First Steps Newsletter
August 10, 2020
Contact Information
Email: firststeps@emsd63.org
Website: www.emsd63.org/firststeps
Location: 10000 Dee Rd, Des Plaines, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 827-4165
Twitter: @D63_FirstSteps
Upcoming Events:
Thursday August 13th
- Class Assignments available in the Parent Portal
- Drive-by Pickup of student materials at Melzer School for students with last name beginning A-M from 11am - 1pm or 5pm - 7pm
Wednesday August 19th
- Drive-by Pickup of student materials at Melzer School or students with last name beginning N-Z from 11am - 1pm or 5pm - 7pm
Thursday August 20th
- First Day of D63 Online Learning.
- AM Students - 8:45 am - 11:15 am
- PM Students - 12:15 pm - 2:45 pm
- No School - Labor Day
A Note from Ms. Golik...
Dear First Steps Families:
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! As you are likely aware, the 2020-2021 school year will begin remotely for all students. While this will be an unusual way to kick off the year, we
are still as excited as ever to welcome our students back to First Steps Preschool.
Within this message, you will find important dates and reminders to get you ready for the upcoming school year. An updated 2020-2021 school year calendar and the East Maine School District 63 communications.
If you have questions about the upcoming school year or need assistance with registration, please contact us by phone at (847) 827-4165 or via email at FirstSteps@emsd63.org.
We hope that you enjoy the rest of the summer and can't wait to connect with you soon!
Sincerely,
Barb Golik, Early Learning Center (ELC) Principal
Registration and Proof of Residency
- Submitting registration through the Parent Portal.
- This includes uploading all required proof of residency documents.
- Physical must also be turned. See additional information about this in the "Notes from Ms. White" section below.
Class Assignments for 2020-2021
First Day of School is Thursday, August 20
Materials Pickup
Virtual Meet & Greet with your child's teacher
Technology & Hot Spots
Notes from Ms. White ( School Nurse)
Welcome to Preschool. My name is Leslie White and I am the nurse at the Early Learning Center. Your child(ren) will start preschool with us on August 20, 2020. Here are State of Illinois health requirements for preschool students.
A physical and immunization record must be provided to the school office on or before the FIRST day of school. EMSD63 has set the first day of school as the date this completed form is due. A completed form includes:
All immunizations including boosters for DTaP, Polio, MMR, HIB, Pneumococcal Conjugate, Hepatitis B, MMR and Varicella.
Physical exam requirements- Height, Weight, BMI, B/P
Diabetes Screening
Lead Risk Questionnaire
System Review
These areas must be filled out by the health care provider. The Health History portion must be filled out by a parent, signed and dated. Forms are available to you on the site where you registered your child or click here.
If you have previously been with First Steps Preschool and turned in a physical, you DO NOT need a new physical. If you are having trouble getting a physical due to the current COVID situation, please see additional information here.
The Ronald McDonald Mobile van will be at Gemini School on August 31, 2020 to provide physicals and immunizations to students who qualify. If you would like additional information about the van please email me.
Completed physical forms can be emailed to me. If you have any other questions or concerns or I can be of assistance in any way, please feel to email me at lwhite@emsd63.org.
I look forward to meeting you and your child when we return to in school instruction..
Be Well
Leslie White RN, BSN, PEL-CSN
Early Learning Center to Open this Fall 2020
Our dreams and goals when helping to design the early learning center were to create a space that is warm, inviting, nurturing, safe, and promotes a play-based environment that is geared towards our youngest learners. We are very committed to helping every First Steps student reach success without Boundaries. Some of the amenities in the new building will include a nutrition hub, an outdoor sensory area, STEAM hub, classrooms where students can observe and explore, and gross motor areas. Bringing the entire program under one roof will provide ongoing opportunities for staff to collaborate and for students to engage with children from across the district.
Below you will find a brief video of this new space. You can also find more information about the master plan on the district website or click here.