A Note from The Director December2014
Dear Interfaith Families, I find it hard to believe that December is already here, and with that, the coming of Christmas and other winter holidays. For many, in addition to it being a time of celebration, family gatherings, and seasonal foods and treats, it is also a time of gift giving. This is a good time for us all – teachers and parents alike – to remember that the greatest gift we can give a child is our authentic presence. Notice that I use the word “presence” rather than “presents.” More than the latest toys and gadgets, children need us to be there for them, to listen to them, and to play with them. Studies show that children who have been listened to grow up to be more confident. So, get down on the floor with your children and join them in their play; better yet, let them take the lead and you follow along. Experts in the field of child development call this “floor time.” Children need uninterrupted time and space to play. In this increasingly fast-paced world of technology, we might need to disconnect – to turn off the cell phone or computer – in order to connect with one another. Remember, the gift of time and the making of memories together is truly the greatest gift a parent can give. So, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a magical holiday season, as well as to thank you all for the gift of entrusting us with your children. Warmly, Julie Oudin
December 2014
Important Dates
Thurs. & Fri.
Spirit Days – wear your ICDC T-shirt
December 15-19
Holiday Parties for All Classes
December 22 -January 2
Winter Holidays- No Partial Day Preschool, School Day, and MDO Programs
December 23
Special Hours - Open at 6:30 a.m.
December 24-January 1
Center Closed
January 2
All Day Classes Resume
January 5
Partial Day Preschool, School Day, and MDO classes resume
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Health & Safety The holidays are a busy time for parents and an exciting time for the children. In order to ensure a safe holiday season here are some safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Decoration Safety: When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over. In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them. Toy Safety: Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies. Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children. Food Safety: Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits. Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands. Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens. Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same. . Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separately, and use separate utensils when preparing them. Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours. From all of us here at ICDC, we wish you a safe and happy holiday! : )
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Curriculum Corner December 2014
Science Lab This month in the Science Lab, our little scientists will be exploring different scientific concepts related to balls. They will learn that gravity is what brings a ball back to the ground when it’s thrown up in the air. Our scientists will also learn about friction when rolling balls over different surfaces. Here are some books related to our scientific concepts this month: I Fall Down by Vicki Cobb What is Gravity? by Lisa Traumbauer What is Friction? by Lisa Traumbauer Newton and Me by Lynne Mayer
Literacy News “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Emilie Buchwald -
This holiday season, pick up a good book and enjoy it with your child. Here are a few to check out: My First Kwanzaa – Karen Katz Dream Snow – Eric Carle Gifts of the Heart – Patricia Polacco Light the Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas – Margaret Moorman Kwanzaa – Lisa M. Herrington The Nutcracker – Susan Jeffers Chanukah Lights Everywhere –Michael J. Rosen Carl’s Christmas – Alexandra Day
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People of ICDC Each month our Parent’s Club will be highlighting one of our staff in their newsletter. This is a great way for you to learn more about our wonderful teachers and staff. Happy Holidays! My name is Daneli Fernandez-Burran and I am the Administrative Assistant here at Interfaith Child Development Center. I started here last February and could not be happier working for such an amazing organization such as Interfaith. I have been working in childcare for over 5 years and started in the classroom teaching prekindergarten and then moved into administration. I have always loved a child’s spirit and have stayed a child at heart. ICDC is full of such amazing, loving teachers and children, I am honored to work for a preschool that does such a wonderful job keeping the children safe and providing the best learning environment a parent could ask for! I moved to The Woodlands, Texas and started 2nd grade at Sally K Ride elementary school and graduated from The Woodlands High School. I went off to A&M University and then transferred to the University of Houston to pursue a BFA in photography, but I will always be an AGGIE at heart! I have grown up and fallen in love with this area of Houston and plan on never leaving. I hope to raise a family here and for my children to be highlanders at The Woodlands High School one day, just as I was!
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Holiday schedule for the enrichment classes: • • • •
D is for Discovery Science: last day-December 8/10 2014; resumes January 2015 date to be confirmed Music by Mary: last day-December 16, 2013; resumes January 6, 2014 Boni’s Dance: last day-December 17; resumes January 7, 2014 Playball: last day- Week of December 15; resumes Week of January 5, 2014
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ICDC Parent’s Club From The President
On behalf of the entire Parent’s Club, we would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in our Spirit Day Event at Pei Wei! Stay tuned for more spirit events coming soon… Please join us on December 3rd for our Peek Kids Shopping Event at Market Street! Bring your little ones for story time with our Director, Julie Oudin, enter into a raffle for a chance to win a Peek gift card and get a ‘peek’ at the new holiday collection! Aren’t you curious…? Our next silent auction meeting will take place on December 10th at 1 pm. If you would like to be involved in helping with our silent auction, please come! All are welcome! Our Holiday Teacher/ Staff Appreciation Brunch will be held on Thursday, December 11th! Let’s show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate them and everything they do for our children. There are many ways you can participate --- you may sign up to bring food, volunteer to take food from cars during carline, or help at the brunch. Sign-up information will be coming soon! Please join us in celebrating our ICDC staff!! I hope you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! If you have any questions, please contact me at skdelapaz@gmail.com or 713/851.1411. Warmest regards, Shannon de la Paz ICDC Parent's Club - President
Toy Drive Interfaith will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for our Holiday Toy Drive until Friday, December 12, 2014. You can drop off your donations at Interfaith Central, located at 4242 Interfaith Way.
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