SM Early Childhood Education Center
Carla Heintz, Principal
What's Happening
3 & 4- Picture Day
11- No School, Teacher Professional Development
18- Night Conferences 4-8 pm
26- Early Childhood Screening
31- Fall Party 10:30-11; 2:30-3:00
In the News
From the Principal's Desk
September has flown by as we have been busy learning and growing at SMECEC. It's hard to believe October is already upon us. As the weather get's cooler, please remember to dress your child appropriately for outdoor recess, unless it's raining we will be going out.
October is packed full of events here at SMECEC. Please be sure to note the dates at the top of this letter and watch for notes from your child's teacher for more information.
Looking ahead, November 11th will be our parent- child literacy night from 6-7. Please put it on your calendars now and plan to join us! In the meantime here are some hints and tips for building vocabulary skills when out shopping with your child:
Talk out loud to your child as you select items and put them in the cart. Use new descriptive words to describe the food such "These strawberries are red, and ripe." Ask your child to help you put them in the cart providing directions such as "put them beside the eggs", or "put them in gently". Have your child name the items in the cart to make sure you got everything to practice new names of foods they may have just learned
Parents you are always welcome in the building to see what is happening, and we want you here. However we do ask all parents to sign in the office and get a visitor badge before proceeding to the classroom and checking out through the office before you leave!
Notes from the Associate Special Education Coordinator
Hello SMECEC families! I am continuing the 18-19 school year as the Associate Coordinator of Early Childhood Special Education. It’s so great to be working with you again this year. I will focus on technology in the monthly newsletter throughout the school year. I will share how staff incorporate technology into the school day as well as share some tidbits for use of technology at home.
An overview of what the research says about using technology with early childhood students:
Try to make child’s use of technology interactive vs. letting students isolate themselves and playing on their own.
Try to find apps that keep your children active vs. passive-go outside to take pictures, find apps that require kids to follow physical directions
Limit 2-5 year olds to 1 hour per day of high-quality technology viewing and include an older sibling or an adult
Here is an app the staff learned about this month: Clips for Apple devices. Here are a few Android versions: Funimate Video Effects Editor, Magisto Video Editor & Maker, Quik - Free Video Editor
It’s a quick and easy way to “tell a story”. You could use it to make a personalized home schedule for your child, teach your child a new routine like going to eat at a restaurant, or to record and talk about a vacation or weekend trip you take. Give it a try and see what you think!
Finally, here are some great resources for you to check out:
Until next time: Learn, Teach, Reflect, Grow, Repeat!
Shari Hardinger
Notes from the School Nurse:
Get your Zzzzzzz's On!
Sleep is no less important than food, drink, or safety in the lives of our children. Although we all know this sometimes we get so busy with our daily schedules packed with school, after-school activities, social media, that bedtime is pushed back, mornings start earlier and nights may be anything but peaceful. Missing bedtimes may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Getting quality uninterrupted sleep allows your child to move through all of the different and necessary stages of sleep. Did you know that children between 3-5 years of age should get between 10-12 hours of sleep a night? This may seem like a lot but their little bodies are growing and recharging during this very important time. Sleep is the power source that keeps your child’s mind alert, calm, and ready to come to school rested and ready to learn. Healthy sleep allows positive brain development and appears to aid in the prevention of many learning and behavioral problems. As parents, it is our responsibility to be sensitive to and protect our children’s sleep, just as we do their safety and ensuring that they are fed and clothed. Start healthy sleep habits now for your children to give them the best start every day!
Marker Recycling Now Available
Early Childhood Screening
Do you have concerns about your preschooler’s development?
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 2018-19 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.
New Social Media Sites
We have new social media sites this year! Please feel free to follow us and like us!!
Twitter: @theSMECEC
Instagram: SMECECSMSD
Facebook: SMECEC.SMSD
Pinterest i: SMECEC SMSD
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: 9700 West 96th Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: (913)993-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/SMECEC.SMSD
Twitter: @theSMECEC