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Director's Note...
Dear Parents,
March 19-22 we will have a visiting team on our campus from NLSA. What is NLSA? National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) requires that Lutheran early childhood centers evaluate themselves based on ten Standards. The word “standard” originates from the French word estendard, which was the flag of the leader around which his followers rallied. Such a standard raised in battle provided leadership, a goal and a sense of working together. So it is today. The ten Standards challenge Lutheran early childhood centers to improve the quality of their programs. They are not meant to reflect what every center is like, but rather to give each center an indication of worthy goals to achieve. The accreditation process was designed specifically for LCMS early childhood centers and is intended to serve as a measure of the quality of their programs. The Self-Study process allows a school to thoroughly evaluate its programs and procedures develop a School Action Plan and report progress annually in a Cumulative Annual Report (CAR). The CAR reports a process of ongoing improvement that benefits the school in the interest of the children it serves. Accreditation is valid for six years.
Reaccreditation requires application, completion of the Self-Study Report, a successful Validation Team Visit by four or more peer professional reviewers, a positive recommendation from the District Accreditation Commission and approval by the National Accreditation Commission. The process is based upon three assumptions. First, a high-quality program is required to be good stewards of the blessings given by God. Second, each center willingly cooperates with local governmental agencies unless such
cooperation inhibits the free sharing of the Gospel. Third, the early childhood center strives to meet or exceed all local, state and federal guidelines related to early childhood education. We pray that the accreditation process serves to raise the level of quality in centers choosing to participate in NLSA. As a result, centers will better serve the community with the opportunity to tell many more children about the love of their Savior, Jesus.
Based on our self-study we have created some goals for our center that we have added to our School Action Plan already including:
- Additional roman shade for the front playground (scheduled for June 2023)
- Outdoor sinks on front and back playground
- Watering system for outdoor back planters
- Storage area for blue blocks (Boy Scout project Spring 2023)
- Bench planters for the front playground including a prayer/meditation area (Girl Scout project Spring 2023)
- Streamlining our registration, billing, communication, lesson planning, and assessment system
- Adding Finn, comfort dog, to the preschool ministry (Finn is currently training at the elementary school)
- Calling a new director and moving the current director into the role of Minister of Education (June 2022)
- Continuing to work towards permits for staff and professional development based on each staff member's need
- Hiring a dedicated office assistant for the morning hours with 12 units (23-24 school year)
- Incorporating the new DCE intern and/or Family Ministry Pastor/Associate Pastor (once called)into the preschool program in meaningful ways for staff, students, and their families.
- Updating our website photos
We are looking for parents who would be interested in speaking with the NLSA team during their visit on Monday, March 20 at 5 p.m. (Childcare for enrolled students will be provided. Please contact Mary Wolfinbarger if you are interested in participating.
Grace and Peace,
Mary Wolfinbarger
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This Week in Jesus Circle
Bible Story: Jesus Came to Save Sinners Jesus Forgives Zacchaeus Discovery Points: Law: Sometimes we act selfishly and are not fair to people. Gospel: No one is too bad for Jesus to love and forgive. Sanctification: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can tell God we’re sorry for our sins and feel relieved when we repent and are forgiven. Bible Words: “Have mercy upon us, O Lord.” Psalm 123:3
You can read this week's story in "The Story Bible" on pages 383-385. Chapel this week is on Wednesday.
Midweek Lenten Services
Please join us each Wednesday in Lent for worship at 12:30 p.m. Services are:
March 8
March 15
March 22
March 29
Dear Family: Your child has been learning the Bible story about Jesus and Zacchaeus. Read it in the Student Book. The love of Jesus changed Zacchaeus from a selfish, sinful man into a generous, forgiven one. When your child makes a wrong choice, instead of just telling him he was wrong and giving a consequence (Law), follow it up with offering him forgiveness (Gospel) and help him find a way to change his behavior the next time he is faced with that situation, just like Jesus did for Zacchaeus.
