CES Judy Center Newsletter
March 2024
Calvert Elementary School Judy Center Early Learning Hub
Calvert Elementary School
1450 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
443-550-8728
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074827811268
Twitter: The Judy Center Early Learning Hub at CES
@JudyHoyerELHCES
Judy Center at CES March 2024
Collaboration and partnerships with the community lie at the heart of Maryland's Judy Center Early Learning Hubs. Judy Centers are not childcare centers but a comprehensive hub where families can participate in family learning experiences and receive services and support. In Title I and high-needs elementary schools in every Maryland jurisdiction, Judy Centers empower a child's first teachers - their families - by supporting child development and early learning skills for our youngest learners from birth to kindergarten.
The Judy Center Eagle Nest Program
Have you been attending Judy Center programs? Time for your family to get some rewards!
The CES Judy Center announces the "Eagle Nest". This program allows you to earn rewards as you attend Judy Center programming.
Eagle Nest Levels
Red Eagle: 3-8 Events Attended
Blue Eagle: 4-8 Events Attended
Gold Eagle: 9 or more Events Attended
Families will receive incentives as they level up!
Want to join the "Eagle Nest" program? Contact the Judy Center at:
vercoea@calvertnet.k12.md.us or 443-550-8726 to join!
~ Events ~
Cooking with Kara - March 2024
Cooking with Kara is back and we are super excited to whip up some tasty, nutritious, healthy dishes with you!
Join us for the virtual cooking class where Kara will walk you through preparing each month's chosen recipe. She'll offer you tips and tricks along the way!
This month's recipe is: Garden Stir Fry. To sneak peek the recipe, click the attachment below.
The CES Judy Center will provide ingredients to confirmed registrants. Ingredients will be available for pick up at the Judy Center Trailer prior to the event. Once your registration has been confirmed by a Judy Center staff member, you will be sent a link to join online and details regarding ingredient pickup times and dates.
Space is limited and registration is required. Registration numbers will be capped. To register, please click here:
March 1, 2024 is National Pig Day!
Fun Facts on National Pig Day!
1. Pigs are believed to be one of the smartest animals! Only the chimpanzee, dolphin and elephant are ranked smarter in the animal kingdom. According to scientists, the intelligence of pigs is comparable to dogs and a 3-year-old human child! Pigs are easier to domesticate than dogs and they have been trained to do some pretty cool things including play video games, distinguish smells, use a litter box and recognize symbols. They even understand mirrors are reflections and not windows. We don’t just love them for their beauty but also for their brains!
2. Contrary to what most believe, pigs are very clean animals. They keep their toilets far from their living or eating area, and teach their piglets to relieve themselves. So no, your dirty bedroom is not like a pig sty! Pigs don't simply want to be clean; they know that being clean will keep them healthy.
3. Pigs don't like to fight. It's very rare to see aggression amongst pigs, and when it does occur—for example when there's a scuffle over a piece of food, or the best place in the shade—scientists have observed that a third pig will often step in to break up the fight! After they fight, the same study found that pigs will make up: once they've calmed down, both the victim and the aggressor of the fight lie down together and rub their noses until they're friends again.
4. Mama pigs will sing to their piglets. Scientists have figured out that newborn piglets have already begun to know their mother's voice from one day old. And they soon learn to come when they're called, especially when it's time to eat: newborn piglets run toward their mother's voices. They love to talk back to their mothers, too; scientists have seen piglets running to their mother's snout after feeding, to rub their snouts together and grunt. Thanks, Mom!
5. Pigs have SUPER taste buds! Pigs have 15,000 taste buds compared to the 9,000 of a human being.
~ Playgroups ~
Please note that registration is required for all playgroups
Baby Eagles Playgroup
Baby Eagles playgroups will be held at the Judy Center trailer (1450 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20615)
* All playgroups will be held at 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
* Playgroup is open to children ages 0 to 12 months old.
* Space is very limited and registration is required. If you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so that we may offer your spot to a family on our waiting list.
