

TECEC TIMES
Where the journey begins.......December 11, 2024
Important upcoming dates
Friday, December 20 11:20 dismissal, no afternoon classes for winter recess
Wednesday, December 25 Christmas and first day of Hanukkah
Wednesday, January 1 New Year's Day
Thursday, January 2 Schools open with regular schedules
Thursday, January 2 Father's Club 7:00 PM
Wednesday, January 8 - PTO 7:00 PM
Monday, January 20- Schools closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21- Schools reopen with regular schedule
Dear TECEC families,
I apologize for the inconvenience and angst caused by a glitch in our CT-DOTS online progress report system which was affecting the display of accurate skill attainment for many of our children. The state was able to correct the error and the reports should reflect current skill development for our children. Thank you for your understanding.
On a brighter note, what a wonderful time of year to be at TECEC! Then again...it's always a wonderful time to be here! December is filled with celebrations, and our team has planned an array of exciting lessons and activities for the children. From holiday crafts to special songs and stories, the season creates a magical and festive atmosphere for our children and the entire community. In addition, we’ve organized some fun team spirit activities for next week that we’re sure everyone will enjoy! You can find more details here.
As colder weather settles in, we kindly remind families to ensure all children are dressed warmly before coming to school. Proper clothing is essential for participating in the outdoor activities our teachers have thoughtfully planned. We understand that occasionally mittens, gloves, or hats might get forgotten or misplaced during the morning rush. If you have any extra winter gear, we’d greatly appreciate your help. Please consider sending any spare items to school so we can build a supply for those moments of need. These items will be kept in Nurse Dana’s office and made available for borrowing as necessary.
Please take a moment to review our inclement weather guidelines below and on our website. While we experienced a schedule change due to snow last week, it’s important to stay familiar with these policies, as schedule adjustments or closures can occur at any time of the year.
Thank you for your support in keeping our children safe and comfortable during this special season!
Kind regards,
Principal
Inclement Weather Schedule
While we've enjoyed a mild fall, winter weather seems to be on its way. Please take a moment to review TECEC's inclement weather guidelines and adjusted schedules here to stay prepared for potential snow or any other disruptions to the school day.
Updates from Nurse Dana
Thank you to everyone who submitted proof of flu vaccination status for your children. As of today, we have about 90 children that have not received their flu vaccination. 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. All documentation of flu vaccination status must be submitted by Thursday, December 19 or those without the vaccination will not be able to return on January 2.
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
TECEC Sprit Week December 16-20
Fantastic Fours!
The threes and fours will be holding their annual Hibernation day on Tuesday, 1/7/25. I can’t believe this is around the corner.
Here is the 4’s newsletter for next week:
We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Over the last couple of weeks, we have been focusing on being thankful/grateful. This month, we will be discussing day/night routines, holidays, baking and family togetherness. Our dramatic play center will be set up as a gingerbread bakery. We will be taking on different roles such as baker, customer, barista and cashier.
Starting in January, we will be learning about hibernation and having our annual hibernation day. (everyone wears their jammies and brings in a stuffed animal). Hibernation Day will be on Tuesday January 7, 2025.
Cold weather is quickly approaching, please make sure your child is wearing all of their outdoor layers, including jackets, gloves/mittens, hats, and scarves. Also, it is time to switch out their extra clothes, please send in long sleeves and pants. If your child wears their winter boots to school, send sneakers for them to change into for safety in school. Please label all of these items so your child will wear the same items home.
Updates from our Art Department.....
Greetings from Art!
The month of November focused on SO much gratitude, fall decorations, traditions, the leaves changing, fall clothing, and national kindness day! We began the month using marker caps to create a mixed media calico corn artwork, using paint and collage, the students created a birch tree scene using fall colors and collaged birds, and we created SO many turkeys using paper plates, paint, and collage, along with pumpkin pies! The students painted and designed their own fall clothing, collaging fall leaves on top. They created a beautiful crow collage/painting, as they are learning about paint techniques and mixed media art! They created a sun collage with rainbow paper pieces for kindness day that stated ways to be kind. We finished the month creating 3D Indian corn paper bags, painted with fall colors, and hot air balloons connected with yarn, describing what the world needs us for. Students are learning about gluing, collage, painting with a variety of paint, drawing different types of lines and shapes, having fun with art and being creative! I have seen so much growth and appreciation for art amongst these students! We have already begun creating snow people out of paper plates using a variety of collage materials, and I am SO excited to create December-themed art with your children! Have a safe and happy month of December!
Miss Anna and Miss Caitlin
Miss Heather and Miss Sandy's class making gingerbread people
Barky along with 111 TECEC children and parents enjoyed Moana-2 on Sunday
Thank you TECEC Father's Club of arranging this fun event!
PTO Holiday Luncheon for Team TECEC
Mittens for Many
TECEC Spirit Wear
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, feel free to wear our school color which is blue. You can also purchase spirit wear here: https://tecec.ptboard.com/
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 everyone 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.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
We love our 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 2024-2025 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.
TECEC Father's Club Thursday, January 2
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 this Thursday, January 2 at 7:00 PM.
Next TECEC PTO Meeting January 8
Please join us on Wednesday, January 8, 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: PTO Meeting