Sharing God’s Love

Every year the children at Northminster’s VBS take part in a mission project. Last year the children had a blast tie-dying onesies for babies in our very own community.

This year we plan to double the giving! In addition to tie-dying onesies, we are going to participate in Operation Kid-to-Kid.

Often, children don’t understand the value of money—it’s not a “tangible” need for them. That makes it difficult for them to make a concrete connection between their money and really making a difference in the life of another child.

On the other hand, children are familiar with being outside in the summertime—and the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. Most children have been sprayed, slathered, and soaked with insect repellent by their parents in an effort to avoid those pesky bites. But imagine if avoiding mosquito bites was a matter of life and death! This year’s Operation Kid-to-Kid gives kids (and adults) the opportunity to share God’s love by providing mosquito protection bed nets for children in the African country of Mali.

Fight Against Malaria

Over the years, Operation Kid-to-Kid has become one of the world’s largest child-to-child service outreach programs. This year we will team up with children around the country in an effort to protect children from a small—but deadly—enemy: Mosquitoes. In many countries (particularly Africa), mosquitoes carry a frightening disease called malaria that is often fatal. Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases impacting poor children around the world.

The gift of simple mosquito nets can go a long way toward keeping children safe. Plus, it’s tangible evidence that someone cares for them. Every $6 donation provides a new bed net that will protect to or more children. These specially treated nets, draped over a child’s bed while he or she sleeps, can last up to 4 years. The nets are powerful weapons against malaria!

How It Works

Participants and Volunteers at this year’s Sky VBS will learn about this special mission project every day in Sky High Movie and Missions. They will also hear about Ami, Korotimi, and Moussa—people whose lives have been saved because of a simple mosquito net. Kids will create Friendship Cards to send to the children who receive the nets.

During the week, everyone at Sky can bring in donations of any amount and take it to the Operation Kid-to-Kid Headquarters. What a wonderful way for children to see that it’s easy to share God’s love! (And it’s a way for children and adults to be God Sightings to others!)

How wonderful it would be if EVERY family at Northminster sponsored a mosquito net! At only $6, we all can help! If you are interested, please place your check in the offering plate any Sunday between now and VBS. Just write “Operation Kid to Kid” in the memo line so it gets credited to the correct place.

Thank you all for your support!

— Korin

God hasn’t retired yet, you know.

He’s as busy now as he’s ever been.

But until you see that with your own eyes, it’s tough to have a vibrant faith.  God can seem distant or impersonal.

God is active in our everyday lives…we just have to learn to look.  We have to make it a habit to keep an eye out for the daily overwhelming evidence that God is doing great things all around us.

At Sky VBS, children will be encouraged to look for God Sightings—everyday clues that God is present, passionate, and powerful.  A God sighting is simply an acknowledgment that God has done something.  It’s giving God credit where credit is due.  It’s developing a God-focused view and a grateful heart.  Children will discover that they can see God in things like Scripture, people, circumstances, and nature.

As participants make God Sightings part of everyday life, their faith will grow.  Why?  Because they’ll actually see God at work.  Not because he’s suddenly shown up but because they finally have eyes to see…and at last, they’re looking.

During Sky High Movie children will receive a Watch For God wristband that they will wear all week.  These colored bands remind them to keep their eyes open for things that God is doing all around them.

I would love for you all, as a congregation, to share your own personal God Sightings.  I think it would be wonderful for the children to hear examples from you as to what makes you see God all around.  If you would be so kind as to write down your God Sightings and put them in the offering plate occasionally or e-mail them to the church office, we can read them out loud to the children doing Sky High Movie.

As always, thank you for your time, love and support!

— Korin

Believe it or not, preparations are already well under way for this year’s VBS!  The theme this year is SKY:  Everything is Possible With God!

Sky will be filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences children will see, hear, touch and even taste!  Sciency-Fun Gizmos, team-building games, cool Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the Sky activities that will help faith flow into real life. Plus, we will all help children discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life—something we call God Sightings.

