SM Early Childhood Education Center

Carla Heintz, Principal, Early Childhood Education Center

Tracy Smarr-Dolezal, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator

We are headed into October and closing out the first quarter in a few weeks. It continues to be an amazing year at SMECEC! I enjoy watching the students grow in their ability to "do school", actively engaging in new activities, managing the hallways and learning new skills every day! October is a busy month here in the building. Please see the notes below regarding both parent/teacher conferences and our fall parties. I look forward to seeing you around the building as you engage with your child!

October 4- PAT Touch a Truck Event- SMECEC Families are invited! 9-11

October 14- No School- Professional Development for Staff

October 17- Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30

October 18- Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00-3:30

October 31- Fall Parties 10:25-10:55 and 2:40-3:10

With the exception of Fridays, our school follows the district calendar. You can access it here for additional information.

Parent/Teacher conferences are happening this month on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 4:30-7:30, and on Friday, Oct. 18 from 8-3. Your child's teacher should be reaching out to schedule a time to meet with you. Conferences are available in person or via WebEx. It is our hope that all of our parents/families participate, so please work with your child's teacher to find a time that works for you! We love to have time to talk with you and let you know all of the amazing things your child is doing at school!

SMECEC will be having fall parties on Thursday, Oct. 31st. AM session will have their party from 10:25-10:55, PM session party will from 2:40-3:10. All parents are invited to attend this event and see their child in action with their friends at school! Your child's teacher will be reaching out with specific details regarding their classroom activities, so be watching for more information to come! I hope to see you there!

We have a new Facebook page for our school. Please use the QR code to like and follow us.

You can also follow us on X- Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center @theSMECEC

Every Tuesday I like to treat the staff to a special snack between sessions. This is a much anticipated activity, and much appreciated event! I would love your help to keep it stocked throughout the year. If you would like to help in this way, please drop your donations off in the office or hand them to me at car line!

We are looking for items such as:

• Full Size Candy Bars
• Individual Snack Bags of Chips- Baked and Regular
• Individual Snack Bags of Popcorn
• Single servings or individual bags of Cookies- Kirkland Chocolate Chip is a favorite!
• Granola Bars
• Individual bags of snack crackers (pretzels, ritz bitz with cheese, etc)
• Any other kind of individually wrapped snack you think staff might like!

We had a wonderful first Smart Connections. Thank you to those who came! I hope you were able to walk away with new ideas and information to support you at home! We have another one in November, I hope you join us again for new content. If you were not able to attend last night, please check us out in November when we will be learning more about how to acknowledge your child's feelings, and support them with calm down strategies. SMECEC Staff will provide child care, while parents learn. Please make sure you sign up using the QR code. Don't forget to let us know how many children you are bringing so that we can ensure we have enough staff! We have 2 Smart Connections Meetings remaining on the following dates:

November 7

January 8

I look forward to seeing you all there!

In addition to the Smart Connections Parent Meetings we will also have a parent/child learning night on March 13

All events will be from 6-7pm

Want to know if your child's bus is running on time?? To keep on top of what is happening with your child's bus, I would highly recommend you sign up for TextCaster. Once signed up, you will receive text messages regarding the buses if they are running late or have another problem arise. Click the box by the bus number(s) your child rides under early childhood to be sure you have all of the most up to the minute information. You can sign up here

Our school along with the district are working to improve attendance for all students. I encourage you all to do all you can to get your child to school on time (and we will continue to work with the buses for the same) and to have them here each day we are in session. As a reminder our school times are 8:10-10:55 and 12:25-3:10. We do open the doors 5 minutes before school starts to get students in their classrooms before the official start of the day. Tardies do add up to absences, 10 tardies equals a full day absence. If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home and if they are going to be absent due to illness or other reasons, please call our attendance line 913-993-2688. If your child is a bus rider, please call D.S. as well at 913-384-1190 to let them know your child will not be riding.

Resources from the Social Worker

Fall is here; Un-Be- Leaf-Able that fall is here already! The colors of the falling leaves, cooler temperatures and activities of the season are welcomed. It has been a pleasure getting to know you all, please don’t hesitate to call, email, or visit 913-993-2627 michellevandoren@smsd.org.

