SM Early Childhood Education Center
February 2020
Administrative Team
Carla Heintz, Coordinator of Early Learning
What's Happening
February
6 - Parent Teacher Conference Night 5-8 pm
17 - No School, President's Day
18 - No School, Staff Development Day
March
12 - STEAM Night, Parent/Child activity night
16-20 - Spring Break
In the News
From the Principal's Desk
It is hard to believe we are nearing the middle of February. I want to thank the many families who supported our sock drive as part of our Buckets of Kindness project for Kindness Week at the end of January. It was great to have so many of you attending parent teacher conferences last week. The interest and investment you make as partners in your child's education -- whether it is engaging on SeeSaw or through other home-school communication, helping out with supplies or projects in the classroom, offering feedback on surveys, or attending special activity nights with your child -- is important and appreciated. Speaking of parent/child activity nights, please be sure you have March 12 from 6-7 p.m. reserved on your calendar for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Night. We will look forward to having fun together and learning how we can continue to foster and support STEAM learning both at home and at school.
Just a reminder there is no school on Monday, Feb. 17, due to observance of President's Day and no school on Tuesday, Feb. 18, due to professional learning. Thank you for continuing to send your child dressed appropriately for the temperature and weather of the day. We hope the groundhog is right this year and spring days are just around the corner!
We welcome parents to our building to see what is happening, and we want you here as important partners in your child's progress and education. 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.
Coordinator's News
As we move through February, I thought this would be a good time to talk about supporting your child's growing sense of emotions and working with them to navigate their feelings. Little children experience big emotions, but don't have the experiences or vocabulary to understand and express them. As parents and teachers we can support them first and foremost by responding empathetically. It's important to let them know you understand they are angry, or excited, or frustrated and that feeling their feelings is OK and a part of life. Get down on their level and talk with them eye to eye and let them know it's OK to cry, or to be worried, or that you know they are very excited. Reassure them they are safe and you are there. If they are responding to their feelings by acting out or misbehaving, that is a great opportunity to teach them that while they are feeling whatever they are feeling, there are lots of different ways to express those feelings. Validate their feelings and then work with them to problem solve alternatives. Giving them words to express their emotions beyond mad, sad and happy also helps them navigate the expression of these emotions. Using words like frustrated, worried, excited, and eager to talk about our own emotions and to help them label their emotions give them the ability to talk about them more freely. Providing that safe place to feel emotions and be supported creates a great learning zone as your child navigates these experiences.
Notes from the School Nurse:
Get Your Smile On!
Lights, camera, smile! Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. It’s a great reminder for all of us parents to get in and get those check-ups. Children’s teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child’s self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong.
Please contact your child’s teacher for information about food allergies in the class prior to sending treats. Parents are welcome to come and share the snack time with their child. Please check with your child’s teacher to arrange the best time for you to arrive and check in and out of the office.
Early Childhood Screenings
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 2019-2020 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
@la_neal
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: leighanneneal@smsd.org
Website: earlychildcenter.smsd.org
Location: 6701 West 83 Street, Overland Park, KS, 6USA
Phone: (913)993-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/SMECEC.SMSD
Twitter: @theSMECEC