Parkview Kids Team

Author Archives: Stephanie McDonald

• Top 3 things I need you to know this week….

  Posted at 11:36 am by Stephanie McDonald

  Dec 5th

  

   

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet last weekend’s Volunteer of the Week…Chris Fischer!

  Chris joined our team almost a year ago and serves every week at 9:00am. He is kind, patient, fun, encouraging, dependable and ready to greet the children each week.  We recently expanded his role to a Team Leader as he sets a great example for others to follow.  We are very grateful to have him on our team.  Thank you Chris, the best is yet to come!

  Who will be this weekend’s volunteer of the week?  Stay tuned ….

  Here’s the top 3 things I need you to know this week:

  1.   This is the busiest month of the year for everyone.  As a result, we have a BIG need for more adults tomorrow, Saturday, December 6th at the 3:45 service and Sunday, December 7th at 9:00am and 5:45pm.  If you are available please let me know asap by sending me a text at 708.257.8868 or just come in this weekend. We need YOU!  We average 10 -15 new families every weekend and with the kick off the Christmas series we are expecting more families.

  2. Please remember, you can always review the fun-filled activities and details Lisa puts together for the weekends at: https://parkviewec.wordpress.com/category/curriculum/

  3.  Be an explorer. See things as fresh and new. Children will pick up on your enthusiasm. Expand your interests. Ask open-ended questions (I wonder what will happen if…how did you do/make that?). Respect children’s ideas, feelings and thoughts. HAVE FUN!  Don’t worry if something doesn’t work out as planned.  Reflect and learn from your experiences.

  I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend!  THANK YOU for being a part of what God is doing at Parkview.  We have the best team ever!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  jill shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Thanksgiving, Christmas and Volunteer of the Week!

  Posted at 12:20 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 26th

  

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet Volunteer of the Week…Mary Jo Jobb!

  Mary Jo joined our team this year and serves every other Sunday at 11:00am in the yellow room.  She is also on the greeting team at Parkview.  Mary Jo is always willing to do whatever role and does them all well, has a go-with-the-flow attitude and is very patient.  Her love for the children shines bright, she has a great attitude and we love having her on our team.  Thanks Mary Jo, the best is yet to come!

  Who will be in the spotlight this weekend?  Stay tuned…

  We will start recruiting for extra Christmas helpers this weekend and next weekend.  Please do not fill out the volunteer card in the bulletin.  If you are available to help at any of our ten Christmas services at the Orland Park campus, please go online to add yourself in for an important role.  Or you are welcome to contact me directly.

  Our Parkview offices will be closed this week Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

  THANK YOU for being a part of what God is doing at Parkview.  I am amazed and grateful every day that I get to work with such an incredible team.  YOU are making a difference in the lives of so many.

  I pray you have a wonderful week and enjoy this special time with family and friends.  Happy Thanksgiving!

  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
  Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God’s presence with singing!
  Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his;
  we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
  Give thanks to him, bless his name!
  For the Lord is good;
  his steadfast love endures for ever,
  and his faithfulness to all generations.  Psalm 100

  I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend!

  With much love and gratitude,

  Jill Shea

  

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• God Moments and Volunteer of the Week

  Posted at 2:10 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 21st

  

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet our Volunteer of the Week…Kelly Nicholson!

  Kelly joined our team almost two years ago and her role has expanded to a Team Leader. She serves every Sunday at 9am in Clubhouse B and leads large group. Kelly is fun, energetic and does a phenomenal job relating to the children. She sets a great example for others to follow. Thank you Kelly, the best is yet to come!

  Who will be this weekend’s Volunteer of the Week? … stay tuned!

  Training Tip from Takeout training:  You’re never alone when you lead God’s little ones.  God’s right there with you.  So it’s logical that there will be times when he interjects a situation he can use to teach or reach someone in your class for his purpose.  (and don’t be surprised if that someone is you!)  Open your heart to God as he uses you.   After all, he’s the Master Teacher!

  Keep a journal of God moments in your life, both in and out of your classroom.  Maybe it’s a chance meeting with an old friend who needs a word of encouragement.  Or maybe it’s a time in class when the lesson needs to stop in order to attend to the needs of a hurting or confused child.  The more you see God working in your life, the more you’ll expect to see him!

