Christmas Cheers!

Cheers to all who made Christmas so special for the children at Lutheran Day Nursery. During weeks prior to Christmas, Pastors Kevin Baker (Grace Lutheran Church in Elmwood Park) and Erik Christianson (St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Chicago) helped the children understand the meaning of Christmas during our Advent services. Then, our children received wonderful gifts of clothing, toys, and games from the members of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit (Lincolnshire) and Edison Park Lutheran Church (Chicago). Our families were deeply touched by the generosity of people they had never met! We were also blessed by the Christmas Mouse (Luanne Gegeanis)who visited the classrooms, read stories and distributed a gift for every child. Finally, we celebrated Dia De Los Reyes (Day of the Kings)on January 7 (We were closed on January 6 due to the extreme cold.) Some of the children dressed up like the magi and the children followed the star to visit Jesus. Thank you to all who made this Christmas season so bright!

2013 Christmas Program

The Recreation Room was filled with the sounds of joyful singing as the children performed for family and friends at our annual Christmas program. Our two-year-olds sang songs about Jesus' birth as well as the seasonal favorite, "Jingle Bells", which included a solo performance by one of the children! Ms. Ruth and Ms. Shana led the children. Then, our 3 and 4 year olds re-enacted the story of the first Christmas, led by Ms. Bennett and Ms. Jenny. The stage was filled with inn-keepers, shepherds, sheep, angels and wise men--along with Mary, Joseph, the donkey and of course, Baby Jesus. The children did a fantastic job reminding us all that Christmas is about the best gift of all--God's gift of love expressed in the birth of our savior, Jesus.

Season of Giving

The children in Room 3-4 have been busy preparing gifts for people in need. First they collected 53 canned good items for distribution through a Logan Square food pantry. Then, they created 73 special snowmen (made from athletic socks) for residents of an area Nursing Home. Ms. Bennett is the teacher in Room 3-4. She is assisted by Ms. Jenny.

Playground Renovation Grant from the Christopher Family Foundation

In this season of Thanksgiving, we have much to celebrate.  Recently, we received word from the Christopher Family Foundation that we are recipients of a $40,000 grant to renovate our playground.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude for this generous gift and for the Foundation's support of the mission of Lutheran Day Nursery and Early Childhood Center.

Our existing playground no longer meets the Illinois state safety standards for preschool children or the standards of our accrediting body, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Our equipment is antiquated, our playground surface is hazardous and our space does not currently accommodate infants and toddlers.  Research has confirmed that physical activity is vital to the brain and cognitive development of young children.  The grant will help us provide a state-of-the-art play area for all our children that will improve their gross motor skills, engage them in dramatic play and development and promote healthy brain development.

While $40,000 seems like a lot of money, the total cost of the playground renovation exceeds the grant.  We need to raise at least $20,000 to complete the project.  If you would like to make a donation to help us reach the $60,000 goal, please make an online donation at www.lutherandaynursery.org or send your gift to Lutheran Day Nursery, 1802 N. Fairfield Ave.  Chicago, IL   60647.

Watch for updates on the renovation and our efforts to reach our financial goal.

We've Been Busy

Since the beginning of summer, Lutheran Day Nursery and Early Childhood Center has experienced an Extreme Makeover.  We repainted the front hallway and several classrooms, replaced the tile floor in Room 2B, installed a new front door and limestone step, and begun renovation to accommodate infants and toddlers.  And there is more to come! Before the end of the year, we'll install a new ornamental fence at the front of the property and complete some interior painting.  And next Spring, the front playground will get a much needed upgrade. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures of our progress.

We Love to Read

This summer the children participated in Full Steam Ahead, a summer reading program of the Chicago Public Library for children of all ages.  Each classroom read books throughout the summer and at the end the children received a pencil pouch from the Library as a reward for their efforts.  Room 2A read 42 books, Room 2B read 53 books and our 3 to 5 year olds read 66 books--in just 6 weeks.  The children did a great job AND they learned to love reading for fun!