December Newsletter
Little Lights Learning Center
Playground Renovation
We are excited to announce that we are now in the planning stages for the total playground renovation. The playground is still in use! When we begin demo, we will give advanced notice and will have a plan in place for outdoor play. This will be a huge undertaking for LLLC and CUMC. This will be a long process, but it will be well worth it in the end. We will work on filling the current holes as a short-term solution as we start the planning phase. Please let us know if you have questions or ideas as we move through this process. We will focus on being transparent every step of the way!
Clemson Little Theatre
Check out the upcoming productions at the Clemson Little Theatre!
City of Clemson Events
Check out all of the amazing events coming up in the City of Clemson!
HIRING: Full-Time 1-Year-Old Teacher (closer)
Little Lights Learning Center is seeking to hire one (1) full-time one-year-old classroom teacher with experience in caring for young children in a childcare setting. Experience with children 6 weeks-two years old is required for this position. A college degree is desired, but not required. The hours for this teaching position are:
Closer - 8:30-5:30 (M-F) 1-hour lunch break
Applicants must have an excellent work ethic, have a creative mind and an ambition for teaching, regular attendance to work, love and compassion for children, energy and enthusiasm, attention to detail and cleanliness, and must work well with others. It is also very important that applicants have a calm disposition, excellent communication skills with colleagues and parents, and remain flexible at all times. We look forward to adding someone special to our amazing team of ladies as soon as possible!
Mrs. Christi (Seniors)
Hello, my name is Christi Anthony. I have a certification in Early Childhood Education from PennFoster and teaching is my passion. I have taught all ages and grades, but I have discovered that preschool is where my heart truly lies. As a teacher I strive to let every child in my classroom leave knowing they are loved, appreciated, and truly unique! I am married to the love of my life, Bryan, and we have 2 children, Abigail and James. Abigail was married in 2021 to her sweet husband Harrison and James was married in 2020 to his beautiful wife Danielle. We have 2 kittens named Morganna and Merlin and our family life is always busy, but fun! I love to travel, read and most of all shop. I am the ultimate “girly girl” and I love all things pink and sparkly, high heels and dresses that twirl. My favorite quote is from Peter Pan: “What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
Mrs. Leigh (Juniors)
My name is Leigh Lapin and I am originally from Charleston, SC. My husband, Eric, and I have lived in Clemson for 15 years. I have an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Tri-County Technical College and hold multiple certificates in the field as well. This new school year will be my 11th year teaching at Little Lights Learning Center. I love to read, go hiking, sit on the beach, and browse thrift stores! We have a dog named Penny and currently live in Pendleton.
Mrs. ShaVonda (Sophomores)
forward to having a fun and adventurous year.
Mrs. Karen (Freshmen)
Mrs. Neva (Freshmen)
Ms. Savanna (Tots)
Mrs. Bre (Explorers)
Hi, my name is Bre Dawud (aka Miss B)! I have been a teacher here at Little Lights for 6 wonderful years. I have been the Explorers teacher since I was hired and absolutely LOVE this age. I enjoy watching my kiddos grow with their independence and so much more. I have been married for 5 years and have two wonderful daughters. I am originally from Myrtle Beach but prefer this small town living. I love teaching these precious little minds and the hugs and love is all worth it everyday coming in!
Mrs. McKenna (Wobblers)
My name is McKenna Stargel and I am from Pendleton, SC. My husband, Knight, and I have been in this area for the last 8 years. I graduated Pendleton High in 2013, received my Associates of Architecture from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA in 2015, and later in 2018, I received my second Associates in Visual Arts. Currently, I have returned to school to get my Bachelors in Elementary Education. Knight is a Maintenance Tech for Michelin in Greenville, SC. We have been married for 8 years, we have 4 kiddos: Shadow (7), Caroline (5), Jaxson (3), and Emma (almost 1). Our fur baby is an almost 2-year-old Dalmatian named CruElla (Ella). It has been my dream to work with children and help them develop the skills they need to excel and grow!
Ms. Madi (Explorers)
Mrs. Annalyce (Infants)
Hi! My name is Annalyce Dowdy I am originally from Iva, SC. My husband and I moved to Pendleton in 2021. We have one son, named Dansby, who is almost a year old! I am also a dog mom to my first two babies, Marley & Ember! My husband is associate pastor at Secona Baptist Church in Pickens, SC where we are heavily involved in the youth program! Outside of work, you’ll probably find us at church or at home soaking up family time together. I graduated from Oakwood Christian School in 2015, and furthered my education for two years in college before pausing my education to pursue my love for caring for children! This is what led me to Little Lights! I am so excited to help your child explore & learn about the world around them!
Ms. Carolee (Infants)
Hi! I’m Carolee Davis! I am a mom to 4 kids: Randy, Heather, Brittany, & Beth. My only child to still live at home is my youngest daughter, Beth, who has Down Syndrome. I am also a fur mama to 3 dogs & 1 cat. I am originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, but moved to South Carolina in 2012. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and visiting my other children. I am very excited to work with your children & help them grow and learn during their time in our class!
