We had a wonderful season of thanking God for our blessings and showing our thanks for all we have. PEP also gave to those in need this season by collecting food donations to the hunger task force. We had a total of 793 pounds of food that was donated! I want to give a HUGE “Thank you!!” to all of you who donated! What a wonderful contribution! The school-agers were able to go with us to drop the food off at the hunger task force. They even gave the school-agers a tour of the facility. We learned they hand out about 10,000 boxes of food for the elderly per month, how amazing is that?! We are happy to say that this will be a yearly tradition and are so blessed that we got to learn more about this wonderful organization. Thank you again to those who contributed! 

I know I am not the only one still talking about the Frazzled Family Dinner provided by Emanuel Church. The Hungarian Goulash was a perfect way to end that day along with prayer provided with the meal! Thank you to our cook Guenter, Ms.Karin’s Dad for making such a delicious meal! Thank you as well to those who volunteered and handed out the meals. They served 333 families…. how amazing!!! We enjoyed this year’s meal and look forward to the 2024 Frazzled Family Dinner. 

We hope you all enjoyed parent-teacher conferences! The teachers enjoyed sharing pictures, artwork, and information about your child’s growth. Please let us know if you have further questions or comments. We look forward to helping your children learn even more! 

I want to say “Thank you!” to everyone that joined me for coffee with the director. It was great parent ideas for workshops and discussing topics you would like to look further into. I also enjoyed getting to know you a little more. I look forward to our next event that will be later in January. 

Though the first day of winter is not until December 21st we feel the chill and temperature dropping……even more. Now that the cold weather is here to stay, please ensure your children have all their winter gear because we do go outside unless it is 0 degrees or below for the older children and 20 degrees or colder for the younger children (under 2). Snow pants, hats, gloves, coats, scarves (optional), and boots are what is needed so they can be warm this winter. Also, label each item. Children at times get the same brand or color of winter gear and it can be difficult to tell whose is whose. If you have further questions about winter gear, please see your child’s teacher. 

With the cold season also comes CHRISTMAS!!!! 

The center wide Christmas party will be Thursday, December 7th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. All family members are welcome to celebrate. Each classroom will feature a make-and-take activity and cookie decorating will be in Kurth Hall. Please RSVP at the front desk for a personalized, 5-minute family visit and photos with Santa Claus in the Narthex. The Santa visit schedule starts at 5pm. Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 6th, at the front desk or call us at 414-427-9561. 

This holiday is so wonderful because we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus! We will be having a celebration of Jesus’ birth Thursday, December 14th at 4:15 pm in the church. Each classroom has a song they will be performing too and they are so excited! The school-agers will be performing based on our children’s book Christmas Angel by Crystal Bowman. We look forward to seeing you all at our Jesus’ Birthday Celebration! 

Santa’s workshop will begin Thursday December 14th – Wednesday December 20th. Santa’s workshop is where children can buy gently used gifts for their loved ones. It is available for children ages 2 and up and gifts are 3 for $6. 

How many of us have coats in our closet that we do not use and are looking to get rid of? Well, you are in luck! Emanu-el Church is having a coat drive that will go until Sunday, December 17th. We will be collecting coats for donation to the Repairers of the Breach in Milwaukee. There will be a bin in the narthex at the base of the stairs. 

The center will be closed Monday, December 25th and Tuesday, December 26th for Christmas and Monday, January 1st in observation of New Year’s. Regular Tuition rates apply. 

Have a blessed and merry Christmas!!! 

Haley Bigger