The Ocean Courant Staff Newsletter
Carelot Children's Center ~February 2019
A message from Holly Bevilacqua
Next Friday marks Carelot's 21st Birthday Celebration. I would first and foremost like to thank all of you for bringing us to 21 years! Your committment and dedication is appreciated more than I can express.
Each classroom will hold a birthday party in the afternoon for their children and families. Get creative- plan a game, a song, etc. CELEBRATE! Carelot will be providing Cupcakes for everyone! Can't wait to see your pictures of how your classroom celebrated. Post them on our facebook page or text them to me 860-460-8465.
Programming Calendar: I put out the programming calendar through June. Please be sure you have received a copy. I will also provide a web link in this newsletter for your convenience as well. Please read the theme list carefully. I have noticed that many of you are trying to add EVERY single ELDS component on your lesson plans. It is better to focus on 2-3 each week even though other activities may match up with other standards. If you look at the theme list at the beginning of the programming calendars, you will notice that I have included the Early learning standard that matches up with a concept in our curriculum. You can include this right on your lesson plans. You will also notice that our themes, even though are broken down into weeks, are really a monthly theme. I want to give you the opportunity to be able to spread out learning concepts throughout the month so the children can master them. If you have any questions in regards to curriculum, please don't hesitate to call, email or text me.
Celebrate you!
2/3- Hillary East Lyme
2/6- Andrea - north sub
2/8-Carmen- Clubhouse
2/10- Jen- Brooklyn
2/12- Katie - Waterford
2/12- Lauren- Clubhouse
2/16-Sunni- Chaplin
2/19-Hailey East Lyme
2/26- Taylor- Clubhouse
Thank you for your dedication!
Heather - Our Clubhouse Executive Director
Holly- Our Chief Operating Officer
Larry- Our Chief Executive Officer
11 years- Bonnie- Killingly Center
6 years - Jen- Brooklyn Center
3 years - Emily- Killingly Center
1 year-
Gina- Brooklyn Center
Andrea- North Sub
Slumber Club
Hot News-
How are we doing? Please share your thoughts and comments on any topic.
Submit answers to HR@carelot.net by February 25th! Winner gets $20 cash in their next paycheck!
January Winner: Congrats to Ms. Tasha for winning the question of the month for January!
Getting families involved
Reminders
Meal and Snack Times: Classroom teachers are to sit at the table with the children to foster communication skills, proper manners, use of utensils, etc. If possible, serve snack family style. Teach the children serving sizes and proper nutrition. Snack time is part of your curriculum, Make it a teaching experience too! 3.D.07
Paint and Glue Storage made easy:
Use Ketchup bottles– the kind with the squirt top. This works with paint or glue and makes it er6y easy to refill the children’s glue containers with not mess. You then can keep a small supply in your classroom to save you running to the art closet when you need a “fill up”
Lessons and Theme Boxes: It is important to have your theme boxes ready for your lesson plans. This allows for less wait time for the children if you are prepared. It also al-lows others that work in your classroom to be prepared as well. This is very important on those days that we have staff out sick — a sub should be able to jump right into your shoes! Leave lots of details in the folders! Instructions and Supplies that are needed as well to ensure that you are prepared and not leaving the children waiting.
Outdoor Play and Gross Motor Activities
Our curriculum includes so many ways the children can grow and learn. One being Gross Motor Activities. Winter sometimes can be difficult when it is too cold, however please encourage your families to bring outdoor clothing in so the children can get out and get some fresh air!
OUTDOOR PLAY AND WINTER WEATHER POLICY
It is the policy of Carelot Children’s Center, Inc. that all children who are well enough to be in attendance are well enough to participate in outdoor activities. Daily outdoor activities are planned for all children when weather permits. We will plan outdoor activities from 20 degrees Fahrenheit including the wind chill and above. Children will not be taken outdoors in severe and threatening weather. The CT Office of Early Childhood requires a daily amount of outdoor time for all children with the exception of infants. If children are dressed appropriately, weather conditions should not pose an illness threat. While children are in attendance at Carelot, it is expected that they participate in all aspects of the activities planned which includes outdoor play. During the winter months, time outside could be for up to 45 minutes at a time depending on the temperatures. It is a great way for the children to run off energy and get some fresh air even for 15 minutes each day. Families can help make the outdoor experience enjoyable and satisfying for their child and are expected to provide the following:
· Warm coat, hat, mittens, snow pants, shoes and boots.
· An extra pair of mittens, socks, pants, and shirt should be kept in their back pack to be used in case of wet or soiled clothing.
· LABEL all your children’s clothing.
NAEYC
Waterford is currently in the process of renewing -
Brooklyn just received their annual report approval on Feb. 1st!
Killingly's annual report is due April 1st !
Chaplin is good until October 2019!
IDEA TO ENHANCE YOUR CLASSROOM!
A great way to bring community into your classrooms is by saving everyday items like milk cartons, butter containers, etc and bringing them into your dramatic play areas. This is a great way to teach economics, reading, brands, etc.
Donations: Supermarkets/stores often put up decorations for holidays. Ask local stores to donate the decorations after taking them down! Instead of putting your old salad dressing bottles, tide containers, coffee containers etc. in the recycle bin, wash them out and add them to your dramatic play areas. This brings outside daily living into your classrooms!
Incentive Winners!!!! Congrats!
Facebook Interaction: January winner was Verna! She won a winter survival treat.
Policy Reminders
Take a vote to determine your Work Together Wednesday initiative.
Children develop their social skills when working together. Instead of assigning them a project outright, get your class involved from the very beginning by having the children choose what they’d like to do for Work Together Wednesday. By giving them a choice, children are more likely to be excited and enthusiastic about tackling a project with their peers from the very start.
Tasty Tuesday
Tasty Tuesday is more than just a day to have fun with food. Cooking lends to the development of children’s early learning skills just like music. In addition to learning math and literacy skills, Tasty Tuesday can teach children about healthy eating habits.
Get parents to contribute to your Music Monday playlist.
Music is credited with helping children develop math, language, and literacy skills at an early age. Music Monday is a day to encourage children to sing, clap, and drum along together to their favorite songs.
Here’s how to get parents involved:
If you consider the music of your childhood, tunes from your parents’ record collection will likely come to mind. Parents today have certainly followed suit. That’s why there’s a good chance you’ve got babies growing up on Bowie and kids who routinely belt out Adele in the backseat. So instead of simply telling parents that you’re introducing their children to music, ask parents if they’ve already done so. Then invite them to join in on the fun by sending a YouTube link to their favorite sing-along song from home. That way, you’ll have plenty of tracks to play on Music Monday.
Carelot Children's Center
Email: hr@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: 860-739-1993
Facebook: facebook.com/carelotctr