Noticing vs. Judging

Dear CCP Families,

Oh, how I wish you could peek into the classrooms during the day! The children are engaged in so many forms of play (and learning so many things!) Be sure to click into the website and view the pictures from your class, they tell such a wonderful story of your child’s time at school. I am continually grateful for our creative, energetic, and loving teachers who plan all these exciting activities for your little ones.

Thank you for meeting with your child’s teacher this week. It’s so helpful to merge our two worlds to bring out the best in your child. We had great subs this week while the teachers were meeting with you.

PRESCHOOL CLOSED TOMORROW, FRIDAY 10/16 - Teachers will be attending a professional development event with teachers from other Chapel Hill preschools.

PHOTOS - Just a reminder that we will take individual photos of each child during the school day on Oct. 20 (Ducks, TTH Frogs, TTH Ladybugs) and Oct. 21 (Whales, MW Frogs, MWF Ladybugs) You are also invited to have a family photo taken on Saturday, Oct. 24. The photos will be outside in the church yard. Click here to sign up.

PAC, we have a meeting in Ascension Hall at 9:15am on Monday, Oct. 19. NOTE: This is a morning meeting. Your presence is important since we will be presenting the proposed budget for 2027-28.

Looking ahead….TRUNK OR TREAT will take place at the church office parking lot on Sunday, Oct 25th beginning at 4:00. Bring your little ones by to enjoy a treat!

HALLOWEEN - Just for fun, our Duck and Whale classes will parade in costume on the Market St sidewalks on Oct. 29. Parents are invited to walk with us if you’re able. Teachers will give you details.

Our Ladybugs and Frogs will parade in costume indoors around Ascension Hall on Oct. 28 and Oct 29. Parents are invited to stay a few minutes after drop-off to watch if you’re able. Teachers will give you details.

Spirit Days 11/3 & 11/4 - Let’s wear our spirit wear (or you can wear your class color) and show our CCP pride!

We loved seeing the big blue Chapel Hill fire truck on Monday! The talked about how to stay safe at home if there is ever a fire.

Firefighter Brooklyn giving high fives in her gear.

CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE MOMENT - Let's look at the difference between noticing and judging.  "Noticing continually activates children's prefrontal lobes and strengthens their executive skills of sustained attention, empathy, and problem-solving.  However, it requires adults to consciously change our habits and rewire our brains to notice instead of judge." (Conscious Discipline, p. 128)

       Judging actions as “satisfactory” creates children who are always looking for approval from the outside.  Noticing creates self-awareness and healthy attention, an important executive skill.  Noticing is descriptive and directs and sustains the child's attention like shining a flashlight on something.  Adults essentially "hold their flashlights" on the desired goals until children can hold and aim them on their own.  The difference is subtle at first.  However words are powerful and "noticing language" is more specific and gives the child more information to help to focus the child's attention on the positive.  Especially today, when the media tends to focus its attention on violence, aggression, sex, and appearances, our noticing supports children's attention by helping them aim their flashlights on the desired positive goals.

       Here are some examples....Instead of saying, "Miley, I like the way you raised your hand," try saying, "Miley you raised your hand like this (demonstrate) so I knew you needed help."  Instead of saying, "Good job Emma!" try "Emma, you worked hard on question 2 until you figured it out. That took persistence!"  Instead of "Tom, you are a good helper," try "Tom you got paper towels and cleaned the water off the floor so everyone would be safe from slipping."  Instead of "Thank you for pushing in your chair," try "Frank, you pushed in your chair so our dining room is safe."  And a final example, instead of "Good job with the napkin," try "You folded the napkin and set it next to your plate.  Now you're ready for snack!" It takes a little more effort, but if you consistently notice, it will create self awareness, which is an important executive skill.

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       I wish you well as you try aiming your adult flashlight on the positive by using noticing language with your child! 

Peace,

Shelly

Welcome Fall!

Dear CCP Families,

Happy October! We continue to work with our students to form a caring, connected school family. We take deep breaths when we are upset. If a friend gets hurt or becomes upset, we are learning that it really helps for us to breathe slowly and deeply for our friend! When a friend is upset, sometimes he can’t breathe deeply. We breathe for him and wish well, sending our love and positivity to our friend while giving him space. This gesture shows care AND it gives all of us a purpose instead of just worrying about our classmate.

Spirit wear is here! We will get them all sorted out and they will be in your child’s cubby next week if you ordered one. We will plan spirit days on November 4/5th, and we will all wear them proudly! Thank you again to all who purchased one and/or donated to this fundraiser. The wheels of this bus won’t turn without our fundraising.

