Dec 23 - Jan 3: Winter Break

Jan 6: Teacher Work Day

We are planning on doing a Winter Wrap Up event on Wednesday December 18th where we have volunteers come in to wrap presents for the teachers and staff that they will be gifting to their own family members. The staff loved this event last year and in order to make it a success we need volunteers - gift wrappers, supply donations, special treats...you name it! Please consider taking a look at our sign-up genius below and volunteering for whichever you are able to. If you sign up for donating items (i.e. supplies or treats) you are welcome to bring them to the school any time between now and then - but the deadline to drop off items is December 18th at 8:00am.

-Teacher Appreciation Committee

We are working on family engagement and education options for the rest of the school year. Click the link below to share your input about your interests and availability.

Outdoor play continues throughout all the seasons at D303 Early Childhood at Haines Center weather permitting, and is an important part of our curriculum. Classrooms go outside as long as conditions are safe to do so and the temperature, including wind-chill, is above 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Please be sure your preschooler has clothes appropriate for outdoor play daily. If weather prohibits outdoor play (e.g., raining, too cold, or hazardous conditions like ice present) classrooms use one of our indoor motor areas. If you are in need of a warmer coat for your child please contact Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator, at tricia.sabathne@d303.org

The environment at D303 Early Childhood at the Haines Center, and each classroom space children learn in, is uniquely suited to the way preschoolers learn and promotes quality learning interactions and experiences. It includes:

• Intentional, meaningful learning experiences
• Building on prior knowledge and interests of each student
• Facilitating active engagement in self-directed learning experiences

We use the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, a research-based curriculum, as our foundational framework. The five components of the framework include:

• How Children Learn & Develop
• The Learning Environment
• What Children Learn
• Caring & Teaching
• Partnering With Families

The curriculum teaches the whole child in four developmental domains: Social/emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language. In addition, six content areas are addressed throughout the curriculum: Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Social Studies, & The Arts.

Our multilingual learners are learning more than one language. Did you know we have over 20 languages spoken in homes of our students? It is something worth celebrating, as being multilingual has numerous benefits. It is important to note that the understanding and use of a child's first, or home, language is the first step in acquiring English proficiency and English literacy skills. If you have a multilingual learner in your home, keep reading, speaking, and writing in your their first or home. When found eligible for English Language Learner services in preschool, our classroom teachers provide the appropriate English Language Learner services for students that are found to be eligible. Along with this comes.... more standards! There are 6 additional benchmarks in the IELDS which align to 2 objectives in Creative Curriculum for Preschool.

No Playgroup:

Winter Break (No Playgroups) Dec 23 - January 6

Playgroups Resume January 13

Playgroups at our Haines Family Resource Center offer children, ages 0-5, and a caregiver a safe, quality, and educational play opportunity. Connect with other caregivers (parents, grandparents, babysitters, etc.) to share experiences, learn from each other, and build social networks.

Times:

• 9:35 - 10:35 am
• 12:05 - 1:05 pm Spanish
• 1:05 - 2:05 pm

**There is no fee for this program. Playgroups meet every Monday school is in session. Once you are registered you can attend whenever it works for you.

Your influence on how your child grows and develops is immense. We are proud to partner with you in your child's early learning journey. Making sure your child attends school for the full 2 1/2 hours when they are healthy helps us play our part.

Please contact your child's teacher or Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator (CAFE), if you are experiencing barriers to arriving on time (car riders and walkers) or catching the bus (bus riders) so we can partner regarding possible solutions.

tricia.sabathne@d303.org

331-228-5727

To report a student absence:

• Main Haines building number- 331-228-3400
• Press 1 for the Early Childhood Center
• Press 1 for the Attendance line
• Clearly state your child's name and the reason for their absence.
• If you do not provide a reason for their absence OR do not call the absence will be unexcused.

Bus riders: There is no need to call transportation to report an absence. Drivers stop at each designated stop even when children are absent to stay on schedule for the rest of the route.

Website: https://ec.d303.org/
Location: 305 S 9th St, St Charles, IL 60174
Phone: 331-228-3400, Press 1 for Early Childhood