Early Childhood Happenings

St Charles CUSD 303 Early Childhood Department

January 2023

This monthly publication will provide you with events and tips we think you might find useful as you raise your young child/ren. Please contact Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator, with any questions or if you are looking for additional resources, information, or supports for your child or family.


tricia.sabathne@d303.org

331-228-5727

Preschool Program Lottery

Please Note: Currently enrolled Fox Ridge Community Preschool (fee-based) students do NOT need to be entered into the lottery. The lottery is for enrolling NEW students in our Community Preschool (fee-based) for 2023-24.

Kindergarten Enrollment

There is NO FEE for enrolling at this time (school fees are charged in the summer). Enrolling during February helps you be informed of all events related to your child's new school AND helps the district plan for the upcoming year. Please encourage friends and neighbors to enroll children who are eligible for kindergarten for next year as well. Help us spread the word!

TIPS FOR YOUR FAMILY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Brain-Building Through Play

Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Children from Harvard's Center for the Developing Child

Simple games to play with your child at ages 6, 9, 12 & 18 months and 2-3 years to promote brain-building.

ST CHARLES AREA FREE EVENTS

St. Charles Public Library

St. Charles Public Library

Upcoming programs- free & no registration required. Ages 7 & under with a caregiver

  • Jan 17 Starrytime LIVE! from 6:30 - 7 PM in the Helen Gale Story Room
  • Jan 21 Express Yourself! from 3 - 3:45 in the Miller Haase Community Room
  • Jan 22 Big Blue Block Party from 12 - 4 PM in the Hellen Gale Story Room
  • Feb 3 Twinleaf Tales from 10-10:30 at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
  • Feb 8 Stories at the Nature Center from 10:30 - 11 AM at the Creek Bend Nature Center at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve


Drop-In Story Time in the Miller Haase Community Room

Mondays: Jan 16, 23, 30 & Feb 6 from 10-10:30 AM

Thursdays: Jan 19, 26 & Feb 2, 9 from 10-10:30 AM

St. Charles Public Library Programs

St. Charles Public Library

St. Charles Public Library: Birth - Grade 8

St. Charles Park District

Starnet Family Webinars

Inclusive Education Series for Families

Inclusive Education Series for Families

Join us for the Inclusive Education Series for Families.


January's session focuses on Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Inclusive Practices. What LRE is and how it is connected to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) will be the focus. There will be a guest speaker from an Illinois advocacy group.


Click on this link to register for the January 19 session, 6:30 - 7:30 pm via Zoom: "LRE & Inclusive Practices."


February's session focuses on the Benefits of Inclusion. A special guest family member of a young person with a disability will share their story and insights.


Click on this link to register for the February 16 session, 6:30 - 7:30 PM via Zoom, "Benefits of Inclusion."


Register for each date individually (6 session series). Whether you attend all or a few, this series will support you on your journey of inclusion and provide resources for your child.

Inclusive Education Series for Families

⭐FAMILIES: Working Successfully with Schools to Support Selective Mutism

January 23, 2023 - 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Register Here

In order for a child with Selective Mutism to have effective intervention, a team-based plan including the parent and school is necessary and vital. However, schools may not know how to support a child with Selective Mutism, and parents may not be aware of impactful advocation strategies. Dr. Aimee Kotrba will highlight the most helpful intervention strategies for use in schools, provide information about special educational plans, and provide ideas for working together as a team for the best outcomes.

Presenter: Aimee Kotrba, Ph.D.

** This event is being presented thanks to a generous grant from the TJ Maxx Foundation. No CEs will be provided for attending. **

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

St. Charles (Tri-City) Salvation Army

St. Charles (Tri-City) Salvation Army

Did you know the Salvation Army St. Charles (Tri-City) Community Center has a food pantry? Eligible families receive food as well as diapers, if needed, monthly. To access the food pantry, registration is required and visits to the pantry are by appointment only.


The Salvation Army St. Charles (Tri-City) Community Center
1710 S. 7th Avenue
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 377-2769 | Fax: (630) 377-2849

St. Charles (Tri-City) Salvation Army
Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Pantry & Pop Up Markets (Drive-thru model)

Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Pantry & Pop Up Markets (Drive-thru model)

All Drive Thru Models. No ID or documentation needed. First come, first served while supplies last.


  • Jan 24 in Elgin at Buena Vista Apartments, 1287 Fleetwood Dr (behind building 1213) from 4 - 5:30 PM
  • Jan 28 in Aurora at Our Lady of Mercy, 701 S. Eola Rd, from 4:30 - 6 pm
  • Jan 30 in Wheaton at Immigrant Solidarity, 311 S Naperville Rd, from 4 - 5:30 pm
  • Feb 7 in Elgin at the Old Sherman Parking Lot, 901 Center St, from 4 - 5:30 pm
  • Feb 15 in Aurora at Our Lady of Mercy, 701 S. Eola Rd, from 4:30 - 6 pm



Get Groceries & Resources

Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Pantry & Pop Up Markets (Drive-thru model)
Inclusion: Meeting Special Needs

Inclusion: Meeting Special Needs

The St. Charles Park District welcomes participation in all activities by individuals with disabilities and special needs by working cooperatively with the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. The District is committed to inclusion by providing public recreation services in the most integrated setting, providing to the maximum extent feasible for interaction between people with and without disabilities.
Inclusion: Meeting Special Needs
Did You Know?

Did You Know?

You can receive 3 months of childcare while you look for work or attend school?

If you are employed at a childcare center or childcare home, you can receive $1 copay

There is no copay for families that are displaced?

Learn more about financial assistance


Find Childcare & Early Learning Programs Near You

illinoiscaresforkids.org

Did You Know?
Kane County Family Resource Guide

Kane County Family Resource Guide

Kane County All Our Kids (AOK) Network resource guide. Includes phone numbers for crisis intervention, dental care, counseling & behavioral health, child safety, counseling & behavioral health, food & nutrition, emergency shelter, and more.
Kane County Family Resource Guide

Home Visiting Services

Kane County offers free, family-focused home visiting programs that help parents guide their children to succeed in school and life. Contact kanehomevisits.org for more information.
Illinois Action Home Visiting Services
ReferralGPS

An anonymous easy to use secure website to locate Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Resources. This resource is provided in partnership with St. Charles District 303 and available to all students, parents, and staff.