CCSD 146 Early Learning Newsletter

Here you will find important information about your child’s early learning program. We’ll share details for both the Bridges B-3 program, and Pre-K. You’ll learn what’s going on in the classrooms and what’s going on in the community. We’ll share fun activities for you to do with your families and resources you might find interesting.

11/8/22 No School

11/12/22 Bridges Virtual Story Time 10:30am

11/18/22 No School for Pre-K, ½ day for K-8

11/23//22 No School

11/24/22 No School Thanksgiving

11/25/22 No School

11/30/22 Family Engagement Night, Virtual via Zoom. 5:00pm

11/19/22 Kids Turkey Trot Diaper Dash Turkey Trot/Diaper Dash Information

11/27/22 Orland Park Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Holiday Festival Information

Tinley Park Public Library Calendar Tinley Youth Services Activities

Orland Park Public Library Calendar Orland Youth Services Activities

Oak Forest Public Library Calendar Oak Forest Youth Services Activities

The staff and students in the Early Learning program have been very busy this year. We will have welcomed 147 students and families into the program as of November 1. Recently, the team hosted 29 families for Curriculum Night in which parents got to learn about what a typical day in PreK looks like. Children played while parents listened to a presentation and then everyone got to visit a classroom to see how the students engage in center time during their day.

The D146 screening team has been working to offer developmental screenings for children between the ages of 3 and 5 living in our district boundaries. Since June, we have screened 58 students to determine if they qualify for our Early Learning program and to identify students with developmental delays to refer for services. During the screenings, we offer hearing and vision screenings, talk to parents about child development and provide parents with valuable information and resources to access services within our surrounding communities. We have 3 additional screenings scheduled for the 22-23 school year.

If you know someone who lives within the District 146 boundaries and would like to have their child’s development screened, please fill out the form located here.

What is Bridges Birth to 3 program? Do you have a young child under the age of 3? Are you curious if your child is developing typically? Are you looking for activities that support your connection with your child? Bridges can help! We are a home visiting program that offers developmental screenings, play groups and activities to support your family. Our family support specialists (FSS) can screen your child for eligibility in our program. Once enrolled, families have two home visits a month with their FSS. Families will play together and work to achieve goals created by the parent. We also share community events available each month including our in person playgroups and virtual story times.

If you’re interested in learning more about fostering your young child’s development through home visiting, fill out this referral for Bridges. Bridges Referral

Four times a year the early learning team provides family engagement events for families. The first of these was held on Wednesday, October 19th at Fulton School from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. We had a story time, songs and activities for families to do together. There were plenty of art and science activities surrounding our fall theme. We had several obstacle courses in the gym that let our early learning students get their wiggles out. We even had a raffle at the end of the night for the families who attended.

Our next family night will be held virtually over Zoom on November 30th. During this event we will be discussing strategies for increasing your child’s independence. Our Early Learning social worker will share tips and techniques to help your family’s daily routines run smoother by encouraging your toddler or preschooler to do things for themselves or as they might say, “I can do it myself”!

This month we’re sharing our favorite recipe for homemade Playdoh. Letting young children play with dough develops the muscles in their hands necessary for holding pencils, crayons and scissors.

Playdough Recipe
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup salt
2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups boiling water
Food coloring, optional
Quart sized bags

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and cream of tartar.

2. Add the vegetable oil and boiling water, and using a spatula, mix until combined. Once it’s cool enough to handle, use your hands to knead the playdough in the bowl until it becomes smooth, about 2 minutes. (It may appear wet at first but will dry as you knead and the water gets fully absorbed.)

3. Turn the playdough onto your work surface and knead it until it is smooth, about 2 minutes.

4. Use the homemade playdough as is, or if desired, color with food coloring of your choice. (If using food coloring, it’s best to mix the playdough in a bowl while wearing disposable gloves to avoid coloring your hands.) Once cooled, the color won’t come off.

Homemade playdough will last for up to 2 months if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Brianne Oliver, Coordinator of Special Education and Early Learning

Tiffany Hall, Coordinator of Bridges B-3 program

Feda Mari, Early Learning Family Support Specialist

Kina White, Early Learning Clerk