Run of the Mill
Mill Creek Parish Preschool
November 2012

Director’s Report

	Wow, it’s November already!  Believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner. The Halloween parades and parties all went well and the kids had a blast!  Now it’s time to look toward Thanksgiving!
	By now, you should have received an e-mail  from your child’s teacher talking about their adjustment to school so far.  Formal conferences will take place in January.  If you ever have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress or development, never hesitate to call or e-mail your child’s teacher.  That’s what we’re here for!
	Thanks to all of you who participated in our first fundraiser of the year.  Thanks to your effort, MCPP made over $600 on the sale of Kidstuff books.  This money will help to offset the cost of our cultural arts program.
	Thanks to all who came out to Barnes & Noble last month for our annual bookfair!  We earned over $200 in Barnes & Noble merchandise.  A big “thank you” to all the families who purchased books off of our wish list– we always appreciate expanding our school library.
	Now that the weather is getting cooler, please remember to dress your children appropriately.  We do try to go outside every day!  Remember, mittens are much better than gloves for preschool!
	The staff of MCPP hopes that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  Enjoy the time with your family!

Cyndi

Virtues Readings

A huge “thank you” to the parents who participated in our Virtues readings last month:  Karl Kippola, Michell Fishman and Kelly Cleary.  This month, we are focusing on cooperation.  If interested, the sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board across from Room 2.  This is a wonderful chance to get into your child’s classroom and children are so excited when their parent comes to read to the class.
	
Picture Day!

	Picture Day will be on Monday, November 12th and Tuesday, November 13th.  Both individual and class pictures will be taken.  If your child’s class meets both days, check with the teacher to find out which day your child will get his or her picture taken.
	If you want to dress your child up for picture day, feel free.  We try not to do anything too messy on this day!  The photographer will take several different poses with different backgrounds and you will get to view the proofs and choose which, if any, you would like to order.  Class pictures will be displayed outside of each classroom after they come in and can be purchased directly from your child’s teacher.
	Creative Images is the company that takes the pictures and they do a wonderful job!  They ask that you not dress your child in “green” on picture day.  If you need any further information, please call the school office at 301-926-3592.

Family Reading Night

	Please plan to join us on Monday, November 12th, from 7-8 pm for our first “Family Reading Night” of the year.  These are always fun events for children, as well as parents!  
	As part of the event, there will be a used book sale.  All books will cost $.50.  If you have any books that your children have outgrown that you would like to donate, there is a box in the hallway outside of Mrs. Walker’s office.
	“Family Reading Night” is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other MCPP families.  I hope to see you all there!

Two Fun Advent Events!

	Mill Creek Parish Church invites all pre-schoolers (and their favorite grown-up!) to a brief Christmas Children’s Chapel time on either Tuesday, November 27 or Wednesday, November 28. Rev. Martha, who oversees the Christian Education ministries at Mill Creek Church, will be leading these 5-10 minute gatherings in the Mill Creek Parish Sanctuary.  The message will be tailored for preschool children and will cover the Christmas story.  This is a purely optional activity for our preschool families.  You are invited to attend this activity either before or after your child’s preschool class.  Both days we will gather at 11:40 am, 12:15 pm or 1:10 pm upstairs in the church sanctuary.  All are welcome!
	All MCPP families are also invited to join Mill Creek Parish Church for a children’s “Deck the Halls” Advent craft workshop on Saturday, December 1st.  Children from preschool through the 5th grade are invited to drop by anytime between 10 am and noon to explore the many Christmas craft activities we’ll have for them to do that day.  Invite your friends and neighbors to join us too!  There is no charge for this activity, just come and enjoy a morning of Christmas fun!

Mitten Tree!

During the month of December Mill Creek Parish Preschool families are invited to help Mill Creek Parish Church decorate the two Christmas trees in the lower atrium area with donations of new mittens, gloves, hate, scarves and socks.  After Christmas these items will be donated to the Interfaith Center in Rockville and given to local families in need!  Help us help others!

Transportation Day Leader Needed!
	We are looking for a new Transportation Day leader.  This job requires e-mail skills!  There are many parents who have signed up to help already, so organizing the parent volunteers is also a main role in this job!  You may need to be a part of one or two meetings– but not many!! Consider teaming up with a fellow parent, you can do the job together.  If you are interested please contact Mrs. Sanford for more information!

 

Dates to Remember
•	Nov. 5 & 6– No School!
•	Nov. 12 & 13– Picture Days!
•	Nov. 12– Family Reading Night!
•	Nov. 21-23– Thanksgiving Break!
•	November 27 & 28– Christmas Chapel Time