EECV Family Newsletter
December 2023
A Message from the Principal - Getting to know our 3 BEs
Hello EECV Families!
Did you know that each school in the district works with their students on learning ways to show our district's "3 BEs"; Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn? This work is part of our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. PBIS is designed to improve social emotional skills, academic success, and school climate through teaching of social skills and praise and encouragement. At EECV, our teachers talk with their students each day about what it means to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn. Classes practice kindness and helpfulness. Every day on our video announcements, I remind students about the 3 BEs and I often challenge them to show their 3 BEs to their family and teachers. Learn more about how we recognize our 3 BEs in a later section below. Hopefully you may see your child showing you the 3 BEs at home as well. Carryover from school to home is always our goal!
As the holiday season and winter begins, I wish you and your family peace and wellness. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. We hope to see you soon!
Please follow us if you are not already: Elyria Early Childhood Village;
https://www.facebook.com/EECVSchool/
Sincerely,
Jackie Plantner, Principal
plantnerjacqueline@elyriaschools.org
Myia Bruening, Secretary - brueningmyia@elyriaschools.org
Gissele Lugo, Secretary - lugogissele@elyriaschools.org
Jennifer Packman, School Nurse - packmanjennifer@elyriaschools.org
EECV Spirit Day Activities
EECV is planning Spirit Days during the weeks leading to Winter Break. Participation is optional. If you have any questions please reach out to your child’s teacher.
- Monday, December 11th - Holiday Headwear (Crazy Hat) and Festive Sock Day
- Tuesday, December 12th - Winter Wonderland - Wear blue and white
- Wednesday, December 13th - Candy Cane Day - Wear red & white.
- Thursday, December 14th - Holiday Character Day - Dress like Santa, elf, reindeer, tree, gingerbread man, etc.
- Monday, December 18th - Grinch Day - Wear green.
- Tuesday, December 19th - Pajama Day. Wear your weather appropriate pajamas. No slippers please
3 BE Shout Outs
EECV recognizes our students when they show kindness, friendship, safety, and following school rules through daily 3 BE Shout Outs. On our video announcements, our principal reads shout outs that staff members submit about particular students. Our goal is for every classroom to submit shout outs throughout the year. If a student receives a shout out on the announcements, a small post card is sent home to the family letting them know their child received a shout out. A picture of the post card is next to this article. If your child brings a shout out home, we encourage you to make a big deal about it! They deserve special recognition for their work. Connecting this recognition from school to home will hopefully strengthen their social skills in both. Thank you for your support!
EECV's 3 BEs!
Be Responsible - Follow school rules and be safe.
Be Ready to Learn - Be a good listener.
Exploring the 5 Senses with the Purple Room
The Purple Room is so excited to be exploring our 5 senses during the month of December. We use our senses to learn and grow and we encourage students to describe the things they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.
Some of the books we will be reading include;
- My 5 Senses, by Aliki
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin Jr.
- The Listening Walk, by Paul Showers
- I Hear a Pickle (and Smell, See, Touch, and Taste It, Too!), by Rachel Isadora
* Now is a great time to sign up for a Library card and help your child develop a love of reading! Encourage them to describe the pictures in books, make predictions about what might happen next, and retell parts of the story.
Sensory activities for home:
- Make homemade playdough with your child. Recipe: 1 cup Flour, ½ cup Salt, 2 tsp Cream of tartar, 2 Tbsp Oil, Food coloring, 1 cup Water -- In a medium saucepan, combine dry ingredients. Add liquid ingredients. Stir and cook over medium heat - stirring continually, until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. When cool, store in an air-tight container.
- Take a walk or drive and look at the holiday lights and decorations in your neighborhood!
- Make shaker bottles: Fill an empty water bottle with dried rice, beans, or pasta, buttons, rocks, or beads. Tape the lid shut and shake to music.
- Do a 5 Senses Scavenger Hunt (see picture)
Winter Fun at School and Home
Hello!! My name is Katie MacDonald. I am one of the Occupational Therapist’s at EECV. I have been an OT for 10 years and this will be my 5th year working with the district.
