3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074  •   Phone: 972.423.4910   •   Fax: 972.633.9126
Web address: www.fumcplanoweekday.org   •   Ann Danielson   •   Director, Donna Kirkwood
Directors Report

Dear Parents-

             The holiday season is upon us! Up and down our hallways you will soon see the signs of big things to come: turkeys and pilgrims, trees and mangers are on their way.  Songs that gobble and jingle will be sung and the fun is just beginning. 

             At the same time, we are fast approaching one of the most stressful times of the year.  As adults, we are all used to the hustle and bustle of the holidays and cope with it in various ways.  It is important to remember how stressful this time can be on little ones.  Parents and caregivers maybe stressed about holiday preparations, children are required to accompany parents on more outings than usual, they are often left with babysitters while    parents attend holiday functions, not to mention the holiday programs and parties the children attend themselves.  All of this can be unsettling to a youngster. 

            Early childhood professionals have long told us that routines are very important for healthy social and emotional development.  Children develop best in an environment of order and consistency.  They are happier when they know what to expect. To a young child, a predictable world is a safe world.  Life is easier when you set up and maintain regular routines for bedtime, waking, mealtimes, chores and  playtimes.  This is not always an easy task during this busy time.  Some changes in schedule and routines are unavoidable.  And while children prefer routine, they are resilient enough when a familiar routine has to be disturbed.  There are two basic points to remember:                            

  • Be consistent: Children are the most content when the same thing happens pretty much the same time everyday; and
  • Explain deviations from the routine: If you have to change your plans, let your child know ahead of time, if possible, and explain the situation and the change you are making. 

            The holidays are also a prime time to start developing and sharing family rituals and traditions with children.  Those things that “we always do” at certain times of the year are the things that children remember most fondly when they are grown and that help us when times are tough. 

 

            Have a safe and wonderful holiday season! 

 
     
Special Events-Pumpkin Carnival

On Saturday, October 25th the Weekday Program PTC (parent teacher connection) hosted the 7th annual community preschool carnival.

 

Inflated slides, pumpkin patch, jump houses, petting zoo, DJ, games and food filled the front of the church and the gathering area.

 

Our turn out this year was even bigger than last year. Children (and adults) were encouraged to wear their costumes and participate in the cake walk, pumpkin bowling and the donut catch (a game only best described as a hands free donut eating contest).  We were visited by the Plano Fire Department with a grand entrance of sirens and lights blazing.  The Collin County Sheriff’s department passed out child safety information and the Plano Police Department offered squad car tours and free fingerprinting for the children.

 

An event this large could not happen without the support of church and Weekday Program volunteers who worked all day Friday to setup, during the event and all Saturday afternoon to take down.  We also had a tremendous amount of support from both Jasper and Plano East Sr. High School’s National Honor Society Student volunteers. 

 

We were fortunate enough to have financial support from Metroplex Gymnastics, Wood Wilson Insurance and financial services, IMR Integrated Management Resources, Lucidity Consulting Group, Land Creations, Ghatti Town, Build-a-Bear, Child ID Smart, and Halliburton Investor Relations.  Kristen Baxter of One Fish Design also volunteered with service work. 

 

Thank you to all those who supported and attended our event. We continue to work hard to make the Preschool Pumpkin Carnival a much anticipated family fun event each year!!

 

 

Special Announcements
  • December 12th is Spaghetti with Santa-Mark your calendar for this great event that benefits our scholarship fund.
  • Please remember that we are collecting funds for a new playground. Any donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductable!
  • 2008-2009 Enrollment-Enrollment for currently enrolled students will begin on January 16th. Fees for the upcoming school-year will be announced in December.
  • WEEKDAY PROGRAM BOARD: If you are interested in serving on the Weekday Program Board, we have the following positions available:  At-large member (3 year term, must be church member), CDO Representative (1 year term, must have child in the infants', ones' or twos' class), My Friends' Place Representative (1 year term, must have child enrolled in My Friend's Place)
  • PICTURES: All the pictures your child's teacher takes are available to print at www.weekdayprogram.shutterfly.com. Please stop in the office to get the password for our account.
  • As cooler weather approaches, please remember to send your child to school in weather appropriate clothes. We will go outside everyday, unless it is raining. Also  remember to pack a set of weather appropriate change of clothes in your child's bag.

 


Upcoming Events

November

12 PISD Early Release-Preschool out at 11:30**

12 Vision and Hearing Screening for 4s and 5s

13 Vision and Hearing Screening for 4s and 5s

15-16 FUMC Craft Fair

26 Thanksgiving Break-No preschool**

27 Thanksgiving Break-No preschool or LFP

28 Thanksgiving Break-No preschool or LFP

 

December

5 Christmas Program for 3s and Pre-K 6:30pm

7 FUMC Christmas Festival

12 Spaghetti with Santa

14 FUMC Christmas Pops Concert

19 PISD Early Release-Preschool out at 11:30**

21 FUMC Travelers Christmas Eve Service

22 Christmas Break-No Preschool**

23 Christmas Break-No Preschool**

24 Christmas Break-No Preschool or LFP

25 Christmas Break-No Preschool or LFP

26 Christmas Break-No Preschool**

30 Christmas Break-No Preschool**

31 Christmas Break-No Preschool or LFP

January

1 Christmas Break-No Preschool or LFP

2 Christmas Break-No Preschool**

5 Christmas Break-No Preschool**

6 Preschool Resumes

6 Enrollment Surveys sent home

16 Enrollment Surveys and fees due

19 MLK Holiday-No Preschool or LFP

26 Enrollment for church members begins

27 Open enrollment begins

 

February

16 PISD Student Holiday-No Preschool**

25 PISD Early Release-Preschool out at 11:30**

 

March

13 PISD Early Release-Preschool out at 11:30**

16-20 Spring Break

23-April 3 Family Conferences for 3s and Pre-K

 

April

10 Good Friday-No Preschool or LFP

20 Scholastic Book Fair

21 Scholastic Book Fair

22 Scholastic Book Fair

22 Scholastic Book Fair

23 Scholastic Book Fair

24 Scholastic Book Fair

 

May

13 PISD Early Release-Preschool out at 11:30**

22 Last Day of Preschool

 

**Little Friends’ Place open 7:00-6:30