Early Education Center

As cold and flu season begins, we typically see an increase in students needing to stay home to recover. Use the directions below to let us know when your child will be absent.

Also, please be reminded of our illness policy so we can keep everyone as healthy as possible this season!

A child will be required to go home for the following symptoms within 24 hours of school: fever, diarrhea, vomiting, green discharge from nose, sore throat, undiagnosed rash and/or non-treatment for lice. For more information, please check out the 2026-2027 Handbook

During conferences, you will receive information and an order form for our fall pizza fundraiser with Harry’s Pizza. This is a delicious and easy way to support early education programs and simplify a busy family life, if you choose to participate.

Quick Tips for Easy Participation

• Solve Dinner Dilemmas: Stock your freezer now with ready-to-bake dinners. You'll thank your past self on those hectic weeknights!

• Share the News: Post quickly on social media to let local friends and family know they can support us and grab an easy meal.

• Family Trip Helper: Visiting family over fall break? Bring your order form! Grandparents, aunts, and uncles love helping out and getting a convenient dinner option.

• Volunteer: We can always use an extra set of hands to help everything run smoothly on pizza pickup day. Email eecinfo@alexschools.org to volunteer from 1-4 pm.

Information Letter

Order Form

This month, preschoolers will read books, practice vocabulary words, and engage in math, literacy, and language activities around the theme "Our Community." We will address questions such as:

• What do we do at school?

• What is it like where we live?

• Who are the people who help in our community?

• What vehicles do we know about; How do they help us?

As your child's first and most important teacher, continue the conversation at home! You can use the below chart to connect at home. In addition, we will have the posters in our preschool hallway each month so you can talk about them if you have to wait at arrival. This will be a fun and connecting way for families to add to the learning.

Closed-toe running shoes and clothes that can get dirty are best for our daily outdoor activities. Based on the crisp morning air lately, it is also time for our annual winter gear reminder.

Please make sure your child is prepared for cold weather by preparing to send boots, snowpants, hats, mittens, and warm coats to school each day. Start now with a warm outdoor sweatshirt or jacket.

If your child needs warm winter gear, you are invited to visit the United Way’s Coat Room (details below), or let your child’s teacher know!

Alexandria United Way Office

Oct. 15 from 10 am - 6 pm

Oct. 16 from 10 am - 2 pm

**Warm winter items are being collected for United Way in our entryway through Friday, October 9

On November 3, district voters will consider an operating levy to stabilize our budget and support the essential curriculum, programming, and staff that keep our schools strong. If approved, the levy would allow our district to leverage a new state aid program to bring seasonal recreation property tax dollars back into our district. It would provide $3.7 million annually to help protect the neighborhood schools that make Alexandria Public Schools a place where every learner can thrive.

On Monday, October 12, Superintendent Rick Sansted will share information on the “why and what” behind the operating levy request. The 30 minute presentation will begin at 7pm in the District Office, Oak Conference Room, 1410 S McKay Ave., Ste. 201. There will be time at the end for questions.

The district is also partnering with the Echo Press on a five-part series around the need, the opportunity, what happens if it passes, what happens if it fails, and voting information. Part I on the need establishes key financial information on the need for a new operating levy. The article was published in the Echo Press on Friday, September 18. You can read the article here.

Without new funding, the district will be forced to make tough decisions that will threaten the quality of education, which could include:

• Cuts to academics, electives, unique community programming, and essential student support services

• Reducing 15-20 staff positions

• Eliminating or greatly reducing middle school activities

• Significant changes to our neighborhood elementary school model, which could include closing one or more schools, and would impact students, families, and staff

If the referendum is not approved, district leaders will create a detailed plan to determine where budget reductions will be made.

Having the facts will help you decide on this important vote. You can also learn more about the referendum and early voting options at CardinalCommunityPlan.org.

To view and/or order your child’s school photos, use this event code: FE357326 at this link.

Picture retakes are on Monday, October 12 from 8:45am - 12:45pm.