The Ocean Courant Staff Newsletter
Carelot Children's Center ~ November 2023
A message from Holly Bevilacqua, COO
WOW! Your Halloween celebrations looked amazing! I loved seeing all the mini-parties and great costumes! The children always have such a great time.
This time of year is the best time to teach community giving and involvement with your classrooms. The PTO has sponsored its largest event on November 5th!! One Stop Shopping will had over 65 vendors. This event provides scholarships to graduating seniors from Waterford and EL High Schools. The scholarship has given over $30,000 in money to date!
Thanksgiving baskets and our Giving Tree/Toy Drive will also begin! Utilize the giving tree event or baskets to teach about giving and not constantly receiving. Giving tree applications can be found at www.carelot.net/pto.
We hope you have all had a chance to enjoy the staff calendars. If you have any ideas for the programming calendars or themes, please let me know.
I am so proud of the pictures, events, and videos you share with us. It is amazing to see how each of you interprets the lesson themes and how creative you make learning. Keep up the great job and I want you all to know how amazing it is to have you all part of our Carelot family working together to "Build Strong Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning!"
Employee Website
Thank you for your dedication!
Danielle -Exec. Director- 15 years
Lexi- East Lyme- 6 years
Colleen- Brooklyn- 6 years back ( many before that lol)
Hailey- East Lyme- 5 years
Michelle- Quaker Hill Clubhouse- 2 years
1 year:
Stefanie- Clubhouse
Tiffany- Waterford
Asia- Waterford
Brianna- East Lyme
Vanessa- Clubhouse
Celebrate you!
11/6- Hannah- East Lyme
11/11- Lynne- Clubhouse
11/22- Colleen- Brooklyn
11/25- Stefani- Clubhouse
11/29- Kelly- Waterford
A little humor for the week!
Hot News
" What are you thankful for at Carelot?"
Submit answers by clicking the link below by November 25th!
Last Month's Entries: Favorite Fall Activity
Pumpkin sensory! I can’t wait to do things like this with my 8 month old this year :)
Pumpkin painting, apple painting for my class room activity. I loved going to the cornmaze with my own kids and of course trick or treating.
I always enjoy going to a pumpkin patch. It’s nice to see how all the pumpkins can be different but all still pumpkins! I love picking out different ones with my sons.
Go apple picking and making apple crisp (both a baked version and a non-baked kid version).
Apple picking
Apple picking then making a pie
My favorite fall activity to do with the children is to go on a fall adventure to a pumpkin patch/ apple orchard farm. We are fortunate at Carelot to be able to do this on October 18th. The total experience for the children is amazing, from the bus ride to the hayride and seeing the pumpkins in the field. There are so many activities that can follow this in the classroom. Storybooks, art projects, science discussions and the children's exposure to farms and what farmers do. It's a wonderful time in CT to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
The winner is: Taylor from Waterford - $20 winner!
Cute foot keepsake
Winter art ideas
Get your curriculum supplies organized!
This month's incentive- Win !!!
October INCENTIVES:
- Question of the Month: Taylor from our Waterford Center- $20 in next paycheck
- Facebook Contest: Congrats to Jen P. from Brooklyn for the TOP Post! $20 in next paycheck
- Pumpkin contest- Amazing job staff! Congratulations to: East Lyme- Ducks (Gumball Machine) and Waterford- Butterflies (Gumball Machine) It was a close race between the offices, but Patty and Sokie took first place! Great job everyone and you certainly made it a hard vote to cast! The winning classrooms will have a pizza/donut party for their classroom.
- Nutrition Activity post- NO entries
- Cleanest/Organized classrooms- Jen L. in Brooklyn! Your room looks great! You win $50 to spend for your classroom- Just email your list (amazon, discount school )and I will place your order.
NOVEMBER INCENTIVES
- The biggest event of the year!!!! Decorate the outside of your center for the December Holiday- Get out those lights, decor, etc.... Team building and creativity! Post pictures of your centers by December 3rd!!!
- Create and Display a Family Turkey in your main hall this month for all classrooms and families to add to.
- Post or Comment on the staff facebook page- November's winner will receive a Holiday fun surprise treat.
Health insurance!
Feel free to contact Holly with questions or if you want to join any of the plans.
Carelot will cover 50% of your monthly medical premium and 25% of your monthly dental and vision premium!
EAST LYME - GET READY FOR YOUR VISIT
Licensing reminders from OEC
Medications: Only Medication Certified staff can accept and administer Medications.
First aid kits: Every center/clubhouse program shall have 3 complete first aid kits- 1 in the center, 1 for field trips, and 1 on the playground at all times when children are outside.
Maintenance items: If you see something that needs repair, air vents dirty, dirty or missing ceiling tiles, etc. please inform your site manager or Executive Director immediately.
Cleaners and Toxins: Toxins must be locked up and not in child space...This includes air fresheners, disinfecting wipes, floor cleaners, and whiteboard cleaners.
Infant straps: All infant seats, strollers, high chairs, etc. must have working and clean straps in them at all times.
Sensory Items: Items that are put in your sensory bins/tables must meet the choking size requirements for those under 3. This includes Gel/water beads in toddler sensory - They are considered choking hazards.
Plastic bags: are to be kept out of the reach of children.
Have you completed your STATE REQUIRED TRAINING?
Reminders:
- OUTLET COVERS! Please make sure that you have outlet covers in ALL of your outlets!
- DO NOT put staples into the walls directly. Please use the bulletin boards or removable tape.
- REQUEST for leaves must be filled out completely and includes requests for extended lunches. Remember to add your 2nd /3rd choice for vacation week requests.
- Wash your hands throughout the day and follow the handwashing procedure!
- Teamwork is the KEY!! We cannot succeed if we do not work together as a team! Chip in without being asked– organize the resource area, blow up balls when air is low, and clean up a mess you may see…. Working together we can make a difference!
- Dress Code: Please remember to wear your Carelot Attire at all times! Check out the order form on the staff's Facebook page.
- A quick reminder to all staff, please remember it’s your job to close your classroom down at the end of the day. That means taking all your garbage out to the trash, doors, and windows are closed and locked, and no food is left out. Let’s work as a team ladies and gentlemen. Happy Fall!!!
Dramatic Play idea
Sensory idea- water and marshmallows!
Ice Painting! Get ready for the Arctic!
Carelot Children's Center
Email: hr@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: 860-739-1993
Facebook: facebook.com/carelotctr