OLC-Month 5: December 1, 2023

Dear Early Childhood Education Parents/Guardians,

As winter approaches, we want to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of parking in designated spots during drop-off and pick-up times. Ensuring a smooth and safe traffic flow is crucial, especially in the colder months when weather conditions can pose additional challenges.

To maintain a safe and organized environment for everyone, we kindly request that you adhere to the following guidelines:

• Designated Parking Spots: Please park only in designated parking areas. This helps us efficiently manage the flow of traffic and ensures that emergency access routes remain clear.

• Be Mindful of Others: During drop-off and pick-up, be considerate of fellow parents and guardians. Allow enough space for vehicles to move freely, and avoid double parking, which can impede the traffic flow.

• Pedestrian Safety: Keep in mind that many families walk to and from the preschool. Please be cautious when driving in the parking lot and watch for pedestrians, especially in adverse weather conditions.

• Winter Weather Preparedness: As winter brings snow and ice, it's essential to drive cautiously and park in a way that allows for effective snow removal.

• Timely Drop-offs and Pick-ups: Aim to arrive on time for drop-off and pick-up to avoid congestion in the parking lot. This helps create a smooth transition for everyone involved.

Your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines ensures the safety and well-being of all our preschoolers and their families. We appreciate your attention to these matters, and thank you for being proactive in creating a positive and secure environment for our little ones.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the O'Connor Learning Center office. Together, we can make this winter season a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

• December 21st through January 3rd; Winter Break
• Students return on Thursday, January 4th, 2024.

Students have early dismissal on December 20th.

• AM: 10:20am
• PM: 2:30pm
• If student is at a full-day school: 2:15pm

Per the 2023-2024 Early Childhood Education Parent Handbook (linked at the bottom of this newsletter), State law requires that a certified copy of a child’s birth certificate be used when enrolling a new student in school.

If your child is registering with Grand Island Public Schools for the first time, you may obtain this document from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state in which your child was born. Assistance in obtaining birth certificates may be obtained from Health Records Management, P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065 or online (Click Below). There is a fee per certificate. If you need assistance obtaining your birth certificate, please contact the school office.

Your child’s birth certificate must be received within 30 days of the start of preschool. If it is not received, your child may not be able to attend preschool.

Our amazing teachers work year-round to provide the utmost academic and behavioral supports possible to your amazing students. During this holiday season, if possible, as this is not mandatory, please join us in checking out your student's classroom wishlist below.

We cordially invite you to join us for an enriching and inspiring session with Michael Hall, a renowned advocate for Strong Fathers and Strong Families; a well-known speaker and advocate for fatherhood, who leads these events to help fathers understand and fulfill their responsibilities and create strong, positive relationships with their children. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents, gain expert guidance, and enhance your parenting journey. We look forward to seeing you TODAY at 6pm at the O'Connor Learning Center.

Thank you to those who attended our First Parent Hangout on October 21, 2023. Our next one will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 11am to 1pm. Please join us with the added perks of free food and childcare. This month's hangout we will have Pizza and other goodies being offered from Valentino's. Hope to see you there!

OLC is offering a fun and exciting Health and Wellness Class being taught by Ms. Nery Shafer! Please join us on December 11th at 10am and learn to make some yummy, healthy treats for your littles! This class is offered to all ECE families and free of charge. So please join us!

AM Session: 7:50am - 11:20am

PM Session: 12:00pm - 3:30pm

Monday- Thursday

No class on Friday

Arrival: 7:50am - 8:00am

Class: 8:00am - 3:15pm

Monday - Thursday

No class on Friday

Parents/Guardians will receive an attendance letter once their student has missed 10 days of school.

We know there are a wide variety of reasons students are absent from school; if your child's absences have medical documentation please provide them to the office secretary, as this would change the absence coding.

Your School Principal and Social Worker are able and willing to help you identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges. Please contact your child's school Principal and/or Social worker if you've received a 10-day letter or are nearing 10 absences, as collaboration is key in making sure your child receives the best academic/social-emotional support possible.

