TECEC TIMES
Where the journey begins.......October 25, 2023
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- Thursday, October 26 Parent-Teacher Conferences 11:20 dismissal, no afternoon classes
- Saturday, October 28 PTO Halloween Party
- Monday, October 30 TECEC Halloween Parades
- Tuesday, October 31 TECEC Halloween Parade rain date
- Wednesday, November 1 PTO 7:00 PM
- Thursday, November 2 Parent-Teacher Conferences 11:20 dismissal, no afternoon classes
- Tuesday, November 7 Schools closed for election day, professional development
- Thursday, November 9 Father's Club 7:00 PM
Updates from Mr. Matt
Dear TECEC families,
I am excited to share with you some heartwarming news about the generous spirit of our TECEC community. The past few months I have seen incredible acts of kindness and support that have truly enriched our children, parents and teams experiences. On behalf of our TECEC team, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude and celebrate the generosity that has surrounded us.
As many of you are aware, October is breast cancer awareness month. Our TECEC community acknowledged the struggles that so many of our friends and families have been facing. The outpouring of support by having the children and team wear pink on Monday in addition to donating funds to the Norma Pfriem Breast Center Cancer was amazing! If you would still like to donate, the link is: TECEC PINK PLEDGE. In addition, many of our TECEC team members and their children participated in the Race For The Cure Susan G. Komen walk in Hartford on Saturday and raised funds to find a cure for this disease that impacts so many of our loved ones.
Another act of kindness has been having the children turn Oscar the Grouch into a smiling happy monster. The amount of candy and treats that the children have fed Oscar will certainly be enjoyed by all this Saturday at our PTO sponsored TECEC Trunk or Treat. More information about the event can be viewed below.
On Sunday, our TECEC Fathers Club along with the Jane Ryan Father's Club coordinated a special event at the Jane Ryan pumpkin festival to collect food for those in need. A big shout out to Andrew DeJesus who allowed his white Ford Ranger pickup truck to be painted by those in attendance. As you can see from the photos below, the white truck shows little signs of its original color. The bed of his truck was filled with food items that are already being distributed to many appreciative families.
Last but not least this week, many of you donated hats, mittens and Halloween costumes to children and families who may not have the means to purchase the items themselves. The gratitude the parents shared after receiving these items is unbelievably heartwarming.
This generosity is not only creating a stronger sense of community within TECEC, but also instilling valuable lessons of kindness and empathy in our children. For these reasons and countless others, I'm grateful to be a small part of our wonderful TECEC community.
Kind regards,
Principal
TECEC is a supportive community!
Music notes from Miss Gabby..........
“Where words fail, music speaks” --Hans Christian Andersen
Well the leaves outside are certainly changing and getting more beautiful! And I love the cooler temperatures we have had because it makes it really truly feel like Fall. We have been having lots of fun this season so far in music, continuing to sing, dance, play instruments and move our bodies. I am including a link that I will also post schoolwide in Class Dojo for classes that participate in it. This YouTube playlist, called “Miss Gabby’s 1st Fall Playlist 2023-24,” will include songs we sang for Fire Prevention Week, fall/autumn and pumpkin songs, along with songs for Halloween, for those that celebrate it.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRY3Jzo3X6cIcq4C_Of_Y6DMlO6rrAD5Y&si=C7SU4dBk5I7syTHp
I want to make it clear that I always explain and remind my students that Halloween is not something that everyone celebrates, and that is okay! I tell them it is a time of year that they might see decorations around the neighborhoods, even if they do not celebrate Halloween. But I explain to them that what they might see is not real, and all pretend. I focus mostly on the tradition of dressing up in costumes and pretending. I am including all, or most, of the songs for this season for you to choose from and enjoy! In the month of November, we will continue with songs about being thankful, the four seasons, and Thanksgiving! I hope you continue to have a happy and safe Fall!
Sincerely,
Miss Gabby 😊
HALLOWEEN TIPS FROM OUR SOCIAL WORKER AND PSYCHOLOGISTS
Halloween is coming! If you and your family celebrate this holiday, it can be a lot of fun but can also be very stressful for little friends. It is a day where there is a lot of stimulation! We dress differently, interact with novel adults, have to take turns, and there is a change in schedule/routines. All of these and more can result in behavior challenges/changes.
Here are a few ways to support your children and prepare them for a less stressful and more enjoyable Halloween experience!
Choose a costume that your child finds comfortable. Sometimes less is more especially if textures are challenging. Same for wigs and face paint! You can always make a costume with familiar everyday clothing!
Practice wearing the costume a few minutes a day leading up to Halloween or trunk or treats, etc…
Explain that others will be wearing costumes too and some may be funny or scary but they are just pretend.
