Judy Center Early Learning Hub

Off To a Great Start!

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We've had a wonderful first week with your children being back in the building! We are getting to know them and helping them get to know one another.

Did you know?!?!?

The first six weeks of school are so important in establishing a positive climate and expectations. We believe that by investing time at the beginning of the year by teaching social skills, character values, and setting rules together, children will benefit all year long by knowing they are in a place that is welcoming and safe. You can support us by talking to your child about the rules their class created for themselves and how showing CARES traits helps everyone do well in school and make friends.

C- Compassion, A- Acceptance, R - Responsibility, E- Empathy, S- Self Control

The Judith P. Hoyer Center Early Learning Hubs, also known as “Judy Centers,” benefit everyone in Maryland by improving the quality of life for families. Through a dedicated staff of early learning professionals, they help prepare children age birth through kindergarten for school readiness. Located at Title I schools in every Maryland county, Judy Centers play an important role in the communities they serve. Judy Centers provide services or connect families with local service providers for some of the following options:

• Adult Education
• Case Management
• Developmental and Health Screenings
• Family Engagement Activities
• Parenting Classes
• Playgroups
• Early Intervention Identification

Each Judy Center is unique in meeting the needs of its communities, thus if there is a service you are in need of please let us know!

Free Programming, Free Programming, Free Programming !!!

• Monthly Themed Activities
• Field Trips
• Home Visits
• Parent Café
• Weekly Day and Evening Playgroups
• Family Engagement Activities
• Home Learning Kits
• Child Care Provider Support
• Gifts
• Snacks

All About Me 🩰🏈

Week 1: My Face

Week 2: My Senses

Week 3: Arms, Hands, Fingers

Week 4: Legs, Feet, and Toes

National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15th to October 15th, 2024. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, celebrated annually from September 15th until October 15th.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

Summer schedules can be quite different than throughout the school term. Many of our students tend to shift their bedtimes back a few hours during these relaxing months. Sleep is very important to each child’s health and education. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2016) issued a Statement of Endorsement supporting the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines outlining recommended sleep duration for children from infants to teens.

The group recommends the following:

● Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

● Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

The group found that adequate sleep duration for age on a regular basis leads to improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health. Not getting enough sleep each night is also associated with an increase in other medical concerns. In addition to these recommendations, the AAP suggests that all screens be turned off 30 minutes before bedtime and that TV, computers and other screens not be allowed in children's bedrooms. For young children, establishing a bedtime routine is important to ensuring children get adequate sleep each night.

This is a summary of the statement from AAP, you can find the entire article here: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AmericanAcademy-of-Pediatrics-Supports-Childhood-Sleep-Guidelines.aspx

We encourage you to consider these guidelines as you begin shifting bedtime back into the school routine. Together we can partner to ensure all students are well-rested and ready to learn!

“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” —Abraham Lincoln

This year, our school-wide focus remains on Building Bridges as we seek to bridge ideas and relationships between students, colleagues, families, our district, and the community. But we are also incorporating the notion that happiness leads to success. There has been a great deal of research that supports the idea that a positive school climate leads to higher student achievement. The National Association of School Psychologists states, "A school's environment, and the degree to which students feel connected, accepted and respected, heavily influences students' academic achievement, mental health, and overall school success." We have has always had a warm and welcoming climate, but what a fun and energizing goal this is for all of us this year - to simply find ways to increase our happiness! Below are two articles on this idea, as well as a great (and amusing) video. Be in touch with any ideas you have to share on this topic.

Email: judycenterges@gmail.com

Website: www.smore.com

Location: Grasonville Elementary School
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100087158001512/
Phone: 410-827-9436