SM Early Childhood Education Center
February, 2021
Administrative Team
Tracy Smarr-Dolezal, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
In the News
From the Principal's Desk
Hello!
It's February and things are going well at SMECEC.I love being the principal here! I have the advantage of popping in classrooms and seeing all of the amazing things that are going on. Your children are growing and doing some wonderful work as they build onto their current strengths and continue to work toward their goals. They are gaining independence, showing us their creativity, and building skills for future academic success. It is so much fun!! I hope you are seeing this growth at home as well. Thank you for partnering with us ,and giving us the opportunity to care for your child and support you during these crucial years. It truly is a delight!
And to that end, thank you to everyone who voted YES for our bond issue!! I am so excited that we will now be able to update our building to meet the needs of the littlest learners here in Shawnee Mission!! You can't imagine how wonderful it will be to have sinks that are at the right height for them to wash their hands independently and other upgraded facilities creating spaces just for them. Thanks again!!
Important Calendar Reminders
February 11th- Valentines Celebrations
February 15th- No School, President's Day
February 16th- No School, Professional Development Day
New Calendar
On Monday, January 25, the Shawnee Mission Board of Education approved a revised calendar for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. A copy of the calendar may be found on the district’s website. Barring unforeseen circumstances that would prevent SMSD from holding classes, here is a brief summary of the changes in the new calendar:
- Friday, March 19 – No school, professional learning
- Wednesday, May 26 – Last day for Pre-K
- Graduation ceremonies
- Monday, May 24: SME @ North Stadium 7:00 PM; SMS @ South Stadium 8:00 PM
- Tuesday, May 25: SMN @ North Stadium 7:00 PM; SMW @ South Stadium 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, May 26: Horizons @ Horizons 6:30 PM; SMNW @ North Stadium 7:00 PM
- Thursday, May 27 – Last day for grades K-11 (early release)
- Friday, May 28 – Teacher Workday/Last day for staff
Valentine's Day Parties
We are looking forward to helping the children celebrate Valentine's Day on February 11th. Due to COVID we will continue to follow the district protocol allowing classrooms to exchange valentine's day cards, but no food items can be brought in or attached. At this time parents are not allowed in the buildings to attend a party. Because of this each individual classroom may be planning a little something different for that day, so please follow up with your child's teacher to know exactly what to send and how they will be celebrating.
Bus Information
Snow Days
Student Absences
If your child is ill or needs to be absent for any reason, please be sure you are calling the school nurse and notifying her of those absences at 913-993-2602. Thank you to everyone who has called so far this year, and especially those who have alerted us to potential COVID exposures. Communication is key to keeping us all healthy.
Daily Covid Assessment
Prior to coming to school each day, it is important to monitor your student for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. For the health and safety of all students and staff, please conduct a Daily COVID-19 Assessment, looking for new to your child health concerns, not ones that are present due to allergies or another health diagnosis.
It is not necessary to report the assessment has been completed unless you are reporting a YES response to attendance and/or the school nurse. Please call the attendance line if your child is staying home, state their symptoms, and contact your building nurse at 913-993-2602 if you have any questions.
Daily COVID-19 Assessment
In the past 24 hours, has your student had any of the following symptoms?
1. Fever (temperature of 100 or above) * 8. Fatigue
2. Cough 9. Runny nose
3. Shortness of breath 10. Congestion
4. New loss of taste/smell 11. Muscle/body aches
5. Sore throat 12. Nausea
6. Headache 13. Vomiting
7. Chills 14. Diarrhea
*If you do not have access to a thermometer, please contact the school nurse for assistance.
Per current JCDHE Isolation Protocols:
If yes to one symptom 1-4, your student must stay home 10 days or get a note from a physician to return.
If yes to two symptoms 5-14, your student must stay home 10 days or get a note from a physician to return.
NOTE: Contact your school nurse before returning to school regarding up-to-date JCDHE guidelines as the above information may change.
· In the past 14 days, has your student been within 6 feet of someone for 10 minutes or greater who was diagnosed with COVID-19? If the answer is YES, stay home and contact your school nurse for additional instructions.
· In the past 14 days, has your student had contact with the mucous/saliva of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19? If the answer is YES, stay home and contact your school nurse for additional instructions.
· Is your student asymptomatic, but waiting on results from a COVID test? If so, stay home until test results are known. Notify your school nurse of your results before returning to school.
· Has your student traveled to a location requiring quarantine? If the answer is YES, quarantine (stay home) for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, stay home and contact your primary healthcare provider. See link below for the latest travel quarantine information.
https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran
Food Service
Did you know your child can receive a free hot breakfast or lunch when at school? We take time at the start of each session to eat as a group to practice language and social skills during a preferred activity. The AM session eats breakfast, and the PM session eats lunch. All school meals are free right now due to a grant from USDA.
The school breakfast and lunch menus, pick up meal information, and other nutrition information is available on the district’s website at: https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/food-service.
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
Email: carlaheintz@smsd.org
Website: earlychildcenter.smsd.org
Location: 6701 West 83 Street, Overland Park, KS, 6USA
Phone: (913)993-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shawnee-Mission-Early-Childhood-Education-Center-101802735143826
Twitter: @theSMECEC