The Week of the Young Child® is a time to recognize that children's opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment—at home, at child care, at school, and in the community—that will promote their early learning.

These forms will be coming home the Monday we return from break. Please fill out the paper in your child's folder asking which school they will be attending next year and return it ASAP. We need to have one returned for every child! The home school listed was determined by the address we have provided in Skyward. Please contact the office with any questions or concerns regarding the home school. Thank you!

PBIS 3rd quarter celebration!! Congratulations to our kindness royalty and grit winners!! As well as a HUGE woo-hoo to all of our kindergartners as they blew their ticket goal out of the water and almost overflowed our collection bucket and we are only at quarter 3!!! As a whole school reward, the kids earned new games for their classrooms and a game day on Friday! They also all got a Chick-fil-A gift card courtesy of Victory 4 Kidz! Way to be amazing Lil Brickies!!!!

Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative

Did you know that all of the special education staff in the School City of Hobart are employed by both NISEC and SCOH? NISEC is a cooperative that serves 8 school districts across Lake County.

Here at the George Earle Early Learning Center we have 12 staff members that serve the special education community. Each week for the month of March (National Disability Awareness Month) we will introduce you to our special education staff.

Get to know the rest of the NISEC staff:

Michelle Mullins - IEP Facilitator

• College attended: Purdue University Lafayette and Purdue Calumet

• Degree obtained: Masters in Education, Mild Intervention, Elementary Education and LD endorsement, Building administration license

• Hobbies (3): Reading, playing games with my family, photography

• As the IEP facilitator, I oversee all of the annual IEP meetings. I work with teachers to ensure that the IEP is compliant and help answer any questions they may have.

Elizabeth Vaughan - Diagnostician

• Years at ELC: 1

• College attended: Valparaiso University and Indiana Wesleyan

• Degree obtained: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Licensure in Special Education, and Licensure in Building Level Administration

• Hobbies: Watching my son play football and my daughter cheer, spending time with my husband, and shopping

• I evaluate students with suspected disabilities to determine whether or not they qualify for special education services.

Katherine Lomberger - School Psychologist

• Years at ELC: 1

• College attended: Indiana University Northwest (undergrad); Valparaiso University (grad)

• Degree obtained:B.A. in Psychology from IUN; M. Ed. in Psychological and Educational Foundations (VU); Ed. S. in School Psychology (VU)

• Hobbies: Spending time with my family, spending time outdoors, reading.

• School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community. School Psychologists assist with: Data collection and analysis, Assessment, Progress monitoring, School-wide practices to promote learning, Resilience and risk factors, Consultation and collaboration, Academic/learning interventions, Mental health interventions, Behavioral interventions, Instructional support, Prevention and intervention services, Special education service.

• Years at ELC: 1

• As the district director I am responsible for the supervision of the special education programs in their assigned districts. That includes the staff and the programs housed in each of the schools. Day to day responsibilities include acting as the administrative representative at case conferences, observing and providing support to teachers, students and programs, working with parents, and facilitating communication between special education and general education staff. District Directors may also either directly provide professional development to staff or assist in securing this as needs arise.

We have some amazing Paraprofessional Aides here at the ELC. Our days would not be the same if we didn't have each and everyone of them here! They do so much for all of our kiddos each and every day. April 1st is the official day to celebrate them, so let's CELEBRATE them! Thanks to all you amazing ladies for all of the things you do. We so appreciate all of you!!

You may come up to shop with your child during their time slot below ( MAKE SURE YOU BRING YOUR ID!) You can also sign up for contactless payment options via card called the Scholastic E-Wallet at Book Fair Homepage (scholastic.com) , send in a check made out to the ELC (with a budget of course!) or cash. Even if all you can afford is a baggie with a couple of dollars in loose change- send it in with them! We will hook them up with a book they will love!

SHOPPING DAYS & TIMES!

Wednesday 4/5

Kelly Class 10:10-10:40

Boyle Class 12:30-1:00

Helminski Class 1:00-1:30

Skertich Class 1:35-2:05

VanMilligan Class 2:10-2:40

Thursday 4/6

AM Brickie Kidz & ECD Pre-School 9:25-9:55

Buckley Class 9:55-10:25

Metz Class 10:25-10:55

Swims Class 10:55-11:25

PM Brickie Kidz & ECD Pre-School 12:25-12:55

Schiller Class 12:55-1:25

Rosenbaum Class 1:25-1:55

Gruhlke Class 1:55-2:25

There is no need to call the office when calling your child off of school due to illness. Follow the simple steps below to have your child marked absent. If we have any questions, we will get ahold of you. Thanks so much!