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Preschool Press

D303 Early Childhood at Haines Center

PreschoolPressD303 Early Childhood at Haines Center

October 16, 2025 October 16, 2025

Informe de español

Dates Dates

Oct 17 (Fri): Get Carded

Especially for Haines Firefly Famlies

6:00 pm - 7:00

St. Charles Public Library

1 South 6th Avenue, St. Charles

Oct 24 (Fri): Chicken Salad Chick Orders DUE

This is the last day to place your order for our TAC Chicken Slad Chick fundraiser.

Oct 24 (Fri): Picture Retakes

For new students, students who were absent on picture day, or families who would like a retake.

Oct 28 (Tue): Maddie's Mitten March

4:30 - 6:30 pm at Richmond School

Oct 29 (Wed) and Nov 19 (Wed) Early Release Day

AM classes DISMISS EARLY at 10:25 AM

If your child rides the bus home from our morning session, drop off at your home or child care will be 25 minutes early.


PM classes START EARLY at 11:25 AM and DISMISS EARLY at 1:30 PM

If your child rides the bus to school for our afternoon session, pick up will be 25 minutes early from your home or child care and the bus at the end of the day from Haines Center will drop off 50 minutes earlier.

Oct 31 (Fri): Spirit Wear Orders DUE

This is the last day to place your order for our TAC Spirit Wear fundraiser.

Nov 11 (Tue): Maddie's Mitten March

4:30 - 6:30 pm at Munhall School

Nov 24 - 28 (Mon - Fri): NO SCHOOL

Nov 24-26: Non Attendance Days (Offices Open)

Nov 27-28: Thanksgiving Break

D303 Early Childhood at Haines: Get Carded D303 Early Childhood at Haines: Get Carded

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Does your child have a library card? If not, now is your chance to get one at St. Charles Public Library!


Stop at the registration desk to sign up for your child's student library card. When you are finished, head downstairs to the Youth Department to explore library materials available for your child. Activities for children ages 3-5 will be set up for children and their family to explore together in the Helen Gale Story Room.

https://www.scpld.org/use-your-library/library-cards/


Not a resident of the St. Charles Public Library District? Your child is eligible for a D303 student card! This card offers library services to students attending schools in School District 303 but who do not reside in the Library District.


  • This card is intended for D303 student use only.

  • There is a limit of 25 items per card.

  • This card renews annually based on enrollment at a D303 school and having the parent/guardian acceptance of responsibilities (via D303 online registration opt-in).

  • This card is governed by the acceptance of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the St. Charles Public Library and D303.

  • Frequently asked questions

Teacher Appreciation Committee Update Teacher Appreciation Committee Update

A Big Thank You

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the dinner for staff during Parent-Teacher Conferences a success. We truly appreciate your support.


This month, we’re launching two fundraisers. All proceeds will go to the Teacher Appreciation Committee to support our teachers and staff. Orders and payments for both fundraisers are due by October 24.
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Haines Firefly Spirit Wear

Look for more information soon about our first-ever Spirit Wear fundraiser featuring our Haines Firefly mascot, Lumi.
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Quick Chicks for a Cause – Chicken Salad Chick

You can also support our Teacher Appreciation Committee by ordering 1 lb containers (4–5 servings) of Chicken Salad for $15 each. For each container sold, the Teacher Appreciation Committee (TAC) will receive $3.


Orders will be delivered to Haines on Thursday, October 30. Pick up will be during AM dismissal, PM arrival. Families with bus riders will have the option to either pick up the chicken salad orders OR have them sent home with their child on the bus.


To place your order by October 24, use the links below:

  • English order form: https://forms.gle/oQnChugPVfRUtD7D7

  • Spanish order form: https://forms.gle/GnCA7jFPrYS9F1eDA


Thank you for supporting our Teacher Appreciation Committee!

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Volunteers needed!

he staff would like help with various tasks including cutting, laminating, copying, etc. If you are able to come to the school and volunteer your time the staff would greatly appreciate it! Please fill out the google spreadsheet with your name on the time(s) you are able to help.

Volunteers needed!

Parent-Teacher Conferences & Book Fair: A Success! Parent-Teacher Conferences & Book Fair: A Success!

Thank you to our Haines Firefly community for a successful two days of parent/teacher conferences. We hope that as the school year continues we can continue to strengthen the home-school partnership between your family and your child’s school team on behalf of your child’s learning and development.


Our Book Fair was also a success. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of new books to build our Early Childhood library.

