Dear Parents and Guardians,
Can you believe it’s already October? Time flies when we’re having fun! It was fun to see our Sprouts showing their best smiles during picture day this week! We’re excited to invite you and your family to our upcoming Fall Fest on Tuesday, October 8th from 4:30-6:00. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with other ELC families and enjoy the new fall season together. If you haven’t already, please RSVP below. We can’t wait to see you there!
Jenny Clark & Laura Kopstain
Additionally, please note the following important dates:
Please save the date for our ELC Fall Fest! All Sprouts and their families are welcome to join us. Please RSVP here so we can be sure to have enough materials.
Our classroom teachers will maintain our daily classroom schedule and incorporate Halloween themed activities during the typical structure of our day. We know that Thursday, October 31st will be another day filled with fun and learning at the ELC. We ask that you refrain from sending in any food or candy with your child as we will not be able to pass these items out to other students.
Costumes:
All costumes must be school appropriate. No look-a-like weapons, blood, gore, or “scary” components of any kind are allowed as part of a costume. If you would like your child to participate in the parade with a costume on please be sure to have them wear their costume to school (with clothes underneath). As you dress your child for the day, please also keep in mind that we will be parading outside. If your family is facing hardship and you need support with a costume, please reach out to your classroom teacher or social worker.
Parade:
Our parade will take place on Thursday, October 31st, outside as long as there is no rain. Our route will begin by the main door of District Office. We will then parade along the sidewalk towards the ELC and enter the building again through door 4, which is closest to the ELC flagpole. You are welcome to view the parade from any safe place along our route, but please keep the sidewalk clear for an easy parade path. Please keep in mind that we share our campus with District Office so there are often cars traveling in the area. Our parades will begin at the following times:
AM Parade: 8:15 AM
PM Parade: 12:00 PM
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 Meeting
Please save the date for our next PTA meeting on November 12 at 6:00 pm on Zoom. We look forward to seeing everyone at Fall Fest on October 8!
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.
Art to Remember
Have you heard about Art to Remember? This amazing program gives families the option to create keepsakes of their student’s artwork, allowing you to cherish these memories for a lifetime. Not only do these items make delightful year round gifts, the Art to Remember program also doubles as a fundraiser for the ELC PTA, which gives us the opportunity to bring more joy to our Sprouts throughout the year! To learn more about Art to Remember, please watch this short video, and thank you for always supporting our Sprouts!
D54 Education Foundation – Dine to Donate
The Education Foundation has partnered with QP to offer Dine to Donate. Please consider making a difference on Wednesday, October 30th from 11:00 AM-9:00 PM by visiting QP to enjoy a delicious meal while supporting D54 Education Foundation. 15% of proceeds will be donated to The Education Foundation.
Adult ESL Classes
English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes for Adults: October 9 – November 20
District 54 is offering classes to learn how to speak English. These classes are for all parents who are interested in learning basic English conversation skills as well as beginning reading and writing skills in English. The Adult ESL class includes 7 sessions that last 2 hours each. The two class options are as follows:
Please select the option you are interested in attending by filling out this form: Adult ESL Registration Form for Fall 2024. Registration forms must be completed by October 11. For more information, visit sd54.org/languageandculture.
McKinney-Vento Assistance Act
The U.S. McKinney-Vento Assistance Act defines homeless children as those who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime abode. In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the street, cars, parks, bus or train stations, abandoned buildings and other inadequate accommodations may be considered eligible for McKinney-Vento services. Please visit our website for more information.
Curriculum
Our sprouts are diving into an exciting and foundational unit as they kick off the school year! They’ll begin by learning about the names of their classmates and the staff who make their school a special place. Understanding and expressing their feelings will be a key focus, helping them navigate their emotions and those of others. They’ll also explore important school expectations, such as being kind and staying safe, through engaging activities and role-playing. Additionally, they’ll discover how to make and nurture friendships and work together as part of a group, building a supportive and collaborative classroom community. This unit is designed to set the stage for a positive and connected school experience for every student!
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:
Early Learning Center