Family Program Newsletter

Hello, Early Childhood Families!

October is here! This is one of those special months when there are so many great things happening with the change in seasons! I hope you take some time to go outside and enjoy the crispness in the air, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and those special moments that create those lasting memories!

I shared this excerpt from an article a few years back and I think it's worth sharing again. It is about the importance of literacy and some things you could do to help your child become a better reader!

Literacy doesn’t start only when your child starts school. From birth, babies and children are gathering skills they’ll use in reading. The years between ages 3 and 5 are critical to reading growth. The best way to instill a love for and interest in reading is to simply read to your child. Reading gives you the opportunity for close bonding with your child, and it also provides a window into a world of literacy that your child is about to enter. As your child goes from saying her first sentences to speaking in paragraphs, you will start to see exciting milestones develop with reading. Your child will begin to recognize print on the street, stop signs, familiar store signs, and the address posted on your home.

*If you were to read one book a day with your child from the first day of preschool, he would have read 730 books before kindergarten!

Attendance Matters! Attending school regularly is essential to students gaining the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive. Chronic absence, no matter its cause, has real-life consequences for students. Research shows starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, chronic absence—missing 10% of the academic year—can leave third graders unable to read proficiently, sixth graders struggling with coursework, and high school students off track for graduation.

Regular attendance allows children to benefit from participating in quality early education. Research shows that students who miss too many days of preschool have weaker literacy and numeracy skills entering kindergarten. A habit of attendance IS a school readiness skill. Along with social-emotional and readiness skills, consistent on-time attendance is a habit that lasts.

A strong partnership with your classroom teacher is a vital component to your child's success. You should have regular communication from your teacher through her newsletter. I encourage you to reach out to your teacher if you have any questions about your child. Don't forget that parent-teacher conferences are coming up later this month so look for a note from your child's teacher.

Kindergarten Bound Parents for 2025-2026. If your child attends a school that is not your neighborhood school and would like them to continue, you will need to Choice Enroll your child.

• Choice Enrollment Round 1 will open Friday , November and closes Friday, December 20, 2024.
• The 2025-2026 School Year Online Registration (OLR, including Kindergarten) opens on Wednesday, November 1, 2024.
• Kindergarten Open House will be held at Thompson Valley High School on Thursday, November 7, 2023 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity to speak with staff from each elementary school in the Thompson School District and learn more about each school.

We work with your child to help develop things like school readiness and social-emotional learning. Did you know that we also focus on developing healthy habits for kids? We collaborate with an organization that provides a program where students get to learn about healthy foods and healthy habits. This program is called the Integrated Nutrtion Education Program. Here is a link that you may find helpful: Parenting Practices to Develop Healthy Habits for Kids

Also linked here is the TSD Family Student Guide as a reference about all things early childhood in the Thompson School District.

Enjoy this magical time of year with your family. I wish you all a safe and healthy October!

Sincerely,

Lamb Caro

Director of Early Childhood

Happy October!

Fall in Colorado has to be one of my favorite times of year. We are able to enjoy beautiful weather, changing trees and the smell of autumn. Now that you have settled into the routine of the new school year, take some time this month to go on a walk with your little one. Talk about what you see, hear and smell. Share with them your thoughts and

wonderings. There is so much to see and learn about right in our own back yard. This develops language, curiosity and a love and respect for our environment, not to mention what a little fresh air can do for our outlook!

This month there will be many opportunities for festive activities in our community, and often these are free. Please watch your child’s backpack for a list of these family friendly events.

"Haven’t you found that one of the best ways children learn is from the example of the grownups they love? When children see that you wonder about the world around you…that you ask questions…that you notice things and look carefully, then they’ll want to be curious about the world around them, too.”

Mr. Fred Rogers

Best,

Amy Gerhard

Assistant Administrator

HAPPY OCTOBER!

This month in our classrooms students will have lessons about...

1. Asking for what you need and want

2. Identifying feelings

3. It's ok to be angry but we keep ourselves safe, our friends safe, and our things safe.

Please see an article below from the Devereux Center for Resilient Children

STRATEGIES FOR INTERNAL & EXTERNAL CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS

Behaviors adults find challenging from children can come in many forms. The most common ones, or the ones we can actually see, occur when children are externalizing (acting out) their feelings. Hitting and destroying toys are just two examples. These are more obvious and usually get more attention. Many children use this type of behavior to express the complex emotions they have yet to understand because they need our help, more boundaries, more skills, and often more connection with the adults in their lives.

Another type of behavior that adults may see from children can come in the form of internalizing (acting in) feelings. Hiding under a table and refusing to speak are two examples. These moments happen when feelings stay inside and are expressed with more self-destructive or avoidant behavior. Internalized behaviors are often easily ignored, but they still require adult support and attention.

