St. Charles Early Childhood Center

Dear Early Childhood Center Families,

As the weather turns cooler, remember to label your child's outerwear (jackets, coats, hats, gloves/mittens) with their name. We will continue to go outside as much as we can; however, we will stay inside if the wind chill is 15 degrees or lower.

As we head into the winter months, know that we will have three traditional "snow days" if needed before utilizing an Alternate Method of Instruction (AMI) Day. If we need to use an AMI Day, teachers will be sending a link on Class Dojo that takes you to virtual learning activities that you can complete with your child. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), the case manager will reach out to you with activities to address IEP goals.

This month ECC will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 14th. The Book Fair will be open during this event!

Winter Pajama Day will be on Thursday, December 19th. Wear your pajamas to school with tennis shoes.

Winter Break will be from Friday, December 20th through Friday, January 3rd. Students will return on Monday, January 6th.

Happy Holidays from the ECC Family to your family!

Wishing You Well,

Dr. Ann M. Westbrook

ECC Principal

Visit our webpage for important information, resources, and district announcements!

http://www.stcharlessd.org/ecc

Parent Teacher Conferences were held October 16th & 17th. When you attended your parent teacher conference, you were updated on your child's progress thus far this school year. Our teachers in our M-F full day, M/W/F full day, T/TH full day, M-F half day, and certain M-Th half day classrooms shared with you "benchmark" data on our Early Childhood standards that are assessed each trimester. You will receive Progress Reports in November, February, and May.

At the Parent Teacher Conferences, you heard of the benchmark data from your child's Common Formative Assessment.

The areas that will be assessed each trimester will include:

• Self and Social Development
• Physical Development
• Early Writing Skills
• Early Reading Skills
• Early Math Skills

Each curricular area corresponds with a rating rubric that guides teachers as they assess student progress. Assessments are based on what children should know and be able to do by the END of the year. We use a 4 point scale to track progress towards that end goal:

Skill Level Rating Scale:

LND- (Level Not Determined) Not yet demonstrating skill

1- Beginning to approach expectation

2-Approaching the expectation

3- Met the expectation

4- Exceeds the expectation

• For children who were 3 on July 31st, the end year goal is to score 2 (approaching expectations) or higher in all areas. This is considered basic.
• For children who were 4 on July 31st, the end of the year goal is to score 3 (meet expectations) or higher in all areas. This is considered proficient.

The rubrics for each curricular area will be attached so that you can refer back to them as you see your child progress this school year.

If your child is accessing special education and related services, progress on your child's IEP goals was shared with you at conferences. In some M-Th half day classrooms, you may also receive "benchmark" data and each trimester data on our Early Childhood standards.

• The 8:00 and 12:00 classes will be directed to use the car lanes where a staff member will walk your child into school each day.
• Car lanes begin promptly at 7:45 and 11:55.
• Families who walk up to the front door to drop off a child during the 8:00 or 12:00 arrival will be redirected to join the car lanes.
• Once all cars have been directed to pull up past the cones in front of the school, an adult must exit the vehicle and help the child unbuckle and exit the vehicle. (ECC staff members are not able to open/close vehicle doors or put children in/take them out of car seats.)
• Once all students have safely exited the cars, you will be directed off of the parking lot.
• Car lanes close promptly at 8:01 and 12:01. If you arrive after these times, you will need to park your car in the green visitor aisle, use the crosswalk, and walk your child into the school to be signed in. After 8:10 and 12:10, your child will be marked as tardy.

• The 11:00 and 3:00 dismissal times will use the car lanes where a staff member will walk your child to your vehicle each day.
• Car lanes begin promptly at 10:55 and 2:45.
• Be sure to have your child's sign/vehicle tag displayed on the dashboard so that it is visible.
• If you do not have the sign at dismissal, you must park and walk up to the front door to show an ID. In order to keep all children safe, we will ask this of ALL families who do not have the car sign. Please ask classroom teacher for additional car signs, if needed.
• You will receive a temporary sign to place on your dashboard.
• You will then rejoin the car line.
• Once all cars have been directed to pull up past the cones in front of the school, an adult must exit the vehicle to open the car door and help the child into their car seat to be buckled. (ECC staff members are not able to open/close vehicle doors or put children in a car seat.)
• Per state law, children must be secured in a car seat or booster seat any time the vehicle is in motion.
• Please hold your child's vehicle tag so that it is visible so we can quickly guide students toward their cars.
• After students have safely been returned to their cars, you will be directed off of the parking lot.
• Car lanes close promptly at 11:01 and 3:01. If you arrive after these times, you will need to park your car in the green visitor aisle, use the crosswalk, and walk into the school to wait for your child.
• You will need to wait in the front vestibule for the dismissal to finish. You must have your car tag or your ID for a staff member to check.
• For safety, once the dismissal window is closed (at 11:01 and 3:01) and the car line has been directed off of the parking lot, your child will then be released to you.

• The Half Day, Monday-Friday classes will use the visitor lanes of the parking lot and park. On the map, the parking spaces are colored in green and labeled "Visitor Parking."
• Arrival will begin at 8:15 and at 12:15. Please do not walk up to the school doors until this time.
• Once you have parked and unloaded your vehicle, hold your child's hand and use the crosswalk to walk to the main school doors.
• Please bring your child's name sign and have this visible so staff can safely identify and direct your child to their teacher.
• You will be greeted by a staff member at the front doors who will walk your child to their class.

