The Sandcastle Times - June 2019
"Building Strong Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning"
A message from Holly Bevilacqua, COO
The summer is just around the corner and Carelot is ready! Our staff have many exciting activities planned to make your child’s summer one to remember! Volunteers are encouraged to help out in our classrooms whenever possible! Drop off 5 minutes early and read a story to the class or make arrangements with the classroom teachers to help out with a project.
Please notify the office of any summer schedule changes. Remember if you withdraw your child for the summer, we unfortunately cannot guarantee that we will have space in the fall, but we will try our best to meet your needs!
We are very excited to welcome our campers for the summer! They certainly will be very busy for the summer! Many of our College students are back to help out for the summer! Welcome back!
Fall enrollment is beginning: EARN an instant $25 for any families you refer and enroll at Carelot or the Clubhouse programs.
Conferences: Time to set up a short conference with your child’s teacher! Please set a time to go over your child’s development and assessment information the weeks of June 10th– June 24th! We can’t wait to share all of their milestones and accomplishments!
Check out the upcoming events happening at each program! Keep up to date by checking out our website calendar or joining our Facebook page. Each month we add new pictures and updates!
We are always looking for parent/family volunteers. Come and share a favorite story, make a snack or craft with the children, or just come and spend time in your child’s classroom!
Sensory
Wtfd and EL preschoolers
Bwana the Iguana
Thanks for joining us for a chat and treats with the site managers!
Painting with Cars!
Mom's Day Celebration!
Just a few reminders:
Waterplay: Please bring in a bathing suit, water shoes and towel! Water play fun and games have begun!!!!! Don’t forget Sunscreen!
- Playground Safety: please have your child wear closed toe shoes— the playground terrain can be harsh on little toes!
- Confidentiality: It is contrary to the interest of the Centers and those we serve to give out information regarding children and their families. Carelot maintains confidentiality and respects the family’s right to privacy, refraining from disclosure of information and intrusion into family life. However, when we have reason to believe that a child’s welfare is at risk, Carelot will share confidential information with agencies as well as with individuals who have legal responsibility for intervening in the child's best interest. Disclosure of children’s records beyond the family member, program personnel and consultants having an obligation of confidentiality shall require familial consent (except in cases of child abuse or neglect ) Should you request that we speak with outside sources for any reason, please complete a release of information form. Staff will work together and information will be discussed only when it will benefit the care we offer the children and/or their parents. All children’s files and assessments are also kept confidential.
- Labeling Snacks and Lunches: Please be sure to label items in your child’s lunchbox!!! Thank for you cooperation!
- Contagious diseases: Information sheets are sent home to programs if a child has a contagious disease which includes information on symptoms, procedures and prevention. (illnesses such as, coxsackie, strep, pink eye, etc) This is to keep you abreast on illnesses your child may be exposed.
Nutritious Meals
We like to occasionally remind families about the importance of nutritious meals for young children. Although packing meals at home for school is time consuming, the types of foods that your child finds in his or her lunch box help to determine the energy that he or she has for participating in school activities. When selecting lunches, please consider those that are low in fat, sodium and sugar. For example, some of the ready-made snacks or lunch meals look appealing, but are low on nutritional value. It may take a few minutes, but it is worth your time to make a peanut butter or cheese sandwich and add a piece of fruit. Yogurt and fresh fruit make nutritious snacks. Please help educate your child about nutritious eating and snacking so that he or she will benefit from these lessons now and in the future!
Check out Pinterest for some great school lunch ideas!
Question of the month: "Do you have a recipe or fun activity to share?"
The winner for May: NO ENTRIES! June is another month to try to win a $25 tuition credit on your account. Thank you for submitting an answer to our Mayl Question!
It's easy to win by just emailing us an answer! $25 tuition credit! OR... Answer the question on our facebook page!
Email your responses along with your name and the program your child attends to adminassist@carelot.net. Thanks for helping us make our programs better! Without everyone’s input we are not able to effectively assess how our programs are doing! We appreciate you taking the time to help us assess our policies, procedures, curriculum and more!
PTO news....
PROVIDER APPRECIATION:
PROVIDER APPRECIATION: Thank you to all the families who donated funds or items to our Provider Appreciation week. Our staff are truly the heart of our programs and we are grateful to have them here at Carelot!
Please take the time to share our fundraising events with your family and friends. There are some great items being offered for our Spring fundraisers!
