A BIG THANK YOU

The CDC staff would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts!  We received funding from many of you to order all items on our St. John Christmas Wish List and more!  We are blessed by your generosity and support of our program!  Thank you again for making ALL OUR WISHES COME TRUE! 

WINTER WEATHER REMINDER:

So far, God has blessed us with a mild winter season…but, this is Nebraska!  In the event of St. John and Seward Public Schools closing due to winter weather, there will be NO MORNING PRESCHOOL. All-day families who CALL BEFORE 9 A.M. to tell us they will not be bringing their children WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR THE DAY. Yes, we truly appreciate when you call before 9 a.m. to let us know, as it saves you a charge if your child isn’t here, it allows us to adequately staff our center, and it gives us an accurate lunch count.  Many thanks in advance!

If there is a 2 hour late start, there is NO MORNING PRESCHOOL. We seldom close, however, in the event the center must close due to inclement weather, an announcement will be carried over our website. Please refer to our center’s policies on our website for further details.

NO SCHOOL DAYS

There will be no morning preschool on Friday and Monday, February 17 & 20, due to Seward Public and/or St. John school closures.  Remember to sign-up for your school-age student on the NO SCHOOL SIGN-UP forms located at the front lobby area of the CDC.   

PRESCHOOL-ONLY PARENT REMINDER:

Your child’s monthly tuition is based upon an eight month school year (Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, March and April).  No payment is required for the months of December and May due to the high volume of days off required for NO SCHOOL DAYS                    

REGISTRATION

Registration forms for the upcoming summer and school year programs will be distributed to our current CDC families beginning Monday, January 30^th.  Please return your forms ASAP to save your slot for next year!  We have been receiving numerous calls and our waiting lists are growing! 

FAMILY NIGHTS

Family Nights resume on February 21^st with Sandra Burwell, R.D., LMNT/Dietician informing us on how parents can get their children to eat healthy. St. John Lutheran Church will be the host site with a free meal served from 5:45 – 6:30.  The program begins at 6:30 p.m. Free daycare is provided by the students of Concordia University. There will be a sign-up sheet at the front lobby area of the CDC.  All families in the Seward community are invited.

FEBRUARY BOOK ORDERS

Scholastic Book orders are due to the CDC office by Friday, February 10^th.

Calendar Reminders:

• January 30 – Registration forms distributed
• February 10 – Book orders due
• February 17 & 20 – NO MORNING PRESCHOOL
• February 21 – Family Night at St. John Lutheran Church
• February 22 – Ash Wednesday services at St. John Lutheran Church

                                    11:00am service

                                    5:00-6:45pm dinner

                                    7:00pm service

Happy Valentines Day!

Mrs. Rebecca Bimler, Director

St. John Child Development Center

402/643-3122

rebecca.bimler@stjohnseward.org

All staff are trained in first-aid and CPR.

Parents will be contacted by phone regarding any head injury or other injury that may requre medical attention. In the event of a true emergency requiring an ambulance, 911 will be called first, then the parents.

All parent and authorized contact numbers are available to our staff, and are taken with us during evacuation drills.

Fire Drills are practiced monthly.  Parent contact information is carried with us to our Safe Meeting Place.

In the event of a power failure, we will remain on-site unless the extent of the power failure may compromise our safety.  If necessary, parents will be contacted to make alternate arrangements for the day.

Program Philosophy: (Summarized) We believe responding to the needs of parents, children and community is an integral part of the mission and ministry of the congregation.

We believe our main purpose is to “make disciples of all people.” Matthew 28:19 Quality education and child care are significant opportunities to minister to our community.

We believe that education and child care are supplements to the children’s primary teachers – their parents. We are here to help and encourage parents in their roles.

We believe that each young child is an individual – a unique gift from God (Psalm 127:3). we believe that children learn best through experimentation and exploration. Our program plans developmentally appropriate activities and values play as an arena for learning. While learning is encouraged, it should not be hurried.

We believe that children deserve a Christ-centered environment where they can develop to his/her fullest potential aesthetically, emotionally, intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually.

