Johenning Newsletter: December 2006
City Gate After-School Begins Extended Hours
Starting this week, Monday, November 27 - Friday, December 1, the after-school program will be extended one hour, running from 3:30 - 6:30 pm. Children will be given help with homework from 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm, then provided with the same quality academic enrichment, arts and crafts, sciences, recreation, and fun that are happening now from 4:15 - 6:00 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm and children dismissed at 6:30 pm. If you desire for your children to leave before 6:30 pm each day, please let us know by calling us at the center.
Starting in the new year, City Gate will begin a new policy of calling the parents of children that are enrolled and unexpectedly absent. Unless indicated otherwise by the parent or guardian, children will be expected to attend every day. This policy will ensure that parents who are working or not at home are aware of when their children are not at the center. Our after-school staff people will be calling parents and guardians to communicate this new policy and obtain parents and guardians preferences as to when their children attend and weather or not they should be called in the case of an unexpected absence.
City Gate is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for all the children that attend our programs. Please help us better the experience your children have in our program by giving us your feedback on this new schedule, and letting us know your preferences concerning planned and unexpected absences.
City Gate Celebrates Thanksgiving
City Gate and First Baptist Church of Springfield hosted an Early Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, November 11.
We had a clear bright day, so tables were set up outside on the Johenning Center lawn, and over 140 meals of turkey, ham, and all the traditional sides were served. City Gate kids and First Baptist youth and adult volunteers also delivered meals to a local elderly care facility, rehabilitations house, and group home for special needs adults in the neighborhood. First Baptist also provided a movie for neighborhood children, a clothing give-away, and helped City Gate haul away some broken furniture items - what a great help! It was fun for the whole family, and many of the neighborhood residents remarked how nice it was to receive a meal well before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Notices
- 14th Street Winter Wonderland, DC Idol Hands in collaboration with several stop the violence organizations and community based businesses are sponsoring "Xmas in the Park", an event where children can receive a meal, meet Santa, and receive a gift. It is Sunday, December 17, 2006 at the park area at 14th. & Otis Place, NW, from 1:00PM-3:00 pm.
- City Gate offices and the Johenning Center will be closed from Saturday, December 23 - Sunday, January 7th. There will be no programs, classes, or services offered during this time. For emergency assistance, please call us at (202) 561-5113 and leave a message. We will be checking voice mail during this time.
Calendar
- December 4 (Monday) – Begin rehearsals for Metropolitan Outreach Christmas program, during after-school time
- December 6 (Wednesday) – Knit or Crochet Your Own Scarf! from 6 - 7 pm, *FREE*
- December 9 (Saturday) – Christmas Party at the Johenning Center, hosted by Fairfax Baptist Circle Church, 11 -1 pm
- December 13 (Wednesday) – Knit or Crochet Your Own Scarf! from 6 - 7 pm
- December 16 (Saturday) – Christmas Party at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 10am - 2pm
- December 17 (Sunday) – Performance of Metropolitan Outreach Christmas Program, 3:30 pm, at the Johenning Center
- December 18 (Monday) – Christmas Party at the Johenning Center, hosted by Stanton River Baptist Association (of Virginia), during the after-school program
- December 20 (Wednesday) – NO "Knit or Crochet Your Own Scarf!"
- December 25 (Monday) – Christmas Day, Celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior!
- December 25 - January 5 (Monday - Friday) – City Gate offices and the Johenning Center CLOSED, Winter Break, NO DCPS, NO After-school Program, Dance Class and knitting class CANCELLED
Thanksgiving Meals are part of a Year-Round Hunger Ministry
City Gate provides nearly 10,000 meals each year to children and youth in our summer and after-school programs, plus maintains a Food Pantry for the community at the Johenning Center. But special efforts are made to meet needs and share God's love during the holidays. Please let us know if you are in need of food or clothing assistance during this holiday season.
Later this Month, in City Gate After-School Programs...
Starting Monday, December 4th during the after-school program, children are invited to participate in rehearsals for Metropolitan Outreach's Christmas Performance. Ms. Cleo Mosley of Metropolitan Outreach will be leading this effort. The Christmas program will be a set of readings of different Christmas traditions from around the world, and the different symbols of Christmas. All children who participate in the after-school program are eligible to participate, and will be rehearsing each day during the after-school program from 5:15 - 6:00 pm. The program will be preformed on Sunday, December 17th at 3:45 pm at the Johenning Center. Please encourage your child to participate!
Next, on Saturday, December 9th, Fairfax Baptist Circle will host a Christmas Party for after-school participants and their families, from 11 am - 1 pm at the Johenning Center.
Then, on Saturday, December 16th, First Baptist of Springfield will be hosting a Christmas Party at their church in Springfield, VA, from 10 am - 1 pm. Children must sign and return a permission slip to attend this event, as First Baptist will be providing transportation to their church for our children. Kids must arrive at the center no later that 9:30 am or they will not be able to participate. There will be no alternative activities at the Johenning Center that day, so make sure they are on time.
Finally, on Monday, December 18th, Stanton River Baptist Association (of Virginia) will be coming to host a Christmas Party and provide a special holiday meal during the after-school program.