Upcoming events:
Slumber Club- June 15th at the East Lyme and Killingly Centers- Pizza, snacks and crafts for the kids. Please note that this event is subject to a minimum of 10 children in attendance. PRE- registration is also required with payment for this event. This event is sponsored by our PTO!
Shop on AMAZON! Father's Day, on June 16, is a major shopping holiday and a great time to increase your AmazonSmile donations. With the below copy and banners, simply remind your supporters to shop at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for Carelot Childrens Center PTO.
Turn your Father's Day shopping into a force for good. Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/31-1653526 and Amazon donates to Carelot Childrens Center PTO.Wish list items- Drop off at any Carelot location
Any old working Ipads, Iphones or tablets for our classrooms!
Outdoor bikes or toys (sandtoys, hula hoops, balls, badmitton, cornhole etc) you are retiring.
Sensory Items: uncooked pasta, beans, rice, shaving cream, birdseed, waterbeads, cornstarch, feed corn, bubble bath, etc..
Has your child outgrown their t-shirts? Or do you have some t-shirts to get rid of and you just don't know what to do with them? DONATE them to Carelot! These make great painting smocks to keep our kiddos clean while doing some messy activities.
Any wish list items can be dropped off at the main office or at our Corporate office.
Potty Training Tips!
Tips on establishing a daytime routine -If your child shows interest in using the potty, that's great. You have just cleared a big hurdle. Now it is time to begin the training. The first goal is for the child to stay dry while awake. Here are some tips on establishing a daytime routine.
Make frequent trips to the bathroom. You can't force your child to urinate or produce a bowel movement, but you can encourage him to practice. Have your child sit on the potty for 2 to 4 minutes every hour or so. Schedule these sittings close to times your child usually has a bowel movement or urination, such as just after a meal, snack or nap. Remember that you cannot control when your child urinates or has a bowel movement.
Know when it's time to stop. Don't expect performance at first. If your child can't urinate or produce a bowel movement after 2 to 4 minutes, it's time to try later. If your child protests strongly when you suggest s/he return to the potty, don't insist. Such resistance may mean that it is not the right time to start training.
Let your child learn from you and others. Children are often interested in their family's bathroom activities. It is sometimes helpful to let children watch parents, older brothers and sisters, trusted friends, and even relatives when they go to the bathroom. Seeing these people use the toilet makes children want to do the same.
Involve your child in getting dressed/undressed. Let your child practice lowering and raising their underwear or training pants sometimes, or putting them on and taking them off.
Have boys sit before standing. Have a boy start out sitting to minimize sprays and dribbles on the walls and floors.
Respect your child's feelings and privacy. Potty training focuses on the most personal and private parts of your child's body so proceed in a dignified respectful manner. Some children need privacy and will not go if anyone is looking or is in the bathroom with them. Respect this.
Expect some fooling around. Expect some fooling around by toddlers. For example, when they go through the phase of saying "no" to everything, their "no" does not always really mean "no." In short, if you ask your toddler if s/he needs to go potty and are met with a resounding "no," this response may sometimes have little to do with your question. This is all part of learning to read your child and becoming familiar with all forms of communication.
Accentuate the positive. Be positive. Pour on the praise. Parents should recognize and applaud all the things that kids do right during the potty training process, instead of focusing on things children forget to do or haven't done perfectly. For example, if children wash their hands, but forget to flush, parents should congratulate them on their nice, clean hands.
Clubhouse news....
As we come to the end of another school year, we would like to thank you all for entrusting your children with us! We have enjoyed having them and loved all the giggles! We look forward to seeing all of you in the Fall 2019!
We provide a before and after school learning environment for children in Griswold , New London, & Waterford Public Schools.
Our Clubhouse program also runs for children at The Friendship School in WTFD! Our Program at The Friendship school cares for children who attend the Friendship School before and afterschool!
All of our Clubhouse programs are actively enrolling for the school year. Please plan accordingly and register early!
Summer Camp is just around the corner. Please be sure to submit your registration form. The kids have been loving the warmer weather and outside play time. Thank you to all the Mom’s who came to our Mother’s day tea! We enjoyed visiting with you! Have a wonderful summer and see you all in August! Ms. Heather & Ms. Lorraine
SUMMER CAMP 2019! SIGN UP NOW! ONLY A FEW SPACES LEFT!
Fun activities for the family this summer!
