FROM THE DIRECTOR
November is here, and in our current world that can feel so stressful and uncertain, it is important to focus on all the reasons we have to be thankful! As the holidays approach, the teachers are helping our Little Saints become aware of their many blessings and express their thanks with grateful hearts. I am so thankful for All Saints School and all the precious children and families that we serve. I am filled with gratitude for our teachers, who pour so much of themselves into this school.
Speaking of gratitude, we have quite a few “thank yous” to give! Thank you to Priscilla Kunkel for organizing Trunk or Treat. A great time was had by all, and it felt SO GOOD to gather together and safely celebrate with your little ones! The day would not have been possible without Priscilla’s attention to detail and all of the trunk volunteers who contributed their time and effort. Another big thank you to our PTO President and Vice President, Caitlin Yarbrough and Maggie Rhine, for working hard to prepare this year’s fundraising efforts! Check out the information and opportunities below.
I have always known this school was amazing. Being a teacher here for over a decade, I was always proud of our play-based and faith-based approach to early childhood education and felt at home here among the staff and families. I didn’t think it would be possible to love the school more than I already did, but here I am in complete awe of the support of our families as well as the passion, knowledge, and experience of our teachers. It is such a blessing to be able to witness it every day! Please know that you are ALL at the top of my “thankful list” this Thanksgiving, and always. Thanks be to God for this All Saints family!
With Love,
Emory Messeroff
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FROM THE PTO PRESIDENT
The PTO’s primary goal this year is to raise funds for a new playground for our Little Saints. We hope to be able to be able to accomplish this goal by early next year, so that a new playground can be installed in May when school lets out. I want to highlight a few of our upcoming fundraisers, and please see our Signup Genius link below for more details and opportunities to participate!
Our first fundraiser this year will be a Christmas Wreath drive. We hope that you will purchase wreaths and/or garland at the following link (https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/allsaintsschoolwinterpark/) by Friday, November 13th to support the cause. All items will be shipped directly to the purchaser, so please share the link with family and friends near and far!
The second fundraiser is our Engraved Brick fundraiser, which we hope to kick off in December. We will be selling personalized bricks to be installed in the walkway next to the playground. We are anticipating this to be our largest fundraiser!
We have several new fundraisers we plan to put on throughout the year, and we still plan to hold our Annual Silent Auction (Big Saints Bash), but it will likely be virtual, rather than in person. The PTO could use your help to accomplish our goals this year! Please see the PTO Signup Genius link here for volunteer opportunities!
Lastly, I want to especially thank our Trunk-or-Treat chair, Priscilla Kunkel, and the volunteers who made it such a special day for the kids. The event was a huge success!
Caitlin Yarbrough
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HOLIDAYS IN THE TIME OF COVID
In March of 2020, I never for a minute would have believed that months later, we would be staring at a holiday season like no other. I love October, November and December. It is my favorite time of year. This year the Halloween decorations went up in mid-September and I know that my tree will be decking my halls by mid-November. I hope that between the hand sanitizing, cleaning and masks, you will take a moment and breathe.
In my house starting November first, we all make a “Gratitude List,” adding something to our list each night and sharing it at dinner. My favorites are the ones that I don’t expect, like the extra blanket on a bed, watching a squirrel at breakfast, and getting soaked by a sudden rain.
And while annual photos with Santa may not happen in 2020, safe traditions at my house are the annual reading of “The Polar Express.” Every Christmas Eve a small jingle bell is placed in their beds, because all who can hear the bell must still believe. Christmas pajamas are a must in my house, and I buy them early so we have then for the entire season. Another tradition we share every year is reading the Christmas Story, the story of our Savior’s birth, as a family.
This year more than any other, the holidays may be an overwhelming time for many families with young children. The finances, the obligations, the crazy schedules…but through it all I hope you will find time to be thankful. This is a magical time of year for young children. Their imaginations can run wild!
Studies have shown that when a child uses his/her imagination they are developing social skills, like sharing and showing empathy for others. They are building their self confidence in their abilities and potential. Imaginative play will help your child’s vocabulary and improve sentence structure and his/her communication skills. Using one’s imagination is the beginning of abstract thought which will help young children eventually learn that numbers symbolize a group of objects and letters symbolize sounds.
I hope that before the season begins, you will take a moment and prepare yourself for all the amazing ways you can encourage your Little Saint’s imagination. When the season begins to get overwhelming, remember this is a fleeting season and it will soon be over (just like preschool). The lights, the smells and the colors will soon be changing. I know this is not the way you thought the season would be; it will be different, but it can be special in so many little ways. Please reach out, I would love to chat or email about any joys or concerns you are having. For any parent that needs it I am sending you a virtual hug. You and your family are going to have an unforgettable holiday season.
Peace, Holiday Blessings and Love,
Lori Pierce
Curriculum Resource Teacher
All Saints School
Childhood is the most beautiful of all life’s seasons --Author Unknown
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Christmas 2008
(Landon, Hunter and cousins)
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BABY SAINTS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Aria, in Ms. Cindy and Ms. Maureen’s class, is a big sister! The Jadidian Family welcomed Asa Davis to the world on October 16th. Congratulations!
The Pridgen Family grew on September 30th with the addition of Taylor Lyn. Big brother Hunter will be joining Ms. Jackie and Ms. Christy’s class in a few weeks!
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SPOTLIGHT ON: CHAPEL
We sure do miss having our families join us for Chapel! For the time being, our weekly Chapel services will be recorded so you can see our faith formation in action. Visit the All Saints School WP Facebook Page or Instagram each week to revisit the lively and engaging service led by Father Russell. Here's what's scheduled for this month:
- November 4, Jericho
- November 11, Mary
- November 18, No Chapel
** Masks will be worn by all teachers, students and staff. Family members are not invited at this time, but hopefully we can open it up to guests later this school year!
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TRUNK-OR-TREAT 2020
Thank you to all of the parents and volunteers that made this year's Trunk or Treat a huge success. We appreciate all that our families contributed, from your candy donations to the time and talents of parents who decorated 25(!!) amazing trunks and passed out candy to our Little Saints.
Special thanks to Carlea Doster for donating her photography talents so that we could capture these memories for each class, and the teachers could focus on our Little Saints while enjoying the event with their class.
- Priscilla Kunkel
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A MESSAGE FROM
ALL SAINTS CHURCH
Sunday School is Open!
We can’t imagine following The Stars without you! Check out our Baldwin Park neighborhood group led Stephanie Harley and Heather Junod! They meet at 5 p.m. at Upper Union Park in Baldwin Park. You are welcome to join the adventure on Sunday and learn all about trusting God’s promises in The Stars by StorymakersNYC.
Paige Wagner and Brentley Romine are teaching at 11:30 a.m. in the Thomas Center immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Family Service.
Join Dolly and your Maitland friends at Maitland Community Park at 4:30 p.m.
We’d love for you to join our Children’s Ministry Team! Contact Dolly for details.
Joys? Concerns? Questions?
We’d love to hear from you!
See you soon!-
Dolly Dunnam
Director of Family Ministry
All Saints Winter Park
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Please mark your calendars with these upcoming events.
Picture Day with Jen Adams
Tuesday, November 10th and Wednesday, November 11th
Friday, November 13th
Thursday, November 19th
School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 23rd through Friday, November 27th
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