Monday, November 7, 2016
Important Announcement
Dear Parents,
As you may know, tomorrow is election day and Founders Hall will be a polling place for many West Hills residents. For the safety of our students, the parking gates located on the north and south side of the campus will be closed due to extra traffic the polling station may generate.

Parents will need to enter through the main office doors to drop off and pick up your child from their classrooms. This door will be used as the only entrance/exit from campus for parents tomorrow.

Our students safety and well being is always the utmost importance to all of us. Thank you for your cooperation. 
Coming Events at Shepherd

Tuesday, November 8
*Election Day / gates will be closed. Please enter through
the office.

7:00 p.m. Preschool Board Meeting

Wednesday, November 9

2:45 p.m. Soccer Academy

Friday, November 18  

5:30 p.m. Pizza & Movie Night

Wednesday, November 23

10:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Feast
11:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Service
12:00 p.m. Early Dismissal - No Aftercare Available

Thursday, November 24 - 27

Thanksgiving Break  / Office Closed

Friday, December 2
Parent Teacher Conference - Preschool Closed - childcare available during conference time only.

Director's Message
Dear Preschool Families, 
 
I wish to take a moment and introduce myself, My name is Shirley Bellman. I've been a preschool teacher for 15 years and I am looking forward to having this opportunity to work with you and your children. I look forward to the upcoming months here at Shepherd of the Valley as a Director of Preschool. Please feel free to come by and or email me with any concerns. I will do my best to answer them.
October has come and gone and now we are officially entering the holiday season. The Holidays are a fun and joyous time but also a very busy one, and holiday stress in children can and does happen. During the holidays, there are lots of fun activities and events going on both at home and while that can be a good thing, the reality is that all that hustle and bustle means schedules are often out of order, bedtimes get pushed back and routines are disrupted.

How Parents Can Help:

1) Set a calm example. Parents can help ease anxiety in children by trying to keep things relaxed as much as possible. The way parents handle an issue can set the tone for how their kids will behave.

2) Set up conditions for good behavior. Avoid taking your child to the mall or holiday gatherings when they are hungry or tired.

3) Remember important routines. The holidays can throw a big wrench into household routines, and that can play a role in anxiety in children. Try packing healthy snacks when you have to go shopping or run other holiday errands and try to minimize the amount of sweet treats at home.

4) Be sure to schedule some time to get your child outside to run around and play. Fresh air and exercise are essential for boosting mood and re-setting the spirit. 5) Avoid over scheduling, limit your holiday parties and activities so that you and your child are not overwhelmed.

These are just a few suggestions that may help your family have a wonderful holiday season. November is a time of reflection. The Staff at Shepherd of the Valley would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to our school. Through your efforts this is truly a special place for your children. We are very lucky to have families that are caring and supportive as you are.
 
Thank You,
Miss Shirley  
Preschool Director
Blossom Room
Separation Anxiety in Preschoolers
 
It is natural for children to develop separation anxiety at an early age. However, separation anxiety usually decreases as a child ages. According to a study on anxiety in preschool children, in order to reduce anxiety, parents need to talk positively with their children and they must remember that every single child is unique in their development (Paulus). Often, it may take a few months for a child to overcome anxiety. Although it is said to decrease with age, there is no specific time in which anxiety is said to disappear or appear, especially when routines change because of vacation, illness, and other life changes. Parents and care givers should be aware that by being positive and realistic, and by reminding their child that everything will be ok, they will foster a greater sense of confidence which will in turn reduce anxiety.
 
Paulus, F. , Backes, A. , Sander, C. , Weber, M. , & Gontard, A. (2015). Anxiety disorders and behavioral inhibition in preschool children: A population-based study. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 46(1),
150-157.
 
Last month we had the opportunity to celebrate Halloween. Blossom Room children had fun at the festival and were proud to wear their favorite costumes. I want to thank you all for making the Halloween festivities a success. It could not have happened without the support of our room moms, and all the parent volunteers. We appreciate all you do for our class!
 
Next week will be talking about healthy habits and how to keep the germs away. 

Garden Room

Getting ready for Halloween with our Jack o' lantern : Shapie

 


Sunshine Room
We had a great time ending the month of October with our Halloween festival and parade. Everyone looked awesome!! 
For the month of November we will be talking about The First Thanksgiving and giving thanks to the world around us! We are getting ready for our holiday feast and learning some new songs you will hear during our Thanksgiving Chapel.
 






A.P. Soccer Academy Enrichment

 
Season Starts, Wednesday November 9
at 2:45 PM.

Soccer Academy will give your child a fun opportunity to
experience soccer in a non- competitive environment.
They will develop confidence, reinforce self esteem, learn individual and team moral, and learn beginner soccer skills!
The 6 week session cost $60 and each class is 45 minutes.

For more information, please visit the office.

Holiday Family Photo Day

Shepherd of the Valley & Erin Wyatt Photography bring you Holiday Family Photo Day. Get your Holiday Photos done
and raise money for our preschool. For a 20 minute session,
you'll receive 5 high resolution digital images.

The cost is $100 and $50 dollars goes back to the school.
Saturday, November 12 - Point Dume, Malibu

To reserve your spot, please visit here
and select a time slot. 
Save the Date - 
Movie & Pizza Night

Friday, November 18
5:30 PM in Founders Hall

Please come and enjoy some fellowship at Movie & Pizza Night!
The feature film will be a new release animated movie (rated PG).
Invite some friends and bring a blanket or something cozy to sit on to enjoy the movie.
Pizza preorder forms will be coming home soon.

Thanksgiving Feast & Service
Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 23
10:30 AM - Thanksgiving Feast
11:30 AM - Thanksgiving Service


Please join us for a Preschool thanksgiving feast prior to service!
This year we celebrate Thanksgiving service together with church and their families. This thirty minute service will be a special way to bring our thanks to God. There will be traditional hymns, songs from the preschoolers, psalms and prayers. This is a great way to remember the reason for Thanksgiving.
* Preschool will have early dismissal at 12PM
No Aftercare Available.


Money Makeover Class

Gina Hagen will be teaching a series from the Money Makeover program offered through Dave Ramsey. This highly regarded series offers guidance and support for those seeking to better understand and manage their financial situation. 

Sunday, November 13 at 4:00 p.m.
The class will cover Money Myths.

Please RSVP to the office at (818)348-8343 if you will be attending and if you need childcare during the event.

Upcoming class:
Nov 20 - Protect Yourself from Fraud
 
Support Our School
 
Purchasing Scrip through Shepherd raises valuable funds that are used to make the needed improvements in school facilities and classrooms. Anyone can purchased Scrip to help the students of Shepherd. Scrip can be purchased at the office. 

Electronic Scrip card reloads can be purchased online at shopwithscrip.com, 24 hours a day. To participate, you just need a
ShopWithScrip® account, and you must be able to login to place online orders. Use the school enrollment code D41757CE923L to sign up.
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please contact the office.

Links
Church Worship Hours 
9 AM - Sunday School 
9:30 AM - Worship Service 
9:30 AM - Sunday School Club House 
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