Here are just a few strategies to try out when working through either external or internal challenging behaviors with a young child…

For Externalizing Behaviors

• Sensory Play: Provide sensory items that help children express and manage their feelings. For example, play a variety of music, offer play dough to knead and pound, set up warm soapy water with cups to dump and pour. Offer lots of choices!
• Remind and Redirect: It can be difficult to stop yourself from reacting (such as saying “No!”) when you think a child is using or about to use an inappropriate behavior. As long as the behavior you think is about to happen will not harm another child, try redirecting the behavior instead.
• Self-Talk: Children can learn to recognize and talk out loud about strong feelings (“I’m getting upset,” “I feel mad,” or “This is frustrating!”) followed by more self-talk to help calm themselves (“Stop,” “Settle down,” “It’s going to be OK,” “Be calm,” or “I can handle this problem.”) Teachers and families should model self-talk by working through their own strong feelings out loud: “This knot is tight. I am getting frustrated trying to untie it. I will stay calm. I will keep trying. I can do this!”

For Internalizing Behaviors

• Scaffolding: Offer support at the level a child needs to make progress in mastering a skill. Reduce the level of support (or scaffold) as the child builds the skills needed to do the task or activity independently.
• Encouragement: Take care to describe what a child says or does instead of making comments that are judgmental such as “Good job,” “Pretty picture,” or “You’re so smart!” Try instead: “Anna, you took Addie’s hand and walked her to the swings. Then, you helped her climb up on the swing and gave her a gentle push. What a kind thing to do for a friend!”
• Perspective Taking: Talk with a child about what he is feeling and thinking. Put aside your own thoughts and feelings about the situation or how you might have handled things, and try to see it from the child’s point of view. Ask a child, “What are you thinking?’’ or “How are you feeling?”

Keeping Our Kids Healthy!

As we enter into the cold and flu season, here are some health practices that we can follow to keep our Schools and Community safe and well!

Take a proactive approach to curbing the spread of such illnesses by practicing and encouraging our Children to practice frequent hand washing. Good hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent illness. Children (and Adults too) should be encouraged to cough or sneeze into their elbow area/sleeve, not their hands. Germs on fabric/clothing quickly die, while germs on hand that are not immediately washed, are easily spread to others. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve, not your hand if you sneeze. If you need to use a tissue, throw it away after use.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub (Adults, not children under 4).

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially when someone is ill.

If your Children do become ill, please keep them at home if they exhibit any of the following:

• Cough: sever uncontrolled coughing or wheezing, difficulty breathing, rapid or difficulty breathing.

• Diarrhea: when accompanied by symptoms of illness. The child may return to school 24 hours after their last episode of diarrhea unless the diarrhea is caused by an illness that requires them to stay home longer (See "How Sick is Too Sick").

• Fever illness: Temperature greater than 100.4° F (oral) with signs of illness. Temperature should be back to normal for 24 hours prior to return to school without the aid of fever reducing medications.

• Flu-like symptoms: Elevated temperature or fever (>100.4° F) and sore throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea. Stay home from school until fever or symptoms of fever are gone for 24 hours without the aid of medications.

Healthy Children Learn Better!

Christiana Shorten

Early Childhood Health Coordinator (970)613-5063

Fall Happenings in Northern Colorado

FREE Trick-or-Treat or Trunk-or-Treat:

• Trunk-or-Treat at Boyd Lake – Oct. 11, 5:00-7:00 pm at Boyd Lake. Parks Pass not required. Trunk-or treat fun at the lake! Accepting canned food donations to benefit the House of Neighborly Service.
• Loveland Cruisers Trunk-or-Treat Car Show – Oct. 19, 3:30-6:00 pm. Fairgrounds Park - 700 Railroad Ave. Tacos for purchase by Dos Amigos.
• Loveland Police Dept Trunk-or-Treat - Oct. 12, 10 am-noon. 810 E. 10th Street.
  
• Downtown Loveland Trick-or-Treat Street - Oct. 26, 10 am-11 am. Free candy from businesses on 4th Street for kids in costumes.

• Berthoud Trick-or-Treat Street - Oct. 26, 3-5 pm, on Mountain Ave from 1at to 7th in Berthoud.

• Berthoud Zombie Fun Run - Oct. 19, 4:30 - 7 pm. Berthoud Rec Center, 1000 Berthoud Pkwy. For adults, 2.5K or 5K run or half mile run for kids. Food trucks, games, and a costume contest. $25 adults and $10 youth - includes t-shirt.
• Downtown Johnstown Trick-or-Treat Street - Oct. 26, 10 am-noon. Enjoy trick or treating, movie car photo options, meet and greet with costumed characters, and a haunted house. Downtown Johnstown.
• First United Methodist Trunk-or-Treat - Oct. 27 at 2 pm. 533 Grant Ave.
• Trinity United Methodist Costume Parade & Chili Cook-Off - Oct. 27 at 4 pm. 801 Cleveland Ave.
• Tiny Tot Halloween Ft. Collins - Oct. 31, 10 am - 1 pm. Trick-or-treat at downtown Ft. Collins businesses. Old Town Square in Ft. Collins.

