Bittersweet Goodbyes

Tuesday, June 21 was CFNC's last day of school. This school year CFNC graduated nearly 200 students, students who will enter kindergarten prepared to succeed! Our
send-offs are always bittersweet. They are sweet because we know we've nurtured, stimulated, excited and inspired our students to go on to become curious and engaged lifelong learners. And we are proud of their success and progress. They are bitter because CFNC typically has only one school year with our students; friendships and connections are made; and goodbyes aren't easy. Of course our doors are never closed to former students and their families and we welcome them back with open arms.

Despite the pending bittersweet goodbyes, June was jam-packed with seminars, workshops, events and activities for our children and their families. From beautiful graduation celebrations to a Tea Party and a Job Training Seminar, CFNC finished the school year as it had started it: by offering high-quality, culturally sensitive, appropriate and caring services to children and families in need. We hope you enjoy the stories below and help us in wishing our June 2011 graduates much future success!

Happy Summer to all!

Graduations and Celebrations

CFNC is so proud of its nearly 200 preschoolers who graduated this month. Starting with the Charles Houston graduation on June 8 and ending with Virginia Gardens on
June 21, there were a total of 10 graduations at CFNC's six different locations throughout Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia.

Every class put together a music program of songs and a skit, followed by a formal graduation ceremony. Each child received their preschool diploma and a goody bag filled with treats, a special t-shirt designed with the handprints and names of their classmates, and education materials to practice lessons learned over the summer months. During some graduations, parents were moved to speak. One mother noted: "I want to thank you all for having this program. I feel that my child has learned throughout this year, but that also I have learned as a mother. This means a lot to us, especially because we have a language barrier. I feel more confident about my child's future."

Children graduated with new skills, experiences and friendships, as well as memories of an exciting and action- packed school year. Highlights include a field trip to
the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum to see "One World, One Sky" (made possible by PNC Bank); the annual Family Science Day; a Reading Railroad hosted by Kappa Kappa Gamma; multiple visits from students at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes who read to CFNC preschoolers and performed a puppet show; and a Multicultural Celebration to honor our diversity.

A special thanks to Steve and Linda Weitz, longtime CFNC supporters, Loretta Britten, former Board Member, Bill Marino and his three year old daughter, and Annie Burns and her team from GMMB for coming out to share in the joy of our graduation ceremonies!

To enjoy additional photos, please visit our Photo Gallery.

Enrollment for the 2011/2012 school year is now taking place. To inquire, please call 703.836.0214 and ask to speak with CFNC's Enrollment Coordinator, Maria Carron. Or email Maria.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!

Margaret Bush Teaches Flower Arranging to Mother's Group

On Thursday, June 9, 2011, the CFNC Mother's Group had the unique opportunity to learn flower arranging from longtime CFNC supporter and friend Margaret Bush, owner
of Artful Arrangements. Margaret brought all of the items needed, including fresh flowers and containers and worked with each participant to create her own lovely arrangement.

The Mother's Group, consisting of 14 mothers from a variety of countries, meets weekly at CFNC with Social Worker Ansley Shackelford to develop friendships, learn parenting skills, and discuss life issues in confidence.

Ansley, who has worked with this year's Mother's Group (all mothers of CFNC students) since September, said: "This was a wonderful opportunity for our mothers
to learn a new skill-something that they can take home and share with their friends and family. We are very grateful to Margaret Bush for sharing her time and her talents with us."

Margaret and her husband Marvin Bush have been long time supporters of CFNC. In the past they have served on host committees for fundraisers and have even hosted CFNC events in their home.

CFNC Tours the White House, Take 2!

On June 11, CFNC had another opportunity to tour the White House--this time in the East Wing! The tour was made possible by the The White House's Office of Public Engagement and was in honor of African-American Music Appreciation and Caribbean Heritage Month.

Those that attended were in awe of
CFNC Teacher Luz Naranjo in the Blue Room.

the ornately decorated rooms that they were able to see and experience. The East Wing includes many of the rooms that the President and his family use for entertaining, such as the Blue Room, the Green Room, the Red Room and the State Dining Room. The East Wing also includes the South Portico and offers beautiful views of the Jackie Kennedy Rose Garden.

