The SCOH takes a lot of pride in our students' capacity and efforts to be College and Career ready. By establishing a mindset within all of our students in all of our grade levels, we can ensure that our Brickies are ready for the workforce upon graduation. The ELC participated in College Go Week in September, raising awareness in our littlest Brickies about planning for their future and what they want to be 'when they grow up." We had a spirit week that focused on different career paths each day. We want our Brickies and their parents to take steps along the way of their K-12 academic career to ensure that the are ready to secure a future in a career path. Our 529 Pie Fundraiser ends on October 5th and it is a wonderful opportunity to establish and contribute to your child's future education expenses. We want all of our students to have a savings account for college and we are here to help with any questions you have! You can explore all of the ways that we support our students career path or "flight plan" on our district web page and find out about options for adults in the community who would like to pursue a career change through educational opportunities.

We have an upcoming eLearning Day on October 2nd. In order for your child to be marked present, these assignments must be present for attendance on Canvas and Go Guradian. Look for information to be coming home regarding log in instructions for eLearning for your class. You will use Go Guardian to submit any questions about the assignments during the elearning day. Our classroom aides will be monitoring Go Guardian live and will offer support as needed.

Even though fees are not collected through December for meals served at school, it is important to fill out the Free and Reduced application if you feel you would qualify and are in need of assistance for textbook fees. Please visit Skyward to complete the application in order to be included for consideration for textbook fee assistance. You can follow the instructions in the graphic below.

The ELC Team is working on bringing the field trip experience to our classrooms. We are collecting for supplies for the apple orchard experience and plan on showing the virtual trip provided by County Line Orchard. We will also have a virtual trip to the Hobart Fire Department Station #2 along with a presentation of fire truck and ambulance here at the ELC. Finally, we will have a Nature Detectives virtual field trip day with lots of activities inspired by the great outdoors, a virtual trip to Deep River County Park and a nature hike right here at the ELC.

We can hardly believe that our school has been the home to our district's kindergarten students for 10 years! The ELC has grown into a wonderful conglomeration that focuses on learning and development for children to age 6 with various programs to suit them along the way! We have enjoyed this wonderful opportunity specializing in the foundation of our littlest learners immensely and look forward to continuing to offer many more years to our students! We will celebrate on October 8th with our students with a birthday party! Students are asked to wear their ELC spirit wear Students will have cake and party hats and birthday themed activities in classrooms to complete our schoolwide celebration!

The ELC is the place to be for good times and building a positive foundation for being at school. We strive create learning experiences for our students that are enhanced with fun filled activities that create lasting memories for our students and staff. Enjoy our good time gallery below as we look back over the years at the experiences that are trademarked by ELC!

We have begun a series of character education lessons into our kindergartners classrooms. Mrs. Gutierrez presented "No More Hitting for Little Hamster" to classes and explained the importance of keeping our hands to ourselves and what is bullying. ELC Library presented students with a series of discussions introducing and reviewing the difference between a big deal and a little deal to help give students some skills on when to get a grown up's help and what strategies they can try themselves to solve some of their own "little deals." We will continue to incorporate character education lessons in our programming throughout the year to build a healthy foundation for our students to problem solve in peaceful ways.

Hard work pays off! Our students are working hard every day in their classrooms and the learning goals are coming right along! Students not only receive positive reinforcement for their efforts in academics, they also receive accolades for leadership, showing grit in the classroom, and kindness.Our elearners are no exception! They will be rewarded for their good habits and hard work with certificates and participation in a weekly raffle! Our school implements a PBIS program where we identify and reward leadership and grit characteristics in our students. You can learn more about the PBIS definition and trend here Positive Behavior Interventions and Support.

A very big thank you to all of our students who participated in our coupon book fundraiser last month! The ELC uses the proceeds from our fundraisers to purchase books that we giveaway, playground and gym equipment, games for classrooms and experiences that we can offer during our school days such as magic and puppet shows. Students who sold 5 or more books were treated to a popsicle party with Mrs. Gutierrez!

