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! Our faithful fundraising chairperson, Carolyn Ziemer (thank you 😇), sorted them all out for us and they are now in your child’s cubbie if you ordered one. We will plan a spirit day soon 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.
Pastor Brad and Baby Yoda
We only had one Chapel time this week and Pastor Brad joined us. He talked about the importance of love and hugs and sharing them with others. He brought along his favorite “stuffy”, Baby Yoda for everyone to hug. He also showed us his special cross from his daughter that had Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and the star of Bethlehem on it. Before each Chapel time is over, our candle is blown out and the “light” is caught and shared with others in our world.
I know some of you have lots of kiddos in your tribe for drop-off and pick-up. I also know how hard it is to unpack all of them and enter the building with your hands so full. One idea to make this time easier for you might be to team up with another parent in the parking lot and take turns bringing your children to or from class. I have some other clever ideas to help you out if you’d like them, just ask, I’m a boat load of wisdom that has come from mostly mistakes 😉!
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 (actually it’s a triangle instrument that has been demonstrated to each class). Typically, it’s not a big deal. We clap and praise the children’s efforts at knowing how to be safe.
On Tuesday & Wednesday, Oct. 14 & 15, the Ladybug, Whale, and Duck teachers will hold conferences. (Frogs will get written communication now and 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. At your conference time, you will find Ms Lisa in the Disciple room off of Ascension Hall. (Your key fobs may not work during the day, so just ring the bell to the far right of the front or back door.) Whales and Ducks parents will 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. We will have signs up to help you. 🪧➡️⬅️
Individual photo days are coming up on Oct. 21 & 22. Remember that our photographer, David Gellatly, will be here on Saturday, Oct. 25th 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 for a convenient time slot.
On Friday, Oct. 17th 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.
“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?”
Enjoy our Fall Break (today & tomorrow). I hope you all 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
Bonus Tidbits:
Do one good deed every single day, but never tell anyone about it.