REMINDER DATES

Reminder dates as we draw closer to start time.  I want to welcome all the new families to Shining Light, and we are working very hard to make sure that your child's experience here is wonderful.  To our returning families, welcome back; we are so happy that you are joining us again, and we have some exciting plans for this fall!

• August 23 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM -stop by to fill our forms (the new improved versions!) and pay September tuition.  Both Ms. Kely and Ms. Maria will be present to answer any questions that you might have.
• August 24 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - same thing, different time/day option
• August 29 - Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting - NEW FAMILIES 9:00 - 10:30 AM; RETURNING FAMILIES 11:00 - noon.  Mon/Wed families only
• August 30 - Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting - NEW FAMILIES 9:00 - 10:30 AM; RETURNING FAMILIES 11:00 - noon.  Tues/Thurs families only

First Full Day - Tuesday, September 4 or Wednesday, September 5

For those of you who are new, please make sure that you attend the Parent Meeting on the dates listed above.  We will cover all those questions that you have, and you will have a chance to meet the staff and understand how it all works around here.  For those of you who are returning, we have made a few changes this year, and you will want to hear what we have planned and implemented.

Welcome to Shining Light!

Sometimes when I get an idea in my head I just have to run with it.  I took over as director over four years ago and decided at the time to create an identity for FCC MDO.  We had a logo designed with critters because at the time the classes were named after little critters like bees and grasshoppers, and we had the creek that flowed through our property.  The name didn't stick though and neither did the bees, grasshoppers, etc.


I also began to question our title of Mother's Day Out because for four years we have been preparing children for school and not just keeping children while "mother is out".  Our little guys learn so much developmentally, academically and socially that I did not want anyone ever to assume that we were less than a preschool.


So this summer we decided it was time for a name change!  We first decided that we needed a name that coordinated with our FCC Children's Ministry.  They adopted the name "Light Keepers" awhile ago and in keeping with that idea, we decided to become "Shining Light"...which we hope we are to this community.  One of our talented church members and deacons created this logo for us and thus Shining Light Christian Preschool Center was born.


It will take us awhile to change over.  There are forms and e-mails and blogs along with tote bags and tees, etc. to be switched and all that will take time.  And our teachers will have to get used to referring to school as Shining Light instead of MDO.  I will probably be the slowest!  


So we will spend this school year gradually making the change.  We hope you like the new logo, and we pray that this year at Shining Light will be a blessing to you and your family!


Jesus spoke to the people again, He said,  "I am the light of the world.  Those who follow me will never walk in darkness.  They will have the light that leads to life."           John 8:12

August Dates

Hope everyone is having a good summer with family and friends.  I'm sure some of you though are ready for us to get geared up again!


We have scheduled two days for you to stop by and fill out paperwork (we've simplified it - yay!) and pay September's tuition.  We collect tuition two weeks prior to the attending month.  This way you do not owe in May, and we are able to meet payroll for our teachers who work very hard during inservice days in August.


You may drop by the church either August 23rd (9:00 - 11:00) or August 24th (11:00 - 1:00). MDO Staff will be on hand to answer any questions that you might have.


If you cannot come by either of those days because you are out of town, you may e-mail me and request the form and then mail the form and check back to us.  We do need the information before teacher inservice, however, to ensure that teachers receive accurate class rolls.  As of this time, PayPal is not set up to reflect the new school year.


Our church address if mailing is:


Franklin Christian Church
Attn:  Joni Myers
4040 Murfreesboro Road
PO Box 680815
Franklin, TN  37068

One of our wonderful teachers at MDO, Betsy Turnage, wanted me to share 

this with those of you with older children.  

Cooking and Competition!

What You Need to Bring

I noticed school supplies slowly emerging onto store shelves this week.  If you get the buying bug, here is what you will need for fall:


Nursery, Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 - a plastic nap mat - we like the blue/red ones that Walmart, Target and Parent/Teacher store sell (~$8).  They fold easily so we can store them away for Sunday morning, and they wipe down easily in case of accidents.  Please DO NOT buy a sleeping bag or other mat made out of material.  You can bring a cover for the mat like a king size pillow case or you can find nap covers for plastic nap mats online if you prefer.


These classes will also need sippy cups - no bottles!  Make sure you label all cups with your child's name.


All Classes - will need a lunch box of some sort.  We cannot refrigerate, so if you want to pack items that need to be chilled, include some type of ice pack.  This year we are thinking healthy when it comes to lunches!  You should try to include in each lunch:  a protein (meat or cheese), a carb (crackers, bread, pretzels), and a fruit or vegetable (strawberries, grapes, bananas, carrots, peppers, celery, etc.).  We are going to put a ban on too much sugar and junk food in lunches!


We are also a nut-free zone at FCC, so no peanut butter nor other nut-based items.  We have a list that we will give you at the parent meeting.  


With your supply fee, we purchase tote bags, so you do not need to purchase a back pack for items.  Inside the tote bag, you will want to pack a lunch and drink, an extra set of clothing, (also diapers, pull-ups or underwear).  You will also receive a two-pocket folder where we will put school work, crafts and notes home.


And finally, make sure your child has a pair of sturdy shoes for the playground.  We have wood mulch for covering and flip-flops and crocs don't work very well on that surface.

Thanks!  And have a Happy 4th of July!

Change is coming!

Summer time is always a chance to evaluate our program and make changes where necessary.  We have made such progress over the last four years and year #5 promises to be even better!


With that said, we are in the process of changing our identity some!  Look soon for a new name and new look!  We want to more accurately reflect what we are all about AND coordinate with our own awesome children's ministry here at Franklin Christian Church.


So stay tuned as we transition to our new look!

Ready for Fall?

Some target milestones for fall:

1.  Nursery/Toddler 1 - children need to be ready for one nap per day and actively using sippy cup, not bottle.  They should also be able to feed themselves finger-food.

2.  Preschool - children need to be potty-trained, using underwear or worst case a pull-up.  No diapers allowed in Preschool!  We have no diaper changing facilities in either of those classrooms.  Your child should be actively attempting to use the potty.  We don't expect accident-free, but we don't want them running screaming from the room when the teacher says, "Everyone, it's time to go potty..."

3.  Pre-K - no pull-ups, only underwear!  Children should be comfortable going to the bathroom independently and washing hands afterwards.

So if your child is going into one of these classes, please start preparing now.  As you potty-train, show your child how to wipe, pull up underwear, pants/skirt by themselves and also wash hands.  It is SO tempting to do it all for them as it's quicker, but it helps them so much more if you allow them to attempt it all by themselves.  Remember that there are twelve children in each class, so the more that they can do independently, the more time the class has for fun and learning!

And thus ends the potty lesson for today!

Have a great weekend!