ECFE Class Update: Nov. 19th
From Osseo Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE)
This message is for parents/guardians of students currently registered in our ECFE parent and child classes:
November 19, 2020
Dear parents/guardians:
I shared earlier this week in a message that our EC&FE program will align with the district and move to a distance learning model beginning November 23, 2020. This learning model change will remain in effect until additional direction has been provided by Superintendent Cory McIntyre of Osseo Area Schools.
As we prepared our program for distance learning, it was important to strive for a balance of what we know is best practice for young children and what is reasonable for families. We understand that this is also a difficult time for families as many are navigating working from home, supporting children in distance learning or making arrangements for child care. We also recognize that the move to distance learning is upsetting to many of families.
While we can't be together in person at this time, we remain hopeful that we will be moving back to a hybrid or in person model soon. In the interim, we are confident that our early childhood educators and staff will help all of our students continue in their learning with new, fun-filled activities while at home, until we can be together again in our classrooms.
During the distance learning model, we want to continue to partner with you, building upon our relationship with your family to support your child's learning. Early childhood learning experiences in a distance learning model isn't new for our program. The pandemic has provided our program and early childhood educators a unique opportunity to explore and think creatively while using technology. Our goal is to provide high-quality, curriculum rich and engaging learning opportunities for young children and families to continue to prepare students for school readiness.
Here are some highlights of our flexible and curriculum rich programming during distance learning at home:
Online ECFE Parenting or Parent and Infant Classes- Continuing Online as Scheduled
- If your currently registered in an online ECFE parenting or parent and infant class, these class will continue online with your regular routine and schedule with your teacher.
- If you are registered for an online ECFE parenting or parent and infant class but your class has not started yet, prior to the beginning of your class, your teacher will send you information on how to access the class during the scheduled time using Google Meet. It is recommended that participants have a Gmail account for Google Meet.
In-Person ECFE classes moving to Distance Learning
Teacher Communication
- Prior to the first day of distance learning, your child's teacher will communicate with parents/guardians information about how to access Google Meets.
- Teachers will keep regularly scheduled office hours to schedule individual Google Meets with parents/guardians as needed and teachers will be available by email.
Class Schedule and Activities:
- Classes will continue to meet as scheduled using Google Meet. Class will begin with the children's teacher leading a group time and the parent educator will facilitate parent discussion time. (Example: Monday's 10am-11:30am).
- The children's teacher will provide an activity that you can do together with your child.
- An ECFE calendar will be uploaded on our website osseoec.org.
Suggestions for Learning at Home:
- Set up a space for you (or a caring adult) and your child to participate in class Google Meets together. A quiet space away from distractions is helpful.
- During Google Meets it is helpful for participants to have the video feature on and muted unless speaking to the group.
- When using technology during live videos, be mindful of your privacy. Be aware of what is in the background and who may appear in the video, including what others may hear when devices are unmuted.
- Keep school materials together. A bag to hold school materials will be sent home with students on the first materials pick up day. Please put all the materials sent home for learning in this bag and have it ready for your child on learning days during Google Meets learning activities.
Material Pick-Up:
- Materials will be provided for student learning while at home that will follow scheduled class activities led by the teacher.
- Your child's teacher or the program will provide more information and a schedule of on material-pick up dates and times and school site location(s).
- Each student will receive a bag to keep learning materials in while at home.
- To keep health and safety a top priority, on material pick up days social distancing and health and safety protocols will be followed.
Support for Parents- We're Here For You
Parent educators can help address parenting concerns such as:
• Providing creative, fun activities to encourage the growth and development of your child.
• Connecting your family to resources in the community.
Conversations may include:
• Challenging behaviors
• Child development
• Family health and well-being
• Navigating social media/technology
• Parenting strategies & problem solving
• Sibling concerns
• Sleeping, eating, toilet training
• School readiness
To request a FREE parent consult, contact the program at ecfe@district279.org.
ECFE Fee
Our program and many others across the state rely on the collection of one-time class fees for ECFE parent and child classes. While this year has challenges during a pandemic, due to our current budget constraints, the program cannot run solely on our receipt of ECFE state aid. While we unable to provide a discount during distant learning, we will continue to provide families fun, engaging parent-child learning opportunities and support.
Keep Us Informed of COVID-related Illness
While in distance learning, the school district would still like to track how COVID is impacting our families. The purpose of gathering this information is to simply measure the impact of shifting from hybrid learning to distance learning.
Please notify Timka Remetic, EC&FE Building COVID Coordinator of any positive COVID cases, including:
- Positive test results for anyone in your household
- Close contact exposure
Timka’s email is: RemeticT@district279.org
Program Office Hours
With gratitude
On behalf of all of the early childhood educators and staff, we can't wait until we can open our doors and welcome families back into our program this year - hopefully it isn't long before we can do just that! Meanwhile, while you are at home, our early childhood educators and staff will continue to engage families in high-quality learning opportunities to support your child's growth, learning and school readiness skills.
We will continue to communicate EC&FE program updates to our current families as the school year continues including changes in learning models as directed by Osseo Area Schools and Supt. McIntyre.
May your family be safe and well.
Sally Nault-Maurer
Early Childhood & Family Education Program Coordinator
763-391-8777 main office line | 763-391-8765 direct line
Connect With Us:
Connect with Osseo EC&FE
Email: ecfe@district279.org
Website: osseoec.org
Location: 9401 Fernbrook Lane North, Maple Grove, MN, USA
Phone: 763-391-8777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OsseoEC
Twitter: @OsseoEarly