ELC Panda Press
Week of February 6, 2023
Reminder!
Kindergarten Information Night/Registration
Read Across America
Spotlight: Administration
Meet the Administration Team of the ELC!
Mr. Rich- After being the Principal at Hill-Roberts Elementary for the past six years, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to move across the city this summer to join the Thacher Elementary/Early Learning Center communities. Before joining the Attleboro Public Schools, I spent thirteen years in the Easton Public Schools. Nine of those years were as a 6th grade teacher at F.L.Olmsted School/Easton Middle School and then my final four years were as an Assistant Principal at the Richardson Olmsted School. I earned my Master's Degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College and my Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) in Educational Leadership and Management from Fitchburg State University. When I'm not at school, you can find me on courts/fields around southeastern Massachusetts watching one of my four children (ages, 10, 12, 14, 15) playing baseball, soccer or basketball.
Ms. Meg- I was ecstatic when the opportunity arose for me to become the Assistant Principal of the ELC and come "home" to the Attleboro Public Schools. I have been a Special Education Department Head in the Worcester Public Schools for the last 2 1/2 years and a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Attleboro (Coelho Middle School), Boston, and Worcester Public Schools for 13 years. While working in the schools, I also worked in the Early Intervention setting in the Worcester area for 9 years. I have a Masters of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Marywood University and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Worcester State University. Working with preschoolers is a passion as there is nothing like seeing the students learn something for the first time! When I am not at school, you can find me watching my 10 year old niece and 13 year old nephew at their various sporting events, at the beach in RI with a book in hand, or traveling to new places.
Ms. Janice- “Good Morning, Early Learning Center, this is Janice”. Now you have a face for the name! Mrs. Johnston is the Clerk at the Early Learning Center. She has a degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Northeastern University. Prior to starting with APS in 2016, she installed and supported Health Care Information Systems for 25 years throughout the US and Canada. Both of her children have attended and graduated from Attleboro Public Schools. From 2006 to 2022, she was an active Parent Volunteer serving on various PTO Boards at Hyman Fine, Wamsutta, AHS, serving on the APS Strategic Planning Committee as well as being a Girl Scout Leader. She and her husband have been married for 30 years and proudly raised their 22 year old daughter and 18 year old son in Attleboro. They adopted their dog Maxx in December from a local RI shelter. In her spare time, enjoys spending time with family, various outdoor activities, making handmade cards and donating 300-400 cards yearly to a Cards For Soldiers program.
Spirit Day
Looking for New Community Peers for Fall 2023!
Please sign up for a required developmental screening of your child for the Community Peer Program. The dates for screenings are Friday, March 3, 2023 and Friday, March 17, 2023. While the child is being screened, the parent/guardian will meet in the auditorium for a Parent Information Session with our Assistant Principal, Meghan Thomson, and our ELC Team Facilitator, Diane Diiorio. Prior to the screening, please fill out the Parent Questionnaire and Parent report. If you do not have access to a printer, we will have hard copies available for you the day of the screening.
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
Just a friendly reminder that James Street is a one way street once you hit our parking lot. Too many parents are driving down the one way and we have seen too many close calls. Please drive around the parking lot. We are asking this of our staff on both sides of the building as well.
If you are parking on the sides of James St please make sure your children are exiting the side of the car closest to the sidewalks. There have been many complaints about young children being in the middle of James St.
Arrival Times for the morning is 8:45a-8:55a. Dismissal is 11:25a-11:30a. We are asking that you respect the teachers and not let your children play close to the classroom windows after AM dismissal. Often times there is an evaluation or team meeting going on. We recognize that play opportunities are important for young children and we can direct you to the nearest park two blocks away.
Arrival time for the afternoon session is 12:35p-12:45p. Dismissal is at 3:10p-3:15p for Door 1, and 3:15p-3:20p for Doors 3 & 5. If your child normally comes on the bus but you are dropping off or picking up during the times your door is open please bring them to the door the class is at (Door 1, 3 or 5.)
If a student is not able to picked up off the bus or a parent is late picking up at dismissal your child will then go to ABACUS and a fee will be assessed.
Birthdays
Community News
All APS Community Fliers can be found within the Welcome Center website. To view this week’s fliers, including information from throughout Attleboro please visit the Welcome Center webpage or click here for current fliers.
Upcoming Important Information & Dates
February 13: TES/ELC Roller Skate Night- United Skates of America
February 14: Spirit Day: Wear an Outfit You Love Day
February 17: No School for ELC: Half Day for rest of District
February 20-24: February Break, No School
March 2: Kindergarten Information Night- 6:30p-7:30p at home schools (snow date 3/9)
March 3: ELC No School: Community Peer Screenings
March 7: PTO Meeting @6:30p
March 17: ELC No School: Community Peer Screenings
March 24: ELC No School: Half Day for rest of District
This Week in the ELC....
Early Learning Center
Email: mthomson@attleboroschools.com
Website: https://elc.attleboroschools.com/o/elc
Location: 160 James Street, Attleboro, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 223-1563
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thacherelementary