Early Learning Center News
L. Daniel Hutto Early Learning Center at FSDB
A Montessori Environment Where Young Children Explore, Learn and Create
Dates to Remember
Jan. 18 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
Jan. 19-22 - School Accreditation Visit (online)
Jan. 28 - End of First Semester
Jan. 29 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
Feb. 15 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day
“There is a great sense of community within the Montessori classroom, where children of differing ages work together in an atmosphere of cooperation rather than competitiveness. There is respect for the environment and for the individuals within it, which comes through experience of freedom within the community.”
Dear ELC Families,
Our themes this month are winter and dinosaurs (DHH) and transportation (BVI).
Some pretty cool things are happening in the ELC this month....for example, did you know that NONE of our children in our BVI PreK class are taller than an Emperor Penguin? Or, that you can actually use salt to melt ice? Be sure to ask your children about what they are doing at school - and check Transparent Classroom for updates on your children's activities.
Thank you for continuing to send your children to school well-rested, dressed for the weather and on time. Research has shown that getting enough sleep not only helps children have better focus and concentration and improved academic performance but also helps them to have a stronger immune system. A stronger immune system during a pandemic? Yes please!!!
Please see the update to the ELC Health and Wellness section below.
Our ELC is growing in 2021 - the new year brought the ELC 3 new students and 2 new teachers - more information and pictures are below!
Providing a safe and healthy environment for all FSDB students and staff is still our top priority - we continue wearing masks and face shields, washing our hands, disinfecting our environment and doing our best to stay healthy.
We are all looking forward to a healthy and happy 2021!
Thank you,
Gail
COOPERATION
Cooperation is ...
Cooperation is.....
"Working together and sharing the load. When we cooperate, we join with others to do things that cannot be done alone. We are willing to follow the rules which keep everyone safe and happy. Together, we can accomplish great things." The Virtue Project
Cooperation is.....
a really, really big deal. It includes everything we need to maintain our safe and happy learning environment at school and it is something we work on daily. We help the children learn to work together by specifically teaching the children how to join another child's work, activity or play.
Cooperation is.....
a tool to use, not something that we are. Children are not "cooperative" or "uncooperative." They are simply children who are learning to respond to different situations. By learning to use cooperation in different situations, we are teaching your children that they are in control of their actions and this allows them to see that their choices affect others.
Cooperation leads to.....
learning, emotional maturity and a strong personal identity. Children working together are able to find creative solutions to problems and demonstrate flexibility in their thinking resulting in more self-confidence.
Montessori Moments - Working Together
How to free a penguin from a frozen block of ice
Learning to write letters
Sorting fruit and vegetables
5 Things You Can Do to Build Cooperation at Home
- Get down on your child's level - Being on the same eye level helps your child feel safer and more in control. You're showing your children that they have your full attention.
- Offer choices instead of demands - Choices provide small steps in shared power. Children may respond to limited choices (2) when they will not respond to a demand. For example, instead of asking, "Do you want to get ready for bed?" you could ask, "would you rather wear your blue pajamas or your green pajamas?" or "do you want me to cut your sandwich into two pieces or four?"
- Do chores together - Let your children experience a sense of cooperation by having them be involved in daily routines. Simple chores such as picking up toys, setting the table, or putting dishes away after a meal help children feel successful and capable. One study showed that children ages 3-5 who had chores were more likely to become happy, healthy, independent adults.
- Follow daily routines - Children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. Schedules and routines at home and at school help children feel in control of their environment.
- Offer specific praise for cooperation - Comment on your child's participation and how it was important. For example, after your child puts all the books away you could say, "You put all your books on the shelf, now we can choose one to read." Or, when folding laundry, you could say, "You put all of the socks together! That is so helpful!" Recognizing their efforts helps them to understand and value their contribution.
The ELC is GROWING
Welcome Mackenzie Dirlam
HELLO
Hi, I’m Miss Mackenzie. I am the new teacher (TVI) in the ELC!
ABOUT ME
I am originally from Honesdale, PA, which is a small town just outside of Scranton, PA.
I lived in Pittsburgh for the past six years, where I attended college and started my teaching career at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children.
I went to the University of Pittsburgh and earned my Bachelor of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) and my Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) Emergency Certificate. I am continuing my education at the University of Pittsburgh to obtain my Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Certificate and my Master of Education (MEd).
