on their rocket
ships! Mrs. Oliver’s class and my class will celebrate
this job well done with the boys and girls after lunch that
day. We will also take time to make Christmas crafts
and hear the story of how Christmas came to be. We
will go to the library on Monday, December 2nd to hear
stories from Mr. Rob. December is going to be another
busy month! Please read all material and notes in your
child’s red folder each and every day and return them in
their backpacks the next day. Thank you for your continued support and help each school day. I hope all of
you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and
family.
December will be very busy preparing for
the holidays. The Christmas play is just around the
corner! During class time, we will focus on the nativity and Jesus’ birthday. Hope your holiday season is very special!
Mrs. Porter & Ms. Spalding’s
Kindergarten Kids
The Kindergarten Kids had a busy November with practices for the Thanksgiving Play, a visit to Glen Allen Library,
and our many daily activities.
We had a wonderful time at our Thanksgiving Play and Feast. Everyone did a wonderful job with their lines and
with singing and we all enjoyed the food after the play.
We continue to work on learning to write sentences and to read.
In math we are working on addition, learning to tell time to the hour, counting dimes and pennies, and using a ruler
to measure.
In Social Studies we have been studying past and present. We are learning about Pocahontas, Squanto, and the First
Thanksgiving.
We are looking forward to a fun filled December!
Page 6
Preschool Classes
Ms. Colpo & Ms. Guardado, Ms. Johnson & Ms. Williams, Miss Josie & Miss Lara
Mrs. Johnson class:
We enjoyed the beautiful weather outside, playing in
the leaf pile and learned about fall. We also talked
about things we are thankful for and the celebration of
Thanksgiving.
Ms. Josie and Ms, Lara's class:
During November our students have really enjoyed
their responsibilities with the tasks and look forward to
a new job each week.
We have talked a lot about Thanksgiving, the people
and things we are thankful for and much we appreciate
all that is done for us. They're ready to enjoy healthy
foods and share Thanksgiving dinner with their families.
Mrs. Colpo's class:
Wow! I can't believe we are celebrating Thanksgiving!
November has been a lot of fun. We have been learning
about fall, and how the leaves change colors. We have
also been keeping busy with the letters of the week:
G,H,I,J, making animals out of each letter. The children
all did so well with the sounding out part!
I hope all of my families have a safe and Happy
Thanksgiving.! Ms. Colpo & Ms. Juana
Afternoon Hive News
In November we enjoyed learning the difference between the Native American and Pilgrim cultures and doing
many fun Thanksgiving activities. We dressed up as Native
Americans and had a parade around the school. We enjoyed
a doing Thanksgiving relay and playing games. We had so
much fun and all the children looked adorable in their costumes. We talked about what being thankful means and giving God thanks for all that we have.
But, hold on to your stocking caps! December in the
PMHive is going to be ten times more exciting!!! We are going to celebrate holidays from all different countries and
cultures. We will be doing art activities, cooking food, and
playing games to celebrate. We will be having our own
Santa Workshop where “elves” are busy making Christmas
toys and Santa will be checking his list to see who is making
the right choices or not. But, most importantly we will be
celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and experience the true meaning of Christmas. We will re-enact the
Nativity Story and have a birthday for Jesus learning how a
baby named Jesus changed everything.
Welcome Mr. Eric to the PMHive staff 3-6pm TWThF and
Truong Vo to the Playgroup PMHive M-F.
December 2013
Page 7
Pre– K Specialty Centers with Mrs. James
As usual, we are learning
and This month in Math, the
main focus was on recognizing
and creating AB and ABC patterns. Since it is fall, we enjoyed using natural items like
holly branches, pine cones, fall
leaves and sticks to create patterns. We discussed concepts of
More than and Less than, and
delved into graphing with Halloween/Fall pictures hidden
around the room. We learned
tidbits about wild turkeys and
had fun comparing our height
next to a life-sized drawing of a
wild turkey.
In Science, “G is for Gourd” was
our featured topic. This project
is actually a Math/Science/
Music project, and we so appreciate all who donated a
gourd. First, for Science, we
took our gourds outside, studied them with magnifying
glasses and sorted them into
specific categories based on
features (bumpy, striped, green
and orange, etc). In the New
Year, the children will have the
chance to study their sorting
work on a graph and compare
the categories. The classes en-
joyed talking about all of the
different things that can be
made from a gourd, and part of
our science experiment is to see
if we can dry them out to make
musical instruments. Hopefully, it will work, but we won’t
know until the spring. We also
enjoyed a homemade felt board
story about all of the creatures
that live in a tree as well as an
introduction to domesticated
versus wild animals.
Thanksgiving play songs.
Your children did so well in
the Thanksgiving performance! All of their hard work
paid off, and we are very
proud of them! We look forward to a fun December and
wrap up to 2013!
In French, we played a game
labeling items in the room Big/
Grand and Small/Petit. We
also spent much of the month
working on body part and
clothing vocabulary. As this is
a lengthy topic, we will continue to practice these words
throughout the year.
Our devotion time in Music this
month comes from Galatians 5,
22-23-But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. We read a special book
and spent time talking about
how we help out at home. We
worked on the songs, “God is so
Good” and “In the Highways In
the Hedges” as well as our
LPCWP Wish List
If you have any of these things around the house ,
we would love to take them off of your hands
Laptop
Double or single strollers
Little Tikes Tot Tree
Lakeside Presbyterian Weekday Preschool
7343 Hermitage Road
richmond, VA 23228
Phone : 804-261-7942
Email: [email protected]
We’re posting pictures and updates regularly on
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We’re on the web at
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