Program Goals
1. Provide excellent, Christ-centered care for all within our walls.
2. Provide a classroom environment that encourages and challenges individual children, helping them to develop at their own pace.
3. Attend to all of a child’s needs: aesthetically, emotionally, intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually.
4. Be a resource to parents, families, local child care facilities and Concordia University.

Return to Online Handbook

WINTER WEATHER REMINDER:

So far, God has blessed us with a mild winter season…but, this is Nebraska!  In the event of St. John and Seward Public Schools closing due to winter weather, there will be NO MORNING PRESCHOOL. All-day families who CALL BEFORE 9 A.M. to tell us they will not be bringing their children WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR THE DAY. Yes, we truly appreciate when you call before 9 a.m. to let us know, as it saves you a charge if your child isn’t here, it allows us to adequately staff our center, and it gives us an accurate lunch count.  Many thanks in advance!

If there is a 2 hour late start, there is NO MORNING PRESCHOOL. We seldom close, however, in the event the center must close due to inclement weather, an announcement will be carried over our website.

PRESCHOOL-ONLY PARENT REMINDER:

Your child’s monthly tuition is based upon an eight month school year (Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, March and April).  No payment is required for the months of December and May due to the high volume of days off required for NO SCHOOL DAYS. 

NO SCHOOL DAYS

There will be no morning preschool on Friday, January 27, as well as Friday and Monday, February 17 & 20, due to Seward Public and/or St. John school closures.  Remember to sign-up for your school-age student on the NO SCHOOL SIGN-UP form located at the front lobby area of the CDC.                             

Child care tax statements will be printed and available beginning the week of January 3^rd.

Family Nights resume on February 21^st. St. JohnLutheranChurch will be the host site with a free meal served from 5:45 – 6:30.  The program begins at 6:30 p.m. Free daycare is provided by the students ofConcordiaUniversity. There will be a sign-up sheet at the front lobby area of the CDC.  All families in the Seward community are invited!

Calendar Reminders:

• January 2, 3 & 4 – NO MORNING PRESCHOOL
• January 20 – St. John PTL Trivia Night
• January 22 – Kindergarten Open House at St. John
• January 23 – Teacher Appreciation Week at CDC & St. John School
• January 27 – NO MORNING PRESCHOOL
• February 17 & 20 – NO MORNING PRESCHOOL
• February 21 – Family Night at St. John Lutheran Church

Happy New Year!

Mrs. Rebecca Bimler, Director

St. JohnChildDevelopmentCenter

402/643-3122

rebecca.bimler@stjohnseward.org

One way to come together and share in our blessings is our annual Thanksgiving Breakfast Buffet.  It is scheduled for Friday morning, November 18^th from 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.  Please plan to join your child for breakfast at the center when you drop him/her off that morning. 

God continues to bless us at our center through weekly chapels. Parents are always welcome to come and worship with us in the school-age room at 9:15 a.m. every Monday morning. 

November’s Family Night is entitled “Emotional Coaching.”  Come and learn how to become comfortable with young children’s emotions and how to help them learn managing skills.  Kelly Vanness, Early Childhood Professional Development Coordinator, is the presenter for this program scheduled for November 8^th at the United Methodist Church.  A free meal will be served from 5:45 – 6:30, followed by the program.  Free daycare is provided by the students of Concordia University.  Remember to sign-up on the sheet located at the front lobby area of the CDC.   All families in the Seward community are invited! 

There will be no morning preschool on Wednesday, November 23^rd.  St. John and Seward Public will also be closed on that day.  Remember to sign-up for your school-age student on the NO SCHOOL SIGN-UP form located at the front lobby area of the CDC.

As a staff, we wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving. 

 Enjoy and give thanks!

The Light of God’s Word was glowing within our hearts as our center held its first chapel worship for the new school year.  Pastor Bruick was our guest and reminded us of those family members, teachers and friends who help us to glow AND grow in His Word.  We look forward to hearing from the members of St. John’s ministry team as they come to share worship with us each week.                 

