ECDC Newsletter
February 2021
A Message from the Principal, "Miss Kelty"
Hello ECDC Families!
We are starting a voluntary free weekly COVID-19 testing program to help keep our students, staff, and community safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Regular COVID-19 testing of students and staff will lower the risk of the disease in our school by finding positive cases of COVID-19 quickly.
The testing program will also help identify positive cases in people who do not show any symptoms. As we continue to explore options for students to return to school for full and in-person instruction safely, this will allow us to add a safety measure while students are in-person.
We hope that you and your students will participate. The more students who participate, the safer our school will be!
What to Know
Participating students will be tested for COVID-19 once a week by our staff.
The program starts on 3/8/21.
The test is performed at school in the classroom.
The COVID-19 test is quick, easy, and it does not hurt. It is an anterior nasal test that gently swabs the lower inner nostril, and most students will be able to swab themselves. We will accommodate all students’ needs to help them be comfortable during the test.
The test is free. You do not need to pay for the test or have insurance to get the test.
The program is optional, but we hope you will participate in helping us stop the spread of COVID-19.
How can my student participate in the program?
To participate in the testing program, you need to sign a consent form for your student. You only need to sign up once to participate in this weekly testing.
There are two ways to sign up:
Sign up electronically by visiting this link: https://app.beacontesting.com/register/with-code?code=AVPUHN (This link is ONLY for your ECDC student! Each school has their own unique link)
Request to have a paper form sent home by contacting the main office. Sign the form and send it in with your student.
Families can sign up or cancel at any time by contacting the school’s main office.
Please feel free to reach out to me at Kelleyk@franklinps.net , our school nurse, Suzanne Roma (romas@franklinps.net ), our School Psychologist, Jennifer Curry (curryj@franklinps.net) and/or our team chair, Sarah Martin martinsa@franklinps.net , as well your child's class room teaching teams for support and guidance.
Pool Testing--Helping your child understand!
We know it may be a tough decision for some families to let their little ones participate in pooled testing. It is uncomfortable and, for some, could be a little scary. But we are here to help!
Nurse Suzanne and Nurse Mary Beth will be our primary "swabbers," and they know how to help our little ones feel safe. Watch for a video that Nurse Suzanne and I will put together in the next week as a social story!
Here are some other resources to help you learn more about pool testing so you can talk to your child about it with confidence. After all, you know your child and the "just right" amount of information to share with them. As always, reach out to Nurse Suzanne or to me if you have questions:
How the Nose Swab Works, a video from Boston Children's Hospital
ECDC Picture Day Is Coming--Mark Your Calendars!
Lifetouch will again be taking our ECDC School Pictures!
Picture Dates
March 30th and April 1st
Remote only students: March 30th 1:30-2:30, by appointment
Of course this year, we all have had to reimagine what Picture day will look like,
and Lifetouch shares our commitment to staying safe and healthy!
- Order forms this year will be digital (we will share these with you in March
- Students will stand, not sit, to avoid contact with surfaces
- Combs will no longer be provided
- Class pictures will be a composite of individual student photos
Here is a video from Life Touch on their safety efforts during this pandemic.
Here's a quick video to help you get your little one ready for picture day!
VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR!
March 8-March 21st will be our ECDC Scholastic Book Fair!
More info to come!
ECDC Summer Program
Our Summer Program will provide children an opportunity to refresh and reinforce concepts and skills that were introduced over the school year in an encouraging, supportive play-based learning environment. Students will also have a change to help tend our ECDC community garden, planting, weeding, watering and watching things grow!
Current ECDC students with or without special needs can participate
(check with your child's teacher if you are not sure if you should apply
or if it is part of your child's IEP).
July 6th-August 12th
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8-11
Children can attend 1, 2 or 3 of our 2-week sessions!
Cost to attend: $50 per child, per 2-week session
There are a limited number of spots ...so register early!
Click here to register for our summer program!