The children will also participate in two mission projects this year.  The tie-dyed onesies were such a hit that we have decided to do them again in new colors!  VBS children will also help children in Mali, Africa with mosquito nets!

Mark these dates on your calendar

July 23rd through July 27th.
Registration will begin in April.

As with all things our church does, this year’s VBS will take a village.  We need all of your time, talents and treasures to help spread the word of God’s love!  Keep your eyes and ears open for ways you can help!

Thank you!
— Korin

Kids Night Out is scheduled for Jan.27, Feb. 24, March 30, April 27, May 25,
(no June & July).

Time: 5:30 — 8:30 PM.
Ages: fully potty trained (no pull ups) to 5th grade.
Cost: $15 for 1 child and $25 for 2 or more children from the same family.

Schedule:

Sign In
Outside Play/Inside Puzzles and Card Games
Wash Hands For Dinner
Dinner (cheese pizza, veggie, fresh fruit, water)
Free Choice (Arts & Crafts/Games)
Worship (Bible Story, Songs, or Skits)
Dessert (always varies)
Group Activity or Discussion

To reserve a spot, lease call the church office starting the first week of the month 858 490-3995 or email church@northminstersandiego.com to reserve your child’s spot. Space is limited to 30 children.

What a wonderful time everyone had at the Carnival Kick-Off Dinner! I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. I want to thank everyone who came and signed up to help at the Carnival. We can’t do it without you!

Our Kindergarten Options Information Night is Tuesday, October 4, 2011 from 6:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This event is open to the public so you are more than welcome to bring a friend to this informative evening. Both the public and private sectors will be represented.

Our Open House will be on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what your children have been doing in preschool since September. We hope to see you all there!

The classrooms are transforming as we speak, getting ready for that special day at the end of October. We have a Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 27, and Monday October 31 around 9:20 a.m. on the playground. Please, no masks if you choose to have your child dress up. Mrs. April and Miss Laurie’s friends do not participate in the parade, but they will be outside watching. Ask your child’s teacher about their procedure for this event. You are invited to stay and take pictures as it will be a great photo-op!

Our enrichment programs start this month. We have a puppet show on October 19th and October 20th in Congdon Hall. The show starts at 10:30 a.m. You are more than welcome to come and see what our Parent Group sponsors for our enrichment programs. All of our shows have come to the preschool for years.

I would like to remind parents to sign in and out every day. This is a state requirement as well as how we do our billing system. Please also remember at the end of the month, Korin and I read 125+ time sheets. Please make sure the times are legible and correct. We can only go by what we can decipher on the sheet for billing purposes.

I would also like to remind parents that you need to please keep your children home if they are sick. The only way to keep your children healthy here is if you help us by keeping your children home when they are sick. If they have a persistent cough and runny nose and are not feeling well, they need to stay home or see a doctor. If they have a fever, vomit, or have had diarrhea, they must be symptom free for 24 hours without medication before they are allowed to attend preschool. Please help us keep the children and staff at Northminster Preschool healthy!

I have seen a lot of donations coming in for the Carnival already.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  The classroom bins for the silent auction baskets will be in front of the classrooms with the themes attached.  Your donations will help create a beautiful classroom basket to be auctioned off at the Carnival on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Please have any donated items in the bins by Friday, October 28, 2011.  The carnival committee is also looking for gift cards for the raffle on Carnival day.  If you have a business or know of a business that would contribute a gift card or you would like to donate one, please stop by the office.  We will give you a non-profit letter to take to the business as they can write the donation off.  We also have booth sponsorships available for your family or business to sponsor for the carnival.  Those forms are available in the office as well.

The parent group meeting this month is Friday, October 14, 2011 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  Please come and see what the parents at Northminster are planning for the carnival.  We need your input and help!  Remember, lunch bunch is free for your enrolled child if you attend the meeting!