Pretend play is an excellent way to help your child practice and process this event! First, model what you want your child to do;
-Walk up to the door
-Say, “Trick or treat”
-Say, “Thank you!”
-Walk back
Provide an opportunity for your child to take breaks during trick or treating or a party/trunk or treat events.
Mrs. Pulaski's class learning math through hands on lessons
TECEC Trunk or Treat October 28th
TECEC HALLOWEEN PARADE
Our annual Halloween parade will take place on Monday, October 30th. The parade will take place around the outside perimeter of our school beginning at 11:00 AM & 2:30 PM. To view the parade and preserve this memorable event on camera, we recommend you line the parade route around the perimeter of the building. Visitors will not be able to enter the building after the parade. If you would like to take your child home after the parade, the teachers will meet you by their outside classroom door. They will have a form for you to sign if your child is leaving with you.
If the weather does not cooperate, the parade will take place on Tuesday, October 31st. If we experience inclement weather on October 31st, the parade will be held inside for the children. I am sorry, adults will not be able to view the parade indoors if we have inclement weather.
As a reminder, our dress code prohibits any clothing or items (e.g. scary masks, swords, guns) that portray violence. We want to make this an enjoyable experience for all our children and your adherence to this request is most appreciated. If you prefer your child not take part in the activities, please inform his or her teacher and an alternate activity will be planned.
Please feel free to contact either your child’s teacher or the office with any questions.
Updates from our Department of Nursing about the influenza vaccine
Updates from Nurse Dana
All Pre-K and students under the age of five enrolled in Trumbull schools must have documentation of annual flu vaccination given between August 1 and December 31 of the current school year.
This is mandated by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health which outlines all children 24 months to 59 months who attend school must receive an annual flu vaccination. This regulation is also supported by recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Children who have not received the flu vaccine by December 31st must be excluded from school for the duration of the influenza season (through March 31st) or until they receive at least one dose of the influenza vaccine.
If you have any questions about the state guidelines or health concerns, please feel free to call (203-452-4425) or email Nurse Dana dangelic@trumbullps.org.
Thanks for your support!
Nurse Dana
Email: dangelic@trumbullps.org
Location: Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center, Middlebrooks Avenue, Trumbull, CT, USA
Phone: 203-452-4425
TECEC Spirit Wear
EVERY THURSDAY IS SPIRIT WEAR DAY!
Every Thursday is spirit wear day! Since many of our children do not attend school on Fridays, we thought it would be fun to have “TECEC Thursday” each week where everyone is encouraged to wear school spirit wear. If you don't have any TECEC spirit wear, the PTO set up an online store to purchase items. The link is: https://tecec.ptboard.com/
PTO MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Please join us on Wednesday, November 1 for our next PTO meeting. The meeting will be held in person at TECEC beginning at 7:00 PM. For those who would like to join virtually, the link is: TECEC PTO MEETING
TECEC FATHER'S CLUB THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
The TECEC Father's Club is recruiting new members. Please note that you can join as a mom, aunt, uncle, grandparent or any family member that would like to support the children, teachers and each other. Their next meeting will take place on Thursday, November 9th at 7:00 PM.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Our arrival and dismissal procedures were developed to keep the children, you and our team safe. Please review the following guidelines that your adherence is critical to assure every one arrives and leaves TECEC safely. One particular highlight is that vehicles must only enter the TECEC driveway by taking a right from Middlebrooks Ave. into the parking lot from 8:20-3:30. Attempting to access Middlebrooks Ave. via Church Hill Road and trying to take a left into TECEC creates an unsafe traffic pattern and should be avoided. Our arrival and dismissal procedures can be found here: Arrival and Dismissal Procedures 2023-2024 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Inclement Weather Schedule
Volunteers
One of the hallmarks of our program is parent and community involvement. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to you with the best ways to engage with their education. We also encourage you to take the time to fill out the TPS volunteer form for the 2023-2024 school year. For most individuals, you will only need to complete part one (Tier one). This will permit you to volunteer in the school while in the presence of a staff member. Part two (Tier two) is for those who will be working with children not in the presence of a school employee. Since every volunteer will be in the presence of a TECEC staff member, there will not be a need to complete that section, unless you plan on volunteering in another school. This form has to be completed annually as mandated by the state guidelines for school volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, the form can be found here and dropped off at TECEC so it can be processed. All submitted forms need to have an original signature, therefore a form with an e-signature will not be accepted.
Trumbull School District is looking for substitutes
Trumbull Public Schools is looking for teacher and paraeducator substitutes for the 2023-2024 school year. Click here to learn more about these exciting opportunities.