From the Front Office
Season’s Greetings Families,
Wow, it’s the last month of 2017, hard to believe. It has been a year of growth, learning, and wonder. This month will not disappoint as we have many activities lined up, from spirit days to dining with Santa.
Please read the article about the importance of holiday family traditions as this time of year can get hectic and we often lose the meaning of the season.
We have many opportunities to bring joy to others in our community: a sock and scarf drive in school age, our annual food drive, and Toys for Tots. Look for decorated boxes in your child’s classroom in which to place your gifts.
Lastly, may you all have a joyous and peaceful holiday season. Enjoy each day with your child because they do grow so fast. We have enjoyed caring for your children this last year, watching them blossom and thrive. Let’s us hope for a new year filled with harmony and compassion.
Happy Holiday!
Christy and Tina
Important Dates
1st- Food Drive Begins
8th- Parent’s Night Out
14th- Dining With Santa and Wreath
Auction
Spirit Days
6th- Flannel Day
12th- Reindeer Headgear Day
20th- Ugly Holiday Sweater Day
28th- Dress to Impress Day
Tina’s Reading Corner
This December let’s teach our children tolerance and the joy of giving. Reading picture books is a great way to instill family values and social responsibility. The following is a list of some of my family’s favorite books to be shared and treasured each holiday season!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
The Berenstain Bears-The Joy of Giving
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Night Before Christmas by Charles Santore
The Nutcracker- New York City Ballet
Going Home by Eve Bunting
A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler
Latkes and Applesauce by Fran Manushkin
The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing
Hanukkah Bear by Mike Wohnoutka
Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat by Naomi Howland
Reminder
We are closed on the following days:
December 22nd, 25th, and 29th
Dinner with Santa
You are cordially invited to come and have dinner with Santa Claus!
When: December 14th from 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Here at Discovery Isle
Details: Have your picture taken with Santa and enjoy a home cooked spaghetti dinner complete with salad and bread (vegetarian options available). After dinner get your face painted and enjoy some hot cocoa before the evening ends!! All we are asking is for non-perishable food items to be donated to our Meals on Wheels food drive. We will also be auctioning off our teacher made wonderland wreaths to adorn the walls of your home! Look for the sign up sheet soon!
Parent’s Night Out
Calling all families, it’s that time to announce our Holiday Parent’s night out!
Children ages 2-12 are invited to attend on Friday, December 8th from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
We will be serving dinner and provide fun activities galore. You get to enjoy a
Friday night however you wish!
The cost is $30 for the first child and $20 for each additional sibling. A wait list is available for those under 2; if enough parents sign up then we will open the evening for our younger children. Sign up now, space is limited!
Holiday Family Traditions
With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it is important to create time for family traditions and activities. No matter what holiday you celebrate the following list can be applied accordingly to bring togetherness, joy, the spirit of giving, and cherished memories.
-Make a Gingerbread House a la your holiday
-Bake holiday cookies while listening to holiday music
-Go driving to see all the holiday lights
-Involve your children and donate or volunteer to others in the community
(mitzvahs/good deeds).
-Watch classic holiday movies one night a week (Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special)
-Recreate Las Posadas with your neighbors
-Elf on a Shelf/Mensch on a Bench
-Learn how your holiday is celebrated around the world
-Have a latke competition adding other ingredients in with the potatoes
-Play dreidel with different types of candy other than Gelt
-And of course, read favorite and classic holiday books. Start a collection that can be handed down for years to come!!
Quick and Hearty Vegetarian Chili Cornbread Casserole
December is such a busy month with little time for daily routines. Here is an easy and healthy recipe that the whole family is sure to love! Add a salad and dinner is ready!
Ingredients
4 15 ounce cans drained kidney beans
2 cups vegetarian “beef” crumbles
1 cup corn
2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
2 tbsp chili powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1/3 tsp salt
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp cumin
2 cups cornmeal
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
2 cups soy milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp maple syrup
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix together beans, crumbles, corn, tomato sauce and spices; spread in the bottom of a large baking pan. In a separate bowl combine cornmeal, flour, and baking powder. Slowly whisk in soy milk, oil, and maple syrup, stirring just until combined. Pour cornbread batter over the chili mixture and spread in the dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean..
The holiday season is a time when we celebrate community, diversity, and the universal joy of giving. In the classroom, we introduce children to holiday traditions observed around the world by singing songs, making art, and tasting favorite local seasonal foods, as well as those from other countries. You can continue[.....]
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December 2017
From the Front Office
Season’s Greetings Families,
Wow, it’s the last month of 2017, hard to believe. It has been a year of growth, learning, and wonder. This month will not disappoint as we have many activities lined up, from spirit days to dining with Santa.
Please read the article about the importance of holiday family traditions as this time of year can get hectic and we often lose the meaning of the season.
We have many opportunities to bring joy to others in our community: a sock and scarf drive in school age, our annual food drive, and Toys for Tots. Look for decorated boxes in your child’s classroom in which to place your gifts.
Lastly, may you all have a joyous and peaceful holiday season. Enjoy each day with your child because they do grow so fast. We have enjoyed caring for your children this last year, watching them blossom and thrive. Let’s us hope for a new year filled with harmony and compassion.
Happy Holiday!
Christy and Tina
Important Dates
1st- Food Drive Begins
8th- Parent’s Night Out
14th- Dining With Santa and Wreath
Auction
Spirit Days
6th- Flannel Day
12th- Reindeer Headgear Day
20th- Ugly Holiday Sweater Day
28th- Dress to Impress Day
Tina’s Reading Corner
This December let’s teach our children tolerance and the joy of giving. Reading picture books is a great way to instill family values and social responsibility. The following is a list of some of my family’s favorite books to be shared and treasured each holiday season!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
The Berenstain Bears-The Joy of Giving
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Night Before Christmas by Charles Santore
The Nutcracker- New York City Ballet
Going Home by Eve Bunting
A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler
Latkes and Applesauce by Fran Manushkin
The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing
Hanukkah Bear by Mike Wohnoutka
Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat by Naomi Howland
Reminder
We are closed on the following days:
December 22nd, 25th, and 29th
Dinner with Santa
You are cordially invited to come and have dinner with Santa Claus!
When: December 14th from 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Here at Discovery Isle
Details: Have your picture taken with Santa and enjoy a home cooked spaghetti dinner complete with salad and bread (vegetarian options available). After dinner get your face painted and enjoy some hot cocoa before the evening ends!! All we are asking is for non-perishable food items to be donated to our Meals on Wheels food drive. We will also be auctioning off our teacher made wonderland wreaths to adorn the walls of your home! Look for the sign up sheet soon!
Parent’s Night Out
Calling all families, it’s that time to announce our Holiday Parent’s night out!
Children ages 2-12 are invited to attend on Friday, December 8th from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
We will be serving dinner and provide fun activities galore. You get to enjoy a
Friday night however you wish!
The cost is $30 for the first child and $20 for each additional sibling. A wait list is available for those under 2; if enough parents sign up then we will open the evening for our younger children. Sign up now, space is limited!
Holiday Family Traditions
With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it is important to create time for family traditions and activities. No matter what holiday you celebrate the following list can be applied accordingly to bring togetherness, joy, the spirit of giving, and cherished memories.
-Make a Gingerbread House a la your holiday
-Bake holiday cookies while listening to holiday music
-Go driving to see all the holiday lights
-Involve your children and donate or volunteer to others in the community
(mitzvahs/good deeds).
-Watch classic holiday movies one night a week (Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special)
-Recreate Las Posadas with your neighbors
-Elf on a Shelf/Mensch on a Bench
-Learn how your holiday is celebrated around the world
-Have a latke competition adding other ingredients in with the potatoes
-Play dreidel with different types of candy other than Gelt
-And of course, read favorite and classic holiday books. Start a collection that can be handed down for years to come!!
Quick and Hearty Vegetarian Chili Cornbread Casserole
December is such a busy month with little time for daily routines. Here is an easy and healthy recipe that the whole family is sure to love! Add a salad and dinner is ready!
Ingredients
4 15 ounce cans drained kidney beans
2 cups vegetarian “beef” crumbles
1 cup corn
2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
2 tbsp chili powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1/3 tsp salt
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp cumin
2 cups cornmeal
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
2 cups soy milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp maple syrup
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix together beans, crumbles, corn, tomato sauce and spices; spread in the bottom of a large baking pan. In a separate bowl combine cornmeal, flour, and baking powder. Slowly whisk in soy milk, oil, and maple syrup, stirring just until combined. Pour cornbread batter over the chili mixture and spread in the dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean..
8 Multicultural Holiday Books for Children
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