DATES:
March 5, 2024 at 10AM at the Judy Center Trailer
To register, please click here:
Little Eagles Toddler Playgroup
ATTENTION: This group has become so popular we are splitting this playgroup in two in order to better accommodate our families!
We are also capping attendance at each session to 6 families.
New times will be from 9:45AM-10:20AM and 10:30AM -11:05AM. Please choose one time per date.
Little Eagles Toddler Playgroup at the CES Judy Center
Come play with us! We will read a book, craft, play and make new friends!
DATES:
March 14, 2024:
Playgroup Session #1 - 9:45AM - 10:20AM at the Judy Center Trailer
Playgroup Session # 2 - 10:30AM - 11:05AM at the Judy Center Trailer
Registration is required. To register:
Playgroup Session # 1:
https://forms.office.com/r/DHTzXjP8Zb
Playgroup Session # 2:
Let's Play Playgroups
All playgroups will be held at Let's Play Indoor Playgroup located in the Giant Foods shopping center at 735 Solomons Island Rd N, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
* Please choose one date per month as this is very popular playgroup.
* Space is very limited and registration is required. If you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so that we may offer your spot to a family on our waiting list.
PLEASE NOTE: Completion of this registration form does not secure a spot. You will receive a follow up email confirmation of your registration or notification that you will be placed on our waitlist.
DATES:
March 11, 2024 at 9AM
March 22, 2024 at 9AM
To register, please click here:
Kids Art Skool
We are excited to announce our new partnership with Kids Art Skool!
Baby Paint-N-Play Playgroup
Join us for a sensory play and art exploration class! All materials will be taste safe, multi-sensory and chosen specifically to aid in your baby's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Dress for a mess!
This playgroup is open to ages 9 months to 18 months.
Dates: Multiple Dates
When: 9AM - 10AM
Where: 301 Steeple Chase Drive, Suite 105, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
If you would like to register for Kids ArtSkool, please contact Tiffainy Stevenson at: stevensont@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Calvert Library Hatchling Store Time Program
We are excited to announce partnership with Calvert Library and Mother Goose on the Loose to provide a new story time experience. This story time is for expecting families to age 18 months. Please register withe Judy Center using the QR Code (see attachment).
Date: Monday, TBD, 2024
When: 10AM
Where: Judy Center Trailer
Space is limited and registration is required.
To register:
Tot Fit Playgroup
Come join us for a new playgroup!
It's never too early to start promoting a healthy lifestyle and physical activity.
Tot Fit is designed to introduce young children to exercise in a fun and interactive way. These activities help develop gross motor skills, improve balance and coordination, and promote a positive attitude towards physical activity.
In addition to the physical benefits, Tot Fit also promotes socialization and can help with cognitive development. Toddlers can learn important concepts such as following directions, taking turns, and problem-solving while participating in these activities.
Tot Fit provides a great foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle. By starting early, children can develop a lifelong love of physical activity and reap the many benefits that come with it.
* Tot Fit - 4 Class Session * (this is a registration for all 4 sessions/dates):
- February 12th, 2024
- February 26th, 2024
- March 4th, 2024
- March 11th, 2024
* All playgroups will be held at 2-2:45PM
* Tot Fit playgroups will be held at the Harriett E. Brown Community Center
Registration is required.
To registration, please click the link:
Garrett Music Academy Playgroup
Join the Judy Center and Garrett Music Academy for a musical playgroup. Miss Krista of Garrett Music Academy will lead this musical playgroup. Come read a book, make some friends, make music and have a blast! Through the use of hand instruments such as shaker eggs as well as using the body like an instrument, to produce rhythmic sounds. This playgroup will help your child build language skills, increase their IQ, support music skills, improve social skills, while learning rhythm and other musical concepts, develops their auditory discrimination, builds fine motor and gross motor coordination, develops body awareness, builds social skills as they work together to create musical sounds and improve attention space and focus.
