They read The Lorax and made their own little adorable truffula trees! 🥰

It is not too late to join in on the Kid's Heart Challenge Fundraiser. Below is step-by-step instructions on how to register. Kids get prizes starting with as small as a $5 donation! There are prizes at $5, $10, $20 and keep building the more that they donate.

Happy Disability Awareness Month ELC families. We have kicked off the month by completing this bulletin board as a school. Each class received puzzle pieces and directions for how to color. I love how each student at this school was able to leave their mark on our bulletin board.

I created two videos for the teachers to share in their classrooms. I read the story, All Are Welcome written by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman. This story focuses on celebrating diversity and creating a community where everyone is welcome. Feel free to talk to your child about Disability Awareness Month and reinforce being inclusive and kind to students with disabilities.

I also shared a video for teachers to share in their classrooms about the different tools we see throughout the school being used such as noise canceling headphones, wobble cushions, visual schedules, chewy sticks. I talked about why we might use them and how they are used.

We will have a spirit week from March 18th-March 22nd. Donate $1 for the week for your child to participate in the spirit week. This donation benefits Chasing Dreams Inc. This company provides programs for children with special needs and their families. There is no cost for families to utilize their programs. Please visit chasingdreams.org for more information on their programs and services they offer. Here is the spirit week information:

In the next couple of weeks we will share our special education staff in a “Get to Know Me’ piece. I look forward to continuing to bring awareness to our school and staff during our National Disability Awareness Month.

Miss Newton - LRE Facilitator

Did you know that all of the special education staff in the School City of Hobart are employed by both NISEC and SCOH? NISEC is a cooperative that serves 8 school districts across Lake County.

Here at the George Earle Early Learning Center we have 13 staff members that serve the special education community. Each week for the month of March (National Disability Awareness Month) we will introduce you to our special education staff.

• Years at ELC: 3

• College attended: Purdue University

• Degree: Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education

• Hobbies: thrifting, walking, being outdoors with my family

• As the LRE Facilitator I am responsible for creating and implementing IEP’s. I teach small groups in the subject areas of math, english language arts, social-emotional learning, and behavior. I also push into the K classrooms and assist students with functioning in the general education environment.

• Years at ELC: 2

• College attended: Brown Mackie College

• Degree: Bachelor’s in Business Management

• Veteran: Served 4 years active duty in the Army, 3 years active duty in Indiana National Guard

• Hobbies: reading, crafting, latch hooking, diamond painting

• As the kindergarten LRE paraprofessional I work mostly in the K classrooms doing push-in services with our students. I also work with Miss Newton in some of her groups.

• Years at the ELC: 13 years (43 total teaching years!)

• College attended: Glassboro State in New Jersey

• Degree: Bachelor’s in Special Education Early Childhood

• Hobbies: gardening, reading, spending time with family

• As the ECD teacher, I create and implement IEP’s for 3-5 year olds. I teach AM and PM classes 4 days per week.

• Years at the ELC: 2 year

• College attended: Indiana University Northwest

• Degree: Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

• Hobbies: reading, baking, spending time with family

• As the ECD paraprofessional, I am responsible for assisting with the students in the ECD classroom.

• Years at the ELC: 2 years

• College attended: currently attending WGU

• Degree: Elementary/Special education

• Hobbies: sewing, reading, hanging out with friends

• As the ECD paraprofessional, I am responsible for assisting with the students in the ECD classroom.

• Years at the ELC: 1 year

• I am responsible for assisting with the students in the ECD classroom.

Did you know that you as parents can nominate a staff member to be recognized as someone who is Being Excellent On Purpose? Dr. Buffington LOVES to know about and celebrate the positive!

Brickies From the Start is hosting a Family Dance Night! Join us on Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the ELC. This is a free event for the whole family! Please register to reserve spot:

The School City of Hobart Building Brickies' goal is to strengthen families by empowering parents as their child’s first and best teachers. Every day, we advocate for families so every child-in every neighborhood-can thrive.

If your child isn't feeling well, please keep him or her at home. You must report the absence IN SKYWARD before 10:00AM. There is no need to call the school to let us know. If there are any questions about the absence, we will reach out to you.