Winter Issue Welcome; I hope you are all doing well and staying warm. We have had a wonderful start to our 2013-2014 school year of Extended Care. The children have been keeping up with their studies with our daily scheduled homework time, making friends, playing games in the gym or outside (weather permitting). In addition to enjoying the many activities we have scheduled within our Extended Care program we have many other children who participate and enjoy other activities that we offer here at the Community Center. Just to name a few —swimming lessons, dance, Spanish, Karate, and more. We also have children whom come later on the activity bus from the school and school clubs that utilize our facility. I would like to say “Thank you” to all the parents who have supported the staff in getting their children to and from the extra activities by submitting the information to the Leaders in writing. This is extremely beneficial and helpful to our staff and your children. It helps us, help you. We offer to take your child to additional activities within the Community Center as long as it is within Extended Care hours of operation. In order for us to do that we need your help. Provide the following written information child’s name, activity, day and date the activity starts and ends along with the time; the staff then compiles a calendar to track the when and where of the students. Once we receive the written in formation via email or handed to the Leader we will add your child to our activity schedule.
It is important to work as a team and communication is the key for any teams success. Thank you to the Extended Care staff for all you do to help these children get to their activities. We do appreciate all you to do to assure the children get where they need to be; and for making their time in our Extended Care program fun and memorable.
Reminder from our Kindergarten and 1st Grade Leader– “Dress your children for the season and not the weather”. Thank you Ms. Jacquelyn Sincerely,
Sue Jurjevic Inclement Weather Reminder We follow City of Manassas Park Schools For closures and delays for Extended Care If Schools open 1 hour late; Extended Care opens 1 hour late If schools open 2 hours late AM Extended Care will not open. If Schools close we are closed If schools close early you will have up to Two hours from the time of closure to pick your children up from Extended Care.
Develop New Bonds and Friendships respected for working hard to get better. They'll learn to be respectful As stated above, basketball is and not jealous, and hopefully to a team sport. Five players from the aspire to be more like someone they Winter Indoor Sports same team are on the court at a respect. More importantly, respect for time. Practicing and playing oneself will be learned through hard Now that winter is upon us together can really introduce new work paying off and becoming and we are spending more time friendships and bonds that can better (and then being respected by indoors, take advantage of some continue to grow if the players grow others). of the Community Center’s athletic up playing ball together. programs, namely our popular Enjoy the Sport for the fun of it! Biddy Ball Basketball League. Here Learn Respect are few tips on why to choose our This is the main point that any Biddy Ball Basketball League: Youth basketball can also youth sport should focus on. Kids are teach young players respect: playing sports because they enjoy Learn Teamwork respect for authority, respect for them, not because they are working. others, and respect for oneself. Yes, kids will be dreaming of being in As with any team sport, Basketball is a game of rules, which the NBA, and some will make it, but basketball will help any youth learn requires some authority to make sure there are only a few lucky chosen teamwork. In other words, that they're followed. Coaches and each year. Just make sure that youth basketball incorporates numerous referees have to tell young athletes basketball doesn't become "work" people working together to reach what they can and can't do or instead of fun...if it does, then the a common goal. Just like out in the should and shouldn't do. Players point of the game is lost. "real world," one person can't have to listen to them and respect always do everything, and sports what they have to say without We hope you choose our can help youths grow up to be talking back. league or stop by the community better team players (and possibly Respect for others falls under center to explore and participate in more employable because of it "sportsmanship" really. If another other indoor athletic programs like later on in life). player is doing well, they should be Karate, Volleyball or Cheerleading.
Come join us for a girls night out with our Spa Creations! Getting your nails painted and adding a bit of Science your way with creating your own Lip gloss and lotions. This is a great way to hang with friends and get creative!
Spa Creations Ages 6-12 Saturday
Social Activities For Families:
12/14
Dough Ornaments
12p-2p
Thursday
Lego Challenge—This jewel is FREE for our Members and only $3 as a drop in rate for residents and $5 for Non/Members with prizes awarded for the most creative design. Both girls and boys gain in this hands on Activity. Unleash the Scientist within with experiments and problem solving skills on Saturday afternoons in our Jr. Scientist Class. Just in time for the holidays bring the family for some good old fashioned fun with holiday creations Dough ornaments , Gingerbread Houses, and Valentine Cookie Hearts. Let the fun begin!
12/5 @ 7pm Lego Challenge Nights Ages 6-12
Gingerbread House Decorating
Friday
Thursday
1/10– 2/28
12/12 @ 7pm
7p-8p Jr. Scientist Class Saturdays Ages 6-12 2/1-3/8 2p-3p
Cookie Hearts Monday 2/10 @ 7pm
You may know me as your child’s 2nd & 3rd grade leader here at the Manassas Park Community Center. My name is Bethiah Shuemaker. I have been with the Department for 15 years and counting! I would like take the time to share with you the importance of physical fitness. As moms, parents, and the many different hats that we wear in our daily lives; taking care of our health needs to be on the top of our lists. Recently, I have been partaking in some of the programs we offer for our parents here at the Community Center. So far, I have been utilizing the Aqua Zumba classes, which are even convenient at a reasonable hour on Saturdays! And boy, that hot tub afterwards is great for those starting arthritic bones! I have also met some new people while participating in these classes. Everybody is friendly and encouraging. One lady is going to Germany, her homeland, for a month and is a great German cook. We sit in the hot tub and talk German food. I am looking forward to a sample, when she gets back.
