Early Learning Center Family News
February 2022
Translate Newsletter / Traduce Boletín
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Contact Information
Email: firststeps@emsd63.org
Website: emsd63.org/firststeps
Location: 10000 Dee Road, Des Plaines, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 827-4165
Twitter: @D63_FirstSteps
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, February 8th
- Vision & Hearing Screening
- No School for Preschool- School Improvement Planning Day
- No School - Presidents' Day
Thursday, March 3rd
- Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 PM
Dear Preschool Families,
An email went home earlier this week regarding the Virtual Parent Participation Day on February 11th. Preschool students do not have school on this day. If you would like to participate in this virtual event please submit your RSVP by Monday, February 7th.
Thank you all for your continued partnership and support!
Sincerely,
Barb Golik
Principal
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Please help us in creating a smooth transition to and from school by reviewing these arrival and dismissal procedures. Safety is a top priority of the preschool staff.
Parking Lot Guidelines: Following the school's traffic patterns in the school zone provides for a safe environment. There are designated pick-up and drop-off zones for students which do not interfere with bus traffic. Please click here for the map. A few safety reminders:
- For drop off and pick up, enter the parking lot from the drive located off of Harrison Street. Cars will proceed down the drive alongside the Early Learning Center.
- Make a right turn to enter the parking lot of the Early Learning Center.
- Park your car in a parking spot and walk your child to the arrival and dismissal door that your child’s class is assigned to. Please use the sidewalks.
- As you proceed through the parking lot, please be sure to drive slowly as we have many students and families crossing to get to their cars. New signs were installed as a reminder to slow down.
- To exit the parking lot, please proceed to the exit that is located off of Dee Rd.
- Schools zones are also cell phone free zones. This means that any cell phone use, even hands free, is prohibited.
Arrival
- Doors will open 5 minutes prior to the start time.
- AM Session starts at 8:40 AM (doors open at 8:35 AM)
- PM Session starts at 12:15 PM (doors open at 12:10 PM)
- Stand on a white spot while waiting to enter the building (to avoid overcrowding at the doors).
Dismissal
- All students will exit at 11:10 AM or 2:45 PM
- Stand on a white spot while waiting for students to exit (to avoid overcrowding at the doors).
- A teacher will call your student to the door when you reach the front of the line (please do not wave your student over to the door to exit).
Vision and Hearing Screenings
We want to inform you that Vision and Hearing Screenings will take place at the Early Learning Center on Tuesday, February 8th. If you have any questions please contact our school nurse.
Leslie White, 847.493.8573
Groundhog's Day Choice Board
Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey
To take the survey visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. When searchng for the school we are: Early Learning Center-Des Plaines (10000 Dee Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016).
Valentine's Day Information
With Valentine's Day coming up in February, we wanted to inform parents/guardians that students will have the opportunities to participate in a small classroom celebration on Monday, February 14th. Due to health and safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sharing of food will not be part of our classroom celebrations. Students may, however, bring Valentine's cards or other non-food items to distribute to their classmates if they so choose.
Your child's classroom teacher will be sharing more information in the upcoming weeks.
Clean Up, Give Back
- Review this flyer letting you know what items we are collecting.
- Starting the week of February 7th, students will decorate boxes that will be located in our building and the front foyer inside Door #1.
- The week of February 14th we will start collecting the plastic bags and dropping them into our collection boxes.
Winter Weather Emergency Closing Information
Winter is here -- and that means there may be times when District 63 schools close due to weather-related conditions or other emergency situations.
This year, that doesn't mean learning will stop! When our buildings close, "school" will simply pivot to remote learning for that day. Because students are already equipped with District Chromebooks, making the temporary shift to remote learning should be fairly seamless.
- For more information click here
Winter Weather Reminder
- As the temperatures become colder each day, we want to remind families to please send students to school dressed appropriately for the weather.
- Our students spend 20-30 minutes outdoors on most days. Students go outside between 25° F and 90°F.
- If your child is in need of winter clothing (coats, mittens, hats, boots, etc) please contact the Early Learning Center office at 847-827-4165 or firststeps@emsd63.org.
Extra Masks for Students
- Parents we ask that you please send your child to school with extra masks daily.
- Masks can be disposable or cloth.
- If you have any questions about masks please contact the Early Learning Center Main Office to speak with the principal.
Parents: Make a Difference at Your School!
- Teacher subs earn $160/day and Teacher Assistant subs earn $130/day. Lunch Supervisors earn $26.83/hour.
We welcome parents who would like to join our Team D63! Subs must hold a four-year college degree - and obtain an Illinois Substitute License. Learn more and apply today!