Priority is given to applications received by April 30th
Notes from Nurse Suzanne
Kindergarten Transition and the Health Office:
It is an exciting time for our soon to be Kindergarten families! Here at ECDC, we collaborate to make your child’s transition to Kindergarten as seamless as possible. In the health office, I am preparing your child’s health records in advance of the transition to ensure their records contain the requirements for entry to elementary school. Included in your Kindergarten packet from Miss. Laura, you will receive a letter indicating exactly what is still needed to complete your child’s record. A complete list of requirements can be found below.
In addition to preparing your child’s health records, I will be connecting with your child’s elementary school nurse to share information about specific health concerns. This typically happens in late spring. If your child has allergies, takes medications during the school day, or has an individualized health care plan, your child’s new school nurse will be updated at that time.
If you have any questions at all about health requirements or questions and/or concerns about your child’s transition, please reach out to me anytime. You can send me an email at romas@franklinps.net, or call me in the office at 508.541.8166 ext. 2940.
Coffee and Conversation with Miss Kelty
Please join Principal Kelty Kelley for a virtual
conversation about all things ECDC.
You can connect with other families,
as well as share your thoughts, joys and concerns.
April 29th @ 10
Special Guest: Dr. Ahern, Superintendent
Google Meet Link:
Please RSVP to Laura in the main office by calling
508-541-8166
or by emailing flanaganla@franklinps.net
Supporting your Child with Special Needs as they Transition to Kindergarten
April 15th at 7pm
Join district and school special educators and administrators to how we are preparing your child with special education needs for their transition to kindergarten!
More info to follow!
Do you have questions for us, please email them to Miss Laura at flanaganla@franklinps.net
Weekend Food Program Available
All children in the Franklin Elementary Schools and ECDC are eligible, all you have to do is sign up.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Nurse Suzanne at Romas@franklinps.net .
ECDC Parent Communication Council (PCC)
Quick Bits from your PCC
On Monday, February 22nd, we provided our wonderful staff with
a welcome back breakfast of bagels and coffee from Elizabeth's!
Thank you to everyone who participated in Wednesday's
PieZoni's Fundraiser. It was another successful event!
Our next restaurant Fundraiser:
Wednesday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day)
The Chateau for Lunch or Dinner
They offer an $8 pizza special and will also have
a corned beef and cabbage dish for the holiday!
Order in person, by phone or online, but make sure to mention ECDC!
Please join us for our next virtual PCC meeting being held Monday, March 1st at 7pm at this link: https://meet.google.com/dyn-prcx-apf.
Your ECDC PCC Board Members
Lindsay and Heather
Are you new to ECDC, or haven't yet subscribed to our PCC Newsletter? Click here to opt-in and stay in the know! https://franklin-ecdc.groupvine.com/subscribe
Shop with SCRIP--an raise money for ECDC!
What is Scrip? Scrip is a WIN – WIN for you and for our school.
Our school makes money on your gift card purchases which goes towards enrichment activities for our kids!
When you purchase your gift cards through our Scrip account instead of at your grocery/drug store, your purchases help raise money for ECDC. This is a great opportunity to help our school by shopping at the places you normally do! Don't just think of gift cards as a gift, buy them for yourself to use as payment where you shop/spend anyways! Most are reloadable if you purchase an actual card (not an eGift card) so you only pay for shipping once!
Are you a regular shopper at Stop & Shop, by bulk S&S gift cards to use to pay for your groceries! Do you like your Dunk's or Starbucks Coffee? Buy and/or reload a gift card through Scrip and we earn a percentage back for no more out of your pocket than you'd be spending anyway!
If you have not already enrolled in the ShopWithScrip program, now is the perfect time to do so. To enroll, please visit www.shopwithscrip.com, select "Join a Program," and use our enrollment code: D7C3LC7D76279
You can purchase gift cards online or in the NEW very convenient mobile app (look for RaiseRight in the Google Play Store or App Store). We would love for you to take advantage of this program and also to let your family and friends know that they can participate, as well!
Miss Marsha's Update
Hello ECDC families!
