SM Early Childhood Education Center
Carla Heintz, Principal
What's Happening
21- MLK Day- No School
25- Early Childhood Screening
February
7- Parent Teacher Conference Night
18- President's Day- No School
19- Professional Development- No School
22- Early Childhood Screening
In the News
From the Principal's Desk
WOW! What an excited few weeks we have had at SMECEC! It was so wonderful to see so many of you at the open house on Monday. We have appreciated your support from the start of the moving process. Thank you for the encouraging notes, the questions you have asked and your diligence in reading the e-mails and updates to make sure you are up to date! You all have been amazing!! We could not have made this move without your support!
The first week of classes has gone smoothly and all of the children seem to be excited about their new school and are settling into the new routines. Again, that is thanks to you and all you have done to support us in our new surroundings. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through the bugs with drop off and pick up. We appreciate your use of the cross walks and how you drive with caution past the busses, always keeping safety first. We would also like to ask that you make sure you are in the correct lane for turning when exiting the lot. We have had some cars try to turn right from the left hand lane in front of the buses. Thank you!
Looking ahead we have parent/teacher conferences coming up February 7th from 5-8.
Please mark this date on your calendar and look for more information to come from your child's teacher in the upcoming weeks. We look forward to seeing you and and sharing with you your child's progress.
Parents you are always welcome in the building to see what is happening, and we want you here. However we do ask all parents contact their child's teacher, 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
Happy New Year everyone! It’s nice to be back to a routine and to see the kids hard at work. It amazes me how much they learn each day. One of the areas our students work on is literacy. Some of the different components of literacy include sounds, patterns, and letter identification. There are some excellent apps students can use for increased exposure and practice of these skills.
Here are just a few of them. Some are free with in-app purchases and some have an initial cost:
Letter School (printing block letters) for iOs
Letter School (printing block letters) for Android
Partners in Rhyme (Phonological awareness, rhyming, letter sounds) for iOS
Partners in Rhyme (Phonological awareness, rhyming, letter sounds) for Android
Endless Alphabet (Letter identification, letter sounds, vocabulary) for iOs
Endless Alphabet (Letter identification, letter sounds, vocabulary) for Android
*Remember, it’s important for you to make the use of technology as interactive as possible, especially for apps shared this month. So any time you are able to sit with them while using technology is great. We want to make sure our students learn how to use them correctly and are not just clicking and swiping for no reason. :)
Until next time…..Learn, Teach, Reflect, Grow, Repeat!
Shari Hardinger
Notes from the School Nurse:
Meal Time = Family Time
If your family is like mine then you are constantly on the go and “what’s for dinner?” is the last thing on your mind. Sitting down and having a meal together requires preparation, planning, and everyone’s participation. But the rewards for this large undertaking can be the best part of your family’s day. Eating together provides an environment for your children to share the day’s happenings whether good or bad. It’s also a great time to model good table manners, encourage independent eating and get your children to eat their broccoli! The best part is that you are creating an environment where your child feels safe, comfortable and loved. Studies have shown that teens who take part in regular family meals are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, or use other substances. So even though cooking dinner may be the last thing you want to do after a long day at work; try to think of it as an opportunity to connect with your children. So sit down, relax, and enjoy your time together.
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.
Marker Recycling Now Available
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: 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: 6701 West 83rd Street, Overland Park, KS
Phone: (913)993-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/SMECEC.SMSD
Twitter: @theSMECEC