December Newsletter

Dear St. Sebastian Preschool Families,

The potluck was a huge success! Thanks to all of the families who brought food aplenty and helped with set up/clean up. The food was so delicious and we really enjoyed our time together. I would also like to thank the parents for your volunteer donations in selling chocolate bars and church raffle tickets. There are some great prizes like diamond bracelets, laptops and more and I hope our St. Sebastian School families win! Most importantly, we truly value your support and commitment to our school. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful parents who are always ready to help out in any way they can. Thank you once again.
 
With the busy holiday season coming the weather is also changing. Please make sure that your child’s extra clothes in their cubby are complete and that they are appropriate for the weather.  With the weather getting colder, it is imperative your children have adequate clothing for the cold weather.
 
Preschool Christmas Concert
Our Christmas Concert on Friday, Dec 18th begins at 9:15am at the church across the street from the school. The teachers and children have been working hard to prepare for this concert. I am sure you will be delighted with our children’s performances. Please have your child come to school dressed in Christmas attire.
Coffee and refreshments will be provided after the concert in our preschool yard for parents to enjoy, relax and mingle with each other. The children will also be greeted with a special guest! Let me give you a hint… he’s jolly, wears red and says HO HO HO! Come take this opportunity to meet Santa in person (Thank you to Mr. Dominguez, for volunteering to be Santa this year. Our preschoolers will be so surprised and excited to see you!)

Also, this day children will have early dismissal. Please pick your child up by 2:00pm.

Cultural Month and Star Student
If you haven’t done so already, please sign up for Cultural Month and Star Student. This will count towards your volunteer hours (4hrs. total).  It is also a chance for us to get to know each of our families better as they share something special they do as a family. Be sure to sign up with your child's teacher. It can be as simple as a favorite book your family likes to read together or a project you do as a family. You can bring in pictures/ items from your culture, share about what you do or bring in the activity to actually do with the children. We have had people share their favorite family food, clothing from their culture, and even engage children in a short activity/song.....Whatever you do, we want to learn about what your family does. For more information please contact any of the teachers or our room parents.
 
(Note from Ms. Jill)
We did lots of cooking this month, and the children had a blast designing their very own pizzas while learning how to vote and discussed our favorite toppings. Your children have been participating in lots of discussions, and I can see so much progress with language already! The children loved decorating hearts and going around to their friends telling them what they are thankful for. I am very thankful that we have such a great group of children and families.

December is going to fly by, and it will be Christmas before we know it. We have several birthdays coming up as well as our big Christmas concert and celebration. This first week of December we will be discussing, acting, designing, and experimenting with some “symbols” of Christmas such as the gingerbread man, snowmen, Santa Claus, and his elves!  We will review and make new discoveries with our numbers 0 – 5 and continue our alphabet with letters K, L, and M. Week 2 will consist of holidays all around the world and learn about how different cultures celebrate. Our third and final week will be all about Christmas. From carols to cookies, and presents to performances, this month is sure to be one that the children won’t forget!
 
If you’d like to add to these lessons on how you celebrate the holidays, please feel free to come in and join us, and share a special tradition you have in your family.  Families are always welcome.
 
Important Reminders:
November 30th – Book Fair
December 8th - SPC Meeting at 6:00pm
December 18th – Preschool Christmas Concert 9:15am & 2pm Early Dismissal    
December 21 to January 5th - Christmas Holiday (school closed)
January 4TH – Teacher Retreat (school closed)
January 5th – School Resumes