WHEN: Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10AM
WHERE: Judy Center Trailer
Registration is required.
To register: https://forms.office.com/r/cAvWW66Y3T
Little Builders Club
Little Builders Club Does your little one enjoy learning how things work and come to be? Children ages 3 to 5 years old are welcome to join us for this exciting program designed to promote curiosity, imagination and literacy, as well as math and science skills and kindergarten readiness. Children will engage in fun, age-appropriate STEM activities designed to enhance their skills and meet developmental milestones. Each monthly program will be themed and all supplies will be provided. This program is supported through a collaboration with the Calvert County Parks and Recreation Theraputic Recreation Team.
Please only sign up for one session as both sessions will be the same. Offering morning sessions 10-10:45 AM and evening session 6-6:45pm. All sessions will take place at the Harriett E. Brown Community Center.
__________
Morning Session:
March 4, 2023 10:00 am -10:45 am
To register, click here:
https://forms.office.com/r/jD9k12Yiaa
__________
__________
Evening Session:
March 7, 2023 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
To register, click here:
https://forms.office.com/r/fsCEe105cB
__________
Registration is required and space is limited.
The Vernal Equinox / First Day of Spring is March 19th!
⚠️ NEWS and NOTIFICATIONS⚠️
OFFICE CLOSINGS
The Judy Center Early Learning Hub at CES and the Calvert Diaper Bank will be closed on the following date(s):
Spring Recess - March 29, 2024
Important Changes to the Diaper Bank
⚠️ Changes to the Diaper Bank ⚠️
Effective February 1st, 2024 changes have been made to the Calver Diaper Bank.
- All families currently receiving assistance from the Calvert Diaper Bank will be required to reapply.
- Changes have been made to qualifying requirements.
- Families in need of diapers will need to contact the Diaper Bank each month to set up their pickup date and time.
- Diaper Bank contact Allison Vercoe by phone at 443-550-8726 or via email at: vercoea@calvertnet.k12.md.us
PLEASE NOTE:
- We are unable to serve walk-ins. Appointments only.
- You must contact the diaper bank via phone or email to ensure that we have sizes in stock.
- This is a monthly service, we cannot provide diapers more than once per family, per month.
- The Diaper Bank is a donation-based program and as such, our sizes and availability vary. We do not guarantee diapers will be available.
*** Resources ***
Calvert Diaper Bank
Did you know that the Judy Center is a hub for the Maryland Diaper Bank? The diaper bank provides support to families across Calvert County. Maryland Diaper Bank participants will receive 50 free diapers and a set of wipes each month. There are qualifications to be able to access the diaper bank. To see if you or another family qualifies, please contact Allison Vercoe at 443-550-8726.
Adult Education Services
Have you been thinking of finishing or continuing your education?
The Judy Center is offering resources to assist parents in starting Adult Education classes.
For more information contact the Judy Center at 443-550-8726.
Child Development / Special Education
Are you concerned about your young child’s development? Do you think your child has difficulty with movements, talking, understanding, learning, socializing, playing, or eating?
For more information, contact one of the following programs.
The Judy Center at Calvert Elementary School (Ages 0 to 5 years old). Call 443-550-8728 or 443-550-8726. Email us at: vercoea@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Infants and Toddlers Program (Birth to 35 months) Call 443-550-8405 for a developmental evaluation or visit the website at: Infants and Toddlers Program - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)
Child Find (35 months to 5 years/prekindergarten) Call 443-550-8373 for a developmental evaluation or visit the website at: Child Find - Calvert County Public School District (calvertnet.k12.md.us)
Calvert County WIC Program
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides healthy supplemental foods, as well as nutrition and breastfeeding education and counseling for pregnant and post-partum women, infants and children under age 5. The Southern Maryland WIC Program serves participants in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties at 5 sites located in White Plains, Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Solomons, and Prince Frederick.
To learn more about WIC: Pages - MD WIC (maryland.gov)
Judy Center programming is developed with funds from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood