The run up to the holidays was especially busy for me personally this year.  I’m sure many of you moms can relate to this — it is my first year back to work after five years of being a SAHM (“Stay-at-Home-Mom” for those of you not fluent in internet acronyms).  I probably overestimated my capacity for preparing for Christmas, juggling house guests, subbing in the morning session of preschool and keeping up with administrative duties… but really, in the end, I think we managed quite well!

On Tuesday and Wednesday each student wore PJ’s, and brought a blanket or favorite stuffed animal to school! We did  a round of “Show and Tell” with our stuff from home, built gum drop contraptions, made cool cornstarch dough ornaments, played in “faux snow” in the sensory table, sang holiday favorites, played holiday games, sipped on Hot Cocoa, and listened to the story, The Polar Express. On Wednesday, caroler’s — my family from out-of-town 😉 surprised us by stopping in to give a mini-concert!

Special thanks to Marie for subbing for Amber in the afternoon sessions, for Debbie Key, who volunteered at lunches to be sure Marie got a little break and to Brittan, Marin, Tina and Emily for making the Preschool room so much fun!  Emily Beckert joined our Preschool Staff as an Assistant Teacher in December — making our staff complete through one position split into 4 quarter-time ones to accommodate USU class scheduling.  Emily is fantastic and we look forward to getting to know her better in the coming year! We did miss Teacher Amber terribly, and will be so glad to see her face back at Morningside School!

Thanks to all who made generosity a concrete concept by donating to the Cache Valley Food pantry.  We had a several large boxes of food to bring to the pantry. Additionally, thank you to the Luzzader Family and Allison Bushnell for computer donations.  We will be able to implement foundational keyboard and mousing skills in our Kindergarten and Preschool Curriculum through these generous donations.

We go back to school January 3!  Rested and refreshed, we’ll be ready for them!  😉

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