Early Learning Center

"The child gives us a beautiful lesson- that in order to form and maintain our intelligence, we must use our hands. "

Welcome to the first ELC newsletter of the new year! As we continue to embark on an exciting and dynamic school year, we are thrilled to share updates, highlights, and important information with you. Our commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment for every student remains at the forefront of everything we do.

In this newsletter you will find key dates, upcoming events, and important announcements, along with a look at the incredible achievements and growth taking place in our classrooms. We encourage you to stay informed and involved as we work together to create a positive and enriching experience for all of our students.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working alongside each of you to make this year a memorable one for our school community.

As always, please call or email me with any questions, and thank you for sharing your children with us!

-Catherine

Catherine Bailey

Director of Early Learning

(904)827-2835

VP: (904)824-4540

baileyc1@fsdbk12.org

We have a lot of events coming up until the end of the school year!

Save the date

February 27th: Muffins with Mom

March 29th: Donuts with dad

April 17th: Spring Fling

May 23rd: ELC Graduation

May 29th: Splash Park

Summer Camp Dates: June 16th to 27th

***SUMMER CAMP Registration will be due SOON!***

Writing activities are first introduced with Metal Insets, such as the ones included in the picture shown, that consist of different shapes for a child to trace. This is the first introduction to holding a pencil and making controlled marks on a paper. Metal insets continue an ongoing practice for hand-eye coordination, hand control, concentration, and larger muscle control for sitting. When they complete their readiness skill in this area, they will be introduced to Sand Paper letters to trace and use the sand tray to trace letters with their finger.

Developing good handwriting practice:

It is important to have proper posture to keep the child’s body relaxed when sitting comfortably on an appropriate size chair. Important to have a table where it does not cause a child to slouch or hunch their shoulders. Their feet should also be touching the floor. Also it is a good idea to have space for the child to not feel cramped and have enough movement space.

February 27th: Muffins with Mom

March 29th: Donuts with dad

May 21st: ELC Graduation

May 29th: Splash Park

The students are diving into a fascinating unit on hibernation. They’re learning all about how animals prepare for and survive the winter months. To make it even more exciting, the students are creating their very own texture animal books, where they can feel and explore different textures that animals might encounter during hibernation.

The students are also enjoying the delightful story Bear Snores On. This engaging book provides a wonderful narrative about a bear who hibernates through the winter, unaware of the activity happening around him. Through this story, the children are not only gaining insights into the concept of hibernation but are also being introduced to a variety of animal behaviors in a fun and relatable way. To deepen their understanding of the story, the students are exploring tangible items related to the narrative. These hands-on materials help bring the story to life, allowing the children to engage with the content in a more interactive and sensory-rich way. By physically handling objects that represent elements of the book, the students are better able to connect with the characters and themes, reinforcing both their comprehension and their enthusiasm for the topic.

We are also engaging in a variety of winter-themed activities and Montessori-inspired works to support our students' learning and development. In addition, we are dedicating time to discussing the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting his contributions to social justice and equality. To further celebrate the season, we are collaborating on creating a vibrant winter mural, fostering both creativity and teamwork.

Additionally, we are introducing the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, focusing on the three 'Be's: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. We will also explore strategies for emotional regulation, including how to appropriately use the Calm Down Corner to manage big feelings and practice self-control. These activities are designed to promote both academic growth and emotional well-being in a supportive and engaging environment.

Next week, we will be celebrating Chinese New Year with lots of exciting activities and surprises! It's going to be a fun-filled week, and we can’t wait to share all the festive traditions with the students. We have some amazing crafts and games planned, so be sure to ask your child all about it!

Dear Parents,

We warmly invite you to our Baby Dragons Club, where parents can connect and learn together! Join us every Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 in Gore Hall Room 126, where we'll dive into exciting topics like cooking with kids, the power of fingerspelling in reading, and fun strategies to make reading time special. Plus, we have so much more in store!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sonia Garcia-DeNight at garcias@fsdbk12.org.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Early Learning Center

PH or Text: 904-827-2835

Gore Hall Office (if you cannot reach anyone in the ELC)

904-827-2520

Cary White Office (if you cannot reach anyone in the ELC)

904-827-2739

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Health Care Center

PH: 904-827-2410

VP: 904-201-3910

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Transportation

PH: 800-992-8747

Parent Services

PH: 904-827-2212

VP: 904-201-4540

Campus Police

PH: 904-827-2315

207 San Marco Avenue,

St. Augustine, FL, USA

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The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, political opinion, affiliation, marital status, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other basis as mandated by federal and state law in its educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices. FSDB also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups as required by law.

Contacts for questions, complaints, or requests for additional information are as follows:

Student Discrimination/Harassment

FSDB Boarding Program Administrator

PH: 904-827-2603

Requests in writing can be sent to:

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

207 San Marco Avenue

St. Augustine, FL 32084