We Teach Compassion

A child is never too young to learn empathy and compassion for people in need. That's part of the philosophy of the Lutheran Day During the month of November, the 4-year-old children took on a project to collect cans of soup to give to a local food pantry. Ms. Paulette Bennett and Ms. Janet Zambrano, their teachers, talked to the children about caring for people in need--even people they did not personally know.

"I believe community service is an attitude that children need to learn long before they are in high school," said Ms. Bennett. "You don't have to teach children to be selfish--that comes naturally. What they need to learn is feeling concern for others." The children collected 50 cans of soup for the hungry. In the process, they also learned counting and sorting skills. They also wrote a message of encouragement on each can. The children have now decided to take on another project. During the month of December, they plan to collect 75 pairs of socks for the elderly residents of Lexington Health Care Center in Chicago Ridge, IL.

Rev. Bruce Ray, the center's Executive Director, noted, "With young children, we often concentrate on academic skills to prepare them for success in school. However, we cannot afford to neglect the life skills that will enable our children to contribute to the health of our community." These 4-year-olds have gotten a head start.

State of Illinois Budget Crisis Puts Lutheran Day at Risk

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

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?

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

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...

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

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!

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?

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.