This monthly publication will provide you with events and tips we think you might find useful as you raise your young child(ren). Please contact Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator, with any questions or if you are looking for additional resources, information, or supports for your child or family.

tricia.sabathne@d303.org

331-228-5727

Every year on March 21, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks. Join us!

Applications are currently being accepted for CUSD 303's Preschool for All Program, which is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year. The program provides a school experience for young children ages 3-5 years old (not eligible for Kindergarten) at D303 Early Childhood at the Haines Center. Students are found eligible by taking into account various factors including delays in development, low income, homelessness, parent/sibling with a disability, parent education level, non-English speaking household, and others. Call 331-228-4834 for more information about how to apply.

NO playgroups February 17, 2025

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).

Unless otherwise noted all programs for Families (Ages 7 and Under with Caregiver) and are at the St. Charles Public Library at One Sixth Ave, St. Charles.

St. Charles Public Library Programs

• Mar 13 Out of this World Galaxy Rocks (All ages) from 6 - 7:30 pm in the Huntley Community Room
• Mar 16 Fine Motor Fun! (Ages 0-5 with Caregiver) from 12 - 4 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Mar 20 Westminster Stuffed Animal Show (Families) from 4 - 4:45 pm in the Huntley Community Room
• Mar 22 Lego Train Show (All ages) from 10 am - 4:30 pm in the Huntley Community Room
• Mar 23 Lego and Train Building (Families) from 12 - 4:30 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Mar 23 Lego Train Show (All ages) from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm in the Huntley Community Room
• Mar 25 Hello Spring (Ages 0-5 with Caregiver) from 10 am - 12 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Mar 28 Baby Playdate (Ages 0 - 23 months with Caregiver) from 9:30 - 10:30 am in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Mar 28 Baby Playdate (Ages 0 - 23 months with Caregiver) from 5:30 - 6:30 am in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Apr 1 Let's Build! (Families) from 9:30 am - 4 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Apr 1 Build Your Dream Park! (Families) from 10 am - 12 pm & 1 - 3 pmin the Miller Haase Community Room
• Apr 3 Jumbo Drawing (Families) from 9:30 am to 4 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Apr 3 Family Book Tasting (Families) from 6 - 6:30 pm in the Miller Haase Community Room
• Apr 9 Stories at the Nature Center (Families) from 10:30 - 11 am at the Creek Bend Nature Center- 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
• Apr 13 Parking and Playing with Cars (Ages 0-5 with Caregiver) from 1 - 4 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room

Family Story Time in the Miller Haase Community Room

Mondays from 10 - 10:30 am

March 17, April 7

Tuesdays from 6 - 6:30 pm

March 18, April 8

Thursdays from 10 - 10:30 am

March 13, 20, April 10

All Ages in the Huntley Community Room

**Drop-In Performance** Dates and Times:

• Mar 27 from 7 - 8 pm
• Mar 28 from 10 -11 am
• Mar 28f rom 6 - 7 pm
• Mar 29 from 10 - 11 am
• Mar 31 from 6 - 7 pm
• Apr 1 from 10 -11 am

**Sensory Friendly & Drop-in Performance** Dates and Times:

• Mar 30 from 10 - 11 am
• Mar 31 from 10 - 11 am

Located on the east side of LeRoy Oakes Forest preserve on the Randall Road Trail, enjoy a new story monthly

The St. Charles Public Library Youth Service Accessibility Collection brings thoughtfully curated materials to the Library and supports individuals with neurodivergent differences, auditory processing, language, motor, physical, sensory processing, and visual processing disabilities and delays. Through these materials, the Library aims to provide opportunities for families to utilize items which aid in everyday living and celebrate inclusion and access. The collection is located on the lower level in Youth Services. The St. Charles Public Library offers materials and services to accommodate library users of all ages.

Contact the library if additional accommodations are needed to support your experience at the library. We have a selection of assistive aid devices and sensory-friendly tools like noise-dampening headphones and fidgets available for use in the library. Please visit the Youth Services desk for assistance.

BONUS: There is an Adult Accessibility Collection too! Find it on the main level's southwest corner.

Use a First/Then Board to navigate your visit: First/Then Board

View a story on YouTube to prepare: Video

Learning to read begins long before kindergarten. Reading to your child is one of the best ways to boost their brainpower. Any child from birth to entering kindergarten can participate in this self-paced early literacy program.

Come into the Library to sign up and get a paper log. Check in at the Library when you finish a log and move your canoe up our pretend river. When you finish 1,000 books, you’ll receive a fun, musical prize!

If you read just one book per day, you will reach 1,000 before the child is three years old. Join us on this journey to help create a brighter future for your child.

The St. Charles Park District welcomes participation in all activities by individuals with disabilities and special needs by working cooperatively with the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. The District is committed to inclusion by providing public recreation services in the most integrated setting, providing to the maximum extent feasible for interaction between people with and without disabilities.