Early Learning Center Welcome

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Dear Preschool Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! For all those that are returning and to our new families we wish you the warmest welcome as we are very excited for the start of the new school year. Your child will attend school at the Early Learning Center, 10000 Dee Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Within this message, you will find important dates and reminders to get you ready for the upcoming school year. Please be sure to review this updated 2023-2024 school year calendar, as well as some information about East Maine School District 63 communications.

Please continue to check your email frequently for updates from our school and from District 63. Click here to learn more about East Maine School District 63.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support. If you have questions about the upcoming school year or need assistance with registration, please contact us by phone at 847-827-9165 or via email at firststeps@emsd63.org. Our main office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am -3:00pm.

Have a safe and fun remainder of the summer. We look forward to seeing you soon, and to sharing a great school year together!

Sincerely,

Barb Golik

Principal

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Class Placement

Please login to the Parent Portal to view your child’s teacher assignment and session. If you have forgotten your username and password, please contact our main office via email or phone for support.

*If you do not see this information in the parent portal, it means we are missing a piece of registration documentation. Please contact the office for additional information.*

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Student Health Forms

Please note that the school office must have your student’s required health form on file before the first day of in-person school. Learn more about health requirements.

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Student Supplies

On the first day of school, please send in a change of clothes labeled in a bag that will be kept in the classroom. Please be sure to send your child with a refillable water bottle each day. There is no need for families to purchase additional school supplies. We will provide any materials and supplies that your child will need for instruction.

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Student Chromebooks

Chromebooks will be distributed to NEW First Steps families during the first month of school. Information will be shared about this at a later date. Students in grades PreK should leave their Chromebooks at home.

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Main office procedures

Please continue to contact the office via email or phone when you have questions or concerns. When possible, schedule in-person visits in advance.

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Bus Transportation

If your child qualifies for bus services, your information is being processed and your pick up/drop off times will be posted in the Parent Portal. Parents/guardians will be required to board and deboard students to buckle harnesses, seat belts, and other safety devices for students. Learn more about bus transportation.

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Curriculum

All of the classes in the Pre-K Program use The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, which is a research-based curriculum approved by the State of Illinois. It is a comprehensive system of assessment and program planning which addresses the four major areas of development: social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive skills; it also addresses the five areas of content learning: literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts. Using exploration and discovery as a way of learning, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool helps children develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills through a play-based approach.

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Weather

The students go outside to play daily for temperatures between 25° F and 90°F, taking into account heat index and wind chill. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. Be sure to have your child wear a hat, boots, and gloves in the cold weather.

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Birthday Treats

We love to celebrate birthdays with our students. If you would like to provide your child’s class with a birthday remembrance, please feel free to send non-food items such as pencils, erasers, stickers, bookmarks, or a book for the classroom library. We will not allow the distribution of any food items to celebrate birthdays of students or teachers. This will ensure that we are in compliance with the federal, state, and District 63 nutrition guidelines and are mindful of keeping students with food allergies safe. Your support in this matter is much appreciated.

Snack

Below is a list of snacks that we serve in our preschool program. All snacks served in our classrooms follow the USDA Food Guidelines. Additional information about this can be found at the Illinois State Board of Education website or here https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Child-Adult-Care-Food-Program.aspx. If your child cannot have any snack that is supplied by the program due to dietary restrictions you will need to contact the principal to discuss alternative options. Also, let the classroom teacher know of any allergy restrictions.

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REPORTING ABSENCES

If your child has to miss school due to illness or any other reason, please submit via the Parent Portal.

How to use the Parent Portal to report your child’s absence:

All absences must be submitted on the morning of the day your child will miss school - NOT the night before. Once you log into the Portal, you’ll choose your child’s name and navigate to a list of online forms. Select and complete the “Absence Form,” and then submit.
You can find detailed, step-by-step instructions at any time on our District 63 website.
Questions? Contact the Early Learning Center main office at 847-827-4165

Tardy Students: If your child is late to school, please bring him/her to the main office (Door #1).

Arrival

Please check the chart below to see which door your student will be entering at the beginning of the school day. Doors will open 5 minutes prior to the start time.
Stand on a white spot while waiting to enter the building (to avoid overcrowding at the doors).
Teachers will meet students at their assigned door during the first week of school.
It is important that students are in their classroom and ready to learn at 8:40 AM or 12:15 PM. Attendance is taken by classroom teacher five minutes after the arrival time. If students are not inside their classrooms at this time, they will be marked as absent or tardy and will miss important instruction.

Dismissal

Please check chart below to see dismissal door for each teacher.
All students will exit at 11:10am or 2:45pm
Stand on a white spot while waiting for students to exit (to avoid overcrowding at the doors).

Parking Lot Guidelines

Parking Lot Guidelines: Safety is a top priority of the preschool staff. Following the school's traffic patterns in the school zone provides for a safe environment. There are designated pick-up and drop-off zones for students which do not interfere with bus traffic. Your cooperation will help to ensure the safety of all of our school children. Please click here for the map.

A few safety reminders:

For drop off and pick up, enter the parking lot from the drive located off of Harrison Street. Cars will proceed down the drive alongside the Early Learning Center (Watch the video in this newsletter).
Make a right turn to enter the parking lot of the Early Learning Center. Park your car and proceed to the arrival and dismissal door that your child’s class is assigned to.
Please only use the designated handicapped parking space if your are authorized to do so.
To exit the parking lot, please proceed to the exit that is located off of Dee Rd.
Schools zones are also cell phone free zones. This means that any cell phone use, even hands free, is prohibited.

ELC BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

At the Early Learning Center we are consistently working on teaching students expectations and rules for the different learning environments. Our three big expectations are Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Ready. Rules in different parts of the school are then linked to these expectations. Each expectation and rule is focused on being positive and specifically telling children what "to do" rather than what not to do. Please see the expectations at the Early Learning Center here.

Click here to find a great resource about being consistent with positive guidance for young children that could be helpful at home.