Free Summer Concerts 2019
Bring a chair or blanket
Concerts at Waterford Beach
Waterford, CT
Wednesday nights at 6pm
June 26 Waterford Community Band, 6:30-7:30 August 7 The River Gods
July 3 Fusion August 14 Jay Dempsey Band
July 10 Azalea Drive- R&B August 21 Soul Sound Review
July 17 Maleana
July 24 Cartell’s- Party Band
Concerts in the Park
Washington Park, Groton, CT
Friday nights at 6:30pm
June 21 Coyote River Band July 19 Mass Conn Fusion
June 28 Souls on Fire July 26 F & Blues Band
July 5 9Teen August 9 Strange Brew Band
July 12 The Cartells Concert Hot Line for info- 860-446-4129
Summer Sound Waves Concert Series
Thursday nights from 6 - 8pm
Esker Point Beach, Groton, CT
June 20 Red Light
July 25 Coyote River Band
June 27 Bank Street Groove
July 11 Sugar
August 1 Will Evans Band
July 18 Hope Road
August 8 Phil Adams
Concerts in Mystic River Park
Held on Tuesday evenings in the Mystic River Park beginning June 11th at 7pm and held until August 6th.
Admission is free. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and hear various bands perform!
Take a trip to THE BOOK BARN
41 West Main Street
Niantic
https://www.bookbarnniantic.com/
Children’s book for $1, animals, play areas and gardens.
Activities at Ocean Beach in New London
http://www.ocean-beach-park.com/
Cruise Night
Monday Evenings starting May 20th.
Every Monday evening, Classic hits 98.7 WNLC sponsors Ocean Beach Park’s “Cruise Night” classic car show Enjoy a parade of antique cars and the sounds of a Live DJ spinning the classic sounds of the 50’s and 60’s.
Parking is FREE after 5pm.
Beach Blanket Movie Nights (beginning June 25th)
Tuesday Evenings- movies begin at 9:00pm
Enjoy a children’s movie in the open night air from the comfort of your beach blanket at sundown. Bring the entire family to a movie and park for $10, after 6pm.
*Tuesday, July 9, July 23, and August 6~ Family Swim night in the Olympic Pool 6:00-8:00 pm.
Magic Show (beginning June 26th)
Wednesdays at 7pm
$10 charge after 6pm, to cover parking, Ocean Beach is proud to present a great Magic Show the whole family can enjoy. Experience the entertainment on the beautiful beach setting.
Home Depot - FREE CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS
1st Saturday of every month, 9 AM
Home Depot, 816 Hartford Tpke. Waterford, CT 860-437-1900
OR Home Depot, 932 Norwich-New London Tpke. Uncasville, CT 860-848-9217
Children’s Museum- 409 Main St. Niantic, CT 860-691-1111. Get in for only $1 each with your WIC folder and an ID OR your EBT card for SNAP (full price admission is $8 per person) OR Get a pass from the NL Library to get a family of 4 in for FREE.
Nautilus Museum- 1 Crystal Lake Drive, Groton, CT 860-694-3174. Free admission and parking.
Spare Time Bowling Alley- 27 Kings Highway, Groton, CT 860-445-6500. Sign up for a summer student bowling pass to have coupons e-mailed to you throughout the summer. 2 FREE games, each day, all summer long. Sign up at: http://bne.wemailmarketing.com/landing/cooltobowlsignup/
Mini-Golf at Saybrook Point- 154 College Street, Old Saybrook. Opening June 14th, 11am – 10pm daily.
2 children play for FREE when adult pays $5 admission.
Woodstock Fair - Fri Aug 30, 2019 - Mon Sep 2, 2019- 9:00am to 10:00pm
Age: All ages
Price: $12 general admission (children 10 and under are free)
It's a Labor Day tradition: the Woodstock Fairgrounds! Enjoy agricultural exhibits (including a birthing center where you can view a cow birth a calf right before your eyes!), animal and farm equipment competitions, entertainment, music, food, and carnival rides.
Hours:
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9:00am-11:00pm
- Monday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry—Mansfield
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Pupperty (BIMP) is free and open to the public. Interesting fact: UCONN is the only university in the country to offer a Masters degree in Puppetry. BIMP is one of Connecticut's hidden treasures. With a collection of over 2,500 puppets from around the world, this small museum is sure to entertain.
* Connecticut's state parks are free to residents with valid state license plates
*Don’t forget your local libraries for workshops and activities and to get discounted or FREE passes to area attractions and museums with your library card!
Carelot Children's Center, Inc.
"Building Strong Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning"
Providing education to Children ages 3 months to 12 years!
Email: adminassist@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: 860-739-1993
Facebook: facebook.com/carelotctr