I wanted to remind returning parents and let new parents know that extended care from 12:00-4:00 p.m. is available to you on the days your child is not enrolled in the preschool program.  If you have a doctor’s appointment, or need an hour to shop, you can call the preschool office and let us know you are dropping your child off for that period of time.  Remember to bring a beach towel if your child is going to stay past 2:00 p.m.  The charge is $5.40/hour and we charge by the quarter-hour.

As I walk around the school each day, I am reminded of all the efforts past and present that the parents have done to help make Northminster Preschool one of the best in this area.  It is because of parents like you that we are able to look at our school both inside and out and be proud of both the physical plant and the teachers and staff who make it special.  I am extremely grateful to be the Director of Northminster Preschool.  We have an amazing group of parents, children and staff here.  We are so blessed!  Thank you for all you do as the parents to make it a pleasure to do my job.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please stop by the office.  If not, you can still stop by and say hello!

Shelli Harder

Wow, is anyone else amazed that it is May? We have one more month of preschool and then it is Summer Fun! The school year goes until June 21, 2011. We will have our all school picnic on June 22, 2011 at Lindberg Park. There will be more information to follow next month.

The preschool will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2011 in observance of Memorial Day. Also, please keep an eye open for the Summer Fun letter and room assignments. Those letters will be going home on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 and Thursday, May 26, 2011.

The parent group enrichment program this month is Learning Safari. We will have a group here that will be brining in animals to show the children so they can learn about the different animals in their environment.

We will be doing our memory tiles for the wall out on the playground by room 2 on Thursday, May 19th and Friday, May 20th during school hours. This parent group sponsored fundraiser is $25.00 for a 6×6 tile. The tiles will be put up on the walls facing the playground as a reminder of your child’s time here at Northminster. If you have siblings that have graduated from Northminster and they would like to do one, we will have some available for them as well.

Our 2nd annual preschool rummage sale was a huge success! The parent group made over $1600.00 on Saturday, April 23rd. I want to thank all of the parents who helped organize the clothing and other items, the parents who brought items in for the sale and the parents who helped us on Saturday. We could not do a sale of this magnitude without all of your help. The Parent Group and I thank you for your time and energy!

Vacation Bible School registration is still open but filling quickly. If you would like to participate in this fun event (run by Korin McCoy) please look for the Vacation Bible School icon on this website and download the registration form.

On behalf of the entire staff at Northminster Preschool, we would like to thank you for all of the small and large things you have done this year to make our school special. Not only have you shared your unique skills with the children, you have donated supplies, time and love whenever we have needed it. You are an amazing group of parents and I wanted to let you know that what you do for us does not go unnoticed!

Shelli Harder

Our Children’s ministry is sure growing. I am so pleased to see so many new faces attending. We are looking forward to singing at the pancake breakfast in March and for hunting those eggs on Easter! Kid’s Night Out (KNO) has been a blast for both the parent’s and the children. KNO is on the last Friday of the month, be sure to register.Also, Pastor Markus will be holding a communion class soon. Please email the church office if you are interested in having your grade school child attend the class. I encourage you to have your child take this class as the grade school children have been attending communion each month and it will allow them to understand why exactly it is important to be a part of this.   Blessings Sandra

We are transitioning from the month of love and sea life to spring and that cute little green man who comes to visit on March 17th!

The Parent Group meeting will be Friday, March 11, 2011. We will also have Irish Dancer’s visiting on March 17 and March 18, 2011. This program is courtesy of the parent group fundraising.

Please remember that priority registration is March 17, 2011. The paperwork will be going home on March 1, 2011 and March 2, 2011. We will not accept your paperwork until 8:00 a.m. on March 17, 2011. We need to have all of your paperwork in for both Summer Fun and Fall registration by March 21, 2011. We have past priority registration on March 22, 2011. After this date, all open spots will be filled from our waiting list. If you do not get your paperwork in on time, we cannot guarantee a spot for your child.

We will have our spring photos on March 15, and March 16 2011 with a real baby lamb! If you are interested in this, please fill out the form we will be providing and bring your order form and money into the office by the morning of the pictures.