ELC Library joined forces with SRO Joe and our Transportation Department this month to bring bus safety lessons to life using the beloved "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,' by Mo Willems. Students enjoyed the impatient and persistent Pigeon character then review safety lessons outline in "Tanya Takes the School Bus." We learned about the danger zone and that if you cannot see the bus driver, they cannot see you. Always stay clear of the danger zone! Bus drivers discussed the importance of safety procedures while riding the bus such as staying seated, keeping voices low and hands and feet to self. Classes took the Stop/Look Pledge and signed the banner our school present to our bus fleet.

Hello ELC Parents/Guardians! This month, we are continuing to implement our MindUp curriculum every week during Mindful Mondays. I have created short video clips to supplement what the teachers are facilitating inside the classrooms. This began our 3rd week of school after students had been introduced to Brain Boy. By now your child should be able to talk to you about the brain using three colors, green part, yellow part, and red part of our brains. Challenge them by asking what you can do to move from the red part of your brain to the green part of your brain! We practiced this during our Bullying Prevention Lessons featuring Mrs. Gutierrez and myself. The students helped think of way Little Hamster could stay in the green part of his brain and not hit his friends.

Along with Mindful Mondays, our district is also honing in on health by starting Wellness Wednesdays. Our Director of Social Emotional Learning, Debbie Matthys, shares a presentation via Screencastify with our students to help supplement our MindUp Lessons. Students will continue learn more about keeping their brains healthy as well as themselves every Wellness Wednesday. All of our lessons are tailored to Kindergarten so our students can really soak in what they are learning. Ask your student about what he/she learned during Wellness Wednesdays!

We are happy to offer free books to all of our students for this first part of the school year! ELC Library has collected donations for years to support our summer reading program. This year, due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to offer that program. However, we now have many books that we are able to put into our students hands to build their home library! We have been learning and practicing in library how to read the pictures and hope that our students are doing just that with their books. Our elearners have been bringing books they have at home to their zoombrary and sharing what they are reading at home with others visually. We are building readers and libraries one page at a time! We will continue to provide free books as long as we have the supply.

It's been a great start to this school year for our friends in Brickie Kidz Preschool at ELC! Along with making new friends and learning routine and procedures, they have been working hard to master colors and shapes, numbers 1-20, letters Aa-Dd. They are practicing counting as well as sounds and recognition of those letters! Full steam ahead Brickie Kidz!

Flu - Remember to continue to say “BOO” to the Flu! Handwashing is so important! Don’t

forget to get your flu shot and stay protected. Contact your healthcare provider or make an

appointment at our Brickie Clinic 219-945-9383

Sick students-

PLEASE KEEP ALL SICK OR SUSPECTED SICK STUDENTS HOME FROM SCHOOL.

PLEASE MARK THEM OFF IN SKYWARD. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: fever greater than

100.4 degrees, CHILLS, SORE THROAT, COUGH( especially new onset, uncontrolled

cough), DIARRHEA, VOMITING, HEADACHE( particularly new onset of severe headache,

especially with a fever) , NEW LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL, MUSCLE OR BODY ACHES

OR FATIGUE, CONGESTION OR RUNNY NOSE, SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR

DIFFICULTY BREATHING. If you are unsure, please call your healthcare provider or school

nurse for advice. Please do not send your student to school and instruct them to go directly

to the nurse before the school day begins. Again, if you have any questions or concerns

please contact your school nurse. For more information, please visit our website:

https://www.hobart.k12.in.us/protectbrickies

COVID-19 INFORMATION- SYMPTOMS/SICK AND RETURN SCHOOL POLICY

Notify your school immediately of COVID-19 symptoms or any exposure to a COVID-19

positive test: nurse@hobart.k12.in.us

COVID-19: When a student, faculty, or staff member can return to school (Indiana Department

of Health) Updated 8.25.20

Indiana COVID-19 Testing Sites - Added July 18, 2020

Click Here to access the Indiana State Department of Health's Indiana COVID-19 Testing Sites

Note: For each testing site, the following information is provided: Location, Scheduling Options,

Hours, Requirements to be Tested, Payment Options, Phone Number, Days/Hours of Operation,

Format of Testing Reporting.

