Preschool Press

Weekly from 5 - 7 PM at the Haines Center

Families may join at any point in the program and are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible. Register here

No sessions February 16, or March 30.

Three options:

• 9:35 - 10:35 am

• 12:05 - 1:05 pm (Spanish)

• 1:05 - 2:05 pm

D303 Early Childhood Teacher Work Day

Three options:

March 24 (Tuesday)

• 5:30 - 6:30 pm (Virtual)

• 9:15 - 10:15 am (Haines)

• 11:45 am - 12:45 pm (Haines)

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.

Spring Break

School resumes April 6

Save the date for a fun family concert with Jim Gill at Haines (between 5 and 7 pm). This is an opportunity for children, parents, grandparents, caregivers and our school staff to experience the joy of music play TOGETHER!

A fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children their teachers, families, and communities. Sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

There is NO SCHOOL on Thursday and Friday (Feb 26 & 27).

School will resume on March 2.

The 5Essentials survey is administered to District 303 parents. The Parent Survey is open now through March 13, 2026. All responses are confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. To take the survey, visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/login/

IMPORTANT: To enter your feedback for D303 Early Childhood at the Haines Center enter this information on the survey:

*County: Kane

*School: Early Childhood Program (305 S 9Th St, IL, Saint Charles)

If you have any questions, please email UChicago Impact Surveys at impact-surveys@uchicago.edu. Thank you for your participation. It will help us understand the conditions at the Haines Early Childhood and to guide improvement for District 303.

Together We PLAY LEARN GROW

This calendar has simple, daily tips that turn everyday moments into learning moments - because LEARNING STARTS AT BIRTH. Designed for families with children from birth to age five, this bilingual guide (English/Spanish) is rooted in The Basics Principles and helps you build your child’s brain, support healthy development, and grow the skills they need to enter kindergarten confident and ready to thrive.

The pediatric dentist and dental assistants will return on March 27 and May 1 to see preschoolers that are signed up to participate and did not see the dentist on February 13. Please contact tricia.sabathne@d303.org if you have any questions.

The Preschool Lottery may have closed but it isn’t too late to register your child for D303 Community Preschool at the Haines Center. There are currently openings. Fill out the 2026-2027 Preschool Waitlist form at https://ec.d303.org/registration.

More Information and Register HERE

We'd love to see your child at school every day unless they are sick or there is a family emergency. Your child's unique contribution to their classroom and our school is valued, and missed when they aren't here.

Are you having trouble getting your child to school on time or at all? Please contact Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator (CAFE) to collaboratively identify some solutions.

When you enter the dismissal car lane, help us out by displaying your visor tags on the upper left visor. Email Grace at grace.patel@d303.org if you need additional visor tags or rubber bands used to display the tags.

We also request you keep all children in their seats and buckled until you have pulled all the way up to the unloading area, and not leave your loading spot until all children are securely buckled.

Thank you in advance for your help in keeping our car line running smoothly and safely.

The 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.

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.

Outdoor play continues throughout all the seasons at D303 Early Childhood at Haines Center weather permitting, and is an important part of our curriculum. Classrooms go outside as long as conditions are safe to do so and the temperature, including wind-chill, is above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Please be sure your preschooler has clothes appropriate for outdoor play daily. If weather prohibits outdoor play (e.g., raining, too cold, or hazardous conditions like ice present) classrooms use one of our indoor motor areas. If you are in need of a warmer coat for your child please contact Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator, at tricia.sabathne@d303.org

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 year. 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

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.

D303 is gathering community input as part of a districtwide review of facility needs. Families and community members are invited to complete a short online questionnaire to share what you believe D303 should prioritize as we plan for the future of our schools. The questionnaire will remain open through March 6.

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

At the library

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