NKCS Early Childhood News

Welcome Back! We were thrilled to welcome each of our students back after Winter Break. Although a necessary break for both students and staff, we are always eager for our students to return. Our days are not quite complete without the familiar sounds of our young learners!

The return from Winter Break brings the start of our third quarter of the school year. As we help students remember the routines of school, we will continue the hard work started during the first and second quarters. Many exciting things will occur during these last months of the school year including Parent/Teacher Conference, Kindergarten Transition meetings, and Family Fun Nights in February and May. We look forward to seeing you for our activities.

Thank you for sharing your child with us!

Your Partners in Education,

Sarah Monfore, Principal

Kami Pearson, Assistant Principal

• Attendance/Health Room 816-321-5253
  
• Office 816-321-5250
  
• Transportation 816-321-5007

Our school closing policy has one aim - to ensure the safety of our students. School may start two hours late; students may be released early, or classes may be canceled entirely due to inclement weather. Please be familiar with the following information sources in the event of school cancellations, early release or late start.

Communication Channels

North Kansas City Schools provides several ways for you to get the latest information on district school closings, including early release or a two-hour delayed start on days when the weather is hazardous:

1. District Website: www.nkcschools.org provides the notification of school closings and other cancellations within minutes of a decision.
   
2. SchoolMessenger: Phone, email, and optional text messages are sent to school families when classes are canceled, delayed or students are released early.
   • To opt-in to receive text message alerts, text "Yes" to 68453.
     
3. Social Media: We will post information at facebook.com/NKCSchools and twitter.com/NKCSchools.
   
4. Radio & TV: Local stations share announcements on-air and on their websites.

For those who received a letter this fall from Transportation regarding snow routes, alternate routes have been posted on the Transportation page at http://www.nkcschools.org/transportation.

• January 8: School Resumes!
• January 15: MLK Day. No School!
• February 8: Family Fun Night

Carbon Monoxide: A Silent Killer in Your Home

By Stefanie Baines, MA, CHES
Education Coordinator, Poison Control Center at The University of Kansas Health System

As the temperatures start to cool, many of us will turn on our heating systems and fuel-burning appliances. Doing so may put you and your family at risk for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if the heating system and appliances aren’t working properly.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that kills without warning. It claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill. Many household items including gas- and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills produce this poisonous gas. CO poisoning can be prevented, learn how to keep your family safe.

What are the most common sources of carbon monoxide?

• Gasoline powered engines such as cars and boats
• Gas stoves and ovens
• Generators, charcoal grills and camp stoves
• Furnaces and water heaters
• Oil, gas or kerosene heaters
• Leaking chimneys or fireplaces

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Weakness

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

• Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home. Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas-burning appliances serviced by a professional each year.
• Never leave a vehicle running in a garage, even with the garage door open.
• Make sure your car’s tailpipe is clear of snow and other obstructions.
• Do not run fuel-powered tools or other equipment inside the home or garage, even with the door open.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside a home, basement, garage, or outside near an open window.
• Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly.
• Never use a gas range or oven to heat your home.
• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.

How do I use a carbon monoxide detector?

• Detectors should be installed in the hallway near the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home.
• Keep and read the instructions included with your detector for the manufacturer’s recommendation on battery replacement, alarms, cleaning of the detector, precautions, and lifespan of the detector.
• Check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.

What should I do if I suspect carbon monoxide poisoning?

• Get into fresh air immediately.
• Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.
• Call 911 or go to the ER (emergency room) if anyone has any symptoms or is pregnant.
• If you suspect a faulty appliance is letting out large amounts of carbon monoxide, call your local fire department or Gas Company for assistance in testing the air for CO.
• Do not re-enter the building until the fire department or Gas Company says it is safe.

You may have noticed a few new accessories on your child’s backpack this year. We had 118 students with perfect attendance in October alone! If your student reaches this goal, they will receive a backpack tag for each month of perfect attendance.

We understand perfect attendance is not always possible. We strive for each student to have 90% attendance throughout the year. This will help students and families prepare for the attendance expectations in Kindergarten. Our attendance policy is as follows:

Attendance below 90%: a note will be sent home with attendance status.

Attendance below 80%: a phone call will be made to parents.

Attendance below 70%: a meeting will be scheduled with parents and ECSE staff.

Wondering when to keep your child home? Here are some reminders during the cold/flu season.

Keep your child home if your child:

· Has a temperature of 100 or above

· Has diarrhea and/or vomiting in the last 24 hours

· Has doctor recommendation to stay home

Your child should come to school if:

· They are tired

· Their fever has been gone for 24 hours

· Their stomach is just a little upset

· They have a runny nose or cough but no other symptoms

If you are unsure if your child should come to school, please call our ECSE nurses at 816-321-5253 to receive advice on what is appropriate. If you chose to keep your child home, please remember to call transportation at 816-321-5007 and the ECSE nurses.

Check out our new Pinterest page! Find resources and activities for all of the different areas of development!

Animated Literacy: B - Baby Barnaby

I Love You Ritual: You've Been Gone

Concept of the Week: Circle

Animated Literacy: G - Gilda Goose

I Love You Ritual: Warm Hands

Concept of the Week: Square

Animated Literacy: C - Crazy Camel

I Love You Ritual: Warm Hands

Concept of the Week: Triangle

Animated Literacy: L Lizzy Lamb

I Love You Ritual: Georgie Porgie

Concept of the Week: Oval

Bus Transportation -

• If your child does not need transportation services on any given day, please contact the transportation department and give them advance notice. Transportation department phone number - 816.321.5007
• The time given for your pick up and drop off is an approximation and you will need to be ready at your stop for a ten-minute window surrounding those times. Bus drivers will not honk or call parents to come out. You need to be waiting at your stop.
• If you need to make changes to your route, please contact Kelly Haynes at 816.321.4778. Three days notice is required in most circumstances.
• Only adults listed on your enrollment are able to receive your child and any changes will need to be made in advance in writing. Please contact Kelly Haynes at 816.321.4778
• Always have your ID available for your driver!
• Any route changes greater than your 10 minute window will be communicated by email. Please check your inbox!

Car Rider Transportation -

Pleasant Valley Campus:
Morning Session:
Arrival: 8:20 - 8:30 am
Dismissal: Beginning at 11:30 am

Afternoon Session
Arrival: 12:15 -12:25 pm
Dismissal: Beginning at 3:25 pm

Car Riders report to the Tricycle Track on the south side of the building. Cars move in a clockwise circle around the building and stop at one of the four cones for loading or unloading. Students will be loaded into four cars at a time. Please help us keep this pattern as it ensures the quickest and smoothest transition home.

Please have all children remain buckled in their car seats while waiting in the car rider line. Our number one priority is the safety of our students.

Satellite Classrooms - Please speak with your child's teacher about arrival and dismissal procedures at the elementary buildings.

Email: Sarah.Monfore@nkcschools.org
Website: www.nkcschools.org
Location: 6800 Sobbie Road, Pleasant Valley, MO, United States
Phone: 816-321-5250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Early-Childhood-Special-Education-North-Kansas-City-Schools-688998111209387/