SM Early Childhood Education Center
January, 2021
Administrative Team
Tracy Smarr-Dolezal, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
In the News
From the Principal's Desk
Hello!
With Winter break behind us, we have excitedly begun the New Year! It is so nice to have the students back with us once again! I want to take a minute to thank you all for how understanding and accommodating you have been when we need to call to quarantine your child due to potential exposure ,or to let you know your child's teacher has been quarantined. We know it's not easy finding child care at the last minute or to have your child's teacher gone, yet you all have been gracious and understanding. Each and every one of you have worked with us to for the safety of all of the students, families and staff at SMECEC. You are a great group of parents, and you are appreciated!!!
In other news, we have been working to create updated Twitter and Facebook feeds, with the intention of including increased information for the parents on a regular basis. Both of the links are at the bottom of this newsletter, please follow along!!
I am sure by now you have heard about the bond issue before the SMSD community. I wanted to let you know that SMECEC will be directly impacted by this bond issue. Should the issue pass we would receive money for some much needed renovations. We are currently housed in an old middle school building with our restrooms and other parts of the school designed to meet the needs of preteens and teens, not 3-5 year olds. If we are able to complete the renovations our building with be upgraded with appropriate sized fixtures to meet the needs of our students allowing for increased independence. You have until January 26th to turn your ballot in. For more information see below.
Important Calendar Reminders
January 12th- Picture Retake Day
January 18th- No School, Martin Luther King Holiday
January 26th- Bond Issue Ballots Due
January 28th- Report Cards live in Skyward and Progress Reports Sent Home
February 15th- No School, President's Day
Picture Retake Day, January 12th
You can order online here with order code 55982EB.
Snow Days
Bond Issue
2021 Mail-In Bond Election in the SMSD
Our Shawnee Mission community is looking toward the future. The Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to place a $264.2 million bond proposal on a mail ballot this January. Click here to learn more about the SMSD mail-in bond referendum being held in January 2021.
This bond proposal is designed to provide lasting facilities improvements across the district, and to strengthen student learning. View a video overview about the proposed bond here.
The goal is that the Shawnee Mission School District can continue to be ranked among the finest school districts in the nation, employing exceptional educators who work in state-of-the-art facilities, where learners achieve their full potential.
Student Absences
If your child is ill or needs to be absent for any reason, please be sure you are calling the school nurse and notifying her of those absences at 913-993-2602. Thank you to everyone who has called so far this year, and especially those who have alerted us to potential COVID exposures. Communication is key to keeping us all healthy.
Outdoor Recess
Daily Covid Assessment
Prior to coming to school each day, it is important to monitor your student for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. For the health and safety of all students and staff, please conduct a Daily COVID-19 Assessment, looking for new to your child health concerns, not ones that are present due to allergies or another health diagnosis.
It is not necessary to report the assessment has been completed unless you are reporting a YES response to attendance and/or the school nurse. Please call the attendance line if your child is staying home, state their symptoms, and contact your building nurse at 913-993-2602 if you have any questions.
Daily COVID-19 Assessment
In the past 24 hours, has your student had any of the following symptoms?
1. Fever (temperature of 100 or above) * 8. Fatigue
2. Cough 9. Runny nose
3. Shortness of breath 10. Congestion
4. New loss of taste/smell 11. Muscle/body aches
5. Sore throat 12. Nausea
6. Headache 13. Vomiting
7. Chills 14. Diarrhea
*If you do not have access to a thermometer, please contact the school nurse for assistance.
Per current JCDHE Isolation Protocols:
If yes to one symptom 1-4, your student must stay home 10 days or get a note from a physician to return.
If yes to two symptoms 5-14, your student must stay home 10 days or get a note from a physician to return.
NOTE: Contact your school nurse before returning to school regarding up-to-date JCDHE guidelines as the above information may change.
· In the past 14 days, has your student been within 6 feet of someone for 10 minutes or greater who was diagnosed with COVID-19? If the answer is YES, stay home and contact your school nurse for additional instructions.
· In the past 14 days, has your student had contact with the mucous/saliva of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19? If the answer is YES, stay home and contact your school nurse for additional instructions.
· Is your student asymptomatic, but waiting on results from a COVID test? If so, stay home until test results are known. Notify your school nurse of your results before returning to school.
· Has your student traveled to a location requiring quarantine? If the answer is YES, quarantine (stay home) for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, stay home and contact your primary healthcare provider. See link below for the latest travel quarantine information.
https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran
Food Service
All families that have not already applied for free or reduced meals this year are encouraged to apply if they feel they may qualify. There is a possibility that additional Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer ( P-EBT) funding may be available later this school year for those who have been approved for free or reduced meals.
Click here for information and applications. If you have questions please call the Food Service Office at 913-993-9710.
The school breakfast and lunch menus, pick up meal information, and other nutrition information is available on the district’s website at: https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service.
Early Childhood Screening
SMSD offers an early childhood developmental screening which includes the areas of vision, hearing, problem-solving, personal-social development, gross/fine motor skills, and speech/language skills. The purpose of the screening is to identify children who may have substantial developmental delays and who may be eligible for special education services. SMSD’s Early Childhood Screening (ECS) is appropriate for children ages 2 years 9 months to 5 years old who reside within the Shawnee Mission School District boundaries.
How often are screenings offered?
Screenings for 2020-2021 occur monthly on a Friday morning and are by appointment only. Parent or other legal guardian must complete a request for screening and submit the required documents before an appointment is offered.
How do I request a screening for my child?
More information about the ECS program can be found on the district’s Early Childhood Special Education home page under Early Childhood Screening.
Connect with us via Social Media
We have new social media sites this year! Please feel free to follow us and like us!!
Twitter: @theSMECEC
Facebook: Shawnee-Mission-Early-Childhood-Education-Center
Or search for #EarlyEDSMSD to see what's happening district wide in PreK!
Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center
Email: carlaheintz@smsd.org
Website: earlychildcenter.smsd.org
Location: 6701 West 83 Street, Overland Park, KS, 6USA
Phone: (913)993-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shawnee-Mission-Early-Childhood-Education-Center-101802735143826
Twitter: @theSMECEC