Happy Fall! We are quickly approaching the second full month of school for your children, and in that time, they have learned many new things and grown so much. October brings new curriculum studies, seasonal family activities, celebrating Head Start Awareness month and much more.

We are thrilled to partner with the Office of Head Start (OHS) as they kick of the Head Start Awareness month celebration. This month we are helping to shine a light on the impact of Head Start programs, how families and communities benefit across the country. Join us in raising awareness about how our programs support children and families to thrive in school and beyond. Please click on the video link below for a personal message from the Director of the Offie of Head Start, Khari M. Garvin.

https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/video/head-start-awareness-video

Head Start Awareness Video

In honor of the month, here are 12 facts about Down syndrome you may not know:

1. Down syndrome is named for Dr. John Langdon Down, who wrote the most prominent paper describing the disorder in the 1860s. The name Down syndrome was not standardized until 1975.

2. Down syndrome is far and away the most common condition involving chromosomes, occurring approximately in one out of every 691 births.

3. More than 400,000 people are living with Down syndrome in the United States.

4. The most common type of Down syndrome is trisomy 21, which means an extra copy of the 21st It is not hereditary. The other two types are translocation and mosaicism, which account for around 5% of cases.

5. While incidences of Down syndrome correlate with the mother’s age, around 80% of Down syndrome babies are born to mothers under the age of 35.

6. Nothing a parent does or does not do is known to cause Down syndrome during pregnancy – it occurs randomly.

7. Down syndrome occurs regularly in both sexes and across socioeconomic classes.

8. With the great strides made in understanding this disorder, individuals with Down syndrome are living long, happy lives. The life expectancy for these individuals has increased from 25 years in 1980 to over 60 years today.

9. Down syndrome leaves people with an increased risk of some medical conditions. These conditions include congenital heart defects, respiratory issues, hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, leukemia, and thyroid disorders. Parents and caretakers need to take extra care in screening for medical issues.

10. Students with Down syndrome are now included in many classrooms across the country. In the past, special needs classes were the only option for learners with Down syndrome, but today most experts recommend full or partial inclusion in many standard classes.

11. While individuals with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, they are often mild to moderate. Most people with Down syndrome lead fulfilling and productive lives.

12. Down syndrome is still a little-understood disorder. While researchers are aware of what this condition is, we know little about what causes it or how symptoms develop. There is hope that future research can lead mitigation of some symptoms.

American Academy of Pediatrics

Park only on the full curbs on Dinard and Mapledale. Neighbors have come to the Ramona office to complain that cars are parked in front of their driveways, blocking the edge, which prevents them from exiting. The red curb means “no parking” as does the blue and white striping on the circle. The red curb needs to be open for the bus. The circle area needs to be open in case of an emergency, as this is where the emergency vehicles would need to park.

The Early Education Toddler and Preschool classroom environment is guided by The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and which is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills. It is designed to support teachers to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate, content-rich program for children with diverse backgrounds and skill levels.

As we study Music Making, we will learn concepts and skills in the areas of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. We’ll also develop thinking skills as we observe, investigate, ask questions, solve problems, make predictions, and test our ideas. Together, children and teachers will explore questions such as “What instruments can we play by hitting, tapping, or shaking them?” and “How can we make music with our voices?”

Fueling Growth and Learning, One Lunch at a Time

Healthy eating is important at every age. Families can help children enjoy healthy lives every day. Packing school lunches with nutritious foods is one important way for you to contribute to your child's life-long health.

What is a healthy lunch?

A healthy lunch has the nutrients and energy children need to grow, learn, and play. It usually provides 1/4 to 1/3 of the nutrients and calories children need each day.

What You’ll Need

• 2 bananas
• 8 mini chocolate chips
• 4 chocolate chips

How to Make It

1. Peel the bananas then slice them in half.
2. Try standing them on the cut end and continue trimming the base until they can stand on their own.
3. Press two mini chocolate chips into the banana, pointy side first, about 1/2 inch down from the tip.
4. Press one chocolate chip pointy side first into the banana, below the mini chocolate chips.

**peeling and cutting will need to be completed by an adult**

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the program office at (562) 210-4205 to speak with an administrator.

Early Education Program Administration Team

• Director: Laurel Parker
• Assistant Directors: Amie Wilson Bird, Loretta Gallegos, and Marisol Martinez-Garcia