SM Early Childhood Education Center
February 2023
Administrative Team
Carla Heintz, Principal, Early Childhood Education Center
Tracy Smarr-Dolezal, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
From the Principal's Desk
It's February and we have a lot of activity happening at SMECEC this month! Parent teacher conferences are next week. If you have not signed up for one, please reach out to your child's teacher. We look forward to connecting with each of you and sharing with you the successes your child is having at school! Following conferences it's party time! We will be having Valentine's parties on the 14th and we invite you parents to join us. Again, reach out to your child's teacher for more details. I am so excited to see you all sometime this month!
Important Calendar Reminders
February 6-9- Superbowl Spirit Week- see daily events below
February 8th- Pictured Day rescheduled from 1/25.
February 9th - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30
February 10th- Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00-3:30
February 14th - Valentine's Day Celebrations- 10:20 -10:50 and 2:40-3:10
February 20th- No School, President's Day
Our building follows the district calendar and PreK schedule, with the exception of no school on Fridays. You can access the district calendar here. District Calendar 22-23
Super Bowl Spirit Week
To Celebrate the Chiefs heading to the Super Bowl we will be having a spirit week. Join the fun!
Monday, February 6th- Mahomes Monday- wear something that shows your BEL15VE
Tuesday, February 7th- Travis Tuesday- wear camouflage
Wednesday, February 8th- Winning Wednesday- Represent KC
Thursday, February 9th- Tailgate Thursday- Wear Red (since we don't have school on Friday) and a KC hat.
THANK YOU!!!
We asked and you responded!!
We received an amazing response to our request for pre-packaged snacks for our Teachers Tuesday Treat Trolly. See the picture below of your goodness!! The teachers have enjoyed it! Thank you to all who participated to help bring cheer and support to the staff!! We will continue to use the treat trolly each Tuesday as the snacks hold out!.
Thank you also to those of you who sent in $10 gift cards, those are being used as part of a drawing for our staff shout outs. Because of you parents, we have been able to spread some cheer to the staff this year!! You are so appreciated!
We continue to have need for snacks and gift cards so if you haven't had the opportunity to donate, please consider a donation sometime between now and the end of the year. Let's keep spreading cheer!
Thank you again!
Outdoor Recess
Please make sure you send your child to school with the appropriate outerwear for outdoor recess. We follow the district guidelines for outdoor recess which states that is the temperature is above 15 degrees, wind chill is above 0 and there is no moisture falling we will be outside. Winter coats, hats and mittens may be required.
Keeping Our Students Healthy
You may have recently heard news reports about increases of illness this fall, as is typical with this time of year. In SMSD, we have begun to see increases in absence due to illness with a few physician-diagnosed illnesses and many generalized symptoms.
One of the most important things to help decrease the spread of illness is for those who are not feeling well to stay home. If your child has a temperature of over 100.0 or has vomited or has had diarrhea, they must stay home. Students may return to school when they have been free from fever (without medication), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours.
Your child may also be ill but without these symptoms. They may have a sore throat, headache, cough, or generally not feel well. If you suspect illness, please keep your child home. If in doubt about sending your child to school, contact the school nurse or your child’s doctor
2022-23 School Meals
Food service will continue to offer breakfast and lunch next year. Unfortunately the USDA nationwide waivers allowing for free school meals for all students will conclude at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Prices will be as follows:
Elementary Breakfast: $1.55
Reduced $0.30
Elementary Lunch: $2.85
Reduced: $0.40
Families can complete a child nutrition meal benefit application to see if they qualify for free for reduced meal prices after July 1, 2022. The information and link will be on the Food Service web page after July 1 and families are encouraged to apply as soon as it is available so that any benefits the family may receive are processed prior to the start of the 2022-23 school year.
Breakfast
Breakfast is available each school day. The breakfast menu includes an entrée, grain, fruit and milk. Students are served all items to receive a full breakfast; including the required ½ cup of fruit.
Lunch
Lunch includes an entrée, grain, fruit, vegetable and milk. Students are served all of these five components on their lunch tray, including the required ½ cup fruit and/or vegetable.
Food Services has updated the School Meal Information flyer for parents. It is available on the main page of the Food Service web page and linked here for you convenience.
The “pig” symbol on the menu means that the item contains pork.
Menus, nutritional and allergy information are available online at https://www.schoolcafe.com.
Special Diet
If you have an allergy or specific dietary concerns, contact your school nurse for a medical form to be filled out by your doctor.
Food service information is available on the district’s web site at www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service or you can call the Food Service office at 913-993-9710.
Early Childhood Screening
SMSD offers an early childhood developmental screening which includes the areas of vision, hearing, problem-solving, personal-social development, gross/fine motor skills, and speech/language skills. The purpose of the screening is to identify children who may have substantial developmental delays and who may be eligible for special education services. SMSD’s Early Childhood Screening (ECS) is appropriate for children ages 2 years 9 months to 5 years old who reside within the Shawnee Mission School District boundaries.
How often are screenings offered?
Screenings for 2020-2021 occur monthly on a Friday morning and are by appointment only. Parent or other legal guardian must complete a request for screening and submit the required documents before an appointment is offered.
How do I request a screening for my child?
More information about the ECS program can be found on the district’s Early Childhood Special Education home page under Early Childhood Screening.
Connect with us via Social Media
We have new social media sites this year! Please feel free to follow us and like us!!
Twitter: @theSMECEC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THESMECEC/
Or search for #EarlyEDSMSD to see what's happening district wide in PreK!
Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center