It was nice to be able to catch up with my 2nd & 3rd graders and talk with them about their favorite things are being a part of the Extended Care Summer and School Year Program- I was impressed with their candid feedback and learned a lot from the interview process. Here is what they had to saySebele a 4yr. Student summed it up with “Extended Care, It’s really fun here!’’ Her favorite summer memories include feeding goats at a zoo, Atlantis water park; as for the school year they are; pancake birthday celebration. Karate, having fun with my friends; and as a class we were able to learn about her country.
In addition to the Aqua Zumba, I have tried our Land Zumba class. This is such a great work out. You definitely need a water bottle to replenish energy expended in these workouts. The benefits so far have been 2lbs. lost, but the sidebars have been meeting new people from different backgrounds, stress reducer, and general fitness & agility plus the taking time for oneself to make a date with fitness. The catalyst for me was an employee wellness challenge here at work with my coworkers. We wear our pedometers and daily points are received for each person and team. I never realized how many steps you take in a day! We are also learning about nutrition with the assistance of The Virginia Cooperative Extension and body mass endurance from our very own trainers here @ MPCC.
2. Sleep– depriving our bodies of fuel is like an empty tank 3. Nutrition- Portion Control 4. Exercise—Join MPCC for a membership! We have so many amenities to assure you have a successful road to fitness. Plus, as we embark on our own fitness journeys, we are setting examples for our children to be healthy and active in their own daily lives. After all, the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
Speaking of holiday stress , here are a few tips: 1. Drink plenty of water– Just AS IMPORTANT
Eli summed up Extended Care as “This is a cool place1!” He and Sebele both take karate here at the community center. Eli’s favorite thing this school year is he made a new friend with a student who joined us this fall. Donovan says his favorite gym activity is basketball and his most memorable moment from summer was the carnival we had in the gym with the face painting and games.
Kaine who has joined us for the first time this fall enjoys going to the gym to play basketballl and making new friends. Skylar just had her first summer with us and then recently joined us for the fall season as well. She loved going to Signal Bay Water Park every Monday, and having water games outside, She also had fun at the baseball game and making a lot of new friends. Skylar’s big brother now 15 was in my 2nd & 3rd grade class, time is flying.
Extended Care FAQ’s What is Extended Care? Extended Care is a licensed program regulated by the State of Virginia Department of Social Services. It is open to Manassas Park residents whose children attend either Cougar Elementary or Manassas Park Elementary. We provide before and after school care, drop-in care, full-day care on some holidays and teacher workdays, as well as summer care. (K-5) What information do I need to get my child enrolled in the Extended Care Program? You will need a completed registration form, your child’s most recent physical, immunization record and a copy of their birth certificate. You will also need to attend a brief orientation. How much is Extended Care? Tuition is due on a bi-weekly schedule. Annual Registration Fee- $55 Before School Care- $95 After School Care- $145 Before & After School Care- $195 Full Service Days- Included Summer Care $260 Is there a discount for having more than 1 child in the program? 1st childNormal rates apply. 2nd child- 15% discount. 3rd child- 20% discount. (Does not include punch card or AlL Access Membership) What do the kids do in Extended Care? The children participate in a variety of activities including crafts, gym time, outdoor play, swimming and organized play. The curriculum emphasizes recreation with creative programs and materials that encourage and invite participation. The ac-
tivities allow the children to learn; choosing independent activities or participating in group activities that are fun, safe, and challenging. What are the programs hours? Morning Care is from 6 am- 7:15 am. Afternoon Care is from 3:10 pm-7:00 pm. Full Service Days are from 6 am-7 pm. What is a punch card? Punch cards are for parents that need Extended Care on a limited basis. You may purchase an 8, 12, or 16 punch pass for before or after school care. This allows you to bring your child on days of your choosing if it is not suitable to utilize full-time care. What if I want my child to participate in other programs you offer at the Community Center? i.e. swim lessons, karate, biddy ball etc. We highly encourage this. We simply ask that you provide your child’s Leader with a written schedule of their lessons days dates and times. We will be responsible for getting your child changed, to their lesson, and back as long as it is within the Extended Care Program’s hours. My child is going to Kindergarten; can they attend Summer Extended Care? Unfortunately your child needs to have completed Kindergarten in order to attend Summer Extended Care. We only accept rising Kindergartners for Fall Extended Care. However, the Community Center does offer preschool camps.
Upcoming Events Reminders Swimming every Friday at MPCC Pool December 20thEarly Dismissal day for conferences; Extended Care Staff will be at the schools for dismissal. December 23rd, 26th, 30th, & 31st January 2nd & 3rd Full Service Days Be sure to pack your child’s lunch. Don’t forget the icepacks we are unable to refrigerate lunches or snacks. *Bring swim attire daily during Winter Break. Have a safe holiday! January 20thExtended Care Is Closed Martin Luther King Day February 17thExtended Care is Closed Presidents Day