Somehow Christmas has snuck up on me this year. There are only 15 days left until Christmas!. I know there is still plenty of time but I am trying to remain focused on a "simpler" Christmas - simple, heart-felt gifts and quality time together! We invite you to share how your family chooses to spend the holiday season on our Family Favorites page so we can all learn from each other.

This is a fabulous month for events and performances! Scroll down so you can see some of the highlights coming up. Take a moment to step out in your community and enjoy your family and the spirit of the season!

Have a fun, family-filled weekend!

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our ANNUAL EVENTS CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

Resources | Parent Perks Coupons | Classifieds

Join Chick-fil-A on Saturday, December 12th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm for a Candy Cane Christmas Family Fun Day. There will be FREE pictures with Santa, Gingerbread Cookie Decorating, bounce house and a special appearance by Santa Cow!

Here's a fun article with small, fun ways to spend time as a family around the holidays by Patty Getz...

Christmas is about so much more than presents and parties, and yet, each year, that is the focus that we as a society place on it. Christmas has become a stress for some, and financial hardship for others. Where  there used to be a holiday, to celebrate Family, we have some how lost touch with our roots, and a meaningful soulful Christmas.

Following is a list of of Ideas that cost little or no money, that you can do with your family this Christmas for a more meaningful Christmas. Set aside some time, and lets all get back to the basics of Christmas. Take this list, and let each family member choose one, and then set aside an evening, for each activity, you will be surprised and amazed how much this will Change your and your families outlook on Christmas.

• Make garland with construction paper
• Watch Christmas shows together with hot chocolate and popcorn
• Make your own Christmas cards to send to people
• Make a ginger bread house out of graham crackers and what ever you have in the house
• Make a game out of hunting around the house, for things to make Christmas decorations out of
• Build a fire, and have a slumber party with your kids
• Have a wrapping party
• Go for a drive and see who wins for the best lights in town - make an award for the winner and present it to them

**No. 73 is one of the best!  For the entire list, <<Click Here>>.

H1N1 Update, December 2009 from Corona-Norco Unified School District:

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

• Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and land on surfaces contaminating them.
• Germs can spread when a person touches a surface like a desk, computer keyboard, or a doorknob, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of flu?

• To prevent the spread of flu it is important to keep surfaces clean.
• Cleaning can be done by wiping surfaces down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

CNUSD Installs Hand Sanitizers & Wipes to Prevent the Spread

• The Maintenance and Operations Department has installed hand sanitizers and provided wipes to school sites, the District Office, Centralized Registration and Nutritional Services, in an effort to minimize the spread of germs and bacteria.
• Wipes are utilized by staff and students to clean doorknobs, surfaces and computer keys.
• Hand sanitizers have been placed in multi-purpose rooms, hallways, weight rooms, libraries, cafeterias, main offices and counselors' offices at the sites and offices throughout the District Office.

Are there medicines to treat H1N1?

• There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. This flu season, antiviral drugs are being used mainly to treat people who are very sick, such as people who need hospitalization, and to treat people who are more likely to get serious flu complications. Your health care provider will decide whether antiviral drugs are needed to treat your illness. Remember, most people who have been infected with H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs.

**Click Here to download the entire bilingual newsletter

For additional information and updates, please contact:
The Riverside County Health Department at www.rivcoph.org
The Corona-Norco Unified School District at www.cnusd.k12.ca.us