SM Early Childhood Education Center
December 2019
Administrative Team
Carla Heintz, Coordinator of Early Learning
What's Happening
December
13- Early Childhood Screening (AM Only)
23-January 3 - No School for Students- Winter Break
In the News
From the Principal's Desk
We appreciate all of our families who joined us on a cold night for our literacy night in November. Thank you for taking the time to participate with your child and to help instill the joy of reading and encourage early literacy skills with us! It was fun to watch our students proudly show their families are school and to enthusiastically take part in the activities.
Thank you to our families who drop off students by car for your attention to safety, particularly in the front drive when buses are arriving and leaving. We appreciate you following the rules of the road as you drop off and pick up each day. Please be sure to have your child's hand and attention when walking near traffic or crossing the street/parking area. Thanks to everyone for helping to keep us safe.
As a reminder, please keep an extra set of clothes in your child's backpack to use in the event of an emergency and remember to change it to match the weather seasonally. In the event a child might need a change of clothes, we do try to keep extras on hand in the nurses office. If your child is sent home with clothes from the nurse, please wash them and return them to school at your earliest opportunity.
There will be no school December 20-January 3 due to winter break, teacher professional learning time and a work day. Enjoy this this time with your family and friends. You can keep the learning going over the break by finding fun ways to incorporate learning into daily routines. Have your child count out items at the store or to put into a recipe, say nursery rhymes when driving in the car, look for letters on store fronts, signs, or containers you put into the cart at the grocery store or choose a good book to share each day.
Please know how thankful I am to be able to partner with you and our great team of educators, service providers, and support team members to meet the needs of our students and to help our students develop a love of learning and to embark on their journey to success.
Coordinator's News
While long breaks from school and holiday events can be a fun and exciting time for most children, it can also create stress and confusion for some. In order for both you and your children to enjoy the upcoming winter break to it's fullest make sure you do your best to keep their daily schedule as consistent as possible. This includes naps and bedtime. Give your child down time away from the hustle and bustle of family activities and spend some quiet one on one time with them reading a book or snuggling. It also helps to talk to them and tell them about the events that will happen each day. Most importantly take care of yourself. If you are feeling stressed and over-extended it impacts your children as well.
Notes from the School Nurse:
Achoo….Not the Flu!!!
Let’s face it catching the flu (aka influenza) is miserable. So here are a few facts about influenza and what you and your family can do to help prevent it. First of all, influenza and the stomach flu are often thought to be the same thing. However they are not, influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. The influenza virus usually enters the body through mucus membranes in the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Flu symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, chills, body aches, tiredness, coughing, sneezing, and sore throat. Ways to prevent the flu: wash hands often with soap and water, avoid touching face, cover all sneezes and coughs with your elbow, and get plenty of rest and exercise. If you or your children get the flu, please stay home and take care of yourselves. Per earlier recommendations, please keep your child home for 5 days at onset of symptoms and until fever free for 24 hours. Please report your child’s absence to our attendance line, that number is 913-993-2688. Thank you for helping keep your family and our school healthy!
Please contact your child’s teacher for information about food allergies in the class prior to sending treats. Parents are welcome to come and share the snack time with their child. Please check with your child’s teacher to arrange the best time for you to arrive and check in and out of the office.
Connect with us via Social Media
We have new social media sites this year! Please feel free to follow us and like us!!
Twitter: @theSMECEC
@la_neal
Instagram: SMECECSMSD
Facebook: SMECEC.SMSD
Pinterest: SMECEC SMSD
Or search for #EarlyEDSMSD to see what's happening district wide in PreK!
Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center
Email: leighanneneal@smsd.org
Website: earlychildcenter.smsd.org
Location: 6701 West 83 Street, Overland Park, KS, 6USA
Phone: (913)993-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/SMECEC.SMSD
Twitter: @theSMECEC