We had a timed fire drill on Monday and Tuesday. All children and teachers were safely out of the building between 1:03-1:40 minutes. Everyone was well-prepared (thanks safekeepers) and no one was too upset by our practice. We will practice again soon in hopes of reducing our time closer to 1 minute.

FIRE TRUCK - The Chapel Hill Fire Dept will bring their truck for a visit on Monday, October 12th! (If you are in a T/Th class, please feel free to join us at 9:15am in Ascension Hall.) Usually, the fire fighters show us how they look & sound when wearing all their gear. Then they take us, class by class, to look at the truck! (if the weather is severe, they won’t be doing the truck part of their presentation)

On Tuesday & Wednesday, Oct. 13 & 14, the Ladybug, Whale, and Duck teachers will hold conferences. (Frogs will get have conferences later in the year.) On conference days, your children will be cared for in the classroom by the assistant teacher and a substitute. Parents can park in the church office parking lot and enter through the church office door. (Building 105). You will find Ms Sue in the conference room. Hang a quick right and there she’ll be. You will find Ms Missy in room 1 . Follow the Blue Whales and you’ll find her space. At your conference time, you will find Ms Lisa in the room 3/5. We will have signs up to help you. 🪧➡️⬅️

Individual photo days are coming up on Oct. 20 & 21. Remember that our photographer, David Gellatly, will be here on Saturday, Oct. 24th to take family photos. There is no sitting fee, and these family portraits would make great Christmas gifts 🎄 (too soon?). The photos will be outside in the church yard. Click here to sign up.

On Friday, Oct. 16th CCP will be closed for Professional Development for our safekeepers. We will have speakers and share time with all the local half-day preschool programs in Chapel Hill. Thanks for your support as we take time to learn and grow together.

HALLOWEEN - Just for fun, our Duck and Whale classes will parade in costume on the Market St sidewalks on Oct. 29. Parents are invited to walk with us if you’re able. Teachers will give you details.

Our Ladybugs and Frogs will parade in costume indoors around Ascension Hall on Oct. 28 and Oct 29. Parents are invited to stay a few minutes after drop-off to watch if you’re able. Teachers will give you details.

“If a child signals sadness, anger or embarrassment, an attuned adult can pick up on this communication and coach the child through her discomfort to an integrated state. The child will learn emotions are a bridge between problem and solution, reducing the likelihood of a reactive or impulsive response.” (Managing Emotional Mayhem p.41) You may want to try, “You seem sad. Would you like to tell me about it?”

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Peace,

Shelly

Here Comes October!

Hello CCP Family,

      We are settling into our preschool routines!  The children are becoming comfortable and confident with their friends and teachers.  Everyone appears to know they are safe and loved here at CCP.  We are surely on the way to becoming a school family, a process that can take about 4 to 6 weeks.

Thanks for joining us for coffee & cider last week. It was fun to see you all visiting and getting to know each other.

Next week we will practice our first fire drill. It will be very low key and non-threatening. The teachers have read a little book that we wrote about fire drills at CCP. Then, early next week I ring a little bell in the hallway for our first practice. Typically, it’s not a big deal. We clap and praise the children’s efforts at knowing how to be safe.

Please remember your October tuition is due on Oct. 1.

CCP Closed - 10/1 & 10/2 for Fall Break

Conferences - 10/13 & 10/14 Please watch for more details from your teachers.

DOPA Workshop - 10/16 DOPA Workshop for teachers continuing education, school closed

Fall photos are scheduled with photographer David Gellatly outside under the bell tower. Please mark your calendar now. Here’s the schedule:

• Tues, Oct. 20 - Ducks, TTH Ladybugs, TTH Frogs

• Wed, Oct. 21 - Whales, MWF Ladybugs, MW Frogs

• Sat, Oct. 24 - Optional Family Photos. There is no sitting fee and these family portraits would make great Christmas gifts. The photos will be outside in the church yard. Click here to sign up.

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A Conscious Discipline moment - TWO POSITIVE CHOICES - “Giving two positive choice allows your child to comply with your wishes while also giving him the “last word.” (Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline, p. 101) Think what you want your child TO DO and then give 2 choices that can get that result. For example, you want your child to eat a green vegetable at dinner. You could say, “You may choose broccoli or green beans. Which sounds better to you?” Your child gets a vegetable AND feels empowered at the same time!

