Christmas Program:
Thursday, December 3rd is the big day!  UCD’s 4th annual Christmas program!

Together with the Toddler and Preschool rooms, we will be performing an adaptation of “The Penguin who was Different:  A Christmas Wish” by Marie O’Neill.

What you need to know:  I will be giving parents the option of taking home their child’s shirt Wednesday night.  Please drop your child off (in costume) in our classroom no later than 5:45 PM on Thursday.  Family members can then head to the church sanctuary to find their seats.  Please be sure to arrive early, as seats will fill up quickly.

We will be combining with the University United Methodist Church for the post party.  The evening schedule is as follows:

6:00 PM - Christmas Program,"The Penguin who was Different: A Christmas Wish" 

6:30 PM - Advent Party in the Fellowship Hall, sponsored by the University United Methodist Church.
-Visit with Mrs. Claus
-Cookies and Hot chocolate
-Advent Christmas craft/gift for each child from Pastor Jay

7:15 PM - "The Children's Christmas Tree" Lighting Ceremony, outside east entrance of the church.

You are invited to share in any or all of the evenings scheduled activities.  This is for everyone in the UCD and UUM Church family.  It will be a great evening of fun and celebration!

Dates to Remember:
Dec 3 – Christmas Program, 6:00 PM.
Advent Celebration immediately  following program.
Dec 9 – Santa visits UCD! 9:30 AM
Dec 21 – Grant’s Birthday!!
Dec 22 – 1st day of Winter
Dec 19 – Christmas Pajama Party and
book exchange!! Be sure to sign up for snacks and bring a wrapped book as a gift for your child to exchange.
Dec 24-Jan 1 – NO SCHOOL! Christmas Vacation! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Themes:
Nov-30-Dec 4 – Family
Dec 7-11 – Manners
Dec 14-18 – Christmas
Dec 21-23 – Winter Wonderland

The Elf on the Shelf - A Note from Ms. Rachel:
Every Christmas I sit down with my students and read to them, “The Elf on the Shelf” by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell.  

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story, it is an interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition.  We start by reading the book and naming our stuffed toy elf.  Our elf then sticks around the classroom, magically moving to a different lookout every day because, as the story goes, he flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa Claus every night and then flies back by morning.  The kiddos love looking for his new hiding place every day and it becomes a favorite game until our elf “goes home” on Christmas Eve.  

As I have worked in childcare for many years, I understand that not every family celebrates Christmas in the same manner.  Please do not hesitate to let me know if you do not wish your child to be encouraged to believe in Santa Claus.  It will only take a few moments a day for me to pull your child aside and remind them that we are just pretending.  It will not mess up or interfere with our fun tradition and will allow me to help reinforce your own family’s traditions.  Thank you!