TECEC TIMES
Where the journey begins.......October 18, 2023
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- Thursday, October 19 School pictures
- Tuesday, October 24 Parent-Teacher Conferences 11:20 dismissal, no afternoon classes
- Thursday, October 26 Parent-Teacher Conferences 11:20 dismissal, no afternoon classes
- Saturday, October 28 PTO Halloween Party
- Monday, October 30 TECEC Halloween Parades
- Tuesday, October 31 TECEC Halloween Parade rain date
- Wednesday, November 1 PTO 7:00 PM
- Thursday, November 2 Parent-Teacher Conferences 11:20 dismissal, no afternoon classes
- Tuesday, November 7 Schools closed for election day, professional development
Updates from Mr. Matt
Dear TECEC families,
As the temperature and leaves begin to feel and look more like fall, we thought it would be a perfect time for our children to participate in an outdoor STEAM lesson. For those who are not familiar with STEAM education, there are five components. which are Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. What does STEAM look like in preschool? One example is when the children made apple cider on Monday with Andrew Shriver (Miss Claudia's husband). Prior to making cider, our little scientists examined the apples and determined their color, texture, shape, size, weight, smell, and eventually how to turn a solid into a liquid by using a vintage cider press.
By incorporating these STEAM concepts into our preschool lessons like making apple cider, they are not only engaging children in a fun and hands-on experience but also laying the foundation for future science, technology, engineering, art and math learning.
Remember, STEAM learning can happen anywhere, and what's better than a fun family activity that tastes great? Making apple cider is a wonderful way to celebrate the season, bond with your child, and nurture their curiosity about the world around them. If you would like to make your own cider at home this fall, please see the following recipe: Apple Cider Recipe
On Tuesday, the children had an opportunity to listen to the story The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. This annual event is supported by the Trumbull Rotary Club. Every child from preschool through fifth grade had the opportunity to listen to a story from guest readers. As you may see from the pictures below, many of our readers are from TECEC and the district office. I am certain that the volunteers had as much fun reading to the children as they did listening to the story.
As a reminder, if you did not have an opportunity to sign up for a parent-teacher conference, please use the following link so that a mutually agreeable time can be arranged for you to hear the progress your child has made this year: https://tecec.schoolappointments.com The last time to sign up is Thursday, October 19th.
Kind regards,
Principal
TECEC PINK DAY Monday, OCTOBER 23 TO SUPPORT THE NORMA PFRIEM BREAST CENTER
TECEC IS TAKING ON THE PINK PLEDGE CHALLENGE!
WEAR YOUR PINK IN SUPPORT OF THE NORMA PFRIEM BREAST CENTER on Monday, October 23rd, 2023. 100% OF ALL PROCEEDS DONATED GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR PATIENTS.
PLEASE SEND IN $1 WITH YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL: ATTN: PINK PLEDGE OR CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: TECEC PINK PLEDGE
This fundraiser like all others is voluntary.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
THANK YOU ANDREW SHRIVER FOR TEACHING US HOW TO MAKE APPLE CIDER!
Thanks to Kate Voll who took the beautiful rainbow picture over TECEC on Monday!
TECEC Read Aloud Day October 17 Thank you Readers!
Miss Heather and Miss Erin representing TECEC at a 1/2 marathon on Saturday, October 14th in Hartford
Fantastic Four's
The four year old classrooms have been busy this month learning about fire prevention, places in our neighborhood, and pumpkins. In Bridges Math, we explored patterns, measuring, making graphs, and identifying attributes using pumpkins and leaves. We made apple cider with Mr. Andrew and had a visit from the Long Hill Fire Department. We all brought our smiles for picture day! We have started our Social Thinking curriculum in October. Unit 1 is “Thinking thoughts and feeling feelings”. They are learning that our thoughts are in our brain and our feelings are felt in our hearts and they work together.
Next month, we look forward to learning about thankfulness, spending time with family, and shapes.
Some family reminders: Please continue to prompt independence throughout your child’s day. Some examples are allowing them to put on their coat, shoes and clothes independently. You can also encourage your child to open containers, snacks and do buttons/zippers on their own.
Art
Art Newsletter
It has been a wonderful time getting to know all of your children during our art practice together. In the past few weeks, we have dove into our Autumn related themes: apples, changing leaves, pumpkins and Fall colors. While exploring these themes, the children have also explored a variety of materials and skills such as paint, drawing, tearing paper, printing with bubble wrap, stamping and gluing. During each class, no matter the art activity, your children are engaged in big learning! Whether it be how they choose to spread paint across the paper with their brush, glue shapes next to one another to create a face or draw a wavy line, they are learning how to organize their bodies as well as their ideas!
We encourage you to continue to offer art explorations at home with whatever materials you have available. Let's create!