Enjoy our Fall Break (today & tomorrow). I hope you have plans to do all the things or none of them, there is no wrong answer! Whatever you do, I pray for blessings on you as you do them together.

Peace,

Shelly

Building Preschool Relationships

 Hello CCP Families,

"Discipline is like the 'slow-slow, quick-quick' of a country western two-step.  The 'slow-slow' is building the relationship.  It does not happen overnight but slowly over time.  The 'quick-quick' is the specific skill set we need to handle the upset and conflicts that arise within the relationship."  ~from Dr. Becky Bailey’s Baby Doll Circle Time, p. 32

We have been in preschool almost 3 weeks now building our relationships (the slow-slow part of the two-step.) Each class is continuing to become a school family that truly cares for one another. It is a joy to observe your children at play with their preschool friends! And when a friend is absent, the children so earnestly “put the friend in the heart” and send them love and well wishes. It’s a beautiful, caring gesture of connection. We are thankful that you have chosen CCP to be your preschool home. So glad you’re part of the family!

SPIRIT WEAR

Our Spirit Wear fundraiser will be closed tomorrow. Thank you kindly for your generosity, you all rocked it! Also, this fall after everyone’s shirts have arrived, we will have a Spirit Day at preschool. 😁

Looking ahead…. We will have individual photos taken on October 20 & 21. The photos will be outdoors under the bell tower. We handle it all at school - you don’t have to be present. You will be sent a link to view the photos and to purchase them (optional.) The photographer, David Gellatly, will also offer family photos on Saturday, October 24. I will send an email with more details soon.

Pastor Lee led Chapel this week (Wed & Thurs) for the Ladybugs, Duck and Whales. (Frogs will join Chapel in January.) Pastor Lee talked about how we love God and others. We prayed together, sang, and had fun. Dr Dan played “This Little Light of Mine” while we sang too!

Ms. Crysta-Anne led us in our first Music and Movement classes this week (also Wed & Thurs.) She took out a cooperative stretchy band that everyone got to hold on to and some scarves that could be moved to music. There were lots of smiles!

Duck and Whale friends will enjoy their first lunch bunch next week on Monday and Wednesday, 9/28 & 9/30. We will use the same guidelines for lunch that we do for snack. (Please remember we are a NUT-FREE & SESAME-FREE school.) We will either eat outside, in the classroom, or in the fellowship hall. Ms Sue and Ms Missy will send you details. Lunch day pick-up is 1:00 Be aware that your child may be super tired on the longer lunch days!

9/28 - PAC Meeting 9:15am in Ascension Hall

- Lunch Bunch begins for Whales/Ducks

10/1 & 2 - Fall Break, school closed

10/13 & 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences (school open)

10/16 - DOPA Workshop for teachers continuing education, school closed

10/20 & 21 - Fall Picture Days (more details to come)

Please know that my door is always open! Come in when you need questions answered, encouragement, a smile, or prayer. I’m never too busy for you.

Peace,

Shelly

CCP Spirit Wear

Hello CCP Families,

I am so proud of the children and how they have adapted to preschool! A few have tears at drop off, but usually they disappear quickly. Remember, the first 4-6 weeks of preschool is our time to build a safe learning community that we call our “school family.”

WE ARE ALMOST THERE!

Please remember to order your spirit wear using the information you were given at Orientation. There are also some sheets above the cubbies with the QR code. As soon as the shirts are delivered, we will have some Spirit Days where everyone can wear their new school shirts! You may not realize, but all schools have to fund-raise. Our method is a tax-deductible donation. You may make a donation on the shirt website using your credit/debit card. This donation IS our fundraiser for this year. Many families say they prefer this to selling or collecting. Thank you kindly for your generosity.

Please mark your calendar for our Fall Getting to Know You Parent Coffee next week. Pop by the fellowship hall on Wed or Thurs, Sept 23 & 24 right after drop-off. We will have some coffee, hot cider, and a little treat for you. You can visit with other parents, grandparents, nannies that bring CCP students to school. You may stay to chat or grab some treats and go! We just want to honor our families.

The beginning of October, we will practice our first fire drill. It will be very low key and non-threatening. First the teachers will read a little book that we wrote about fire drills at CCP. Then, I ring a little bell in the hallway for our first practice. Typically, it’s not a big deal. We clap and praise the children’s efforts at knowing how to be safe. Hopefully we will also have a visit from the Chapel Hill Fire Department one day in October! I will let you know what day that is when the department gets back to me.

