March ELC Newsletter

They say, "Time flies when you are having fun" and I can confidently say that holds truth for the month of February. The theme was centered around Kindness. We made a beautiful Kindness Quilt (thank you families for helping), took a Kindness Field Trip and made Kindness Jars at our monthly playgroup. Kindness is not a behavior you teach, it is something you model and our friends have done a fantastic job of being kind!

As part of their Creative Curriculum studies, some classrooms have been diving into the world of music-making and instruments through hands-on, joyful exploration. They are not just listening to music — they are discovering how music is made.

From building homemade instruments and experimenting with rhythm and sound, to exploring volume, tempo, and vibration, children are learning through doing. Guest experts are sharing their talents, classrooms are filled with singing and movement, and curiosity is leading the way!

During their Weather Study, Ms. Vallejo's preschoolers became little researchers and mathematicians! Children completed a class survey and recorded their results using tally marks. As they counted and compared their data, they practiced one-to-one correspondence, number sense, and early graphing skills.

Hands-on investigations like this help children see how math connects to the real world—collecting information, organizing it, and discovering patterns together.

During their Weather Study, students expressed their observations through cloud drawings. This hands-on activity encouraged careful observation, creativity, and discussions about the changing sky.

During the Tubes and Tunnels Study, investigation questions guide children to think like scientists and engineers. Rather than giving answers, staff pose open-ended questions that spark curiosity, prediction, and problem-solving. The questions often begin with “what,” “how,” and “why,” helping children explore cause and effect through hands-on testing.

These students have been hard at work exploring the world of signs! From traffic signs to labels and classroom symbols, students have been noticing how signs help us stay safe, find our way, and share important messages. They’ve been spotting signs around the school, creating their own signs during center time, and using writing, drawing, and dramatic play to show what they know.

Learning about signs helps children understand that print has meaning and a purpose—an important foundation for reading and writing! We love seeing their curiosity come to life as they connect classroom learning to the world around them.

As a way to celebrate their learning, students in Ms. Webster's classroom created their own unique signs for an end-of-study sign parade!

A heartfelt thank you to our family educator, Ms. Tara, for writing a grant that made this wonderful music therapy experience possible for our students and families. The smiles on their faces say it all—so much joy, connection, and learning filled the room.

This session was the perfect extension of our current studies, tying beautifully into our music exploration while also incorporating songs about signs to support our Signs Study. We love when learning comes alive through hands-on, meaningful experiences like this. Thank you to all of the families that joined us for this special opportunity!

Our full-day preschoolers took a field trip to The Family Museum, where play and learning went hand in hand. Students made exciting connections to their Tubes and Tunnels and Signs studies as they explored ramps, pipes, pathways, and symbols throughout the exhibits. It was a joyful day filled with curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery! Thank you to all of the families that joined us for this experience!

We LOVE feedback! Please fill out this brief survey if you attended one of our events, to offer suggestions/celebrations/concerns, or anything else you would like to share with us!

Home visits promote healthy child development and school readiness. It is required to have one home visit per school year.

If your family's SNAP benefits are being affected by the current government shutdown, please click the image below. This resource guide will provide local area food pantries that you are able to access if need be.

If you are experiencing a hardship or need a little extra help, please email tschofield@emsd37.org.

Click the image if your child is in need of a coat. The ELC has partnered with the East Moline Rotary Club to provide coats for our students. Supplies may be limited.

Our school implements The Pyramid Model, a framework for supporting the social and emotional development of our children. An important part of our Pyramid Model work includes supporting families and sharing information about promoting social and emotional skills at home. Check out this family resource to learn more about supporting your child's behavior through connection.

If you would like to be a guest reader for our Lending Library contact Ms. Tara

📚🎒 Looking for local community events and activities? The EMSD Digital Backpack is your go-to spot for community happenings!

Click the QR code to view this month's breakfast and lunch menus

March 1st- 31st Reading Challenge

March 11th- No School (Home Visits and Kindergarten Kickstart Meetings)

March 16th-21st No School (Spring Break)

March 26th Parent Workshop- I Love You Rituals

March 31st Drawing for Winner of our Book Challenge

Do you have younger children? Bring them in for a developmental check-up! Open to EMSD residents with children aged 0-5 years old. Call our secretary, Lindsay, to schedule an appointment for a screening. Currently enrolled students do not need to be screened.

Important contacts:

Main Office: 309-865-6900

Lindsay Hill, Secretary (lhill@emsd37.org)

Tara Schofield, Family Educator (tschofield@emsd37.org)

Melissa McCullough, Principal (mmccullough@emsd37.org)