Very Warmly,
Miss Rachel and Miss Caitlin
Bring a Teddy Bear or Stuffy to TECEC day
Parent-Teacher Fall Conferences
TECEC HALLOWEEN PARADE
Our annual Halloween parade will take place on Monday, October 30th. The parade will take place around the outside perimeter of our school beginning at 11:00 AM & 2:30 PM. To view the parade and preserve this memorable event on camera, we recommend you line the parade route around the perimeter of the building. Visitors will not be able to enter the building after the parade. If you would like to take your child home after the parade, the teachers will meet you by their outside classroom door. They will have a form for you to sign if your child is leaving with you.
If the weather does not cooperate, the parade will take place on Tuesday, October 31st. If we experience inclement weather on October 31st, the parade will be held inside for the children. I am sorry, adults will not be able to view the parade indoors if we have inclement weather.
As a reminder, our dress code prohibits any clothing or items (e.g. scary masks, swords, guns) that portray violence. We want to make this an enjoyable experience for all our children and your adherence to this request is most appreciated. If you prefer your child not take part in the activities, please inform his or her teacher and an alternate activity will be planned.
Please feel free to contact either your child’s teacher or the office with any questions.
TECEC Picture Days
TECEC's school pictures will take place today and and on Thursday, October 19th. Your child's classroom teacher will inform you which day their class will have the photos taken. The packages can be viewed here: TECEC Underclass Packages 2023-24.pdf
Robert Taylor offers the 3rd child free package for the district for Pre-K thru 11th grade (Seniors are not included). If there are siblings in the same school, then you may enter the next child's name after placing the first child's package in the cart. This is a special only available thru the end of the prepay period of October 25th.
Use this link: TECEC Prepay deal until October 25th. Code: TECU23
3 siblings in the same school
· prepay the first and second child's orders and 3rd child’s order (3rd will come up free in the cart)
3 siblings in different schools
· prepay the first and second child's orders in each school's prepay
· email the studio at roberttaylorphotostudio@gmail.com with the 3rd child's name, school and what package was ordered for the other siblings.
To place an order online, please use the following link: School Pictures
TECEC Trunk or Treat October 28th
Updates from Nurse Dana
TECEC is conducting vision tests with the SPOT Screener this week. The Spot Vision Screener is a handheld, portable device designed to help quickly and easily detect vision issues for children and adults. We will only notify parents if your child had failed the test. If you do not want your child to get the vision test done, it needs to be in writing that it is being refused.
Please call the absentee line (203) 452-4422, option 1 and state the reason for your child’s absence. If you have a specific health concern or want to report a communicable disease, the health office phone number is: (203) 452-4425. Absences of 3 days or more require a note to return to school.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call (203-452-4425) or email Nurse Dana dangelic@trumbullps.org.
Email: dangelic@trumbullps.org
Location: Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center, Middlebrooks Avenue, Trumbull, CT, USA
Phone: 203-452-4425
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Our arrival and dismissal procedures were developed to keep the children, you and our team safe. Please review the following guidelines that your adherence is critical to assure every one arrives and leaves TECEC safely. One particular highlight is that vehicles must only enter the TECEC driveway by taking a right from Middlebrooks Ave. into the parking lot from 8:20-3:30. Attempting to access Middlebrooks Ave. via Church Hill Road and trying to take a left into TECEC creates an unsafe traffic pattern and should be avoided. Our arrival and dismissal procedures can be found here: Arrival and Dismissal Procedures 2023-2024 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Inclement Weather Schedule
Volunteers
One of the hallmarks of our program is parent and community involvement. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to you with the best ways to engage with their education. We also encourage you to take the time to fill out the TPS volunteer form for the 2023-2024 school year. For most individuals, you will only need to complete part one (Tier one). This will permit you to volunteer in the school while in the presence of a staff member. Part two (Tier two) is for those who will be working with children not in the presence of a school employee. Since every volunteer will be in the presence of a TECEC staff member, there will not be a need to complete that section, unless you plan on volunteering in another school. This form has to be completed annually as mandated by the state guidelines for school volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, the form can be found here and dropped off at TECEC so it can be processed. All submitted forms need to have an original signature, therefore a form with an e-signature will not be accepted.
Trumbull School District is looking for substitutes
Trumbull Public Schools is looking for teacher and paraeducator substitutes for the 2023-2024 school year. Click here to learn more about these exciting opportunities.
TECEC Spirit Wear
EVERY THURSDAY IS SPIRIT WEAR DAY!
Every Thursday is spirit wear day! Since many of our children do not attend school on Fridays, we thought it would be fun to have “TECEC Thursday” each week where everyone is encouraged to wear school spirit wear. If you don't have any TECEC spirit wear, the PTO will be setting up a online link very soon! Stay tuned!