Maize Early Childhood Center
May 2023
Dear MECC Families,
On behalf of our entire staff, I would like to welcome you and your family to the 2023-2024 school year!
Beginning school is such an exciting time for you and your child. We are honored that you have chosen Maize Early Childhood Center to begin your child’s journey from birth through the early years of growth, development, and learning. Our goal is to provide high quality experiences to all children ages birth-five years, their families and our community.
Thank you for responding to our plea to park in the correct areas for drop-off and pick-up procedures – it makes our areas much safer for everyone!
Here are some upcoming events to mark on your calendar:
September 5 – Parents as Teachers Play Groups and Music & Movement begins
September 8 – Class is in session!
September 11 – Starlets Classes begin
September 13 – Fall Picture Day
September 18 – MECC Sprit Night at Pizza ranch- (MECC receives a percentage of sales! This is a great and easy fundraiser for our school. Simply let them know you are with MECC when ordering!)
September 21 – Donuts with Grown-Ups! See the flyer later in this newsletter for more information – reservations limited to two per student. Register HERE.
September 27 & 28 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School for students)
October 12 - Parenting with Love & Logic - See flyer for more details about this exciting event.
Here is a link to our 2023-34 MECC Parent Handbook. It is your go-to resource and outlines protocols and procedures for birthdays, absences, leaving early, etc.
Throughout the school year, we will continue to offer opportunities to extend your child’s classroom experience into your home to complete our MECC Family Circle.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family!
Ms. DeDe
MECC Principal
I would like to introduce you to the Parents as Teachers staff. Michelle McAllister is the PAT coordinator and is entering her 19th year at MECC. Our parent educators are Jana Kubik, Erin White, Petrissa Palmer, Michelle Kinnevan, and Kirby Montgomery. You will see our amazing staff at music classes, playgroups, Starlets and family events. Please feel free to introduce yourself. We would like to get to know all of you.
Welcome to a new school year! Here is a list of our parent-child groups this year. (no sign up required) You will need to sign in at the office and have your driver’s license scanned each time you enter the building. Please plan accordingly.
Music: Tuesday 9:30 OR
Tuesday 10:30
Playgroup: Wednesday 10:00-11:00
Thursday 10:00-11:00
Starlets is our parent-child preschool that meets once a week. We have openings in our Tuesday afternoon class that meets 1:00-2:15. We also have very limited openings in our Monday morning classes. If you are interested in participating please email Erin at ewhite@usd266.com.
If you are interested in home visits please enroll using this PAT Enrollment Form.
Let's TACO 'bout Communication!
Everyday activities to enhance speech & language skills
🍅Read, read, read to your child everyday. Reading can simply be talking about pictures. For example, while looking at books or magazines, name the pictures as you point to them.
🧀Eat family meals together as much as you can. Give the same meal to everyone. Talk about the foods on your plate. For example; hot/cold, crunchy, spicy, or green. Enjoy each other’s company and avoid screen time (TV, tablets, and phones, etc.) during meals.
🥬During your bath time routine, label body parts, sing songs, help your child learn about opposites/concepts. For example, empty/full, dirty/clean, hot/cold, or wet/dry.
🌶️Give your child toys or things that encourage their imagination, such as dress-up clothes, pots and pans to pretend cook, or blocks to build with. Join them in pretend play, such as eating the pretend food they cook.
Dillons Community Rewards
Please consider linking your Dillons card to the community rewards program. Click here for instructions on how! Search for 47624 and MAIZE EARLY CHILDHOD CENTER. All money earned goes directly back to our building.
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops has gone digital! Please download the app, find Maize Early Childhood Center (school ID 9665854) and scan your receipts! Money goes directly to the school. Click here for more information!
