July News
Dear Parents,

God’s blessings to you!! I hope you are having a wonderful summer.

At this point during the summer the majority of the faculty is focused on the summer units with the children. They enjoyed learning about the “Beach” and “Ocean” during June and are looking forward to “Outdoor Adventures” during July. Please read the Extended Care letter for specific activities and dates. We have many families taking their vacations during this time. If your family has been
out of town for a period of time and you would like an update for your return please visit our website at www.gdlc.org or us at
(281) 333-3323.

You may notice that the Gloria Dei facilities personnel have been busy with room preparation for the new school year. Many of our available faculty members will be assisting in this process as well. It is our goal to disrupt the children as little as possible during this time. Please do no hesitate to communicate with your child’s teacher or an administrator with any questions.

There have been and will be a few changes to our faculty over the next few weeks. Mrs. Robyn Culling will not be returning for the fall school year. She has graduated with her children from Gloria Dei ECM and will be assisting in their transition into their new school district. Miss Romina Andretti is getting married next week. She has stepped down from her position as she and her fiancé make final preparations for their celebration. We pray for many blessings in their new life together. Ms. Polly Crain will be relocating to Arkansas in the next few weeks. She is excited to be with her daughter and her grandchildren. We are excited for Polly that she has this opportunity to be with her family. Ms. Lisa Whiteman will be starting classes in August for her Master’s Degree. She will need to devote her time and energy to this effort. Ms. Lisa Ruark will start classes in July and will reduce her scheduled hours to accommodate her work and her school schedule. Miss Sarah Money will be starting her college journey in August and will be moving onto campus. Sarah will return for holidays and during the summer months. Miss Emilie Schultz will also be returning to school in Nebraska in August and will return for holidays and the summer. While their deep love of the Lord and tremendous passion for the children will be missed we are eager for the opportunities that present themselves in their future endeavors. We have been blessed that Gloria Dei has been a part of their journey and look forward to the return of those that continue to make Gloria Dei ECM part of their journey.

The recent weather events (Hurricane Alex) are a good reminder of the importance of planning and preparation prior to a potential disaster. Making necessary plans for your family are essential to their well being. Weather related information and emergency contact information that may assist in your family preparations may be reviewed in the Parent Handbook. A copy of the Parent Handbook is also available on the ECM web site.

ECM families are invited to attend and participate in the Freedom Sunday Celebrations on Sunday, July 4th.
Gloria Dei welcomes NASA Astronaut, Jeff Williams (Colonel, USA, Ret.) as the featured guest at 9:30 and 11:00 am services. The 9:30 service features traditional patriotic music plus a musical salute to the armed forces led by the Festival Choir and concert band. The 11:00 service also honors our service men and women with praise band in a contemporary style. Following the worship services, free, home-made apple strudel and ice cream will be served in the Life Center Auditorium.

ECM will be closed on Monday, July 5th for the Independence Day holiday.


In His Name,
Kathie Walker
Director of Early Childhood Ministries
kwalker@gdlc.org

Information Regarding the Upcoming School Year
Dear Parents,

God’s blessings to you!! I hope you are having a wonderful summer.

As we turn our attention towards the 2010-2011 school year, I would like to welcome you into the new school year and ministry with us at Gloria Dei Early Childhood Ministries. We are delighted that you have chosen to share your children with us and we expect great things throughout this school year. There has been much excitement over the summer as the faculty continues to work very hard in the classrooms and at home getting activities planned and rooms ready for the new school year.

With a new school year come new responsibilities. As a parent of a child enrolled in our program, you will also have responsibilities. We encourage you to support the classroom learning by discussing the day with your children and by viewing their work. We promote participation in school activities to demonstrate support for your children’s learning. We require fees to be paid promptly and that communications from the Early Childhood Ministries (ECM) will be read and responded to if required. We promise to read your communications and respond to your questions and concerns promptly.


Some immediate dates to be aware of:

• Thursday and Friday, 12-13 August the ECM will be closed to provide the faculty time for their annual CPR and First Aid training  
   and their first teacher in-service. No childcare will be offered on these days

• Wednesday, 18 August is Parent Information Night. Our first gathering for the school year will be for parents only please. We
  will meet in the Life Center Auditorium at 7:00 PM. Parents will be introduced to members of the church staff, Early Childhood
  Ministry Committee members and this year’s ECM Faculty. Classroom assignments will be posted for viewing during the evening
  and parents will have an opportunity to mingle with their child’s teacher(s).

  The 2010-2011 school year will be the tenth year that ECM and Tumblebus have partnered together to offer gymnastics to children
  two through six years of age. Kathleen Thompson, the owner of Tumblebus, and her coaching staff will be available for information
  and to answer questions or you may contact them at (281) 996 8027.

  Whether a “new comer” or an “old timer”, this meeting is important for all parents who have children enrolled in the Early Childhood 
  Ministries.

• Monday -Thursday, 23-26 August is Student Orientation. ECM families will be contacted by their child’s teacher after the Parent
  Information Night to set up an opportunity to visit their classroom prior to school starting. This will enable the children to overcome
  any anxiety they may be feeling and allow each child and teacher their first opportunity to develop their new relationship.

  As your child(ren) is meeting the teacher(s), we ask each parent to come into the ECM Office to verify that their child’s information
  is up-to-date, complete a new Simply Giving Authorization Form, sign a 2010-2011 Tuition Agreement Form and receive their new 
  Parent Handbook.

• Monday, 30 August, classes will begin for preschool and prekindergarten for the new school year. To allow children an opportunity
  to adjust and get to know their teacher and new classmates a little better, Chapel, Health and Physical Education, Library, Music,
  Spanish, and Technology Application classes will begin after the Labor Day holiday.

The Early Childhood Ministries will try to maintain the most up-to-date information on the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church web site at all times. Go to www.gdlc.org and click “Our Preschool” on the home page to access all ECM information. If you are not able to find the information that you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us at (281) 333-3323 for assistance.

Don’t you wish that education came with unconditional guarantees? You want the best for your children, and that is one of the reasons you enrolled them in Gloria Dei’s Early Childhood Ministries. It takes more than Christ–centered teachers, well-equipped classrooms, developmentally appropriate grounds and facilities, and sensible administrators to insure success. It takes YOU, the loving and concerned parent. I look forward to building a relationship with each one of you as we partner together in the care of your children.

Please see the attached calendar for additional school dates and events.

I am eager to meet everyone at Parent Information Night. Please call us at (281) 333-3323, if you have any questions or just want to get better acquainted.


In His Name,
Kathie Walker
Director of Early Childhood Ministries
kwalker@gdlc.org