East Early Childhood Center
February Newsletter 2026
VALENTINE'S PARTIES
Valentines Parties are set for February 11th!
We are asking that up to two family members only attend during this party. This will alleviate the number of people present in our classrooms.
Please refrain from bringing younger siblings. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but appreciate your understanding. Please find alternate care so you can focus on your Early Childhood student. We will have sign in sheet for you to sign in the classroom.
We will have additional events where more family members are able to attend. Be on the lookout for our Bingo Night for the adults, Play Day and Graduation (for our students going to Kindergarten) information later this Spring.
AM parties will be from10:00-10:45
PM parties will be from 2:15-3:00
You may take your child home after this event if you wish, please make sure you let your child's teacher know this. Thank you for assisting with these requests and we can't wait to celebrate with you!
COUNSELING CORNER BY MRS. JILL HADLER
COUNSELING CORNER BY MRS. JILL HADLER
In January, we have been learning ways to solve problems with our friends by practicing ‘Fair Ways to Play’ or Share by *taking turns, *trading, or *playing together. In February, we will continue to learn more about ways to solve problems and to be a friend to others. Practice trading toys with siblings…if each child is playing with a race car, they can ask, “do you want to trade?” Practice taking turns with a favorite toy or object. “Can I have a turn with the bike?” “When he is done with the bike, can I have a turn?” Practice play all together with plentiful toys such as blocks, babies, cars, legos, etc. “Remember, everyone gets to play with the blocks.” Books about Kindness: Be Kind by Pat Miller and Jen Hill Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson I Am One by Susan Verde Love Monster by Rachel Bright The Little Rose by Sheri Fink Try a Little Kindness by Henry Cole What Does It Mean To Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio Fun at Home with Kindness: Paint a kindness rock to display in your garden or hide for someone else to find Acts of Kindness BINGO for home (there are so many good choices online) Make a Kindness Jar–when someone in your family does something kind, add it to the jar–read them at the end of the day/week Write kind sidewalk messages/pictures Volunteer–Even a little helps a lot! Donate clothes, toys, or food to needy families Give compliments to others Share, as a family, the kind things that you did today while at school/work/home ‘Bailey Bear’ Spotlight In Extended Day, Bailey Bear visits every Friday morning to help the students learn the following: ways to take deep breaths (balloon, STAR, pretzel, and drain), identifying emotions, and skills in making/keeping friends. We have also learned ways to connect with each other (and, even the babies!) through songs (Twinkle-Twinkle) and partner games (Row-Row-Row Your Boat). Ask your child to sing/show you what they have learned! Need to Talk to the School Counselor? Please feel free to email or call me if you have any questions: jhadler@jr2mail.org (573) 243-5347
NEWS FROM THE NURSE
We can’t believe it is already February!!!!
Here is a little “note” from the nurses:
Please continue to monitor your child before sending to school. We are still seeing a lot of sickness during this time of year.
Keep your child home if they have a temperature of 100.1 or higher. They need to be 24 hours free of fever before they can return to school (during those 24 hours of being fever free you wouldn’t give fever reducing medication).
Keep your child home if they have been vomiting or if they have had diarrhea. They need to be 24 hours free of vomiting and/or diarrhea before they can return to school.
Dental news: Our second varnish day will be Feb 18th (only those students who received varnish in the fall will get varnish in the spring). Also, if you signed your child up for the fall varnish but they were absent they will NOT be eligible for the spring varnish.
Clothes needed: we are in need of boys shoes, size 9-13.
Thank you so much for helping us keep our littlest learners healthy!
Nurse Theresa Stearns, RN - tstearns@jr2mail.org
Nurse Tosha Borgfield, BSN, RN - tborgfield@jr2mail.org
EARLY CHILDHOOD REMINDERS
- Just a reminder for parent drop off and pick up-make sure the bus lane is clear at all times. Please walk your child to the teachers at the door to ensure they get in the door safely!
- We will head outside to recess as much as possible during the winter months. Children tend to warm up fast on the playground and then shed all of their gear. Please label all of your child's clothing items, like hats, gloves, coats, etc.
- If you change your child’s normal mode of transportation for the day, please let the office know before 10:00 for AM students and 2:00 for PM students by calling the school office at 573-243-5347.
SAVE THE DATE FOR GRADUATION!
Mark your calendars! Thursday, May 14th is the tentative graduation date for students that will be graduating from our program and continuing to Kindergarten during the 26-27 school year. More information will be coming in following months! This date is pending weather and make up dates!
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February 2-6, 2026- National School Counseling Week
February 6, 2025- Early Childhood Screening (Students not currently in our program that are 3 before February)
February 11, 2026- EC Valentine’s Parties (AM-10:00 and PM-2:15)
February 13, 2026-No School - Teacher Professional Development Day
February 16, 2026- President’s Day - No School
February 24, 2026-Spring Picture Day
February 26, 2026- Parent Teacher Conferences
