September 18, 2026

All Things EC

Dear Families,

I hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Our students are continuing to learn and settle into our daily classroom and school routines. It has been inspiring to watch their progress. Their growth is evident each day as they build confidence and become more familiar with our school environment. Students who have previously been enrolled have been wonderful peer role models and seem eager to take on a leadership role!

Children have been talking about school and classroom expectations, and have started receiving Mighty Mustang Tickets. They are so eager to have their name pulled from either the classroom container or the main school box and be acknowledged for being safe, a team player, or for taking care of the school.

I want to extend a big congratulations to our morning (AM) students for a job well done during their recent fire drill! They followed directions, stayed safe, and handled the practice smoothly.

Looking ahead, please note a few important upcoming events and safety practices listed below.

Additionally, Friday, September 25, is a non-attendance day for EC students. We hope to see you at our first family event!

Thank you so much for your continued support and partnership in your child's education.

Warm regards,

Julie Cummings

Associate Principal of Early Childhood

Office Information

Mrs. Deb Regan, Early Childhood Secretary

dregan@d102.org

847.955.3501

Mrs. Sari Feldstein, Meridian School Secretary

sfeldstein@d102.org

Mrs. Julie Cummings, Meridian Associate Principal of Early Childhood

jcummings@d102.org

Office Phone Number: 847.955.3500

Fax Number: 847.634.4229

Office Hours: 7:30am - 3:30pm

Student Hours (Monday - Friday):

AM Session: 8:45-11:15am
PM Session: 12:35-3:05pm

Health Office

Mrs. Dale Furnish, RN

dfurnish@d102.org

Attendance Line: 847.955.3503

If your child will be absent from school because of illness, doctor appointments or vacation, please call your school’s attendance line (see above) by 8:00am or 12:00pm.

Please state your name, your student's name, the reason for absence, and homeroom teacher when you call. Keeping track of all students every day is an important task, and we greatly appreciate your assistance.

Important Information & Events

NO SCHOOL

Monday, September 21

Friday, September 25

Family Event

See the flyer below for more information and to RSVP to the event.

Parent Coaching

Our team is ready to start Parent Coaching classes for the year. These are available to all families… free of charge, no matter your child’s enrollment status!

Parent coaching is a style of emotional and behavioral support to increase confidence in your parenting skills. Our parent coaches (school psychologist and school social worker) can help by supporting adult stress-related issues, providing strategies to shift behavior challenges, and helping parents set achievable weekly goals.

Please review the introduction letter for more information, or click the button below to sign up for the mailing list. Submissions for the mailing list are due by Friday, October 2nd.

Parent Coaching Introduction Letter

Parent Coaching Mailing List

Reminders for Snack

As our children dive into busy days filled with learning, playing, and growing, nutritious fuel makes all the difference! A healthy daily snack helps maintain steady energy, boosts focus, and keeps our little ones feeling their best.

Below are ideas for snacks that are free of the main allergens. Thank you for your support in keeping our spaces safe for all students.

Safety Drills

Student and staff safety is our top priority. Regular safety drills are an essential part of emergency preparedness, giving our students and staff the opportunity to practice clear, calm responses in a safe environment. They are also a state requirement.

Upcoming Safety Drills

Wednesday, September 23: Fire Drill (PM)
Thursday, September 24: law enforcement drill

During a fire drill, early childhood students practice leaving the building quickly and safely. Teachers prepare children in advance so they know it is only practice, keeping the experience gentle and stress-free. We kindly ask that you avoid over-explaining or sharing detailed scenarios about the upcoming drill with your child in advance. Young children often process safety concepts differently than adults, and hearing too many details ahead of time can cause unnecessary anxiety.

Law Enforcement Drill

Meridian will perform its law enforcement drill on Wednesday, September 24th. As part of Illinois HB2400, parents/guardians need to be notified and provided an opportunity to opt their student(s) out of the drill, if they choose, and have their student(s) complete alternative safety education.

Please contact Mrs. Cummings, jcummings@d102.org, if you wish to have your child participate in the alternative safety education with a staff member in the main office. The deadline for selecting alternative safety education is Monday, September 14, 2026.

District 102 has adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) by the I Love U Guys Foundation. “Lockdown” is one of the five actions included in the SRP as a response to an emergency. Lockdown drills educate staff and students about what to do to remain safe in a classroom or other parts of the school in the event of a lockdown. This typically involves verifying the door is locked, moving students to a location out of sight through windows or upon entrance to the room, and coaching students to remain calm and quiet. These activities are conducted in ways appropriate to the developmental level of the students involved, students are notified in advance, and they will have an opportunity to ask questions. The drill does not include any type of simulations that mimic an actual shooting or active shooter event.