• Avoid taking extended trips when school is in session.
• Set bedtime and morning routines with your child to develop expectations of regular school attendance.
• Have a consistent transportation plan ahead of time.
• Talk with your child about their feelings toward school. Acknowledge any negative feelings toward school attendance.
• Consult with your child’s physician or the school nurse when illness is contributing to absenteeism.
• Schedule appointments outside of school hours as often as possible.
• Monitor your student’s attendance and grades on Synergy through the ParentVue app.
• Talk with your student’s teacher, social worker, or counselor to address any concerns; We are in this together!

The 3-read protocol is a simple and effective way to promote early literacy skills in preschool children. It involves reading a book three times to engage children in the story, encourage comprehension, and enhance their overall reading experience.

Before you start reading, take a moment to review the book. Look for opportunities to ask questions or comment on the story and pictures. Think about the key vocabulary words you want to introduce. Find a cozy, quiet spot with good lighting where you and your child can sit comfortably. Remove distractions to help your child focus on the book.

Each read should be, at most, five minutes long.

The three reads can be completed in the following methods (varies per family):

• One sitting
• Once when child leaves for school, when they return from school, and after lunch/dinner.
• One read before a snack, another while eating the snack, and the third before they go play with their toys and/or outside.
• Once after dinner, another at bedtime, and the third in the morning before leaving for school

These are just examples, parents/families can decide what works best for their child(ren).

Click below for some helpful information regarding the Three Reads Protocol and Acquisition Skills.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a literacy program founded by the iconic country singer that provides free age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, fostering a love for reading and learning. To enroll and receive free books, parents or guardians can sign up for the program in participating communities, ensuring that young children have access to quality literature to encourage early childhood literacy.

Boystown offers a variety of tips, guides, and tools at your disposal. Click below for more information.

Need helpful discipline tips? Click below for more information.

The Common Sense Parenting Program originally designed for parents of children ages 6 to 16, but an adaptation for parents of toddlers and preschoolers is also is available. A session is comprised of 6 weekly, 1 1/2-hour sessions led by a credentialed trainer who focuses on teaching practical skills to increase children's positive behavior, decrease negative behavior, and model appropriate alternative behavior.

The class is provided via Zoom.

Cost: $90.00

Currently only available in ENGLISH.

Circle of Security™Parenting is an opportunity to join other parents just like you, for an 8-week class where you’ll learn to:

• Strengthen your relationship with your child

• Be present with your child during the best and toughest of times

• Recognize your child’s needs and make sense of his or her behavior

• Meet your child’s needs by being bigger, stronger, wiser and kind

Circle of Security is an eight session parenting series geared for parents and caregivers of children ages 0–5. The series aims to help parents and caregivers be the best of themselves for their young children.

Who should attend: Caregivers for children – Hall County residents

Location: Ombudsman Learning Center 2300 N. Webb Road Suite 110

Cost: Free to Hall County Residents

How to register: Email Nikki2458@gmail.com with Contact Info

Are you in need of childcare? Click below to search around your area for childcare:

Kids Workshops take place from 9am to 12pm every first Saturday of the month. Register online for their workshops to secure a spot today.

Additionally from providing all the aforementioned services, Heartland Health Center (HHC) also has community navigator Kendra Ramos who can help families apply for Medicaid insurance. For more information please contact Ms. Ramos at (308) 379-5451 or KRAMOS@HHCNE.ORG

• Tuesdays at 10:00am and 1:00pm the Goodwill Outlet has $1/pound deal.
• Bargain Bin has brand new items available starting on Fridays at 10:00am.

Want to work on your English? Join the Literacy Council of Grand Island for their FREE Conversational Class every Sunday at the Grand Island Public Library from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. It is open to the public!

Contact Information

Phone: (308) 675-3292

Website: www.giliteracy.org

Click below to see the most updated Heartland United Way Resources available in town.

The goal of the THRIVES program is to provide rapid re-housing for the homeless to address the characteristics of rural Nebraska. Assistance is provided to help the participant obtain affordable housing through limited financial assistance and maintain housing utilizing the case management services provided.

Click below if you'd like to learn more or apply for SNAP.