Dear CELC Families,

As we approach the festive holiday season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful journey we’ve shared at Chardon Early Learning Center. Your children's joy and energy in our school are truly inspiring, and it’s been a privilege to watch them grow, explore, and thrive in such a supportive and collaborative environment.

Our families, teachers, and staff have created a community that celebrates learning, creativity, and kindness. I am incredibly grateful for the partnership and trust that each of you brings to CELC, and I’m so proud of how we’ve all come together to foster an atmosphere where our youngest learners feel valued, loved, and excited to learn every day.

As we move into the holiday season, I hope you all find time to relax, recharge, and spend quality moments with your loved ones. The holiday season is a beautiful reminder of the importance of community, and I feel fortunate to be part of such a vibrant, caring group of people. We look forward to continuing this journey together in the new year, knowing that with each passing day, we’re building a foundation for our children’s bright futures.

May this season be filled with peace, joy, and cherished moments with your family and friends.

With gratitude and warm wishes,

Mr. Douglas Higham

Please note that if your child is out sick for 3 consecutive days, he/she will need a doctor's note to return to school, after the 3rd day of being absent.

We know that birthdays are a momentous and special occasion in your child’s life. If your child would like to bring in an item to celebrate this very special occasion, one small, non-edible item (ex: pencil, sticker, etc) is allowed to be brought in. Items will be sent home with students at the end of the day. Only one item should be sent in. No gift bags please.

Invitations to home parties may not be distributed at school or on the bus unless the entire class is invited. The office is not able to furnish parents with phone numbers and addresses of students for invitations.

Chardon Local Schools partners with PublicSchoolWORKS to offer the Stay Safe. Speak UP! student safety and bullying prevention program. This 24/7, confidential reporting tool is available to students, parents, staff and the community. Visit the link to learn about 3 easy ways to report and bookmark access to the tool.

Notes for Newsletter Developer:

Link: https://bit.ly/chardonnewssssu

If you are emailing the front office with any type of dismissal/transportation changes (BEFORE 2pm) and/or attendance information, please make sure to email the secretary, Lisa Loncar (lisa.loncar@chardonschools.org) AND the clerical, Nicole Wise (nicole.wise@chardonschools.org).

If you are dropping your child off late to school in the morning and a staff member is no longer outside, you MUST walk your child to the door. Thank you.

• If you are picking your child up in the car pick up line, please stay in your car and DO NOT WALK UP TO THE GYM OR INTO THE GYM TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD. Also, DO NOT get out of your car to greet your child at or near the gym door as it can cause a back up with the pick up line.
• Pick up will be the same location and follow the same flow as morning drop off
• Kindergarten parents, please do not line up to pick up your child until 3:20pm as the preschool gets dismissed at 3:10p.m.
• Please remember to have your car rider sign visible in your window so that staff can match students with families quickly and efficiently
• If you do not have a car rider sign please let us know

With the weather constantly changing, please make sure that your child is dressed for the weather each day so that they will be able to play outside comfortably. Once it starts snowing, your child will need a winter coat, hat, gloves, snowpants and boots to play outside. Also, please make sure to change out your childs extra clothing that you have in their backpack to be long pants and long sleeved shirts once the weather starts to change. Thank you.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 55 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage

• 1 ¼ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

• 4 slices bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces

• 1 large onion, diced

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• 5 (13.75 ounce) cans chicken broth

• 6 medium potatoes, thinly sliced

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ¼ bunch fresh kale, stems removed

Directions

• Cook Italian sausage and red pepper flakes(or use 1 pound of hot Italian sausage without the red pepper flakes) in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crumbly, browned, and no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

• Cook bacon in the same Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain, leaving a few tablespoons of drippings with the bacon in the bottom of the Dutch oven. Stir in onions and garlic; cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

• Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Add potatoes and simmer until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in cream, cooked sausage, and kale. Cook and stir until kale has wilted and sausage is warmed through; serve.

Just a reminder that if your child comes home with different clothes on due to accidents, spills and/or recess mud/dirt, please make sure to wash and return these clothing items. This is very important as our extra clothing supply is very limited. You may also want to keep an extra set of clothing in your child's backpack in case they need to change throughout the day.

All Preschool tuition payments MUST be made by the 5th of every month. Please log into Infinite Campus to make your monthly online payment. Monthly payments are $178 unless you have qualified for the Free/Reduced Lunch Waiver for the 2024-25 school year. If you have qualified this school year, your monthly payments for the Reduced Lunch Waiver will be $133.33 and if you've qualified for the Free Lunch Waiver, your payments each month will be $88.89. If you are writing a check, please make the check payable to the Chardon BOE. Thank you!

Check out the latest community flyers shared with Chardon Schools. Camps, Classes, Contests, Clubs, Sports +MORE!

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all Chardon Early Learning students and families. I look forward to working collaboratively with you and your children during the 2024- 2025 school year!

For the continued health and well-being of all students, Please monitor your child for the following:

• Fever (100.0 or higher)

• Suspected contagious disease

• Vomiting or diarrhea (Abnormally loose or water stool)

• Pink/Red Eyes with itching or discharge

• Persistent or increasing cough, not improving over 4 or 5 days

• Unusual spots/rashes or severe itching anywhere on the body

• Behavior that indicates the student is not feeling well (in combination with any of the above)

Please monitor your child for the symptoms above and keep them home if they are exhibiting these symptoms until they are well enough to return to school.

Looking forward to sharing in the care of your child/children. Please contact me at any time if you have any questions at 440-286-0470 or via email at sara.alvord@chardonschools.org

Thank you,

Nurse Sara

Why are health screenings important to my child?

Health screenings give you valuable information about your child’s development.

You will become connected with resources to help prepare your child for success in school.

Screening will help identify any hearing, vision, health, growth, or general development needs your child may have. *

For many children, screenings can mean the difference between success and failure in school. If potential problems are detected at any of the screened areas, the child then has the opportunity to receive specialized help before entering kindergarten.

If you do not have concerns about your child’s health, growth, or development, your school district will still need your child’s screening information and immunization information on file at school.

Click here to apply for free and reduced lunch for the 2024-25 school year.

Douglas Higham, Lead Administrator

admin.celc@chardonschools.org

Lisa Loncar, Secretary

lisa.loncar@chardonschools.org

Nicole Wise, Clerical Assistant

nicole.wise@chardonschools.org

Email: communications@chardonschools.org

Website: chardonschools.org

Location: 308 Maple Avenue, Chardon, OH, USA

Phone: 440-285-4066

Fax: 440-286-8805