Pumpkin Patches (pumpkins sold by the pound):

• Osborne Farm – 1230 S. Boise Ave, Loveland. Hours: 10 am – 6 pm every day in October. Hayrides, barrel train, and petting zoo $2 cash/person. Pumpkins sold by the pound. Dogs on leash okay.

• Something From the Farm - 8020 S. Timberline Rd, Ft. Collins. Hours: Monday - Saturdays, 9 am -6 pm, Sundays, 10 am - 6 pm. Hay rides and bale maze for a fee. Dogs on leash okay.

• Bartel’s Farm - 3424 E. Douglas Rd, Ft. Collins. Hours: 10 am-6 pm daily. Pumpkin patch and U-pick vegetable garden. Hayrides $2 cash/person. Daytime corn maze $5 cash/person

Events or Festivals:

• Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt - Oct. 18 - 31. Hunt for scarecrows around town. More information: https://visitlovelandco.org/scarecrow/
• Downtown Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 12, 10 am-5 pm. Farmers Market pumpkins, food vendors, live music, family costume contest at 3 pm, watch pumpkin sculptors create masterpieces, decorate pumpkins for $12 if you register online. 5th and Lincoln in front of Loveland Museum. More information: https://downtownloveland.org/pumpkinfestival
• Kids Night Out Halloween Bash at Chilson - Oct. 26, 6 - 9:30 pm. Drop off youth activity for children ages 7 - 12. Costume contest, zombie Nerf arena, trick-or-treating, pumpkin bean bag toss, temporary tattoo station, ghosts in the graveyard. 700 E. 4th. Cost: $15 per child ages 7 - 12. Dinner add on available. Info: Kidsniteout.org/locations/loveland
• Halloween on Promenade – Oct. 27, noon – 3 pm. Near Rock Bottom Brewery, Promenade Shops at Centerra. Trick-or-treating, face painting, cartoon portraits, free pumpkin patch. Dog costume contest at 1 pm. https://www.thepromenadeshopsatcenterra.com/event/halloween-on-the-promenade/2145576168

• Marketplace at Centerra Halloween Hullabaloo - Oct. 26, noon-4 pm. Fall River Dr. between Panera and Noodles & Co. Pumpkin bowling, graveyard maze, face painting, petting zoo, treats, and more. Register at the Centerra Booth by 3 pm for the costume contest. Benefits Thompson Education Foundation. https://www.centerra.com/event/2024-halloween-hullabaloo-2/

• Pumpkins on Parade – Oct. 17-20, 6-9 pm, Gardens at Spring Creek. Participates in the Teal Pumpkin Project (food allergy friendly). Children under 4-free, children ages 5-11 -$8, Adults/children 12+ - $12. Members receive 20% off. Purchase tickets online: https://www.fcgov.com/gardens/pumpkins
• Treatsylvania - Oct. 25 & 26, 5-7 pm. Oct. 27, 1-3 pm & 5-7 pm, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park, 600 N. Sherwood, Ft. Collins. Trick-or-treating, hayrides. Cost: $8 per child 10 and under, but must get tickets - available starting Oct. 2 at 7 am. www.fcgov.com/recreation/treatsylvania
• Milliken Harvest Festival - Oct. 19, 3-7 pm. Milliken Athletic Complex, 320 Centennial Dr., Milliken. Carnival games, hay rides, face painting, costume contest, petting zoo, axe throwing, music, food truck items for purchase. https://www.millikenco.gov/our_community/milliken_activity_and_events.php
• Spooky Palooza – Oct. 26, 1-2:30 (sensory sensitive) and 3-5 pm Family Fun. Crossroads Church, 5420 Taft Avenue. Disability inclusion party, 1-2:30 pm – quieter activities, crafts, trick-or-treating. Family party, 3-5 pm - music, lights, bounce house, allergy friendly snacks and separate activities for children under 5. https://www.crossroadscolorado.com/spooky-palooza
• Immanuel Lutheran Fall Fest - Oct. 30, 5 - 6:30 pm -free dinner, 5:30 - 7 pm- trunk-or-treat, pet a pony, horse-drawn carriage rides. 4650 Sunview Dr. https://immanuelloveland.org/news/

Julie Lindsay

Family & Community Partnership Coordinator - julie.lindsay@tsd.org

WomenGive provides support and financial assistance through childcare scholarships to single mothers pursuing post-secondary education. This allows them to focus on their studies, knowing their children are receiving high quality care in a safe environment. Scholarship award amounts depend on the number of credits the student (mother) is taking and the age of her children. Scholarships are paid directly to the provider.

You might be a good fit if:

• You are a singe mother already in college or planning to start next semester
• You have an education plan and are confident about your career choice
• You need help covering the cost of childcare while you are in school or studying
• You will like some extra support and encouragement while you are in school

Dates:

Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 application opens for the Spring 2025 semester

Monday, Oct. 28, 2024 application deadline

Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 scholarship awards are announced

Please see the flier below for more information

No School October 11th - Teacher Work Day

No School October 17th - Parent Teacher Conferences

No School October 18th

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