SM Early Childhood Education Center
November 2023
Administrative Team
Tracy Smarr-Dolezal, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
From the Principal's Desk
Important Calendar Reminders
October 31- Fall Parties 10:25; 2:40
November 9- Parent Smart Connections 6-7- see sign up below
November 20-24- No School, Staff PD and fall break
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
I Care, We Can
- Canned tomatoes, fruit, corn and peas
- Jello
- Dried baby food
- Cereal
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Peanut Butter
- Canned dinners and soups
Volunteer Support Needed
November Smart Start Parent Night
November 9th- tuning in to your child's emotions
January 25th- building routines for your child
March 7th- blowing your worries away, setting up a calm spot for your child and strategies for calming.
Participation will be limited to 40 families, and a sign up will be sent in a separate email. You do not have to commit to each session, you can pick and choose those that most interest you!
Sign up for November 9 here
SMSDE All Star District Recognition
Is there a SMECEC staff member that you see shine in your child's life on a regular basis? SMSD is seeking nominations for the district's All Star recognition. Nominations may be submitted using this link.
Resources from the Social Worker
National Autism Center @ May Institute FREE virtual trainings for parents and caregivers
10-month training series on a variety of topics to help families support children with autism
Free weekly emails with fun art activities from the team at Kaleidescope here in Kansas City
Social Emotional Tips for Families of Toddlers
5 one-page posters with strategies to use during daily routines
Johnson County Library Storytime Information
Learn more about the story time offerings at Johnson County Library locations
SMAC Clothing Exchange Schedule August-December
Gently used clothing and shoes for those within the SMSD boundaries
Pumpkin Patches in Kansas City
Check out this list of local pumpkin patches to celebrate the fall season
SMSD Parents as Teachers Event Calendar
Learn more about the Parents as Teachers PTA community events for SMSD families with young children birth to age 5. Follow on Facebook @SMSDPATPTA or Instagram @SMSD.PAT for event information and registration!
Thanksgiving Meal for Those in Need
New City Church will be offering Thanksgiving Meal kits this holiday season that will be delivered to your home on Sunday, November 19! The meal kits include a whole turkey (frozen), canned green beans, canned corn, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, instant potatoes, jarred gravy, boxed cake mix and frosting. New City has 100 kits to give and sign up will be on a first come, first serve basis.
LINK FOR FAMILIES TO SIGN UP: https://mynewcity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/627837
More Donations for the Teacher Treat Cart Needed!!
Thank you to all of the parents that made our Tuesday Teacher Treat Cart a reality!!! Please keep the items coming!! We are on our last cart of treats which will last us one more week. The staff here truly enjoy this simple act and look forward to Tuesday when the treat cart comes around . Without a PTA we rely on parents to send in items for that treat cart to make it a possibility. Please consider continuing to donate pre-packaged snacks to include on our cart. Some past favorites have been: individual bags of chips both regular and baked, individual bags of pop corn, such as smart pop, full size candy bars, and individual bags of cookies. Kirkland chocolate chip cookies is an all time favorite from Costco and we are out and could use some more!! But we encourage your creativity as you donate as well. Thank you again for making our treat cart happen!
Attendance
2023-24 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.
School Meal Accounts
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 2023-2024 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