  Love always,

  Jill

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Volunteer Appreciation Celebration!

  Posted at 4:18 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 20th

  

  Our Early Childhood Volunteer Appreciation party was a BLAST Monday night.   We enjoyed LOTS of pizza, desserts and had some fun trivia questions for everyone. TEN people won the trivia prizes, we laughed, we enjoyed time together and we loved.  The frigid temperatures did not stop us from celebrating our awesome team!

  Lisa and I are so grateful for each of you sharing your time, talent and energy with God’s little ones.  We  were already talking today about  when we could do something like this again!

   

  We are very  thankful for EVERYONE on our team.   THANK YOU for being the best team ever!

  Enjoy browsing through some photos from Monday night…

  Love always,

  jill

  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:24-25

  

  
  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

  
  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Backyard Update: David, shuttle, creativity and team party is NEXT week!

  Posted at 4:22 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 12th

   

  

  Let’s Celebrate! Meet last weekend’s Volunteer of the Week…David Cihocki!

  David joined our team in September.  He is a student helper every Saturday.  David is a huge help in our clubhouses assisting with our kindergarteners.  He is fun, friendly, polite, energetic and willing to do whatever it takes to keep our activities running smoothly for the children.  We are so grateful to have him on our team.  THANK YOU David, the best is yet to come!

  Do you know about our Sunday morning shuttle buses?   Sunday mornings are the busiest services at Parkview.  By shuttling you open up parking spaces for new families.  It’s so easy and CONVENIENT!  The shuttle runs every Sunday NON-STOP from 7:30am-1:00pm from Horton’s which is 1 minute east of Parkview off of 183rd.  The shuttle will drop you right off at the door.  Give it a try!  Brie from our team did and said she loved it and is encouraging you to do the same. Thanks Brie!

  

   

  Our Early Childhood Volunteer Team Appreciation party is this MONDAY, November 17th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.  We are gathering together in the EAST lobby BY THE FIREPLACE.  This party is for YOU!  Come join us for food, fun, games, prizes and fellowship!  Pizza will be served.  If you are planning to attend PLEASE be sure to click here and add your name to the guest list so I know how much food to order. Thanks!

  This week’s training tip from Takeout Training:  Children don’t learn through making perfect crafts.  They learn through the process of creating and through debriefing the process.  You show the children a sample craft and then see them do something different.  Choose to respond with love and pride when you see their unique and personal craft.  Praise them for their creativity and imagination.  Embrace creativity in the classroom.  Everyone’s craft will look different…and that’s OK.

  Make creativity a priority in your classroom by allowing kids to use the free time and arts & crafts time as an opportunity to express themselves and their growing friendships with God.  Love the lambs.

  Thanks for all you do and I look forward to seeing YOU soon!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Backyard Update: Tom, party and three things for this week

  Posted at 1:42 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 5th

   

  

  Let’s celebrate!  Meet our volunteer of the week…Tom Chouinard!

  Tom joined our team in January and serves every Sunday at 11am in Clubhouse A.  Tom is wonderful with the children and leads the kids through all the activities.  He has a way of making it fun for everyone!  Thank you Tom, the best is yet to come!

  November is the month we celebrate our awesome TEAM, we are so thankful for each and every one of you!  Come join us for our Early Childhood Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Monday, November 17th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm — Food, Fun, Fellowship and prizes!  Please click here for the invite and add your name to the guest list if you are able to join us. Thanks!

  Three things for this week:

  1.  We are in need of at least two more adults for this Saturday at 3:45 and this Sunday night at 5:45pm.  If you can help please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks!

  2.  Remember you can view all the fun-filled activities Lisa Dorman put together any time on our team blog: https://parkviewec.wordpress.com/category/curriculum/

  3.  Team Training – We are in the life-changing business!  Everything we teach and each relationship we build must have a compassion focus.  Here’s a few tips from “Takeout Training” to keep in mind as we serve in the Backyard:

  Accept everyone – Send the message that you are glad they’re here with “I’m so glad you’re here!”

  Meet kids where they are at – Some are being raised in Christian homes, others are experiencing their first day in church. All of them are on a journey.  And they need you to walk with them–wherever they are.

  Model Christ – Show kids what it means to live in relationship with Jesus.  This sends the strongest message of all.

