• Old issues for kids magazines
• Construction paper
• Paints and stickers
• Blocks and Legos
• Puzzles
• Board Games
• Cause-and-Effect Toys
• Train tracks
• Play sets for animals and cars
• Healthy snacks and drinks
• Sanitizing spray for surfaces (i.e., Clorox Anywhere)

Please note: No services will be available Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day.
The social group ends for the year on December 19; we will begin again on January 9, 2010.

Our New Bus!

Some of you may have already heard our big news this month: We recently purchased an 11-passenger bus. We are currently using it to transport the kids to and from outings, and the children have already told us how much they love it! Seats on the bus are first come/first serve and must be registered and paid for by the Friday before a Saturday outing. Bus fare is currently $2 a seat.

We plan to begin using the bus for school pickups very soon. If you’re interested in having your child picked up at school to attend PlayDate groups or join or new After School group, please contact Mary at mary@myplaydate.org or (719)465‑3989 for more information.

Meet Lacy Knutson

Lacy Knutson is our newest PlayDate group implementer. Lacy joined us in August 2009, after moving here from South Dakota. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from South Dakota State University and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University. Lacy has completed her requirements for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and plans on taking the certification exam in March 2010.

Before coming to work at PlayDate, Lacy worked with adults who have developmental disabilities. Although she enjoyed working with adults for the past four years, she is very excited to work with children and to have a positive impact on their future!

Group and Outings Information

Please see our Events page for more information and (new!) online registration for outings. Remember, you must register by the Wednesday before any scheduled event.

December 5th: Ice Skating, 11:30—1:30, Sertich Ice Center
Cost is $4; please bring a sack lunch

December 11: Teen Movie Night (time to be determined), Cinemark Carefree Circle

December 18: Teen Office Party, 6:00—9:00 pm, PlayDate Behavioral Services Center

December 21: Snoezelen, 10:00—11:00 am, Goodwill Snoezelen Room

Special Thanks!

We would like to thank Memorial Park Aquatic & Fitness Center and Stars Gymnastics for letting us use their facilities. The kids and staff had a great time swimming and performing stunts on the gymnastics equipment at our outings in the last couple of months.

Local families in need enjoyed a turkey dinner this Thanksgiving thanks to PlayDate donations to Care and Share. Thanks to the Alvarez family, the Hogan family, Christina, and Mike for contributing.

Help!

We’ll soon be posting a “wish list” of items we could use at the center on our website. Please see our Donate page for more information. Contact Mary at mary@myplaydate.org or (719)465‑3989 to donate items. Thanks!

We also need volunteers to help support our programs. At the moment, we are in need of volunteers to serve on our marketing/fundraiser committee, which develops ideas to help us generate funding and reach more kids. If you are interested in helping in this way, please contact Mary at mary@myplaydate.org or (719)465‑3989 for details.