First Steps Newsletter
February 2021
Contact Information
Email: firststeps@emsd63.org
Website: www.emsd63.org/firststeps
Location: 10000 Dee Rd, Des Plaines, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 827-4165
Twitter: @D63_FirstSteps
Upcoming Events:
Monday February 15th
- No School for Students- Presidents' Day
Friday February 26th
- Preschool Supply Pickup 9:00-10:15 AM or 1:00-2:15 PM
- Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 PM
- No School for Students - Spring Break
A Note from Ms. Golik...
Hello First Steps Families,
In the coming weeks, students, parents, and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the seventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
- Effective Leaders
- Collaborative Teachers
- Involved Families
- Supportive Environments
- Ambitious Instruction
East Maine School District 63 has chosen to provide the optional 5Essentials parent survey. If at least 20 percent of preschool parents complete this survey, a parent supplement will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card.
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at the Early Learning Center and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Parents will be able to take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey from February 3 through April 2, 2020. To take the survey please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ reports, please visit https://illinois.5-essentials.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or 5essentials@uchicago.edu.
Sincerely,
Barb Golik, Early Learning Center (ELC) Principal
Message to Preschool Families about Valentine's Day
Notes from Ms. White (School Nurse)
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
It is never too early to encourage healthy dental hygiene for kids. Your child's teeth are at risk of decay as soon as they first erupt. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, tooth decay in children, also known as early childhood caries, is the most common chronic children's disease in the country. In some cases, severe tooth decay can result in tooth loss. The good news is that tooth decay is completely preventable. So what can you do to establish good dental health and hygiene for your child? It is as easy as following some basic guidelines.
Primary Tooth Eruption
Check your child's teeth. Generally, the first primary tooth erupts between 6 and 9 months of age, and by 3 years of age your child should have 20 primary teeth. If your child does not develop his first tooth by 9 months, you should see your pediatrician. Healthy primary teeth are white without spots or stains, and healthy gums are smooth and pink. If your child's teeth are spotty or stained, make an appointment with your dental care professional. The American Dental Association recommends that you make a dental visit six months after the first tooth appears, but no later than your child's first birthday.
Cleaning Primary Teeth for Optimal Oral Health
From birth to 12 months, you should gently wipe your baby's gums with a clean baby washcloth or gauze. When the first tooth appears, clean the surface using a baby toothbrush and water. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the best time to clean your baby's teeth is after breakfast and before bedtime.
For children 12-24 months of age, use a child-size toothbrush and a pea-size amount of toothpaste. Unless fluoridated toothpaste is explicitly recommended by your dentist or pediatrician, it is best not to use it until your child can safely spit to prevent ingestion of excessive amounts of toothpaste. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that fluoride is a safe, naturally occurring substance that is very effective in preventing tooth decay. If you do not live in a community that supplements the drinking water with fluoride, your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe a fluoride supplement. For children with a low risk of developing early childhood caries, supplements are not recommended, and other sources of fluoride should be sought.
Proper Brushing Techniques for Your Child
Flossing should begin only when your child has 2 teeth that are touching, which normally occurs around 2 to 2 1/2 years of age. Whereas children can brush independently by age 6, they tend to have trouble flossing until they are around 8–10 years old. An excellent tool that will aid your child while they learn how to floss is the floss holder. For older children, tying the ends of a piece of floss together to create a loop of about 10 inches will allow them to hold the floss between thumb and forefinger, thereby making it easier to floss using proper technique.
Most importantly, take care of your own teeth. Practice what you preach. You and your child can brush and floss together. Dental hygiene does not have to be a chore. Instead, it can be a fun bonding activity for you and your child.
To floss your child's teeth:
- Cut about 18 inches of floss.
- Wrap one end around one middle finger and the rest around your other middle finger.
- Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers, and gently insert it between the teeth.
- Curve the floss into a C shape, and gently move the floss up and down while keeping it pressed against the tooth.
- Floss all the teeth, and do not forget to floss behind the back teeth.
If you have any questions or I can be of assistance, please contact me at lwhite@emsd63.org or 847-493-6476.
YouTube Channel Read Alouds
Early Choice Parent and Video Sessions
These are one hour virtual events to lear ideas, tips and strategies to support learning throughout the day for your young children. The last session on February 27th addresses sleep. You can register at www.eclre.org.
This playlist was created for families with children birth to five, with and without disabilities. Videos feature families sharing their stories, examples of high quality inclusive practices and learning opportunities designed with families in mind.
Supply Pickup Friday 2/26
Niles-Maine District Library is Open!
Hours Open
To check out items, families can visit in person for browsing inside the building (with a mask of course) during these hours:
Monday-Friday:
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- 2-4 p.m.
- 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday
- 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
- 1-4:30 p.m.
Sunday
- Closed
Any hours not listed above the library is closed to the public. They close for some hours throughout the day for deep cleaning and for staff to take breaks, meetings, etc. since they're running on a skeleton crew (we work in teams).
No-Contact Holds
To place a hold on an item and pick it up using our contactless pick-up system, families can call the KidSpace department directly at 847-663-6623 OR place a hold online using our online catalog.
Another fun feature they have is called What's Next? which is a form that grown-ups can help their kids fill out if they're not sure what book they want to read next. They can share their interests with the library, and the library will help them find the perfect book to read!
District 63 Help Desk and Support
Follow this information to complete a help desk request.
Free Meals
Mondays & Wednesdays
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Gemini Middle School
Visit our website for pickup details.
Community Resources
During this challenging time, the district has put together this list of local resources for our families. We'll add new content as we learn more. Please visit the link here to discover community resources.