  Compassion is the first step in changing lives. We can’t make kids have a relationship with Jesus but we can motivate them to want one!

  Love the lambs.

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• 5 Ways to Build Trust in the Classroom

  Posted at 3:43 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Oct 29th

  

  Look who we put the spotlight on last weekend….Meet our Volunteer of the Week, Erica Klix! 

  Erica has been serving for over a year and is a Team Leader in the Yellow Room (4 yr olds) every Sunday at 9am.  She does her best to create an amazing experience for every child who walks through the door.  Erica naturally makes new volunteers feel welcome and excited to join our team. She always serves with joy.  Thank you Erica, the best is yet to come!

  It’s really been fun going through Life on Mission with the little ones.  THANK YOU for your dedication to our Parkview families!

  We have a BIG need for at least two more adults for this Sunday’s 5:45pm service (November 2nd).  If you are available please let me know ASAP or better yet just add yourself in to the schedule. THANKS!!!!!

  Imparting information is only part of what we accomplish in classes at church.  Establishing an atmosphere of trust and love that makes the child want to return is just as important.

  Below are 5 ways we can build trust in the classroom:

  Attitude – Children need to feel that they can talk to you in confidence and without criticism.

  Fun – Find joy in the children’s discoveries and maintain a happy classroom environment

  Enabling questions – Allow children to make choices instead of telling the child what to do.  Instead of saying “Put the puzzles back in the cabinet,” ask, “Where do we put the puzzles?”  Children like to feel they have an important role in the classroom.

  Praise and affirmation – Every child wants to feel like the most special child in the world.  Compliment and encourage children and team members often.  Mention specific actions you observed.

  Nonverbal signs – Use body language to show acceptance.  Sit at the children’s eye level and avoid hovering over them. Smile frequently!

  I look forward to seeing YOU soon.

  “You are the light of the world, let your light shine in front of others.”  Matthew 5:14-16

  With love,

  Jill Shea

  

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• For Parkview Backyard Volunteers – A Position of Honor

  Posted at 12:35 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Oct 21st

  

  Look who we celebrated last weekend….Meet of our Volunteer of the Week, Ashley DiFalco! 

  Ashely started serving by hearing our call for help during the summer months. She had so much fun she decided to join us every week at 11am in Clubhouse B .  Ashley is kind, fun, creative, organized, dependable & so much more!  We love having her on our team and her love for Jesus shines!  Thank you Ashley, the best is yet to come!

  This weekend (Oct 25/26) we will share the bottom line with children “Jesus wants me to shine my light by learning to be like Him!”  

  A few things for this weekend:

  1.  Our schedule is the same as always:

  • Arrive 30 minutes before the start of service to sign in and meet for your team huddle
  • 25 minutes before service go to your classrooms to huddle with your Team Leader and go over role assignments
  • Ready, Set, Go! We open 20 minutes before the start of service for Parkview families

  2.   We have four openings for this weekend!  We need two more team members for this Saturday’s 3:45 service and two at Sunday’s 11am service.  Can you play with us?

  3.  A Position of Honor – as a Parkview volunteer, you’re serving in a position of honor.  You’ve been called and chosen.   Pray, ask God to use you to help children grow closer to him.  Focus on relationships.  Learn names.  Model the relaxed friendship you want children to have with each other.  Prepare take a look at the activities before you serve, Lisa Dorman usually posts them on Wednesdays.  https://parkviewec.wordpress.com/2014/10/16/kids-on-mission-curriculum/.

  Who will be this weekend’s volunteer of the week?  Stay tuned and I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend.  It’s a blast to serve alongside you, THANK YOU for all you do!

  “You are the light of the world, let your light shine in front of others.”  Matthew 5:14-16

  BIG hugs and much love,

  jill

  

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Service Time Change for Sunday Night + Testimony Kids on Mission!

  Posted at 3:15 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Sep 24th

  

   Kids On Mission Six-Week Series Kicks Off THIS WEEKEND + Service Time Change Sunday Night!

  Thank you for another GREAT weekend!  We had 12 NEW families come through our doors and 376 children in our Early Childhood classrooms last weekend (1,058 total throughout Parkview Kids). WOW!!!!  We cannot do this without YOU, thank you for being a part of what God is doing at Parkview!

