October ELC Newsletter

Boxes are endlessly fascinating to young children. Perhaps more than any other toy or game, boxes have the power to hold children's attention and spark their imagination in astonishing ways. In the hands of a young child, a large appliance box has unlimited potential as a castle, a multilevel garage, a pirate's ship, an ice cream shop, or a race car.

A study of boxes builds on children's natural curiosity and promotes important skills as children gather information, learn about the world around them, and solve problems. Children will explore many types of boxes, investigate how they are made, observe people using them in different ways, and learn about the tools and equipment people use to move them. Children will gather data, explore a variety of materials used to make boxes, and measure boxes of all shapes and sizes.

What You Can Do

Fall Break is a great time to explore a variety of boxes with your child at home and talk about each box's characteristics. How big is it? What is it made of? Are there pictures of words on it? What shape does it have? Provide empty boxes of different sizes and have your child transform them into different things. Your child's imagination will lead the way!

Also, please let us know if someone in your family works with boxes (e.g., woodworker, carpenter, factory worker, delivery person) and would like to share his or her expertise with the class. We would love to arrange a time for you to join us in our investigation!

The beautiful season of fall is upon us! Has your child noticed the leaves on the trees are starting to change colors? Nature provides wonderful opportunities for children to explore and learn! Take your child on a nature walk and have them draw their observations. You can also collect items during your walk, such as leaves, acorns or sticks, and have your child glue them onto a piece of paper.

Thank you to all of our families that joined us for our Carnival Spectacular Family Night! Chris Fascione performed a wonderful storytelling performance, and we enjoyed interacting with all of our families during the carnival games and face painting. The Book Fair was also a great success!

We appreciate your partnership in your child's education! It is proven that a child's success in school is directly related to family engagement in education. Your involvement speaks loudly to your child that school is important!

You are invited to join us for some fall fun on October 11th! Each classroom will move through a rotation of different fall-themed activities! Please complete the registration form if you plan to join us. A driver’s license or passport is required during the check-in process in the main office. Some of the activities may take place outdoors (weather permitting), so please dress accordingly.

• 10/2-10/6/23--No School, Fall Break
• 10/9/23--No School, Columbus Day
• 10/11/23--Fall Fest (Families encouraged to attend!)
• 10/19/23--Picture Day
• 10/23/23--Fire Department Visit at School (Fire Prevention Month)
• 10/25/23--Family Advisory Council Meeting
• 11/2/23--Parent/Teacher Conferences (evening)
• 11/3/23--Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School)

• 23-24 Family Folder you will find general information about our school and programming. This folder contains information about school supplies, our daily schedule, policies/procedures, communication platforms, the school calendar and more!
• Your family's health, well-being and partnership is important to us! Use this form to easily request information, resources and/or support for your family.
• 23-24 Early Learning Center School Calendar

Important contacts:

Main Office: 309-865-6900

Pam Webster, Secretary (pwebster@emsd37.org)

Hilary Anselmi, Family Educator hanselmi@emsd37.org

Melissa McCullough, Principal (mmccullough@emsd37.org)