Current Testing Sites in Lake County (As of July 18, 2020):

● Methodist Hospital-Southlake Campus - 8701 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410

● Family Urgent Care - 1217 US HWY 41, Schererville, IN 46375

● Methodist Hospitals-Northlake Campus - 600 Grant St, Gary, IN 46402

● NW Indiana ER & Hospital - 7904 Cabela Dr, Hammond, IN 46324

● Physicians Urgent Care Indianapolis - 10343 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland, IN 46322

● HealthLinc Community Health Center - 1313 W Chicago Ave, East Chicago, IN 46312

● ISDH Drive-Thru at Ivy Tech CC - 410 E Columbus Dr, East Chicago, IN 46312

● ISDH Drive-Thru at Oliver P. Morton High School - 6915 Grand Ave, Hammond, IN 46323

COVID-19: When to Isolate (ISDH Resources) - Added 8/12/2020

COVID-19: When to Quarantine (ISDH resource) - Added 8/12/2020

.

Handwashing

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from

getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

How Germs Spread

Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal

infections from one person to the next. Germs can spread from other people or surfaces

when you:

● Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

● Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands

● Touch a contaminated surface or objects

● Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or

common objects

Key Times to Wash Hands

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often,

especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

● Before, during, and after preparing food

● Before eating food

● Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

● Before and after treating a cut or wound

● After using the toilet

● After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

● After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

● After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

● After handling pet food or pet treats

● After touching garbage

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, you should also wash your hands

● After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may have

been frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps,

shopping carts, or electronic cash registers/screens, etc.

● Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs enter our

bodies.

Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread

of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and

throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and

hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply

soap.

2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your

hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday”

song from beginning to end twice.

4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Why? Read the science behind the recommendations.

Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water

You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and

water are not available.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If

soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that

contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by

looking at the product label.

Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,

● Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.

● Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

● Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and

heavy metals.

Caution! Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than

a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise

their use .

How to use hand sanitizer

● Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct

amount).

● Rub your hands together.

● Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

This should take around 20 seconds

C DC’s Handwashing Campaign: Life is Better with Clean Hands

CDC’s Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign encourages adults to make handwashing

part of their everyday life and encourages parents to wash their hands to set a good

example for their kids. Visit the Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign page to download

resources to help promote handwashing in your community.

For more information on handwashing, visit CDC’s Handwashing website or call

1-800-CDC-INFO.

Vaccinations - All students SHOULD be up to date on their vaccinations. Indiana state

law requires you to have up to date immunizations. If you have any questions or concerns

about the new school year 2020-21 requirements, please contact your school nurse.

Health Conditions- If your student has a specific health condition or needs special

care during the school day such as medication, treatments, or monitoring, please inform

your school nurse and provide your nurse with a care plan. Individual health care plans help

keep your student safe and healthy .

Head Lice - It’s that time of year where our students break out their coats, scarves and

hats. Please encourage your child not to share such items as hats, scarves, brushes or any

personal items. Lice is not a danger to your child’s health, it is simply an annoying problem

that comes around this time of year, so no need to panic. Please know that anyone and

everyone can get lice. Getting lice has nothing to do with you being clean or dirty, it only has

to do with the fact that you are human. It is very important to check your family for lice this

time of year regularly. If you find any live lice or eggs, it is absolutely necessary to treat each

“infected” person, but more importantly, you must notify the school so that we can

effectively and confidentially assist you with monitoring. The school nurse can assist you

with proper treatment options as well as identify and demonstrate for you what to do.

CLOTHING- Please make sure your student has an extra change of clothing in his/her

backpack incase needed for unseen circumstances that may arise during the school day .

If you have any questions, please call your school nurse or visit our school web page

at http://www.hobart.k12.in.us for more information on student health, school forms,

and other helpful links

Notify your school immediately of COVID-19 symptoms or any exposure to a COVID-19

positive test: nurse@hobart.k12.in.us

Indiana COVID-19 Testing Sites - Added July 18, 2020

Click Here to access the Indiana State Department of Health's Indiana COVID-19 Testing Sites

We have a great opportunity to earn rewards for the ELC! If you shop at any of the Strack and Van TIl stores and send in your receipts to the ELC, our school will earn reward points that we can redeem for all sorts of supplies we can use in our classrooms. The ELC will keep track of all the receipts and account for them online on the website for this program. Thank you for you support!

Email: sgutierrez@hobart.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.hobart.k12.in.us/elc
Location: 400 North Wilson Street, Hobart, IN, USA
Phone: 219-942-7263
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hobart.k12.in.us/