LSR7 Parents as Teachers

April 2025 Newsletter

"No rain, no flowers." – Haruki Murakami 🌷

We are FINALLY past Winter and seeing the beauty of Spring. Thank you to every one of you that helped us continue our visits during the several AMI/snow days that kept us from coming to your home. Keeping our program thriving means keeping our visits, and we SO appreciate your help in making sure we were able to do so. Hopefully with the warmer weather, we won't have any issues with cancelations! As always, though, please do let your parent educator know if someone has a communicable illness (chronic cough, fever, green or yellow mucus). It is sometimes hard to tell the difference between allergies and colds this time of year, so please communicate any symptoms ahead of visits. Thank you!

April is National Stress Awareness Month

We all deal with stress, and it is normal, but only if managed and does not become chronic. It is estimated that nearly 7 out of 10 people are currently living in a chronic state of stress. When you live like this, your brain is constantly in a state of fight of flight. Managing stress isn't easy, but there are some things you can do to help:

Exercise. You've probably heard this one before, and even though it's probably not exactly what you want to do when you're feeling stressed (because laying on the couch and watching movies sounds more appealing), exercising gets endorphins pumping through your brain, which triggers a happy feeling. Exercise lowers your body's stress hormones like cortisol, and releases chemicals that make you feel more at peace.
Light a candle or turn on the oil diffusers, put on some soft, soothing music and dim the lights. Take a deep breath and count your blessings.
Caffeine intake reduction can help (even though it's tough to kick the coffee!) because caffeine tends to make us jittery, which can cause stress and anxiety.
Spend time laughing with friends and family. Let yourself have a good time and get your mind off the busyness of the real world.

Spring activity and art ideas

Bubble sensory bin

Make an easy and fun bubble sensory bin using a large bin (storage bins or even water tables work great). Add some funnels, measuring cups/scoops to warm water with a squirt of bubble bath or scented shampoo! This can be done indoors (with a shower curtain or waterproof mat under), outside, or in a walk-in shower!

Paper roll stamped rainbows

Using a paper roll tube, dip in paint using the colors of the rainbow, and let your child make a rainbow! Tip: if you want them to make the arches, draw lines from one side of the page to the other and have them follow the arch with their "paper paintbrush".

Fine motor spring flower tray

Using a colander and fake flowers (you can get them cheap at dollar stores), have your child create a bouquet and practice their fine motor skills by sticking the flowers into the colander.

Spring Reads!

Construction Site: Spring Delight

Little Blue Truck Springtime

The Spring Book

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

If you haven't yet, be sure to sign up any child under 5 for FREE monthly books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. See the link below for additional information!

https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

April 8th, 2025 Voting Information

https://lsr7.org/2025bond

Lee's Summit R-7 School District voters will consider a $225 million no tax rate increase bond issue on the April 8th ballot. For more information about the bond issue, use the link above.

Out of town for the April 8th election? No excuse absentee voting (in person) is available NOW through April 7th. Check to learn more about absentee voting, including location, times, and requirements. The first link is for voters in Jackson County. The second is for voters in Cass County.

Absentee Voting

Absentee Voting in Person: Absentee voting is held in our Office located at 215 N Liberty, Independence, MO. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (we do not close for lunch). For the first four weeks of absentee voting you must pick from one of the acceptable excuses.

jcebmo.org

Absentee Information

Registered Missourians who are unable to go to their polling place on Election Day, may vote absentee beginning six weeks prior to an election.

casscounty.com

🗓 Coming Up in the Community!

Downtown Lee's Summit Bunny Hop: Join the Easter Bunny for a hopping parade down 3rd Street at this year’s Downtown Bunny Hop! Children and families can line up outside City Hall on Third Street starting at 9:45 am to hop down to Howard Station Park. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures with children until 11:30 am in the park, so make sure to bring your camera! Downtown businesses will also participate by handing out candy after the parade.

Downtown Lee's Summit Farmers Market: Every Wednesday and Saturday from April 19th through October 25th, 8 a.m. - Noon

Flights of Fancy: April 27, 2025 Noon to 5 p.m.

MCC-Longview
500 SW Longview Rd
Lee's Summit, MO 64081

The kites of Great American Kites & Events will take flight once again over the lawn of the picturesque MCC-Longview campus in the heart of kite month, with awe-inspiring mega kites, power kites, stunt kites and more. You'll even see the world's largest windsock, which is three stories high and 200 feet long!

💡 Reminders

IMPORTANT DATES 📆

Friday, April 4th: LSR7 Parents as Teachers Parent Satisfaction Survey Deadline (it is linked below if you still need to complete it!) Reminder that it is anonymous feedback, and much appreciated!

April 7th-11th: LSR7 Spring Break

April 14th: GBEEC PTA Wendy's Fundraiser (see below for more information)

April 29th: GBEEC PTA and Parents as Teachers Fundraiser at Wally's (see below for more information)

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PAT Last Group Connection for the 24/25 School Year

Event Information

Meet Me at the Playground: Legacy Park

Come let your little ones play in an enclosed playground and meet other parents! This event will be at the Great Beginnings Legacy Park Playground from 12-2. We will be offering to popsicles to anyone interested on your way out of the playground. There is no sign-up and we encourage all ages to join us!

When?

Friday, May 9, 2025, 12:00 PM

Where?

Great Beginnings Early Educ, Bluestem, Lee's Summit, MO, USA

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