
Preschool Press
D303 Early Childhood at the Haines Center
January 31, 2025
Dates
Weekly through Mar 4: Family Connections (Tuesdays)
Weekly from 5 - 7 PM at the Haines Center
Families may join at any point in the program and are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible. Sign Up Here
Jan 21 (Tue) - Feb 7 (Fri): 2025-2026 Community Preschool Lottery
For NEW students, see below for more information.
Jan 27 (Mon): 2025-2026 Kindergarten Enrollment Begins
Feb 3 (Mon): Transition to Kindergarten Presentation at Haines Center
Especially for D303 Early Childhood families. More information to follow.
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Feb 6 (Thu): D303 Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meeting
At the Haines Center 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Feb 17 (Mon): No School
President's Day Holiday
Feb 18 (Tue): No School
School Improvement Day
Feb 26 (Wed): Early Release Day
AM classes DISMISS EARLY at 10:25 AM
If your child rides the bus home from our morning session, drop off at your home or child care will be 25 minutes early.
PM classes START EARLY at 11:25 AM and DISMISS EARLY at 1:30 PM
If your child rides the bus to school for our afternoon session, pick up will be 25 minutes early from your home or child care and the bus at the end of the day from Haines Center will drop off 50 minutes earlier.
Feb 27 (Thu): No School for Early Childhood
Parent/Teacher Conferences
If your child started school after September or if the teacher thinks it's helpful, you will be offered a conference. You can also request a meeting with your child's teacher once the schedule is available, even if the teacher doesn't reach out to you first.
Feb 28 (Fri): No School
Institute Day
Emergencies
E-Learning in District 303
Emergency Contact Information
Update your child's emergency contact information
Please make sure your child has at least one emergency contact listed in case we can't reach you during an emergency. If you don’t have someone other than the parent/guardian to list, contact Tricia Sabathne, the Child and Family Educator, to discuss options. You can reach her at tricia.sabathne@d303.org or 331-228-5727.
If you have access to the Home Access Center (HAC), you can update this information there. Please check that the details are correct.
If you've never used the Home Access Center, please call our main office at 331-228-3400 (press 1) to get your username and password. For Early Childhood families, these accounts have already been set up for you.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
If you have a child between the ages of birth and five and live in Southern Kane County you can enroll them in the Imagination Library. Your child will receive books mailed to them monthly until their 5th birthday as long as they live in the covered geographic area. The covered area is the Fox Valley United Way service area and includes Campton Hills (60174), Elburn (60119), St. Charles (60174 & 60175), South Elgin (60177), and Valley View (60174).
D303 Early Childhood at the Haines Center
Family Engagement Activity Guide
Click the link below to get a digital copy of the Family Engagement Activity Guide that was sent home recently. The calendar has extra ideas for you and your child to use on E-Learning days and our monthly Early Release days.
Transition to Kindergarten: Especially for D303 Early Childhood Families
Kindergarten Enrollment 2025-2026
Kindergarten enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year starts on January 27th at the elementary schools. If your child is currently in D303 Early Childhood at Haines will turn 5 by September 1, 2025, your registration will be easier and start before January 27th. You will get an intake form in your student's backpack by January 13th. Please return your completed form to Haines Center by January 24th. Then, our child's future elementary school will send you an email with a Docusign link to complete registration.
Our Early Childhood Program is for children under 5. If your child will be 5 by September 1, they are eligible for kindergarten and will need to go to a different school next year.
2025-2026 Community Preschool Lottery
For families who want to enroll new children in the Community Preschool program for next school year (not for current students)
The D303 Community Preschool has spots available for the 2025-2026 school year. To apply, you need to enter the Preschool Lottery, which runs from January 21, 2025 - February 7, 2025. The lottery drawing will take place on February 10, 2025, and you’ll be notified by February 11, 2025, if your child got a spot for the 2025-2026 school year. To enter the lottery, follow this link and fill out the form.
For more details about the D303 Community Preschool, you can visit the Early Childhood page on our website at https://ec.d303.org/. If you have any questions or would like to apply for the Preschool For All Program, please contact the Early Childhood Office at 331-228-4834.
Preschool for All - Openings
If you want your child to be considered for our Preschool For All program, please contact the Early Childhood Office at 331-228-4824. We have openings available now, as well as for the 2025-2026 school year.
Family Engagement and Education Survey
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.
Family Connections
Dress for the Weather
CHANGE: The temperature guideline for our program to go outside is now as long as conditions are safe to do so and the temperature, including wind-chill, is above 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Outdoor play continues throughout all the seasons at D303 Early Childhood at Haines Center weather permitting, and is an important part of our curriculum. 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 or snowpants for your child please contact Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator, at tricia.sabathne@d303.org
Playgroups
NO Playgroups when students are not in session (February 17 & March 31)
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.
Toy Lending Library
Attendance
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.
331-228-5727
Attendance Line
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.
Safety on the Haines Center Campus
D303 News
McKinney-Vento Eligible Children
D303 Early Childhood at the Haines Center
Website: https://ec.d303.org/
Location: 305 S 9th St, St Charles, IL 60174
Phone: 331-228-3400, Press 1 for Early Childhood