It was great seeing some of you at Pajama Story Time on Zoom on February 11th!
Did you know that in addition to our parent/child programming, we offer a variety of support services to families like yours?
Naptime Nuggets
We provide opportunities for parents to connect online with each other through our weekly Naptime Nuggets program. Each week we get together on Zoom from 1-2 p.m. to connect and share ideas and strategies about our toughest job… parenting! Click on the link and register to be part of Naptime Nuggets session: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=npijo9cab&oeidk=a07ehg0rzs37bee2222
Toddler Developmental Checklists
How else can Self Help CFCE support your family? If you wonder about your toddler’s development, we can connect you with the Ages and Stages Program (ASQ-3 and ASQ SE-2) which consists of a set of questionnaires that parents fill out to help get a snapshot of their child’s development. After completing, we send you the results, some activities to support your child’s continued development, and a FREE Children’s BOOK! Click this link to fill out a consent and get started https://www.cognitoforms.com/SelfHelpInc1/ASQ3ASQSECONSENTFORM
SNAP/WIC/Food Banks, Clothing and more!
We have staff that can help connect you with SNAP/WIC/Food Banks if you are experiencing food insecurity or help you get clothes and supplies from Cradles to Crayons.
Fuel and/or Rental/Mortgage Assistance
Our umbrella agency Self Help, Inc. https://selfhelpinc.org/ manages a variety of programs including Fuel Assistance and RAFT/ERMA the new program to help with rental or mortgage assistance if you have been impacted by the Covid crisis.
We pride ourselves on being able to meet the needs of every family that crosses our path because we know the resources available in your community. Whatever you are looking for you can always send an email and we will connect you to the services you need.
Miss Marsha
If you have any questions or would like more information about Self Help CFCE please send me an email: mwright@selfhelpinc.org
ECDC School Council 20-21
The ECDC School Council is a group of educators and parents who work together with the principal to provide guidance and input into such processes as the development of a School Improvement Plan and the articulation of a school budget and operating in the time of COVID-19.
20-21 Members:
Miss Elizabeth (Reynard)
Miss Linda (Cournoyer)
Sarah Parmenter, Parent
Nicole Irabor, Parent
Miss Suzanne (Roma) , School Nurse
Open Parent Position--please reach out for information on joining our team!
School Council Meeting Schedule
All meetings for the 20-21 year will be held virtually
on Mondays from 1:45-3pm
February 22nd: Meeting Notes Linked Here
March 22nd
May 10th
The council met on February 22nd (rescheduled due to snow on February 1st), virtually via Google Meet and the minutes are linked above.
We still have ONE OPEN position for a parent/guardian, so please reach out if you would like to join our team, for the rest of this year and/or next year!
Keeping the Learning Alive During Quarantine (or any time)
- Visit the ECDC Keep the Learning Alive! site that was set up last spring. Each teacher has great lessons, activities, games and more. In this example, Miss Meg made some videos of how to draw some AWESOME ANIMALS! Check it out!
- Visit the FRANKLIN ECDC Youtube page to see ECDC’s wonderful teachers and staff and join them in wonderfully silly & fun activities, reading stories, making crafts and sharing their love and kindness
Stock up on your ECDC Spirit Wear!
You can now purchase shirts, sweatshirt, blankets, and even masks with the ECDC Logo right here! COVID friendly shipping, Items ship directly to you.
You can pick from many different styles and colors!
This year we have added fleece jackets for adults and base ball caps, both of which have a bit different logo as they are embroidered on!
Port Authority Fleece Jacket (adult )
Sweatshirt (youth and adult)
Baseball Cap
F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center
Kelty Kelley, Principal, M.Ed.
"There is no hand so small that it cannot leave an imprint on the world!" Klub Kidz
Visit our YouTube Channel @FranklinECDC
Email: kelleyk@franklinps.net
Website: https://www.franklinps.net/ecdc
Location: 224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA, USA
Phone: 508-541-8166
Twitter: @FranklinECDC