I moved to Saint Augustine a month ago with my boyfriend (Tony) and my pup (DJ). Tony and I met playing rugby for the Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Team. It is our favorite sport!
ABOUT YOU
I am beyond excited to meet you, to get to know you, and to work with you!
CONTACT ME
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, comments, or concerns!
Welcome Delia Lozano
Welcome!
Hello! ! I’m Ms. Delia Lozano. I am so excited for my first year here in FSDB! I taught 1-3 graders at the Hawaii School before moving here. I absolutely love teaching. I am also a proud mother of two deaf sons.
Education
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and my Masters of Arts in Public Administration from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.
My Favorites
Swimming Reading Hiking Cooking
Contact me
Welcome Ian and Devon and Ellie
Ellie is also 3 but has been distance learning - she has now joined our classroom in school!
We are delighted to have them all with us - our older ELC children have made our new children feel very welcome.
Happy new ELC PreK faces
Big helper for our new students
Loving her new school
New ELC Facebook Group!
If you are on Facebook - please join our ELC Facebook group!
The ELC posts cute pictures of cute kids doing cute things.
AND
FSDB posts notices to keep you aware of all of our FSDB Parent Classes and other activities.
If you would like to join the group, click the link below. Also, if you have not done so already, please like and follow the main FSDB Facebook page.
ELC Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/fsdbearlylearningcenter
FSDB Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fsdbk12
Transparent Classroom
UPDATE - Keeping our ELC Community Healthy
As I'm sure you are all aware, record numbers of COVID-19 cases are being reported throughout the country and in Florida.
What we are doing
In the ELC, we are re-doubling our efforts to keep ourselves and our environment healthy and clean. The staff and children are washing their hands, using sanitizer, wearing masks and/or face shields and doing really really well distancing from each other. The staff is cleaning every material that the children touch and disinfecting tables and chairs daily. Everyone is doing their part to keep each other healthy.
What you can do
Please keep your child home if s/he is exhibiting ANY signs of illness - runny nose, cough, headache, fever or diarrhea. And, please come to pick up your child quickly if you are contacted that s/he is showing any of these symptoms.
It is the responsibility of our entire community to protect the health and safety of our students, staff and families.
Please click here for a detailed explanation of the ELC/FSDB Wellness Policy and please contact Gail with any additional questions or concerns.
Parent Engagement Workshops
Mark your Calendars!
The next Parent Engagement Workshops are scheduled for Feb. 12 and April 23.
Braille Classes
FSDB Parent University will be offering Braille classes for FSDB families starting in January. All classes will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. All skill levels are welcome! Please contact your teacher if you are interested in attending.
Class Schedule
- Jan 20 – Alphabet Letters
- Feb 17 – Alphabetic Word Signs
- Mar 24 – Strong Contractions
- Apr 21 – Strong Group Signs
- May 26 – Strong Word Signs
For more information, contact:
April Wallace, Braille Specialist
Phone: 904-827-2355
ASL Classes in January
FSDB Parent University is hosting two virtual sign language classes for FSDB families starting in January and continuing weekly through March. Beginner (ASL I) and intermediate (ASL II) classes are available via Zoom. Please contact the teacher if you are interested in attending.
Beginner Class (ASL I)
Day: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Dates: Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 | Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 | Mar. 4, 11
Link: https://bit.ly/3igMrJr
For more information, contact Janelle Berry via email at berryj@fsdbk12.org
Intermediate Class (ASL II)
Day: Monday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Dates: Jan. 4, 11, 25 | Feb. 1, 8, 22 | Mar. 1, 8
Link: https://bit.ly/3ltsno7
For more information, contact Sonia Garcia-DeKnight via email at garcias@fsdbk12.org
Contact Us:
ELC Office
PH or Text: 904-827-2835
VP: 904-201-4529
Health Care Center
PH: 904-827-2410
VP: 904-201-3910
Transportation
PH: 800-992-8747
Vaill Hall (Dorm)
PH: 904-827-2806
VP: 904-201-4461
Parent Services
PH: 904-827-2212
VP: 904-201-4527
Campus Police
PH: 904-827-2315
207 San Marco Avenue,
St. Augustine, FL, USA