Alumni News from St. David's Child Development & Family Services

Welcome back to St. David's Alumni Newsletter. We hope this will provide valuable information and serve as a fun way to connect with alumni families.

My wife Jill and I have two boys who benefited from St. David's. Grant is five years old and recently began kindergarten as an early enrollee due to his birth date. We strongly believe Grant was ready to start early in part because of St. David's excellent teachers and innovative programs. Our two-year-old, Evan, began this summer at St. David's and is having a great time! We especially enjoyed seeing alumni and current families at a recent event, "How I Became a Pirate," at Stages Theatre.

Currently, I volunteer on St. David's Alumni Committee. And Jill served as co-chair of the 2008 Gala, which was successful in raising a record amount of funds to help provide scholarships for deserving families and to support St. David's programs.

Why is our family committed to St. David's? It is simple for us -- St. David's is one of the best childcare and development facilities in the Western suburbs. And the organization provides essential community services that extend beyond its top-notch early childhood program.

My sincere thanks to you for being a part of St. David's! Stay tuned for future communication about upcoming volunteer opportunities and events, including the annual gala on March 14.

Fall Festival Bird

If you would like to join the Alumni Committee or if you have suggestions for future e-newsletter articles, please email Melissa.

John Knight

Parent, volunteer

Happy and Successful 20 Years Later

Thanks to Family Place

More than 20 years ago, young newlyweds Mike and Theresa moved to Minnesota with their three-year-old, Stephanie. Less than nine months later, they had a son, Mickey, followed by David and then Tim in the next three years.

Biologically predisposed to depression, Theresa struggled with a lack of sleep and sense of loneliness. Housekeeping took a backseat, which led to someone reporting her for possible neglect.

Genuinely terrified of losing her children, Theresa joined one of St. David's parent support groups. "Having someone to talk to made it easier to make it through the day and helped me feel not quite so alone," explains Theresa.

Slow Down...

As we strive to find balance while being pulled in many different directions -- work, school, sports, volunteering, etc. -- Marlee Meshbesher, head teacher, St. David's Early Childhood Program, offers the following sage advice.

Allow your children to experience "down time." As adults, we tend to over-schedule ourselves and we sometimes pass that right along to our children. Set aside weekly quiet time where all the gadgets are turned off, the reading lamps are turned on, everyone grabs a book and comfy blanket, and shares in some critical family time to unwind. Remember, children can't verbalize that they're feeling hurried, over-extended and over-scheduled -- it's acted out through their behavior. Especially during the holidays, step back and embrace family quiet time; it will help recharge everyone's batteries.

Pirates Galore

Our inaugural alumni family outing at Stages Theatre Company for "How I Became a Pirate" on October 12 was a treasure chest full of fun.

Visit St. David's Child Development & Family Services online at www.stdavids.net.