College Heights Connection

College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center cultivates an atmosphere where children take

their first steps in building an authentic love of learning through developmentally appropriate

practices in an environment that fosters family and community involvement.

A big thank you to the families in cottage A for our staff breakfast. We appreciate all the yummy, warm food on our first chilly Fall morning.

We are gearing up for our kick off to a week full of exciting and engaging literacy events. There are some classrooms still in need of mystery readers. Please check with your classroom teacher if you are able to volunteer some time. A special thanks to our Read to Me a Thon Team, India Epps, Ericka Van Hoosear, and Becky Aemmer.

Thursday 10/17 Read to Me a Thon Reading Logs go home

Wednesday 10/23 Start recording reading

Thursday 10/24 Kick Off Day for literacy events, DHS Student Athlete Readers

Friday 10/25 Classroom Mystery Reader Day

Monday 10/28 Visiting author, Laurel Snyder, Parent literacy workshop @ 8:45 am

Tuesday 10/29 Reading in the Garden Day

Wednesday 10/30 Community Hero Day and Reading Logs DUE!

Thursday 10/31 School-wide Book Parade @ 9:00 am

Friday 11/1 Read to Me a Thon Classroom Celebrations

Don't miss our Parent Literacy Workshop on October 28th at 8:45 am. Karla Zisook, instructional coach, and Karen Collins, Media Specialist, will be presenting a 45 minute session on encouraging literacy in the home, ways to read aloud to children, and incorporating literacy into the everyday activities.

Our annual Book Parade will be held on Thursday, October 31 beginning at 9:00 am in the front parking lot. Each classroom has chosen a storybook to come alive. We will begin our parade with the 0-3 classrooms. Once the final preschool classroom has marched we will take a quick break to transition so that the preK classrooms can get into marching order. Immediately after the last preK class marches we will announce the winners of the Read to Me a Thon. You won't want to miss this tradition!

The deadline to turn in your student photo order has passed. If you have not turned in your order and still want to purchase photos please contact the photographer, Deana Kingsbury at deana@deanakingsbury.com.

There is a teacher workday on November 5th. The school is closed for all preK, head start and children receiving special education services. The school is OPEN for all tuition paying 0-3 students.

As the weather is finally cooling off please remember to dress your student accordingly as well as update the clothing your student has in his/her classroom cubby as 'back up."

Don't forget to check out our new Spirit Wear. Adult and child size t-shirts are available for purchase at the front desk. In addition, PTA will be setting up a table during the book parade to sell spirit wear and our special edition Super Reader t-shirts.

Decatur Farm to School has several opportunities for you and your family to get involved this fall!

1. Volunteer for the October 24 & 25 Taste Test

The taste test is coming to the City Schools of Decatur on October 24 and 25. Sign up today to help us fill the 74 spots for volunteers we are going to need to make this taste test a success! Volunteers hand out samples of the taste test vegetable (green beans) and then collect feedback from the students via a survey. It's fun!! And a great hands-on way to get involved with Farm to School in Decatur.

Get ready, get set, sign up! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C45AAAB2BA31-green

2. Save the date for the fall Dine Out - November 20, 2019, 5-9 p.m.

Twice a year, families eat out at one of 20 participating restaurants, and a portion of the proceeds are donated back to Decatur Farm to School to support our many programs. The dine out is our primary fundraiser that supports scholarships, grants, internships, and so much more. https://www.facebook.com/events/387747888588902/

If you are a local business owner who would like to contribute a raffle prize, please contact stephanie@wyldecenter.org.

3. Join us on the Decatur Farm to School Committee

Joining the Decatur Farm to School (DF2S) Committee is a great way to get involved with the work of getting our students outside in their school garden and making the connection to what they are learning in the classroom and eating in the cafeteria and at home.
We currently have the following spots on the DF2S committee available:
DF2S Social Media Coordinator
DF2S School Representatives
DF2S Grants and Scholarship Manager
More info about the volunteer positions here: http://wyldecenter.org/decatur-farm-to-school-2/ or contact stephanie@wyldecenter.org

4. Walk with us in the Haints & Saints Parade - October 27, 5 p.m.

Every year Decatur Farm to School walks in the Haints & Saints parade. One year we handed out apples! Now we hand out really fun temporary tattoos. Get dressed up and join us! Contact Lucia lcpawloski@gmail.com to let her know you want to join the group. Kids are of course welcome!

About Decatur Farm to School

Decatur Farm to School (DF2S) is a Wylde Center program that works to improve nutrition, knowledge of where food comes from, hands-on outdoor education, environmental awareness, and appetite for fresh fruits and veggies by leading efforts in the classrooms, cafeterias, communities, and gardens of the City Schools of Decatur. The DF2S committee is led by parents, teachers, community members, Wylde staff members and has been active since 2010.

Tickets for DEF’s big fall FUNdraiser are now on sale at http://www.defsupper.com! Supper & Sips is happening on Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-10 pm at the downtown Marriott and offers an adult evening of delicious food, drinks, and the possibility to win some great prizes. Purchase your tickets before Oct 31st, and you’ll get free event shirts! Join us for Decatur’s best fall party with a purpose – your fun night out helps fund many of DEF’s initiatives in the classroom and beyond.

Other Upcoming Events:

Oct 26th, 3:00-11:00 pm LGBTQ Pride Event at Gathered & Grounded

For more information about this event, click here.

Oct 24- Advisory Council @ 4:45

Oct 25- Book Fair opens in library

Oct 28- Parent Literacy Workshop 8:45 am

Oct 31- Book Parade

Nov 5- Teacher Workday- School Closed for Prek, Head Start and Special Education Services

Nov 7- PTA meeting @ 8:00 am

Nov 8- School Tour for prospective families @ 9:00 am

Nov 14- School to Heart to Home @ 8:30 am

Nov 21- Advisory Council @ 4:45 pm

Nov 22- PreK Community Circle