Early Learning Center

Dear Parents,

Can you believe it’s already February? Time is flying by, and our students have been working hard and having fun in the classroom. In our latest unit, we’re diving into the fascinating world of sand! We’re so excited to see their curiosity grow as they engage in hands-on activities, learn through books and play with sand too.

We hope you’ll consider joining us for our next PTA meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 6:00 PM on Zoom.

And as a friendly reminder there is No School for our ELC students on Friday, February 14th.

Jenny Clark & Laura Kopstain

Additionally, please note the following important dates:

Tuesday, February 11 – ELC PTA Meeting 6:00 PM on Zoom (details below)
Friday, Feburary 14 – No School for ELC Students (Teacher Inservice Day)
Monday, February 17 – No School (President’s Day)
March 22-Tuesday, April 1 – Spring Break
Friday, April 18 – No School (Student and Staff Nonattendance Day)

School News:

The Dentist is Coming!
Our school has partnered with Smile Illinois to offer in-school dental care on March 10-11, 2025. This program is an option for ALL students to have their teeth cleaned and examined during school hours. Students entering Kindergarten in the fall are required by the State of Illinois to show proof of having a dental examination. An examination by the mobile dentists fulfills this requirement.

In order to participate in these services, please complete the online registration at the link provided below or contact the ELC school nurse for a paper copy.

www.myschooldentist.com/SHSCIL_schsrm

If you have any questions regarding this program or online registration, please call 800-409-2563. Don’t miss this great opportunity to promote your child’s dental health!

Upcoming Parent Workshops
We want to share some upcoming parent workshops. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities.

ELC Kindergarten bound Students & Families

If your child will be 5 on or before September 1, 2025 they will be going to kindergarten for the 25-26 school year. If your child is going to kindergarten next school year (and is currently enrolled at the ELC) please read the ELC Kindergarten Registration letter. If your kinderbound student did not recieve an Open Enrollment schools letter, a kindergarten t-shirt, and a ticket to the District 54 Kindergarten Carnival please let us know. As the letter mentions, there is no need to register your ELC child for kindergarten until “Returning Student” registration in March.

Reminder: Dress for the Weather

Just a friendly reminder to please dress your child appropriately for the weather for outdoor gross motor/play! Layering clothes and sending them with hats, gloves, or jackets when needed will help ensure they stay comfortable while playing outside. If you are in need of outdoor gear for your child, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or your child’s classroom social worker.

A Message from Nurse Lisa:

We ask that you keep your child home if they have any of the following:

Vomiting or a fever (100°F or greater). They will be sent home, and parents should keep them home for at least 24 hours after vomiting stops or they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Diarrhea. Keep your child home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours and able to tolerate solid foods.
A frequent cough, continuous nasal drainage, or any difficulty breathing.
A rash that is spreading. Please have a doctor evaluate the rash before sending your child to school, and provide a medical clearance note.
Any symptoms that interfere with their ability to learn (e.g., fatigue, discomfort, or pain).

Keeping a sick child at home helps minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping this school year as healthy as possible.

Please reach out to the Nurse Lisa at 847-230-1741 with any questions.

New ELC Families

If your child is new to the ELC, we want to extend a warm welcome to your entire family! We are honored to be part of your child’s educational experience and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with you. For important information for families new to the ELC, please check out the “New Families” section of our website.

PTA NEWS

Join Our PTA

We encourage you to consider joining our PTA, which plays a vital role in supporting our school community. To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit our PTA website here. Your participation and support help us create a vibrant and engaging environment for all our students.

Join us for our next PTA meeting

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for our next PTA meeting on February 11 at 6:00 PM on Zoom.

Parent Drop Off and Pick Up

If you are transporting your child to school each day, please follow the procedures below to ensure everyone’s safety:

When you pull into campus, make a left into the parking lot at the first opportunity (follow the signs for “ELC Parent Drop-Off & Pick Up Parking”).
Park your car in a parking space in the designated parking lot (see maps here).
Your child will line up by color team, and a staff member will bring your child to their classroom. We can assist if you do not know your child’s color team.

Drop Off and Pick Up Times:

AM Session: 7:40–7:45 AM
PM Session: 11:25–11:30 AM, Wednesday 11:10-11:15 AM

If you arrive after 7:45 AM for our AM session or after 11:30 AM for our PM session, please head to the second parking lot off Schaumburg Road, park in a parking space, and report to the front office (Door #1) to sign your child in. They will be marked tardy.

At dismissal, please follow the signs shared above, park in a parking space, and stand near the orange cones. Staff will bring your child out to you.

We ask every adult who is picking up a student to always have a valid ID on hand. This is important if your child has a substitute teacher or if you are sending another authorized adult to pick up your child. Only those family members and friends listed in Infinite Campus as emergency contacts will be allowed to pick up your child.

What our Sprouts are Learning

Curriculum
Our unit about sand is in full swing! Our students are exploring how sand is made, how sand feels, and where sand can be found!

PBIS
We have been focusing on our school expectations which include being a Super Sprout! Being a Super Sprout means being safe and kind. Our Sprouts have various versions of how we can be safe and kind while at school. We encourage you to use the below visual to support safe and kind behavior at home. Check out more about PBIS here.

Our 2024-2025 Teachers and Teams:

dISTRICT NEWS

2024-2025 District Calendar
The 2024-2025 District Calendar can be viewed here at: https://sd54.org/calendar/

ELC Kinderbound Students Information
If your ELC child will be 5 on or before September 1, 2025 they will be going to kindergarten for the 25-26 school year. Please read the ELC Kindergarten Registration letter. As the letter mentions, there is no need to register your ELC child for kindergarten until “Returning Student” registration in March.

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