Teacher's Favorite Things
Room Parents / Class Parties & Events
Here is the link for the most recent ROOM PARENT document that lists room parent names and emails, classroom rosters, teachers names/email addresses and family email addresses. Please reference this document when you need to send out birthday invites, contact families about classroom events, etc.
Families are ALWAYS WELCOME to attend classroom parties and events. Just reach out to the teachers to let them know you are coming. In the younger classrooms, be prepared to lend a hand to the teachers as classroom parties with littles who are learning how to have independence with eating can be messy and chaotic! :)
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Now Available for EVERYONE!
ALL Pickens County families with children ages 0-5 now have access to Basic #5: "Read & Discuss Stories," thanks to the expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Pickens County!
A coalition of local non-profits have generously provided this gift so that every young child can have access to books! Available in English and Spanish, this early literacy program mails FREE age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five.
Families can register at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/. Thank you for helping us spread the word!
Help Me Grow SC
Help Me Grow SC is a program from the SC Infant Mental Health Association that promotes children's healthy development through age five. It is a wonderful resource that provides online developmental and behavioral screenings, connections to community resources and services, and provides supports from child developmental specialists. Find out more at the link below.
The Basics Palmetto
The Basics Palmetto are 5 fun, simple, powerful ways that every family can give every child a great start in life!
The beginning of a new year is a great time to look at the ways these website resources can serve your family! The Basics Palmetto website has an introductory video, videos and age-specific tips for all 5 Basics, and Partner Resources that anyone can use. Check it out at www.thebasicspalmetto.org.
Follow them on social media: https://www.instagram.com/basicspalmetto/
Below, you will find some additional resources shared by this organization including Brain Boosts and The First 5.
Palmetto Basics Toolkit: Brain Boosts
This is a great resource to give you some tips on what to work on at home with your kiddos.
Activities and ideas for right now, to learn and grow together with your child!
First 5 South Carolina
First Five SC connects families with the support babies, toddlers, and preschoolers need to be healthy, safe, nurtured, and ready to thrive in school. In one location, at any time of day or night, parents and caregivers can find help buying food, paying for child care, finding medical care and therapy for special needs, strengthening parenting skills, boosting family literacy, preparing for kindergarten, and so much more. This simple approach to finding support and services is one more way parents can "Maximize Love & Manage Stress."
Families can visit first5sc.org to find 40+ programs and services for children from birth through age 5. They answer a few quick questions to instantly see what they qualify for.
Developmental Milestones & Readiness
Below you will find a link to the CDC Developmental Milestones checklists. These can also be found on our LinkTree at any time. These are the assessments we use in the fall & spring for all students.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
For our children in the Freshmen-Senior classrooms, we use an additional readiness packet that dives deeper into the "whole child" (cognitive, social/emotional, communication, speech/language, play skills, reading/literacy, math skills, gross/fine motor and adaptive/functional skills). The packet is attached to our LinkTree as well. Look over it and use it as a guide at home, too!
There are additional resources from the Carolina Family Engagement Center on our LinkTree that dive deeper into the different categories of development for the ages that we serve at LLLC. All of these resources will be helpful as you work with your children at home and build these concepts into your everyday lives and routines.
South Carolina Early Learning Standards
The SC Early Learning Standards (SC ELS) guide our instruction in all classrooms. Please utilize this document if you are curious about what your child is learning for their age group. You can find the standards here.
Lesson Plans
Our teachers post lesson plans in the Daily Connect app each week so that our families are familiar with what is happening in each classroom. Please make sure to look over those so that you can have conversations with your children at home about their day, work on the same skills at home to promote success across settings, and have an overall picture of what your child is learning at LLLC.
Teacher Kudos!
Elevation Dance Classes: Fall 2024
We are excited to welcome Elevation Dance Company back to LLLC for the 2024-2025 school year! EDC classes are held on Wednesday mornings for Tots-Seniors.
Register: https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/index.php?account_id=2253
Children's Church
Amazing Athletes: Fall 2024
We are so excited to welcome back AMAZING ATHLETES for the 2024-2025 school year. Amazing Athletes will take place on Friday mornings for Tots-Seniors.
Register: https://registration.amazingathletes.com/events/little-lights-learning-center
Scholastic Book Orders
LLLC Board of Directors: 2024-2025
Lara Halfacre (CUMC Member) Vice-Chairperson
Zac Rita (LLLC Parent/CUMC Member) Treasurer
Megan Hightower (LLLC Parent/CUMC Member)
Rachel Stoner (LLLC Parent/CUMC Member)
Kim Moss (LLLC Parent/CUMC Member)
Lark Martin (CUMC Member)
Meg Wilkes CUMC Liaison
Kristen Jones Parent Representative
Christi Anthony Teacher Representative
Jacqui Rice Director/Secretary
Board of Directors Email: littlelightsboard@gmail.com
Little Lights Learning Center
Email: lllcdirector@clemsonumc.org
Website: https://www.clemsonumc.org/little-lights-learning-center.html
Location: 300 Frontage Road, Clemson, SC, USA
Phone: 864-654-5506
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LLLCCUMC/?ref=bookmarks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lllc.cumc/