November 2018 Newsletter
Children are a gift from God. They have not been haphazardly formed or birthed.
They have been created in the image of God. They have been entrusted to us for our nurture and care.
Children and adults need each other.
Reminders & Updates:
~The weather is colder now, please ensure your children have appropriate clothing for outside play. We go outside every day.
~Fundraisers- benefit your child’s classroom- Goal of $2000
$20 “arm length” of tickets for a 2 night stay at the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown and $100 gift certificate to Ruth Chris!
~$20 “arm length” of tickets for a 2 night stay at a Wildwood Condo
~See Miss Margie or Miss Iris to purchase or Venmo tickets or place your cash/check in an envelope labeled with your name and Fundraiser and your tickets will be returned to you. Winner will be chosen the week of December 17th. Ask family and friends to join in the fun! Good luck!! Current total: $1,105
~All families & friends who shop at GIANT can automatically donate to Sonshine at each shopping visit. It is a simple process, contact Miss Margie if you haven’t designated Sonshine yet. This easy fundraiser lasts until March.
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November 4th- Daylight Savings Time Ends- extra hour of sleep- extra patience needed for children’s adjustment to the time change
November 6th- Election Day- Drexel Hill Church is a polling place – parking will be effected
November 8th & 9th – Christmas Pictures – more info to follow on Parent Square
November 22nd – Thanksgiving Day – CLOSED
November 23rd – Staff Professional Development Day – CLOSED
November 27th- Staff Meeting @ 6:00PM- please be prompt or early at pick up time
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Reading to Children
Play reaches the habits most needed for intellectual growth.-Bruno Bettelheim
"Study Finds Reading to Children of All Ages Grooms Them to Read More on Their Own," was the headline of a New York Times article reporting the results of an annual "Kids and Family Reading Report" commissioned by Scholastic. The Scholastic survey of just over 1,000 children ages 6 - 17 found that only 31 percent said they read a book for fun almost daily, down from 37 percent four years ago. Other findings:
"For younger children — ages 6 to 11 — being read aloud to regularly and having restricted online time were correlated with frequent reading.... Reading aloud through elementary school seemed to be connected to a love of reading generally.... Children in the survey frequently cited reading aloud as a special bonding time with their parents...
"Some literacy experts said that when parents or teachers read aloud to children even after they can read themselves, the children can hear more complex words or stories than they might tackle themselves.... Other literary experts say the real value of reading to children is helping to develop background knowledge in all kinds of topics as well as exposure to sophisticated language."
Brain Research and Baloney
Optimism is the father that leads to achievement.-Helen Keller
In her article, "Primed for Learning: The Young Child's Mind," an article in the Beginnings Workshop Book: Curriculum, Brain Research, Math, Science, Karen Stephens offers this caution:
"I've waded through an explosion of brain research literature. Some of it was beyond my technical needs. A neuroscientist, I'm not! But I plodded on to find a gold mine of knowledge.
"When hearing implications of brain studies, be a wise and thoughtful consumer. Inaccurate — or misapplied —information can harm children rather than help them. Don't accept everything you hear as absolute, final fact. For instance, actively learning to play music builds brain power; passively listening to music does not. Brain research is an emerging field, still in its infancy. New revelations, classifications, and implications surface regularly. Be moderately skeptical. Don't succumb to fads that supposedly stem from research. Follow your intuition and common sense.
"Pay closest attention to information that triggers your 'aha!' response. When brain research rings true, you'll feel it. After all, the human species has evolved to ensure survival of our young. How wonderful that science now bears out that many instinctual parenting and teaching responses are indeed the best ones!"
Reminders & Updates:
~As an outreach to the needy in our community, Sonshine collects non-perishable foods and other items, such as laundry detergent, toothpaste, etc. Feel free to deposit items weekly into the blue bin at the Berry Avenue entrance.
All are invited and welcomed with open hearts and open arms to worship at the Drexel Hill Church on Sunday mornings starting at 10:30 AM. For more information check out:
drexelhillchurch.com facebook.com/drexelhillchurch
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Non-Toy Gifts for Children
Karma Gayleg, the World Forum Foundation National Representative from Bhutan, shared a list of 18 non-toy gifts for children from Nourishing Minimalism. Here are a few of the items on this list....
Karma Gayleg, the World Forum Foundation National Representative from Bhutan, shared a list of 18 non-toy gifts for children from Nourishing Minimalism. Here are a few of the items on this list....
- Classes - Music, dance, riding, drawing, and classes are a great way to encourage children in their interests and let them know that you pay attention to them and what they enjoy.
- Memberships - Zoo, science museum, children’s museum, YMCA membership, etc. These are particularly great for family gifts!
- Activities - Mini golf, bowling, skating rink. These are so much fun! And a big part of the fun is going together. Children love spending time with the adults in their lives, they want to see you enjoying your time as well as enjoying them.
- Recipe and Ingredients - Kids love cooking with their parents. Baking something special or cooking dinner is an ideal time to spend together and learn life skills. Print out a recipe, purchase all the ingredients and set a date for cooking together.
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Thank you to families for:
--donating their time in a classroom-assisting in property repairs and maintaining our grounds
-donating to: the Food Basket Program and Recycling Program
- who purchased items for their child’s classroom.
Special thanks to Pastor Brandon Hanks and the Drexel Hill Church for being prayer warriors for our families and staff
IMPORTANT INFO:
Click on the following link to sign up for text alerts for school closings.
myfoxphilly.com/closings
Scroll to: Sonshine Christian Academy --- listed under schools. If you have children in other schools you can list them as well.
Don’t forget that every time you shop at GIANT, a portion of your receipts goes directly to Sonshine. However, you need to register your GIANT card. If you need the info again, contact Miss Margie or Miss Carol.
Sonshine holds a STAR 4 designation, certified through the Dept. of Education as a Private Academic Preschool and Kindergarten and licensed through the Dept. of Welfare. We strive every day to ensure that each child reaches their individual potential by providing materials and activities appropriate for their developmental level. We have resources that allow for the overachievers as well as those who need extra help to succeed every day.
Children are a gift from God. They have not been haphazardly formed or birthed. They have been created in the image of God. They have been entrusted to us for our nurture and care. Children and adults need each other.
Our Food Basket Program is dedicated to helping families in our local area. This month, through the generosity of our families, several families were helped with food baskets. As a continued outreach of Sonshine, we ask that every family donate just ONE non-perishable item (breakfast foods, diapers , wipes, household cleaning products, etc.) EVERY WEEK. Let’s work together at serving those in time of need.
RESOURCES:
www.delcolibraries.org For the free service offered from the Delaware County Library System. Click on the Tumble Book icon for free downloads and interactive games and puzzles.
www.foodallergy.org
www.lableitorloseit.com
www.papromiseforchildren.com
www.healthychildcare.org
www.promisingkids.org
www.chop.edu/healthyweight
ww.choosemyplate.org
www.inchbug.com
Free Child Safety Seat Inspection – Call 215-590-5437
to make an appointment
