It is hard to believe December is upon us already! It just seems like yesterday you were walking your children into our school, some for the first time, and taking that first step of letting them go for awhile. We have had some tears, much laughter, and a lot of fun since September and we have made many new friends!

What an amazing carnival! The weather was perfect and everyone seemed to have a great time. I would like to thank the carnival committee, the parent volunteers, the bakers, the parent donors, the community donors and anyone else that took some time out of their day(s) at some point along the way to make this carnival our most successful to date. All of your time, money and donations helped to raise $9270.15! That is AMAZING! This event was successful because of all of you. You are all appreciated more than words can say.

I would also like to thank all of you for donating food for our annual food drive for CCSA. We ask a lot of our families during this time of year, please remember that any requests for donations are just that… requests. There is never an obligation or expectation that you must participate. We are so blessed here with the families, children and staff. It really takes the effort of many, in large and small ways, to make this preschool unique and successful. I applaud all of you for your continuous hard work and contributions to that effort.

Some dates for you to mark on your calendar for December. The parent group will meet on Friday, December 12, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. Pizza days this month are Friday, December 5th and Thursday, December 11th. Our last day of school before the Christmas break is Friday, December 19th. We will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. No lunch bunch or extended care will be available that day. School will resume on Monday, January 5, 2009.

The Northminster Church youth group will be having a parent’s shopping day out this month instead of parent’s night out. That date is Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. They will be providing children with snacks, games, Christmas crafts and a movie, while parents are out and about! The money goes towards sending youth to camps.

If you have, or know anyone who has an old car they want to get rid of, the preschool is signed up for Cars4Causes. Just contact them and let them know you are donating the car to Northminster Preschool. They come and take the car away and send a check to the preschool.

We will be collecting unwrapped toys for children ages 2 -12 yrs. for MOM, Military Outreach Ministries this week. If you would like to contribute a new unwrapped toy (no stuffed animals please), just drop them off in the office this week only. MOM is a community outreach to those military families that live here in San Diego below the poverty line.

On behalf of the Northminster Preschool staff, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Please, if you will be traveling this month, please make it a safe trip. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2009!

May God bless all of you this season and throughout the New Year.

Shelli Harder