Please also note on your calendars the preschool will be closed on Monday, March 14, 2011 for a professional growth day. The teachers will be taking a first-aid course.

Also, a reminder that spring break this year is the first week of April. The school will be closed from April 4-8, 2011.

On Sunday, March 27, 2011 Northminster Presbyterian Church will be holding its 4th annual Preschool Sunday Service. The service is dedicated to the preschool program. The church and preschool children will be singing songs together. There will be a free pancake brunch and all are invited to attend! Please look for an R.S.V.P. flyer in your child’s bag the week of March 14, 2011. We would love to see you there!

I want to thank  you for your continued support of our program at Northminster Preschool. I love my job and your children! I thank you for entrusting us with your children each and every day! I continue to strive to make sure that this program is the best in San Diego. My door is always open for you!

Shelli Harder

Have you noticed a transformation from winter to hearts in the classrooms? Love is in the air at Northminster Preschool! Your children are getting ready for Valentine’s Day. They are learning songs about love. All classes celebrate Valentine’s Day and have special instructions for you for making valentines. Please check with your child’s teacher.

School will be closed on Friday, February 11, 2011 and Monday, February 21, 2011 in observance of Lincoln and Washington birthdays. For our enrichment programs this month courtesy of the Parent Group, we will be having two performances by the Jack Straws and the theme will be pirates. Those performance dates are February 22, 2011 and February 23, 2011. Our Parent Group meeting will be the third Friday of this month, on February 18, 2011 due to a school holiday falling on the second Friday.

March 17, 2011 is priority registration for children and siblings of children currently enrolled in the program. We will be sending home registration packets for summer fun registration and fall registration. If you have a sibling coming into the program, please stop by the office and get a registration form and new child packet. Your children have priority in the program, but please keep in mind your forms need to be in the office no later than March 22, 2011 and open enrollment March 23, 2011. Any spots available in the program on those days will be taken by new children.

While every effort will be made to honor teacher requests, the office reserves the right to fill classes based on age appropriateness, child dynamics and boy to girl ratios. Also, please keep in mind that although your child has a spot in the preschool, it is still first come first served in regards to how many days a week you would like.

I want to thank all of the parents who have signed up for snack this year. The reason we have snack sign ups is because we are limited on what we can serve 95 children a day. This gives you the opportunity to introduce a favorite snack of your child’s to the other children. It also gives you the opportunity to go shopping with your child, pick out what to have for snack and make it into a fun teachable moment for you and your child. It is completely voluntary but very much appreciated!

We enjoy having your children with us at the preschool and remember we are always here for you. Please stop by and say hello!

Shelli Harder

Wow, 2011! I am having a hard time writing that number! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Welcome back everyone! We are into the swing of the New Year already. We are excited to be back and are looking forward to a great 2011 with your children.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2011 and Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. we will have Mad Science here as part of Northminster Preschool’s enrichment program. They will be sharing their program called “Special Effects”. This is an amazing show!

A calendar reminder for you: the preschool will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2011 in observance of Martin Luther King Holiday.

I am sure that most of you are aware of the many potholes in the alley. If you would like to help get those holes fixed you can go to the website www.sandiego.gov/street-div and put in a service request. Our address is 4324 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. and the two perpendicular streets are Cole Street and Du Bois with the parallel street being Conrad. I think if many of us put in a request, they may hear us! Than you for your help.

I want to thank all of you who donated toys to MOM before Christmas. The organization was very appreciative of your efforts.

Since we are going into the heavy cold and flu months, please remember to keep your child home if they have an excessively runny nose, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. State regulations require your child to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. This also applies to vomiting and diarrhea. We want to keep everyone happy and healthy this year! Also, please remember to close the gates behind you! Safety first!

Please do not allow your child to play on the playground at pick up time during lunch bunch. The children at the lunch tables are not allowed to play until they have eaten lunch and it is hard for them to understand why other children are out on the playground playing. Thank you for your understanding!

On behalf of the entire staff, we wish you a happy and healthy 2011! Remember, my door is always open if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Shelli Harder