Chapters Books & Gifts and St. John Child Development Center are once again teaming up with Jumpstart’s annual Read for the Record program to promote early literacy.  The event will be held on October 6, 2011, from 9:00am to 7:00pm. Visit Chapters with your favorite child(ren), participate in literacy activities and be one of the first 25 families to receive a free copy of Llama, Llama, Red Pajama! So, grab a book and read aloud to a child.

One of our tastiest fund raisers begins the week of October 10^th!  We will have order forms available for Butter Braid braided pastries.  Order one, two, three or more, for your upcoming holiday brunch!  They are delicious!

Family Night in October is entitled “Sick Kids! What Do I Do Now?” and will address the do’s and don’ts of sick kids and how to keep kids healthy.  Dr. Connie Novac, Seward Memorial Health Systems Physician will be the presenter for this program scheduled for October 18, 2011 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.  A free meal will be served from 5:45 – 6:30 followed by the program.  Free daycare is provided by the students of Concordia University. There will be a sign-up sheet for October’s family night at the front lobby area of the CDC.  All families in the Seward community are invited to call the CDC to reserve your family spot!

Please note the following NO SCHOOL DAYS at St. John and Seward Public Schools.  St. John will not have school on October 14^th.  Seward Public will not have school on October 19^th,  for K-4 only, and no school for all ages on October 20^th and 21^st.  There will be no morning preschool on the 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st  due to the increase in enrollment.  Yes, our center will be bustling with laughter and learning!

Thank you again to the grandparents who joined us on September 12^th for a preschool Grandparent Tea.  The joy you bring to your grandchildren reflects in your warm smiles, gentle hugs and kind words.  You share Jesus’ love with them in so many ways!  Your wisdom and experience bring the power of the Law and Gospel, which is unconditional and well received.  God has brought you to this most spectacular time of life, with great purpose, influence and love!  Praise to Him for YOU!

May We Shine As Embers of His Light to All! 

Mrs. Rebecca Bimler, Director

St. JohnChild Development Center

Jesus made the rainbow, Jesus made the sun, Jesus made the day and filled it up with fun! Jesus made the moon to shine at night, and Jesus made the stars so bright.
Jesus made the kittens, Jesus made the ducks, Jesus made the kittens and the little pups. Jesus made the bunnies smooth as silk, and Jesus made the cows for milk.  (moooooooooo)

Jesus made the flowers, Jesus made the trees, Jesus made the rain and the cool and gentle breeze. Jesus made the grass so fresh and green, and Jesus made the air so clean.  (sniff – ahhhhhhhhhhh)

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1-2-3, Jesus loves me.  1-2, Jesus loves you.  2-3-4, he loves you more, more than you’ve ever been loved before.  5-6-7 . we’re on our way to heaven.  7-8, won’t it be great? 8-9-10, we’re at the end (1st time through) I guess we’ll have to sing it again.  (Repeat. 2nd time through:) but we don’t have time to sing it again.

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Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.

Circle is round, it has no end. That’s how long I’d like to be your friend.

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The thumbkins they can sing, the thumbkins they can dance, the thumbkins they go ’round and ’round, and then they clap their hands.

(Repeat for pointers, tall men, ring men, then for pinkies:)

The babies they can’t sing. The babies they can’t dance. The babies – they can’t go ’round and round, but they can pattycake their hands!

The finger family sings, the finger family dances, the finger family goes ’round and ’round, and then they clap their hands.

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This is the day (this is the day) that the Lord has made (that the Lord has made), we will rejoice (we will rejoice) and be glad in it (and be glad in it.) This is the day that the Lord has made! We will rejoice and be glad in it! This is the day (this is the day) that the Lord has made!

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Chorus: The rules, the rules, the rules of the classroom. (x 2)

Follow, follow, follow directions. (x2)

Chorus

Feet and hands, feet and hands, feet and hands to yourself. (x2)

Chorus

Small voices inside, tall voices on the playground. (x2)

Chorus

Work together, don’t fight or you’ll get in trouble. (x2)

Chorus (x4) Yeah!

(You can watch a YouTube video of some children singing this song here.)

Have a song you’d like the word to that’s not here?  E-mail Mrs. Sommerer and it will be the next one up!