December was a fun and very busy month at our centers!

At our HMB Preschool the children focused on the winter season and all the holiday celebrations. The children made snow and gingerbread scented play dough, their own ornaments, gingerbread cookies in their chef hats, explored holiday sensory bins and decorated a class gingerbread house that the kids decided to name "Sticky Rainbow, Chocolate, French Toast, Marshmallow."

At our HMB School Age center the children worked on their class gingerbread houses to enter into the contest for the CCP annual Gingerbread House Event at the Oceano Hotel. Room A made a Candy Land house and Room B made a Beach Chill House. The kids also made pinecone trees, paper roll snowmen, put up the Christmas tree and decorated the classrooms!

At our EG School Age center the children, aside from all the activities at the center, the children enjoyed Nights of Lights, the Gingerbread House Event and an agency wide Holiday Family Potluck.

At our Montara Preschool the children continued focusing on writing the letters of their names, counting and sorting, expanding friendships and social skills, group table activities and conversations. All the projects were about the winter season and the holidays. And of course, the children enjoyed all the CCP holiday events, including the parade!

At our Montara School Age program, in addition to all the winter and holiday projects and activities and events, the children had jobs and tasks assigned to encourage taking care of their classroom and space. And the children earned extra time doing extra fun activities like special games with teachers and educational games. 

We hope all our children and families enjoyed their time off and all the holiday activities and time with family. Happy New Year! And welcome back to a new exciting year ahead!

Night of Lights Parade! We’re excited to celebrate another magical evening together, and we’d love to have our
CCP community participate. CCP families & friends and CCP Staff are invited to walk in this year's Night of Lights
HMB Parade on Friday Dec 5. 

Our group usually gathers along Purisima Street between HMB Library and Filbert Street starting @ 5:30 (under a
light if possible). Look for CCP Staff, CCP Banner, and children & families from our CCP Agency and "Estrella" our
CCP Christmas tree mascot.

Parade is scheduled to begin moving at 6:00pm on Friday Dec 5, 2025.

Reminder: come early as possible there will be a lot of traffic and limited parking. Wagons & strollers are
welcome. Bring battery powered Xmas lights/necklaces etc. Our group is encouraged to wear Holiday colors
GREEN, RED, WHITE 

***We all understand that there is NO CANDY THROWING during the parade, no children under 18 are permitted
to walk next to motorized entries, that all motorized entries must have a walking adult escort on each side of the
float during the parade, and there may be NO PEOPLE (adults or children) DRESSED UP LIKE SANTA (it confuses
the little kids and the Chamber has a Santa already) Thank you for your family's cooperation of following the
​HMB Chamber rules for this parade :)

​Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (RBWTSD) on November 14, 2025 is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and make connections to today's collective efforts for change. RBWTSD gives children the opportunity to celebrate Ruby's courage by walking to school. The students behind RBWTSD have a dream of celebrating this special day across California and the nation. Help them realize their dream by signing your school up for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on the Ruby Bridges Foundation website and receive free materials!

https://www.smcoe.org/for-educators/student-services/srts/ruby-bridges-walk-to-school-day

CCP El Granada School Age Center - "As the leaves change and the weather cools, we are feeling inspired by the creativity of the season. November is all about exploring their artistic sides and planning for their annual Thanksgiving meal that they will all put together and share." ~ Lorena Velazquez, Site Supervisor

CCP Montara Preschool and School Age Centers - "The children are creating projects with a focus on weather changes, leaves and trees, what we are thankful for and of course turkeys! And planning for ​our Agency wide “The Polar Express” Kids’ Night In & Parents Night Out." ~ Shannan Gotschall, Site Supervisor

CCP Half Moon Bay Preschool and School Age Centers - "Our Halloween parade and party were a big success with the help of our parents. The children and staff really enjoyed it! This month we will explore the changes of the environment, such as trees, plants, and leaves and talk about the weather. We will also have our first Family Literacy Workshop “Falling in Love with Reading” at the HMB Library." Yesenia Ramirez, Site Supervisor

It is a bittersweet time at CCP. Our Most Senior Staff member, David Aliamus, will be leaving CCP on February 26. David has been an integral member of Coastside Children's Programs for 25 years as a Teacher and Supervisor. He has touched so many lives in the Half Moon Bay community with his commitment to young children and their families. He has worked with countless teachers, administrators and Board members tirelessly for the betterment of CCP. Not only has he performed impeccably as an employee, he has volunteered countless hours on improvements to his and other sites facilities. He has been instrumental in our fundraisers and has brought his "good friend" Santa to all of our holiday events.

Fortunately he is able to visit since he will still be working at one of our community organizations down the road. We wish David the best of luck in his new career with the Boys and Girls Club.

David, you will be missed but always be remembered for your dedication and love for CCP.

Thank you!