Though they tried, no one was able to catch a glimpse of the President or his family. However, just being within the walls of so much history was thrill enough! CFNC is very grateful for this opportunity.

Hotel Monaco Hosts an Employment Workshop at CFNC

On Tuesday, June 14, Alexandria's Hotel Monaco, a Kimpton Hotel, held a Job
Employment Workshop at CFNC's Birchmere location.

The workshop was presented by Miguel Casimiro, Director of Housekeeping at Hotel Monaco and Elubia, Assistant Director. They discussed job opportunities in the
Housekeeping Department at the hotel, as well as presented participants with job descriptions, job requirements, an overview of the application process, work ethic expectations and tips for a successful interview.

Blanca Leyva, Director of Family Services at CFNC noted: "We are very excited to partner with the Hotel Monaco for this unique opportunity for our families. We are certain that all who participated learned valuable information."

CFNC looks forward to continuing our partnership with Hotel Monaco and Kimpton.

The Morrison House Hosts a Mother & Daughter Tea Party

CFNC mothers and daughters enjoyed an elegant Tea Party on Saturday, June 18 at 11 AM at CFNC's Birchmere location, thanks to the generosity of Alexandria's Morrison House, a Kimpton Hotel. The Tea Party, which included traditional tea sandwiches, scones and cookies served on real porcelain tea sets, was presented by Annee Gillett, Director of Catering at The Morrison House and Hotel Monaco, along with her staff as well as CFNC's Family Support Services department.

Upon arriving, each child received a tiara, necklace and bracelet to complete their tea party attire. After enjoying the food, mothers and daughters created butterflies out of arts and crafts materials and then enjoyed a reading by The
Morrison House staff of Ms. Spider's Tea Party. Children took home their crafts, costume jewelry, a book and, most importantly, the memories of a unique and special opportunity and quality time spent with their mothers.

Glymaris Lugo, a Social Worker at CFNC who helped put on the event, noted: "The girls and their mothers had such a wonderful time! This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the children and families that CFNC serves, and certainly a special event for them."

CFNC is very appreciative of Annee Gillett and her staff at The Morrison House for hosting the tea party and looks forward to working with the Kimpton on future events.

To enjoy additional photos, please visit our Photo Gallery.

An Elegant Luncheon

CFNC teachers and staff enjoyed an elegant and delicious end of the year luncheon, thanks to the generosity of Susan Gage Caterers and
The Birchmere. Susan Gage donated the scrumptious food and The Birchmere donated the space.

The luncheon is an annual event to thank teachers and staff upon the completion of a successful school year, but this is the first time in many years that the lunch was made possible by CFNC supporters. We thank them for providing us with the opportunity to appreciate our staff and celebrate our success this year over an elegant lunch, fun activities and the shared feeling of accomplishment for a job well done.

A RunningBrooke Exclusive Showing of Hairspray

Brooke Curran, Alexandria resident, runner extraordinaire and founder of the RunningBrooke Fund, invites you hang up your sneakers & get our your hairspray! Brooke has bought out the

The Little Theatre of Alexandria

on August 2, 2011 for an 8 PM showing of Hairspray to support the RunningBrooke Fund which helps local Alexandria charities, including CFNC! This event is not open to the public. With back stage tours, photo ops with the cast and a pre-show soiree, it is an event you will not want to miss! Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Brooke runs marathons around the world (7 continents, 50 states + DC too + the 5 world marathon majors) -- a marathon a month -- to raise awareness and raise money for 5 vital Alexandria-based charities serving the at-risk kids and families in Alexandria/Arlington (including CFNC). Brooke pays all travel expenses and associated fees so every dollar she raises, goes to those who need it. Since May of 2009, Brooke's raised over $65K for Alexandria. Learn more about Brooke by visiting runningbrooke.com and don't forget to purchase your Hairspray tickets today!