Students in the grey, green and purple classrooms are beginning to study trees. They will be observing and comparing trees to learn about what lives in them, what they are made from and who cares for them. We hope this study will help children to explore and appreciate nature. As we study trees, we will use literacy, math, and the arts to explore the topic in-depth.

You can help your child explore and appreciate nature by learning about trees. Invite your child to talk about trees. Share stories about your favorite childhood memories involving trees and games you might have played around them. Wonder aloud with your child to encourage his or her thinking about trees. "I wonder why leaves fall from trees." "I wonder what makes some trees grow so big." At home, collect parts of trees and encourage your child to sort them. Your child might also enjoy making a collage by arranging and gluing tree items on paper. At the end of our study, we will celebrate and share our learning. Thank you for playing an important role in our learning.

Students in the yellow and blue classrooms are beginning to study simple machines. Preschool children use simple machines as they play and create throughout the day. We have noticed that the children are curious and enjoy experimenting as they use simple machines such as scissors, hole punchers, ramps, slides and screws. They have shown interest in exploring and modifying simple machines and are curious about how they are used. We think this study of simple machines will be a great opportunity for children to explore their ideas!

Talk with your child about simple machines that you see around your home and neighborhood: screw top bottles, nuts and bolts, ramps, slides, tongs, tweezers, brooms, etc. Create a list of simple machines you find. If possible, give your child simple machines that he or she can use and ask questions about how they work. How is the simple machine used? What does it do? At the end of our study, we will celebrate and share our learning. Thank you for participating!

Students in the orange classroom are beginning to investigate balls. We have noticed that the children are very interested in balls. They are curious about different kinds of balls, what they are made of, what is inside them and how high they can bounce. As we study balls, we will learn concepts in literacy, math, science, social studies and the arts. We will also use thinking skills to investigate, ask questions, solve problems, and test our ideas.

Spend time with your child playing with balls of different shapes, types and sizes, such as playground balls, table tennis balls, volleyballs, baseballs, footballs and marbles. Talk about what the balls are mades of, whether they are heavy or light, and whether they are big or little. Wonder aloud with your child to encourage his or her thinking about balls, " I wonder how far you can throw a foil ball, a beach ball and a tennis ball. How can we find out?" See how many types of balls you can find around the house and in the neighborhood. Play a game in the car or bus in which you and your child think of words that contain the word ball. Look for examples of balls in your community. At the end of our study we will celebrate and share our learning. Thank you for playing an important role in our learning!

Play improves the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well being of children and young people. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. They also learn skills needed for their every day lives, such as: confidence, self-esteem, resilience, peer interaction, social skills, independence, curiosity, coping and problem solving. Check out the photos of a couple of our friends engaged in PLAY.

Establishing a Parent/Teacher relationship is key to your child's success in the classroom! Here at the ELC we value the relationships we have with our families and encourage everyone to participate in classroom activities and ELC family events! We have many lines of communication put in place in order for you to have a way to communicate with your students teacher! Our Rooms App is a direct line to your teacher and is a great way to stay connected to what your student is doing in class! We also encourage you to set up a home visit with your teacher! We are now booking for our November 20th date! Please contact Ms. Lindsey or Ms. Pam to schedule your home visit today! Call us at 309-865-6900.

Our school implements The Pyramid Model, a framework for supporting the social and emotional development of our children. An important part of our Pyramid Model work includes supporting families and sharing information about promoting social and emotional skills at home.

Read this scripted story (English)/ scripted story (Spanish) to help children understand the steps to problem solving at home.

Download and use the Solution Kit for Home (English)/ Solution Kit for Home (Spanish)

• 10/16--Picture Day
• 10/17--Fall Fest
• 10/23-East Moline Fire Department Visit
• 11/5- No School/Election Day
• 11/20- Home Visits
• 11/27-11/29- No School/ Thanksgiving Break

• Your family's health, well-being and partnership is important to us! Use the forms below to easily request information, resources and/or support for your family.

• Are you interested in more information, resources, or a meeting with one of our staff members? CLICK HERE for a Request for Family Support
• Could you family benefit from extra food on the weekends? Click HERE to sign up for the Food Program!
• Does your child need a winter coat or full-size backpack? Click HERE to sign up for the Coat or Backpack Request Form!

Click HERE to sign up for the Backpack Food Program!

Do you have younger children? Bring them in for a developmental check-up! Open to EMSD residents with children aged 0-5 years old. Call Pam to schedule an appointment for a screening (now scheduling for September). Currently enrolled students do not need to be screened.

• 24-25 Family Folder-Here you will find general information about our school and programming. This folder contains information about school supplies, our daily schedule, policies/procedures, communication platforms, the school calendar and more!
• 24-25 Early Learning Center School Calendar
• Outdoor Play Guide--Children benefit from being outdoors for unstructured play in a natural environment. Please see the attached Outdoor Play Guide, as the colder weather begins to move in.

Important contacts:

Main Office: 309-865-6900

Pam Webster, Secretary (pwebster@emsd37.org)

Lindsey Johanson, Family Educator (ljohanson@emsd37.org)

Melissa McCullough, Principal (mmccullough@emsd37.org)