SM Parents As Teachers Newsletter
November 13, 2024
Update from Dr. Leigh Anne Neal
The Shawnee Mission School District strives to offer high quality services through the Parents As Teachers program. Please contact me, leighanneneal@smsd.org or 913-993-6412, with any questions or feedback regarding the program.
Over 5 years ago, Shawnee Mission Parents as Teachers participated in the Parents as Teachers Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process (QEIP). This endorsement insures that we are maintaining fidelity to the PAT model and delivering high quality services and, more importantly, truly making a difference in the lives of our children and families. Because of all our dedicated teamwork, strategic planning, and passionate service, we where designated as a Parents as Teachers Blue Ribbon Affiliate! Now, 5 years later, we are returning to this process! We will continue to deliver high quality services to children and families!
Welcome to our new Parents as Teachers Supervisor
Eny Quintanilla brings seven years of experience as a parent educator in Kansas City, KS Public Schools. She has experience working with a broad range of families across many of their funding streams including Bright Futures and MIECHV, and she is also bilingual. Prior to working as a parent educator, Eny’s experiences included serving as a counselor with KVC hospital and working as a paraeducator serving students with special education needs. Eny has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Avila University and a Master’s degree in mental health with an emphasis in family dynamics from Grand Canyon University.
Play Center Information
Shawnee Mission Parents as Teachers playgroups in the play center offer children an opportunity to build social skills and enjoy play time with their parents, model appropriate play and interact with other parents. The Parent Educators put forth a plan to bring families together inside at our Early Childhood Education Center play center.
As you arrive at the Early Childhood Education Center, please enter through Door 1, we will scan can your driver's license and give you a visitor badge. If technology works like it should, we will only need to scan your driver's license once.
The Play Center will be held on Fridays from 9 am to 11 am and/or Saturdays from 9:30 - 11:30 am. We are asking families to limit 1 hour of play time and please pick up before you leave. No Registration Necessary! See below for our Holiday schedule.
Evening Play Centers
Shawnee Mission Parents as Teachers want to reach out to those families who work and are not able to attend our Friday Play Centers. We have one more evening play center:
- Thursday, March 28 - 4:30 - 6pm
Saturday Play Centers
- Saturday, December 16 - 9:30 - 11:30
- Saturday, January 27 - 9;30 - 11:30
- Saturday, February 24 - 9:30 - 11:30
Reminders: Food and drink are not allowed in the play center. Please model clean-up skills with your child by putting toys away after play.
Please note the Play Center will be closed on Friday, November 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Making Play Dough with Dad!
Block Play Time!
Making Toast at the Play Center!
Storytime with Bradey
Friday, December 1 - 10:30 - 11am
PAT PTA Group Connections
Shawnee Mission Parent as Teachers and Shawnee Mission Parents as Teacher's PTA give parents a chance to apply their knowledge through parent-child interactions. Group Connections are one of the most important parts of our program. The classes offer parents the opportunity to build family engagement, build social and community networks, and enhance family and child outcomes. Mark your calendar! Here are some upcoming events:
- Stepping Stones (musical activity) - Saturday, December 2 - (4 sessions)
- PTA Holiday Take n' Make - Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9
- PTA Little Gym - Sunday, January 14, 2024 - 2pm
- SOCKS & BLOCKs - Saturday, January 20 - 9:30am
It's important that families register for some our events that way we can accommodate each families and give them are utmost attention. Equally important, is if you have registered and can't attend, to please give us at least a 24 hour notice. This way we can offer your space to another family who may be on a wait list to attend.
Join our Shawnee Mission PAT PTA
- All Parents as Teachers PTA activities are open to older siblings and children who have aged out of Parents as Teachers
- Once you purchased your annual PTA membership it offers your family continuation of activities for your children from 3 to 5 years of age.
- The PTA sponsors a clothing center to help supplement needs of families within the Shawnee Mission School District boundaries. Families can shop at no charge in this facility located at Broadmoor, 6701 W. 83rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66204
- Shawnee Mission Parents as Teacher's PTA is an organization where children thrive and succeed when parents are engaged and involved in activities with and for children. One way to be involved is to support your local PTA.
- Membership is for families in the SMSD with children 5 years and younger. Join our PTA and enjoy all events at no additional costs: JOIN PTA HERE
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
This gift is free! All you need to do is read. This program is eligible for all children under the age of five who reside in the Shawnee Mission School District. To enroll, call our office 913-993-9360.
Personal Visit Reminders
Personal safety is an important concern for everyone. To help ensure our parent educators' safety as we move toward the winter months, please leave outdoor lights on after dark and prepare a safe entrance to your home during icy conditions.
Make every attempt to keep your scheduled appointment. Some cancellations are unavoidable. Contact your parent educator if you need to cancel or reschedule. Personal visits are most effective when the room is as free as possible from distractions. Active children are NOT a distraction, but TV, stereo, and pets can be.
If you and/or your child is sick, please re-schedule your visit when both are feeling better.
Inclement Weather - The Shawnee Mission Parents as Teachers program follows the Shawnee Mission School District guidelines for inclement weather. If school is cancelled due to poor weather conditions, all PAT personal visits, play center, screenings, and PTA events will be cancelled. Your parent educator will contact you regarding home visits to be re-scheduled. Please watch you local news for school closings.