The Ocean Courant Staff Newsletter
Carelot Children's Center ~ March 2023
A message from Holly Bevilacqua
Happy March to everyone and I can't wait to see everyone's bright smiles on our Facebook page over the next Month.
Believe it or not...Provider appreciation is just around the corner! The PTO is planning some great events! For those staff new to Carelot we have enjoyed in the past, breakfast, lunch, dinner, little goodies, and much more! We could not run Carelot without you! Thank you for making our centers what they are and molding the minds of the future! This year's events are going to be great! I am confident you will love the fun we are planning! Please support the PTO and assist with fundraising and events. The PTO funds great events like this with fundraiser events. Stay tuned for our spring fundraisers being planned now! Please encourage your families to share the fundraiser and place orders. The more funds we make from fundraisers such as this, the more supplies, equipment, and events we can have!
As professionals, we all know that each age brings different stages of development. It is human nature, that we become “creatures of habit” and that is super for schedules and consistency!!! However, remember that your children grow daily and this means you need to grow with them. Remember to make accommodations for various stages of development in your classrooms. Take the time to review your program books and the appropriate stages of growth of the children in your classroom. Your days will be much smoother and calmer if your children are having a developmentally appropriate day. For example, children with frustrating behaviors may be non-verbal ways of expressing that they are bored and need a challenge. Take the time to assess your activities and schedules. Use the guidelines in your program books and resource areas to see if your room setup is creating some issues if your schedule is working, if your children are having “quality interactions” if they are challenged too much or not enough etc. Utilize your peers to observe your room for you and get some feedback from a different perspective!
As always, I am always available for feedback! Text me, Email me, Facebook me..... I love to hear from you! Holly
Payroll
Celebrate you!
3/8: Anne-Marie- East Lyme Center
3/11: Tina - Killingly Center
3/12: Anne our north Administrative Assistant
Thank you for your dedication!
Adam-Maint./Lawns- 9 yrs
Barbara- EL- 1 year
Kayla - EL- 1 year
A little humor for the week!
Hot News
"What is something that you appreciate about Carelot?"
Complete the link below by March 25th!
Congratulations to Ms. Patty from East Lyme!! Thank you for your submission!
NAEYC NEWS...
Social Studies- 2.L
Children are to be provided with a variety of learning opportunities that foster self identity and an emerging sense of self and others. The curriculum is to reflect ways to allow the children to be a part of the classroom community so that each child feels accepted and gains a sense of belonging. The children through varied activities and lessons will learn about diversity in culture, family structure, ability, language, age and gender in non-stereotypical ways. The children will learn about the community, physical characteristics of their local community (intro. to geography) and explore social roles in the family and the workplace.
Holidays: Families and program staff ask themselves why children should learn about this holiday. Is it developmentally appropriate for those in the group? Why is it important for specific children and families?
· Activities are connected to specific children and families in the group. This linking helps children understand holiday activities in the context of people’s daily lives. Children should have the chance to explore the meaning and significance of each holiday.
· Both children and staff honor every group represented in the classroom. This respect does not require that every holiday of every group must be celebrated; otherwise, classrooms would be celebrating all the time! It does require, however, that once families and programs have decided on what holidays to celebrate, none should be treated as though they were “unusual.” Children should recognize that everyone’s holidays are culturally significant and meaningful.
· Activities demonstrate the fact that not everyone in the same ethnic group celebrates holidays in the same way. Families may provide examples of their own unique traditions.
· Families and program staff work together to plan strategies for children whose families’ beliefs do not permit participation in holiday celebrations. Families should take part in creating satisfactory alternatives for the child within the classroom.
Focus is on meaningful ways to celebrate holidays without spending money. Families may find certain holidays stressful because of the amount of commercialization and media pressure to buy gifts. Teachers can help by showing children that homemade costumes and gifts are very special and that celebrating can be joyful without gifts.
BRING THE COMMUNITY INTO YOUR CLASSROOM!
Collect maps of the area, menus, and pictures of things around town, clean out your recycled materials and add them to your dramatic play area, and stop by a local business and see if they will donate something to your classroom (Ex: pizza shop (boxes, menus etc) Local papers/grocery ads that are mailed out are also a great piece of material to add to classroom centers.
In April we will be hosting an art show for our family event. Please DO NOT send home your art work that you create during Youth Art Month. More details will follow ….
CHECK THIS OUT
If you need to hand something on a wall- Please only use removable Command Strips- No stapling or taping to the painted walls- Thanks so much for your help
Bulletin board of the week
Cute idea
Check this out
Reminders:
* Please remember to always call two hours before your shift starts, and don’t forget to always talk to a staff member. Do Not assume your message has been received unless you get a response back from your supervisor.
- Do not forget, bleach bottles need to go to the kitchen at the end of the day so they can be refilled in the morning. Be sure you are wiping down the inside and outside of your garbage cans when they get dirty and at the end of the day.
As per policy- requests for leaves must be submitted two weeks in advance. - we do our best to accommodate however, once the biweekly schedule is complete please know that you will not be granted leave and you will need to work your schedule. Staffing is done this far out to ensure consistency in the programs. Please note- time off without pay is frowned upon.
Carelot Children's Center
Email: hr@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: 860-739-1993
Facebook: facebook.com/carelotctr