Lutheran Day Early Childhood Center

State of Illinois Budget Crisis Puts Lutheran Day at Risk

2009-07-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

Due to the inability of the Illinois state legislature to pass a budget by July 1, 2009, the governor was forced to eliminate or severely reduce funding for many social services. The cuts included 'Preschool For All' (PFA) and 'Action For Children'--a childcare assistance fund for working families that make less than 50% of the Illinois Median Income.

Lutheran Day depends upon those funds to continue our ministry of affordable childcare and quality early childhood education. We were informed that funding would be eliminated for the months of July and August--a loss of over $40,000! As a result, we were forced to lay off two of our preschool teachers whose positions were funded directly by PFA.

In addition, almost 30% of our families depend upon 'Action For Children' to help with their childcare costs. Even our affordable rates are more than these families can pay due to their household size and income forcing them to make difficult choices that impact their children's well-being.

We called our families and our supporting individuals and churches to prayer and action. And GOD IS ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS ON OUR BEHALF! Though no budget has been passed, we were notified by the Chicago Board of Education that some of the funds would be restored to us to continue our important educational work. As of July 20, our PFA teachers will be able to return to their jobs.

And our supporters have once again demonstrated their commitment to our ministry through generous and sacrificial gifts. As of July 10, we had received almost $4,000 in gifts to help us weather this funding crisis. Thank you! We are trusting God for the rest of our needs.

Continue to pray for Lutheran Day. Contact your Illinois legislators and remind them of their moral obligation to care for those who are most vulnerable--the poor and the children. Consider giving a donation to Lutheran Day to help us through this unprecedented crisis.

Gifts can be sent to Lutheran Day Nursery, 1802 N. Fairfield Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

Thank you for your continued support.

A Little Off the Top

2009-05-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

On May 21, one old catalpa tree that had died was cut down and the other three were trimmed of their dead branches. Though the trees shaded our playground, they had become a hazard. One tree had been struck by lightning and one branch was hanging over the swings. With all the dead branches removed, the trees will hopefully regain some health and continue to shade the area for several more years.

The tree trimmers left a low stump and several logs from the tree so the children can see what a tree looks like on the inside, count the tree rings and watch as the logs begin to age and decay. In the meantime, the logs have become new pieces of playground equipment for the children to enjoy.

Parents had raised funds for the tree trimming through the sale of caramel apples last fall.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2009-05-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

The children in Room 4 have been using their green thumbs to beautify the entrance of the building with perennials and plant vegetables for use in the meals and snacks.

Through a grant from CLOCC (The Coalition to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children), Lutheran Day was able to purchase 'Earth Boxes' to grow organic vegetables. Currently, we have 7 containers planted with cucumbers, peppers, and egg plant. Tomatoes and green beans have been planted in the front of the building. Children will water the plants and help to harvest as the fruit ripens. Studies show that children are more likely to eat vegetables when they participate in growing them.

Celebrating Young Children

2009-05-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

Each year, Lutheran Day observes the Week of the Young Child. This year's activities were held each day the week of April 20-24, 2009. Children enjoyed special crafts, a visit from "Officer Friendly" of the Chicago Police Department, an afternoon of kite flying and more. On Tuesday, April 21, families gathered for our annual Pot Luck and Talent Show. In addition to an all-school choir, several brave individual children performed a song or recited a poem for the parents and relatives. Watch for a gallery of pictures of the event coming soon.

The Family That Reads Together...

2009-05-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

On March 17, 2009, families enjoyed an evening of reading activities featuring the books of Dr. Seuss (his birthday is in March) at our First Annual Family Reading Night. Children and their parents read "The Foot Book," "Green Eggs and Ham," "One Fish, Two Fish" and others. Families were also introduced to "GROW," a new eco-friendly book by Logan Square author Alyson Beaton. One lucky family received their own autographed copy of the book.

Studies show that young children who are read to on a daily basis develop strong reading readiness skills and become life-long readers. At Lutheran Day, we take literacy seriously and we make reading a family affair.

In addition to our Family Reading Night, the children in Room 4 participated in Book It, a national reading program that rewards children for reading books.

Christmas Memories

2009-01-05T08:04:00.000-08:00

Advent and Christmas celebrations at Lutheran Day are always special. Each week, the children gathered for worship in preparation for Christmas. Each classroom took turns being the Advent choir, and guest speakers provided an age-appropriate message. Rev. Erik Christiansen (St. Luke’s Lutheran Chicago), Mr. Charles Ashe (CLEF), and Rev. Joanne Fitzgerald (Grace Lutheran Elmwood Park) were our special guests during the month of December.

