Preschool Press
D303 Early Childhood at Haines Center
October 16, 2025
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
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.
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.
Haines Firefly Spirit Wear
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!
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.
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! 🧣
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!
St Charles Public Library Food Drive
D303 is supporting the St. Charles Public Library with their Community Cabinet Food Drive.
Halloween at Haines - October 31
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
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
Click here for more information about Student Library Cards offered by the St. Charles Public Library.
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.
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
Plastics Recycling
D303 News
Vital Living Wellness Solutions Series
Spanish translators will be available to assist parents.
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Community Resources
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