Every month or every other month the “Motor Team” likes to put on a fun and motivating Motor Time in the gym for each kiddo to participate in. This December we are going to put on a “Winter Wonderland” before Christmas Break. Here we will target gross and fine motor skills through play. The kids will have a chance to shovel snow, build an igloo, play in the Reindeer Games, build a snow man, go ice fishing and have a snow “paper” ball fight!!!!
I have added a few activities that you can do with your child over this Christmas Break!
Reminders from the Main Office
If your child will be absent, please call the main office at 440-284-8250 and report the absence. If we are away from the desk please leave a message with your child's name, homeroom, and your phone number. Thank you!
If you have an update to your address, phone number, or emergency contacts please call our office right away to ensure we have the most up to date information for the safety of your child. Thank you!
News from Nurse Packman
Cold and flu season is upon us, and monitoring your child for signs and symptoms of illness and knowing how to respond is vital. Children having difficulty breathing often show signs that they are not getting enough oxygen, indicating respiratory distress. It is important to learn the signs of respiratory distress to know how to respond appropriately. Here is a list of some of the signs that may indicate that your child is not getting enough oxygen:
Breathing rate. An increase in the number of breaths per minute may indicate that a person is having trouble breathing or not getting enough oxygen.
Typical respiratory rates for children, based on age range, are as follows:
Infant (0-12 months old): 30 to 60 breaths per minute
Toddler (1-3 years old): 24-40 breaths per minute
Preschooler (4-5 years old): 22-34 breaths per minute
School-aged child (6-12 years old): 18-30 breaths per minute
Increased heart rate. Low oxygen levels may cause an increase in heart rate.
Color changes. A bluish color seen around the mouth, on the inside of the lips, or on the fingernails may occur when a person is not getting as much oxygen as needed. The color of the skin may also appear pale or gray.
Grunting. A grunting sound can be heard each time the person exhales. This grunting is the body's way of trying to keep air in the lungs so they will stay open.
Nose flaring. The openings of the nose spreading open while breathing may indicate that a person is having to work harder to breathe.
Retractions. The chest appears to sink in just below the neck and/or under the breastbone and/or in between the ribs with each breath — one way of trying to bring more air into the lungs.
Sweating. There may be increased sweat on the head, but the skin does not feel warm to the touch. More often, the skin may feel cool or clammy. This may happen when the breathing rate is very fast.
Wheezing. A tight, whistling or musical sound heard with each breath may indicate that the air passages may be smaller, making it more difficult to breathe.
Stridor. A sound heard in the upper airway when the child breathes in.
Accessory muscle use. The muscles of the neck appear to be moving or your child's head is bobbing up and down when breathing in.
Changes in alertness. Low oxygen levels may cause your child to act more tired and may indicate respiratory fatigue.
The signs of respiratory distress may resemble other problems or medical conditions. Always consult a medical provider for any of these signs or concerns of breathing difficulties.
If you're unsure of where to start, try this symptom checker to help you determine if a healthcare visit is needed and what steps you can take to relieve symptoms at home.
Many childhood illnesses that lead to breathing difficulties are actually preventable. Talk with your pediatrician to make sure your child is up-to-date on vaccines, such as for influenza, pertussis and pneumococcus, and preventative medicines, such as the RSV monoclonal antibody, before your child is ill.
EECV T-Shirts
EECV is gifting each of our students an EECV spirit wear t-shirt this school year. These shirts were funded by our school fundraising efforts. We encourage our students to wear their EECV spirit wear shirt on their last school day each week! We are proud to be EECV Pioneers and hope your child is too!
Interested in picture retakes? Please call the school office for instructions!
Upcoming Events
- Thursday, 12/7/23 - Fall Picture Retakes
- Monday, 12/11/23 through Tuesday, 12/19/23 - Spirit Days
- Wednesday. 12/20/23 through Tuesday, 1/2/24 - Winter Break. NO SCHOOL
- Wednesday, 1/3/24 - School Resumes!
- Friday, 1/12/24 - Records Day, NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS
- Monday, 1/15/24 - Martin Luther King Day observed, NO SCHOOL
Elyria Early Childhood Village
Elyria Early Childhood Village
Email: plantnerjacqueline@elyriaschools.org
Website: www.elyriaschools.org
Location: 42101 Griswold Road, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: (440) 284-8250
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EECVSchool/
Twitter: @EECVschool