Our Annual Christmas program was held on Tuesday, December 9. Each classroom performed Christmas songs before a standing-room-only crowd in the Recreation Room. Our 4-year-old classroom retold the story of Jesus’ birth in song and a Christmas play. None of the children experienced stage fright but spoke their lines with great enthusiasm. We were all blessed.

On Thursday, December 18, the children celebrated Christmas in their classrooms, opening gifts provided by members of Edison Park Lutheran Church (Chicago) and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church (Lincolnshire). What a blessing for these children and their families—especially in this year of economic hardship! The children loved their gifts and the parents were deeply touched by the generosity of people whom they had never met. Thank you!

Finally, Lutheran Day had a special visitor on December 22. Miss Teen Puerto Rico, Leticia Rivera, dropped by to say hello and distribute a Christmas gift for each child. This visit was especially meaningful since Ms. Rivera is a former Lutheran Day student. We always enjoy hearing from former students and seeing what God is doing in their lives.

Happy New Year!

Let It Snow!

2009-01-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

Like much of the Midwest, Chicago experienced record-setting snow during the month of December. What do you do when it snows? Make snow angels! The children bundled up and took advantage of the white stuff, making snow angels and snowballs and learning about solids and liquids.

Where's The Fire?

2009-01-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

A fireman came to Lutheran Day in October, but there was no fire. Officer Rodriguez, father of one of our 4 year olds, demonstrated the use of his equipment and taught the children fire safety as a part of Fire Prevention Month. Several children had the opportunity to try on his boots and hat. His visit also encouraged interest in pretending to be fire fighters and playing with fire trucks.

Thanksgiving at Lutheran Day

2008-12-02T06:50:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is always a special time at Lutheran Day. Children and parents enjoyed turkey and all the trimmings together at our annual Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday, November 19. Throughout the month, classrooms were busy with Pilgrim and Indian crafts and tasting special foods.

Our room of 4 and 5 year olds made Native American headbands using patterns of feathers and they wore Pilgrim hats at their own classroom Thanksgiving. They made butter from whipping cream and tasted cranberries, tangerines, apples and turkey. And they had to stand to eat just like Pilgrim children in the 1600's. Children were surprised to hear there were no bathrooms and the pilgrims had to go to the rivers to get water.

Room 4 also collected 35 cans of soup and food for the poor. In December the children will make snowmen with socks to distribute to senior citizens at Lexington Health Care Center.

A Trip the the Apple Orchard

2008-10-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

Kids and parents alike enjoyed a recent field trip to Apple Holler, an orchard and pumpkin farm. The children got to take a ride on a farm wagon, watch the story of Johnny Appleseed (some children got to act out a part of the story), play in a pile of corn and feed farm animals. Before leaving the orchard, every child received a juicy red apple and a small orange pumpkin so they would remember their special fall trip.

New Color Copier

2008-10-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a grant from the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF), we were able to purchase a new color copier. The new equipment features folding and stapling capabilities so we can print our own booklets, annual reports and newsletters in FULL COLOR. We will also be able to print pictures of the children for use in the classroom. Rev. Bruce Ray, executive director, expressed his gratitude for CLEF. "This gift will save Lutheran Day thousands of dollars in printing costs and will help us be better stewards of the resources God gives us. We thank God that The CLEF Good News Fund has chosen to support our ministry." CLEF has also provided generous scholarships for our families.

Operation Welcome

2008-10-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

Before & After

In July, Lutheran Day Board members Art Carlson and Wayne Oestricher worked to make our office area more welcoming and friendly. Before their project was complete, parents and guests would enter our office area and see a series of doors--but no people. Now, we have a beautiful new reception area with an opening as a focal point and a counter area. People are welcomed by our staff the moment they walk through the door. We believe that Operation Welcome is a huge success and will help us serve our families better.

Welcome

2008-10-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Lutheran Day Blog! This is where you can keep up to date with everything that is happening at Lutheran Day Early Childhood Center in Chicago.

We'll post updates and pictures of activities in our classrooms and center events. We'll create links to websites of interest to children and families. We'll provide you with helpful information on child development. We want our blog to be another way that you connect to Lutheran Day. We'll add posts on a regular basis, so visit often.

In the meantime, we invite you to visit our web site for details about our NAEYC accredited, Christian child care center.

Rev. Bruce Ray

Executive Director