Next week the Ladybugs, Whales, and Ducks will have their first Chapel times with Pastor Lee. He will keep this experience short, positive, and age appropriate. Usually in Chapel we hear a Bible story, say a prayer, and sing some songs.

Next week we will also have our first music & movement classes with Ms. Crysta-Anne. All ages can participate in music from the very beginning. Ms. Crysta-Anne will invite children to sing, dance, and play musical instruments.

The Preschool Advisory Committee “PAC” will meet on Sept. 28 at 9:15am in Ascension Hall.

CCP has an Instagram account! Check it out, it’s ccpchapelhillnc. It only posts general pictures and information about CCP to protect our tiniest people. We also have a Facebook account, CCP Chapel Hill, NC

WEEKS AHEAD IN A NUTSHELL

9/23 & 24 - Chapel and Music/Movement begin

- Parent Coffee

9/28 - PAC Meeting 9:15am in Ascension Hall

- Lunch Bunch begins for Whales/Ducks

10/1 & 2 - Fall Break, school closed

10/13 & 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences (school open)

10/16 - DOPA Workshop for teachers continuing education, school closed

10/20 & 21 - Fall Picture Days (more details to come)

Finally, I’ll share a Conscious Discipline moment - “Empathy asks us to be willing to give up our thoughts and feelings temporarily in order to more accurately understand those of others. It asks us to quiet our own minds so we can listen from our hearts instead of our heads.” ~ Dr. Becky Baily in Creating the School Family p. 305

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Enjoy the weekend!

Peace,

Shelly

And...We're Off!

Hello CCP Families,

Welcome to Christ Church Preschool! We are so glad you have chosen to join our little family. I will send you information about preschool events and reminders in my blog post. Every Thursday at 7:00pm you will receive an email notice that I’ve posted new info for you. Please take a few minutes to read it and mark your calendars.

From the emailed notification, you can click into the website using the password you received at parent orientation. Be sure to take this extra step because you will be able to see photos of classroom activities. Please remember, if you pull a photo from the website, or take one at a CCP event, please do NOT post it on any social media or any public space. These are only for families, so you can enjoy seeing your child at preschool.

All classes have now experienced their first days of preschool for 2026-27!  There were only a few tears, but I anticipate these won’t last long.  Adults, you handled the "good-byes" very well - positive, short, and sweet!  Thank you for the trust you place in us! You have precious children and we feel very fortunate to have you as part of our school family.  Each day will get easier!

The teachers know their students already, which is wonderful! Please give me a little grace to learn everyone’s names! I believe I know all of the children’s names but keep in mind there are at least 140ish parents. Thanks!

Anyone else feel me on this one?

SPIRIT WEAR

Please remember to order your spirit wear using the information you were given at Orientation. There are also some sheets above the cubbies with the QR code. As soon as the shirts are delivered, we will have some Spirit Days where everyone can wear their new school shirts! You may not realize, but all schools have to fund-raise. Our method is a tax-deductible donation. You may make a donation on the shirt website using your credit/debit card. This donation IS our fundraiser for this year. Many families say they prefer this to selling or collecting. Thank you kindly for your generosity.

Are you a mom of young children who has been wishing for some more mom friends / a community of other supportive moms? A MomCo (Mom Community) meet-up is coming to CUMC! Please consider joining this group on most 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month, beginning September 14th, from 9:30 - 11 am in Building 105 (CUMC’s office building) to get to know other local moms, discuss relevant parenting topics, and support one another as you journey together through motherhood. Childcare is provided.

FORMS

We are missing a few forms.  (We are required to collect new forms each year.) We will be in touch if you’re missing one of the following: health form, emergency contact form, or a photo permission form.  Also, please make sure you have a weather-appropriate change of clothes at preschool.  And thanks for bringing a water bottle and nut-free and sesame-free snack each day! Just be sure your child’s name is on everything you send to preschool.

FOBS

We have had no issues with our fobs so far. Remember if you ever forget your fob, just ring the bell to the right of the door and one of us will let you in. Here’s the fob schedule:

Classes begin at 9:00 you may arrive between 8:55-9:10

Dismissal is at noon (key fobs will work from 11:50 - 12:10)

Lunch days dismissal is at 1:00 (key fobs will work from 12:50-1:10)

Lastly, thank you all for the cards, thoughtful gifts, and well wishes this past week for my birthday. 🎂🎉 They absolutely made ticking off another decade so much more fun and I was so blessed!

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I’d like to leave you with this quote, “A teacher plants seeds that grow forever.” Unknown

Every year this is so beautiful to watch!

Peace,

Ms. Shelly