Our chapel offerings will go toward Hearts for Jesus - Hope and Care Outreach. Hope and Care Outreach equips local Liberia believers to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This year's Hearts for Jesus goal is to, together, send hundreds of kids to Lutheran schools throughout the nation of Liberia! $95 is the average cost to send a child to a Lutheran school for the entire year! This modest sum is the difference between a child becoming literate or not, realizing the gifts that God has given them or not, and most importantly, knowing Jesus or not. We pray that you will be blessed as you join us in lifting up these precious souls and future Christian leaders of Liberia.
South County Outreach has a growing need for soup to help feed the many people in Orange County including families and the elderly. Please bring in canned or packaged soup throughout February and March to the Narthex (on your way to service) or the church office during the week.
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From Our Handbook
Parent and Preschool Communications
Knowing that the preschool supplements home life, a close relationship with parents is encouraged so that home and school may each benefit from cooperation, planning, and understanding.
We invite the parents to view the classroom in action and have special days set aside for parents each year to participate. You are welcome to visit the school and your child's classroom anytime during the school year. When visiting, you must stop by the preschool office to sign in and get a "visitor's badge." Due to insurance restrictions and Title 22 regulations, only enrolled children may stay in the classroom. SB792 also requires that anyone who engages with children have a copy of the following immunization records in the preschool office: yearly flu shot, measles, pertussis, and TB.
• Our teachers want to become closely acquainted with you. Teachers must give them their full attention when children are in the classroom. If you need an extended visit with the teacher, you can meet with him or her after preschool hours or by phone.
• Parent conferences are scheduled for a day in the fall and late winter/early spring. Dates for these conferences will be announced in advance and by appointment through SignUpGenius. Parents are provided with an assessment three times a year. The first two assessments are presented at the Parent-Teacher Conferences, and the final is in May/June.
• A weekly newsletter and other important communications are sent home via email through our Kaymbu app and Gradelink.
• Preschool parents are encouraged to participate in the Parent-Teacher League with the elementary school parents and our Parents in Prayer group.
• We also have opportunities for parents to help with special days.
• We invite parents to attend parent information nights, Open Houses, our annual Christmas Service, and other special family days.
• Important notices are placed in the child's backpack or file folder with your child's work. Please check them daily.
• Our Abiding Savior App can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. This is a great way to sign up for fundraiser lunches, submit an absence notification, receive notifications, check the calendar or newsletter, and much more.
• Each classroom has a whiteboard and bulletin board to communicate the daily schedule, lesson plan, special days, and more. Check with your child's teacher if you have any questions.
• All staff have email addresses using the first initial and last name, @abidingsavior.com. You can also contact your child's teacher via the website at www.abidingsavior.com and our ASLS and Kaymbu apps.
• All classrooms are equipped with telephones and answering machines. When children are in the classroom, teachers must give their full attention to them, so please leave a message.
• We encourage all parents to download the Kaymbu Parent App available from the App Store or Google Play. We will use this app for parent engagement, portfolio, assessment, and lesson plans. It will be the quickest way for you to receive updates and information about your child from your child's teacher.
2022-2023 Parent Handbook
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Extra Curricular Activities
We offer several enrichment programs for your child. There is limited space in each class, and a minimum number of participants is required to offer the class.
- Amazing Athletes – This is a sports and fitness class offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30-12:15.
- Showtime Dance – This is a dance program that includes Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, and Jazz. Dance is offered Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30-12:15.
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Parenting Tip from Conscious Discipline
How can I help my child handle painful situations? We recently moved and my child is acting like it’s the end of the world.
Moving, divorce, the loss of a pet or relative, a new addition to the family, not making the team, broken bones and other experiences that cause pain, fear or uncertainty can cause a temporary state of regression for children. (Children’s behavior will become less mature.) In essence, they are trying to return to a time when life was easier and their needs were met. They talk baby talk, want to be carried, can’t manage to dress themselves, etc. One technique to help them move through the regression and deal with the pain they are experiencing is to play “When You Were a Baby” at bedtime.