  We are SUPER EXCITED to kick off “Kids on Mission” this weekend to go along with our “Life on Mission” series.  Over the next six weeks, our kids will be going on a mission, a superhero mission.  But this mission isn’t from us…this mission comes straight from GOD and we get to be a part of it.  Get ready for TONS OF FUN!  You can review all the fun-filled activities Lisa Dorman put together by clicking here .

  PLEASE MAKE NOTE, There is a service time change for THIS WEEKEND’S Sunday night service (Sept. 28).  Sunday night’s service will start at 5:30pm instead of 5:45pm — to accommodate more time for service prior to the Tim Hawkins event.   We will open for our Parkview families at 5:10 pm. That means our Sunday night huddle will start at 5:00 pm, please mark your calendar if  you volunteer or attend the Sunday night service. Thanks!

  YOU are making a difference!  Check out this testimony that just came in this week.  Thanks for sharing Adrienne!

  “I just wanted to tell you all about this GREAT story from one of the new families who was here this past weekend.   Carolyn said her daughter (Alexis) went in kicking and screaming and came out smiling!  Yea!!  She also said that she had been misbehaving on the way to church and her mom said if she would behave she’d take her to get ice cream, but she kept misbehaving.. so her mom said no ice cream.  After church, Alexis said “Mommy, aren’t you supposed to forgive me when I’m being bad and I forgive you, too?”   Her mom was so happy that she even brought it up because she (Alexis) had never talked like that before.  She didn’t realize that we did curriculum and talked to the children about God and Jesus (She thought they just colored and did crafts).  So I told her that we did do curriculum and told her about the website.  Mom ended up taking the daughter out for ice cream because she was so happy her daughter learned that!  Such a great story! Thought you’d enjoy! 🙂 ”  Adrienne Trent, Parkview Kids, First Impressions Coordinator

  Please be in prayer for all the families that will be coming through our doors this fall and THANK YOU for all that you do and who you are.  It’s an honor to serve with you.

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  “You are the light of the world, let your light shine in front of others.”  Matthew 5:14-16

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum, Testimonials

• The Top 3 Things I Need You to Know this Week

  Posted at 3:56 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Sep 17th

  

  Parkview Kids … ON MISSION!

  Last weekend we handed out our NEW Team t-shirts.  WOOHOO!!!!!  If you did not receive yours yet, you can pick it up on your next serve date.

  THANK YOU for a great beginning to the school year.  Our teams’ energy level  is HIGH and all the children have been connecting and it all starts with YOU.  Thank you for your dedication to God’s little ones!

  Here are the TOP 3 Things I need you to know this week:

  1.  If you are in charge of preparing the white bags for children, please put the first AND last name on a bag when we have two children with the same first name.  We’ve had a few instances where parents will pick up the wrong bag even though you may have the initial of the last name on bag.  I’m sure you can imagine the disappointment to not receive their child’s craft.  Please be sure to put the full last name when we have two children with the same first name so we can avoid that happening in the future. Thanks!

  2.  Are you on Facebook?  I’d love to connect with you and add you to our private EC Facebook group.  It’s a great tool to hear about news in real time.  Let’s connect online, friend me up!  Click here

  3.  Drum roll please…..We will have 10 Christmas services this year!   I know you’re thinking…what???  It’s only September???  Well, I thought you’d like to be the first to know what Parkview has planned for this Christmas season.  Here’s the schedule for the 10 Christmas services.  If it’s your normal weekend to serve you will automatically be scheduled in for Christmas.  We will also do a recruitment for Christmas helpers.  This allows our weekly team members to have some time off to rest and recharge.

  Saturday, Dec. 20:  3:45 pm & 5:45 pm (regular weekend schedule)

  Sunday, Dec. 21:  9:00 am, 11:00 am, 5:45 pm (regular weekend schedule)

  Monday, Dec. 22:  NONE

  Tuesday, Dec. 23:  5:00 pm & 7:00 pm

  Wednesday, Dec. 24: 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm

  Let’s continue to go beyond the call of duty and make this our best year yet as we reach out to our community each weekend, encourage parents and minister to children through loving touch, encouraging speech and appropriate play.

  RISE UP, you are more than you know!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  “God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 NLT

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

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