• The Half Day, Monday-Friday classes will use the visitor lanes of the parking lot and park. On the map, the parking spaces are colored in green and labeled "Visitor Parking."
• Dismissal will begin at 11:25 and at 3:25. Please do not walk up to the school doors until this time.
• Once you have parked and unloaded your vehicle, use the crosswalk to walk to the main school doors.
• Please bring your child's name sign and have this visible so staff can safely identify and direct your child to you.
• If you do not have your child's sign, you will need to show an ID.

If your child will be utilizing our After Care program, please read below for the procedures if you need to pick up your child early:

By 2:55 all students who attend the ECC Aftercare program have been dropped off in the aftercare classrooms.

Between 2:50 and 3:30 dismissal from our regular school day occurs.

If you would like to pick up your child early from aftercare (between the times of 2:50 and 3:30):

1. Call our School Secretary, at (636)443-2902 and indicate the time that you would like to pick your child up**

2. Park and walk to the front door/vestibule. Do not join the car line.

3. Bring your sign or State ID with you to the front door/vestibule.

**If you do not call ahead you will be required to wait until after our regular dismissal procedures have been completed.

Class Dojo is for parents/educational decision makers only to keep you informed of your child's class. You will NOT need to sign up for the paid version.

We will celebrate birthdays as a class family during one of our daily snack times. You are not required to send in special treats. If you choose to do so, please note that the following treats are approved for celebrations ONLY (birthdays, holiday parties). Items must be prepackaged and in compliance with our Safe Snacks policy.

Edible treats MUST be sent to school at least 2 days prior to the celebration for approval by the school nurse. (Pre-approved treats are also available for purchase from Chartwells - see more information below in this newsletter under the School Meals section).

• Nabisco brand Oreos – original or double stuffed ONLY

• Rice Krispies brand Rice Krispies Treats

• Enjoy Life Brand treats (cookies, chewy bars)

• Alternative non-food treats may be sent to school such as birthday pencils
  or birthday theme plates/napkins

• Never send an obviously sick child to school.
• A child with a sore throat, severe cough, earache, vomiting, or a fever over 100 degrees within the past 24 hours, should not be sent to school.
• A child with a contagious disease may not come to school until completely well. Proof of treatment may be required.
• A child with head lice may not attend school. The child must be examined by the nurse/clerk before he/she is allowed to return to the classroom. Proof of treatment may be required. Please notify the school immediately if your child has head lice.
• If your child has been ill, please use common sense and good judgment as to whether or not to send him/her back to school.
• Any child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be sent home. He/she must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication (ibuprofen, Tylenol) before returning to school.
• The clinic must have a way to contact the family during school hours at all times.
• Students are not allowed to keep prescription or non-prescription medications with them while at school.
• Inform the clinic immediately of any new health information that may affect your child at school; for example, diabetes, seizure disorder, asthma, contagious disease, new or change in medications.
• All food treats must be commercially packaged. Homemade treats will not be given to students.
• The teacher and student must be responsible to go to the clinic for medication at the prescribed time.

If you have any questions, contact our school nurse, Barb Lujanovic at 636-443-2903 or Dr. Westbrook.

Every Tuesday will be ECC Family T-shirt Tuesday, and students are encouraged to wear an ECC t-shirt to show their school spirit!

ECC spirit wear can be purchased through 1stplacespiritwear.com.

1. Credit/debit card on-line: Go to My School Bucks or download the app:

myschoolbucks.com

2. Cash or check - send your payment in a Chartwell's envelope with your child to school. (Envelopes are available at the school office or with the classroom teacher) Make check payable to: City of St. Charles School District

We encourage all families to fill out and submit a Free and Reduced Meals Application and submit this to school. You can find the link to the application through the SCSD website, or visit:

https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

No need to make a special trip to the store or to school to provide treats for your class!

The food service department at St. Charles can provide you with all you need! We take care of everything: allergy needs, delivery to the class room, plates, napkins and utensils.

Please call or e-mail your Café Manager!

We would appreciate a week advance notice.

ECC: Pam Anderson 636-443-2935 paanderson@stcharlessd.org

1. Your Café Manager will confirm the specific treat, any allergies in the classroom, and contact the teacher to determine the day and time for the treat to be delivered to the classroom.

2. Payment must be received prior to the event. Sorry, no charging allowed.

3. The cost of the treats will be deducted from your student’s lunch account.

4. You can send in a check or pay on line through myschoolbucks as you normally would for your student’s breakfast and lunch meals.

5. *Receipts furnished upon request.

**To ensure that we are meeting allergy requirements and availability the treat menu is limited. The following snacks do not contain peanuts or tree nuts.

Fresh Apple or Banana $ .75 ea

Crazy Color Roll Up $ .75 ea

Chocolate Ice Cream Cup $ .95 ea (contains milk)

Double Chocolate Chip Muffin $ .95 ea (contains eggs, milk, soy, and wheat)

Do you know that at ECC we have a Social Worker on staff? The role of the ECC Social Worker is very similar to the role of the School Counselor at the elementary school level. The ECC Social Worker, Candice Hathorn, can help families access community resources. If you would like to contact Candice, follow the QR Code:

December 4 - Fire Drill

December 12 - Tornado Drill

December 14 - ECC Breakfast with Santa (information to be sent home soon!)

December 18 - MWF Cool Cats Winter Pajama Day

December 19 - ECC Winter Pajama Day

December 20 - No School, Staff Professional Development Day

December 23 - Jan. 3 - No School, Winter Break

Jan. 6 - Classes resume

Jan. 6 - Classes Resume

Jan. 7 - Fire Drill (weather permitting)

Jan. 8 - Safe Defend Drill

Jan. 13 - Preschool enrollment opens for returning families

Jan. 20 - No School, MLK Jr. Day