Begin the game by saying, “When you were a baby, I would hold you like this (do it). When you were a baby, I would rock you like this (do it). When you were a baby, I would blow on your belly like this (do it).” Continue with some things you did from their early years.
The next day, if they continue with their regressive behavior, you can tell them. “Oh, you are playing our “when you were a baby” game again! We will play it together tonight. Right now, it is time to get dressed. You can do it.”
Some “do not’s” in dealing with a child’s pain:
Do not give them choices. When we are experiencing painful situations, we feel overwhelmed. Giving choices to someone who is overwhelmed makes it worse. Instead of saying, “Do you want your blanket or a back rub?” Say, “I am going to rub your back and sit with you. You are safe, I am here.”
Do not distract from painful experiences with food, shopping or other external things. This sets the child up for life-long issues. How you help the child now will be how they help themselves for the rest of their lives.
Do not be sarcastic. Children do not understand sarcasm cognitively until around age 10.
Do not minimize their experiences (“You will get over it.”) or maximize their experience (“My poor baby, this is so horrible.”). Let it be their experience, not yours.
Some “do’s” in dealing with a child’s pain
Observe what your child does naturally to soothe him or herself. If it is socially acceptable, help him/her expand this skill and become more conscious of it. If it is not socially acceptable, (hiding under things, etc.) teach a replacement skill.
Conscious Discipline Website
Conscious Discipline and the Bible
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In Our Prayers
Thank you for your continued prayers for the loved ones connected to our center. If there is a need in your family and you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please let me know. This week we pray for:
+ Our March birthdays including Myles, Lillian, Lila, Elizabeth, Aria, Charlotte, Penny, Caitlyn, Leo, Miss Emily
+ Our March baptism birthdays including Hope, Ella, Brynlee,
+ Riley Rummens, Olivia Runkle, Thomas Sangirardi, Walker Schwartz, Noelle and Simone Scott
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Church News
Worship This Week |
-Saturday - 5:00 PM | Informal Communion Worship
-Sunday - 8:00 AM | Classic Worship
-Sunday - 10:15 AM | Praise Worship | Worship Folder
YouTube | Connection Card | Give
We follow these COVID-19 protocols:
-Masks are recommended for all attendees.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when you enter the worship center.
- If you have any of the symptoms related to COVID-19 stay home and enjoy the service via live stream.
March Day by Day Newsletter for Abiding Savior
Abiding Savior's Health Ministry
Click here to view the latest edition of the Shalom, Abiding Savior's Health Ministry Newsletter.
"Sudden Arm Pain" & "Daylight Saving Time Is Coming"
Angels Baseball
Click here to find out how to get tickets to attend the Angels Game, Friday, April 21! It's Star Wars Night!
Women's Fellowship, Ladies' Night Out
meets Monday, March 6. It's a fun night of BINGO! We meet in the Adult Ed Room from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and of course there's a potluck. A-L salad, M-Z main dish. Our team will provide dessert and drinks and all the paper goods. Hope to see you there!
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Wednesday Morning Adult Bible Study We meet in the Gathering Grounds coffee shop each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.. Please join us as we study the book of Philippians.
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
9:15 to 10:00 a.m. each Sunday morning in the Adult Education Room across from the Worship Center.
This coming Sunday, February 26 we will start a study of THE BEATITUDES that is designed to lead us into a more meaningful understanding of Jesus' message to us all about what the life as a follower of Jesus, i.e. a Christian, is meant to look like as Jesus Himself explained it. His message, when fully understood, will bring peace and true reassurance to the believer. Won't you too come and join us for this uplifting experience? Pastor Matt Chandler will be our teacher and Roger Brown plans to moderate the discussion.
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