Dear Oak Ridge Weekday School Parents,

I hope this letter finds everyone well and adjusting to the “real” world after the Christmas holidays.  On behalf of the Weekday School staff, I want to thank you for your kind words and your wonderful gifts.  We have great parents at ORWS.

What word comes to mind first when your think of the recent Christmas season? BUSY!
Sad, but true. I know it is true in my life. I get so busy decorating the house, baking goodies, shopping for presents, going to parties and sending Christmas cards—stressing about this and stressing about that.  Then, just when I think I have a handle on it, I receive an unexpected card in the mail or a plate of cookies from a neighbor. Then what did I do? Stress all over again in an effort to return the kind gestures.

Yes, I always find room in my schedule to get everything done before Christmas. As I sit here writing my January newsletter, though, I cannot help but think about Christ and how many years ago there was no room for Him. It has always bothered me that there was no room in the inn for Jesus. I just tell myself they did not know who He was. Those people must have been thinking only about themselves and their own busy agendas.

Ouch!! I am wondering how much room I have for Him in my own life. I say I want to have room for Him, but what do I do to make that room? What do I give up, change, or sacrifice for Him? I need to rethink my priorities. The New Year is here and we all think about what our New Year’s resolutions are going to be.  Let's take time to consider: Have I made room for Jesus in my busy life this past Christmas? Do I need to start making some changes in my own life?

Christ's presence may go unnoticed by the world, but it starts right here with you and I. If we make room in our hearts, we can experience all the glorious wonder He brings. Let's put all the busyness of our lives aside and start the New Year remembering to make room in our hearts for Him. Christ’s birth should be in our hearts and minds all year, not just during the Christmas season.

My prayer for all of us is this: Dear Lord, the best I know how, I lay down my busy agenda to make room for You. Jesus, I don't want to miss a thing. Give me fresh eyes to see You this New Year. I want to experience all the God moments you have planned for me. Help me to slow down and find each one of them and show me every detail. Lord, help me to remember to give you the honor and glory for every little detail. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

With all of that in mind, we are going to have our REACH for the Stars inspection coming up in early spring. I know our staff is doing a great job. So parents, as always, please continue to pray for our school that we may show God’s love in our secular licensing program. You may recall that ORWS became involved with REACH for the Stars, a North Carolina sponsored program to improve the quality of childcare, a few years ago. ORWS is currently rated at four stars. I see no problem for us to continue to be a four star center. If you have any questions about the inspection or any concerning the school, please stop by the office.

One of the items we need help with is for parents/children to wash their hands when entering the classroom.

Here is a health tip:

When it comes to healthy habits for kids, hand washing is a very important one.

To make it work, it needs to be built into their routines.

Parents should make hand washing a ritual, like brushing teeth.

You should always have your child wash their hands:

1. When they arrive at school.

2. Before they eat.

3. After using the potty or wiping their noses.

4. As soon as they come in from play

The key is consistency. If you practice consistency, then your kids might begin hand washing automatically. They might even remind you if you forget.

Food Drive/Coat Drive

Thank you to those who brought in canned goods for the food drive. It helped stock local food pantries. These donations allowed families in need to have a nice Christmas season.

We had lots of coats donated to the local Cleaner World for the Give a Kid a Coat campaign. Again, thank you for all you have done this past year.

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you to those who brought in shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes and the Good News of God’s love. Samaritan’s Purse sponsors this program.

Discipline Traps to Avoid

Making mistakes is part of being a parent, and discipline is an area where we slip up constantly. It’s one of our most daunting tasks, and to do it well we have to make clear, sensible decisions at exactly the same moment when we may be angry, frustrated, or embarrassed.

Here are the five biggest blunders most of us are guilty of, and ways to avoid these common mistakes:

1. Thinking one style fits all. It would be nice if one approach worked for every child, but understanding that this isn’t the case will save you a lot of frustration. Sometimes it takes several attempts to find the right discipline “currency” for each child. Don’t give up.

2. Overdoing it. The discipline should fit the “crime.” Don’t threaten to take away the birthday party when you know that will never happen.

3. Underdoing it. For discipline to work well it needs to be something your child doesn’t want to have happen. Don’t take away a toy he/she could care less about.

4. Being inconsistent and not following through. If you take away your child’s TV privileges for the day and then give in while you’re making dinner, he/she will figure out pretty soon that there may not be a punishment if the rules are broken.

5. Focusing on the positive. Instead of always reprimanding your child, try catching your little one doing something good and giving them positive feedback. You would be surprised how well this works.

Parents, please find those special moments and make those special moments with your child, family, and friends. Our prayers are with all of you.

Serving Him,

Nora