Helpful Links

A Parent’s Guide to Evidence-Based Practice And Autism This manual discusses the complexity of diagnostic evaluations for children on the autism spectrum, identifies and describes effective treatments, and outlines the importance of professional judgment and using data to guide treatment decisions

Social Emotional Tips for Families of Toddlers 5 one-page posters with strategies to use during daily routines

August - December (Agosto - Diciembre) Free gently used clothing and shoes for those within the Shawnee Mission School District boundaries.

Anti-Bullying Books for Young Kids Anti-Bully week is in October. Help your youngsters better understand what a bully is, bullying tactics, and how to prevent them by reading books that focus on empathy, inclusion, kindness, conflict resolution, and confidence. All books listed can be borrowed for free at the Johnson County Library.

Guide to Sensory Friendly, Inclusive Fall Activities in Kansas City Sensory friendly, inclusive fall activities in Kansas City that are specifically tailored to neurodiverse and disabled children that provide important accommodations as well as community. Ideal for kids who are sensitive to sounds, lights, large crowds, or have mobility issues.

Kansas Gas Share the Warmth Program Offers financial assistance during the winter months for gas utility bills. Use the above link to contribute or learn how to apply for aid. Alternatively, please contact me if you are needing assistance with applying.

A quick video by the Center on the Developing Child looking at how Early Childhood Experiences Affect Lifelong Health and Learning and what the latest science tells us about how early experiences affect not only early learning and school readiness, but also lifelong health.

Center on the and Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Is a great family resource that provides parent manuals supporting social emotional learning.

Food service offers breakfast and lunch for our students

Prices will be as follows:

Elementary Breakfast: $1.55

Reduced $0.30

Elementary Lunch: $2.85

Reduced: $0.40

Families can complete a child nutrition meal benefit application to see if they qualify for free for reduced meal prices after July 1, 2024. The information and link will be on the Food Service web page after July 1 and families are encouraged to apply as soon as it is available so that any benefits the family may receive are processed prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Breakfast

Breakfast is available each school day. The breakfast menu includes an entrée, grain, fruit and milk. Students are served all items to receive a full breakfast; including the required ½ cup of fruit.

Lunch

Lunch includes an entrée, grain, fruit, vegetable and milk. Students are served all of these five components on their lunch tray, including the required ½ cup fruit and/or vegetable.

Food Services has updated the School Meal Information flyer for parents. It is available on the main page of the Food Service web page and linked here for you convenience.

The “pig” symbol on the menu means that the item contains pork.

Menus, nutritional and allergy information are available online at https://www.schoolcafe.com/SHAWNEEMISSION

Special Diet

If you have an allergy or specific dietary concerns, contact your school nurse for a medical form to be filled out by your doctor.

Food service information is available on the district’s web site at www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service or you can call the Food Service office at 913-993-9710.

SMSD offers an early childhood developmental screening which includes the areas of vision, hearing, problem-solving, personal-social development, gross/fine motor skills, and speech/language skills. The purpose of the screening is to identify children who may have substantial developmental delays and who may be eligible for special education services. SMSD’s Early Childhood Screening (ECS) is appropriate for children ages 2 years 9 months to 5 years old who reside within the Shawnee Mission School District boundaries.

How often are screenings offered?

Screenings for 2024-2025 occur monthly on a Friday morning and are by appointment only. Parent or other legal guardian must complete a request for screening and submit the required documents before an appointment is offered.

How do I request a screening for my child?

More information about the ECS program can be found on the district’s Early Childhood Special Education home page under Early Childhood Screening.

We have new social media sites this year! Please feel free to follow us and like us!!

X: @theSMECEC

Facebook: Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center

Or search for #EarlyEDSMSD to see what's happening district wide in PreK!

Email: carlaheintz@smsd.org
Website: earlychildcenter.smsd.org
Location: 6701 West 83 Street, Overland Park, KS, 6USA
Phone: (913)993-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shawnee-Mission-Early-Childhood-Education-Center-101802735143826
Twitter: @theSMECEC