🧤 Save the Date: Maddie’s Mitten March is Coming! 🧣 🧤 Save the Date: Maddie’s Mitten March is Coming! 🧣

Get ready for winter with Maddie’s Mitten March — a free event providing winter coats, hats, boots, gloves, snow pants, and more for individuals of all ages, from infants to adults.


No registration or personal information is required. Families will be served on a first come, first serve basis, and you'll be able to choose the items that best fit your family's needs.


Event Dates & Locations:

📍 Tuesday, October 28
⏰ 4:30 – 6:30 PM
📌 Richmond Elementary School, 300 S 12th Street, St. Charles


📍 Tuesday, November 11
⏰ 4:30 – 6:30 PM
📌 Munhall Elementary School, 1400 S 13th Avenue, St Charles


Come and prepare your whole family for the cold months ahead!

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St Charles Public Library Food Drive St Charles Public Library Food Drive

D303 is supporting the St. Charles Public Library with their Community Cabinet Food Drive.

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Halloween at Haines - October 31 Halloween at Haines - October 31

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Halloween is an exciting time for many children and families. We also know that changes in routine, like special days at school, can sometimes feel overwhelming for some students.


With that in mind, students are welcome to wear a costume to school on Friday, October 31st, if they would like. Costumes are optional — it’s just fine if your child prefers not to dress up.


If your child chooses to wear a costume, please follow these guidelines:

  • No full-face masks

  • No weapons or weapon-like items

  • Costumes should be safe and easy to move around in at school


Teachers will continue with the regular daily schedule, with some fun Halloween-themed stories, songs, or activities mixed in. Our goal is to keep the day calm and comfortable for all students.


Please note:

  • We will not be hosting parties or a building-wide parade

  • Please do not send any food, candy, or party items with your child

If you have any questions, feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the D303 Early Childhood Office at Haines. Thank-you for your support of these guidelines.


If you have any questions, feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the D303 Early Childhood Office at Haines.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

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Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Attendance Line

To report a student absence:


  • Main Haines building number- 331-228-3400
  • Press 1 for the Early Childhood Center
  • Press 1 for the Attendance line
  • Clearly state your child's name and the reason for their absence.
  • If you do not provide a reason for their absence OR do not call the absence will be unexcused.


Bus riders: There is no need to call transportation to report an absence. Drivers stop at each designated stop even when children are absent to stay on schedule for the rest of the route.

St. Charles Public Library Student Cards St. Charles Public Library Student Cards

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Click here for more information about Student Library Cards offered by the St. Charles Public Library.

Playgroups Playgroups

Mondays

Playgroups at our Haines Family Resource Center offer children, ages 0-5, and a caregiver a safe, quality, and educational play opportunity. Connect with other caregivers (parents, grandparents, babysitters, etc.) to share experiences, learn from each other, and build social networks.


Sessions:

  • 9:35 - 10:35 am
  • 12:05 - 1:05 pm (Spanish speaking families)
  • 1:05 - 2:05 pm


**There is no fee for this program. Playgroups meet every Monday school is in session. Once you are registered you can attend whenever it works for you.

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Preschool for All Preschool for All

Applications are now being accepted for D303's Preschool for All Program, which is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education, for the 2025-2026 school years. The program is for chidlren ages 3-5 who are not yet eligible for Kindergarten and provides a school experience at the Haines Center. Children are eligible based on factors such as developmental delays, low income, homelessness, having a parent or sibling with a disability, parent education level, or a non-English speaking household, among others.


Phone: 331-228-4834 for more information

Preschool for All

Preschool for All - Preescolar para Todos by Tricia Sabathne

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Plastics Recycling Plastics Recycling

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D303 News D303 News

Vital Living Wellness Solutions Series Vital Living Wellness Solutions Series

D303 is hosting a parent-empowerment series featuring Dr. Megan Schmitz of Vital Living Wellness Solutions. The series, titled “Guiding Students from Avoidance to Achievement,” includes three evening events at North High School and is part of D303’s student-attendance initiative.


Spanish translators will be available to assist parents.

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Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

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Community Resources Community Resources

AOK Family Resource Guide
D303 Community Backpack
Referral GPS
An anonymous easy to use secure website to locate Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Resources. This resource is provided in partnership with St. Charles District 303 and available to all students, parents, and staff.
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D303 Early Childhood at Haines Center

Website: https://ec.d303.org/
Location: 305 S 9th St, St Charles, IL 60174
Phone: 331-228-3400, Press 1 for Early Childhood

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