As with fire drills and other safety drills, the goal is to acclimate staff and students to a plan that they will be able to follow quickly and safely if ever necessary. The safety of our staff and students is of utmost importance to us. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Kindness Fundraiser

On Monday, September 28, your child will come home with materials for the kindness fundraiser. Please ensure that the Boarding passes are turned in to the classroom teacher by Friday, October 2. Teachers will be checking students' backpacks throughout the week.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Here Almost Here

We will hold our fall Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 15 and October 16 this year. Please watch for more information on how to sign up in the weeks ahead.

First View Bus Tracking App

Did you know you can track your child's bus?

Download the First View app and use the code: F2L3X

Pyramid

What is the Pyramid Model?

The Pyramid Model is a multi-tiered framework that helps parents and educators promote young children’s social-emotional competence and proactively address challenging behaviors. By aligning strategies between home and school, this collaborative approach creates consistent environments that help young children thrive.

Throughout the school year, I will share further Backpack Series for Families. These resources pair with what we teach in the classroom. Check out the updated Backpack Series for Families below.

Beginning of the School Year Focus: Transitions

At the start of the school year, early childhood students are practicing key daily routines to build confidence, independence, and safety:

Children transition from one activity to the next throughout their preschool day. Teachers plan for transitions in advance by creating special routines. These routines help prepare children for transitions, engage them in the change, and help them move smoothly to the next activity. Teachers might use a special instrument or song to signal clean-up time.

When children can participate in or lead the transition, they are excited and eager to move to a new activity.

Backpack Connection Series for Families: How to Help Your Child Transition Smoothly Between Places and Activities

We transition, or move, to new places, people, and activities many times each day. However, change can feel overwhelming and unpredictable for your child, especially when he/she isn't ready to move on to the next place or activity.

Children make many transitions each day—from parents to teachers, from home to car, or from playtime to the dinner table, for example. Adults usually decide when and how often transitions occur, and children often act out with challenging behavior when they feel unable to control their routine. When you help your child prepare for transitions, you help him/ her learn a valuable skill.

Want to learn more? Click on the backpack!

A Note From Mrs. Furnish

Health Office

Dale Furnish, CSN, RN, TNCC

Attendance Line: 847.955.3503

Medication Information

Welcome to the new 26-27 school year! I am looking forward to seeing all of your kids. My name is Dale Furnish, and I am the nurse at Meridian School. Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any health concerns or questions; dfurnish@d102.org, 847.955.3570.

If you have a child with life-threatening food allergies who requires epinephrine, an inhaler for

asthma, a seizure disorder, or diabetes, please reach out to me ASAP. You will need your emergency action plan from your doctor along with all medications listed on their emergency action plan.

If your child needs to take a daily medication at school, you will need the medication authorization form completed by your doctor.

Just a reminder: children may not bring prescription or over-the-counter medications to school without a medication authorization form completed by the parent and doctor.

Please access the D102 website to download any of the different Medical Forms that you might need.

Please remember ALL medications must be in the original bottles or boxes. Prescriptions must

have the prescription on it for me to be able to keep them in the health office and administer them.

I am looking forward to a happy, safe, and healthy school year with your children.

Dale Furnish, CSN, RN, TNCC

Dfurnish@d102.org

847.955.3508 - Phone

Important/ Required Forms

Required Form to be Completed by a Physician-- Updated

All students entering early childhood are required to submit proof of immunization and a physical examination within 30 days of starting school. Your child's pediatrician will also have this form on site, but it is linked below for your reference.

For students who have had a physical within the last year, please have your doctor fax the document to:

(847) 634-4229

If the form is not received, your child will NOT be able to attend school.

Certificate of Child Health Examination

Early Childhood Parent Directory

Building a strong Early Childhood community is important to our students, staff, and families. The PTO provides access to student and family contact information through the PTO Family Directory. If you would like to connect with other families or make your information accessible so they can contact you and your child, please sign up for the PTO Directory.

D102 PTO

Important Links

Student Pick Up Form

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

EC Family Calendar (Year at a Glance)

EC Special Events Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

School Supply List

EC Family Directory- Join the PTO!

About Us

2195 Brandywyn Ln

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

847.955.3500

Meridian Early Learning Center

Meridian Message [EC] 8/7/26

August 7, 2026

September 18, 2026

All Things EC

Office Information

Health Office

Important Information & Events

NO SCHOOL

Family Event

Parent Coaching

Reminders for Snack

Safety Drills

Law Enforcement Drill

Kindness Fundraiser

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Here Almost Here

First View Bus Tracking App

Pyramid

What is the Pyramid Model?

Beginning of the School Year Focus: Transitions

Backpack Connection Series for Families: How to Help Your Child Transition Smoothly Between Places and Activities

A Note From Mrs. Furnish

Health Office

Important/ Required Forms

Required Form to be Completed by a Physician-- Updated

Early Childhood Parent Directory

Important Links

About Us

September 18, 2026 September 18, 2026

All Things EC All Things EC

Office Information Office Information

Health Office

Important Information & Events Important Information & Events

NO SCHOOL

Family Event

Parent Coaching

Reminders for Snack

Safety Drills

Law Enforcement Drill

Kindness Fundraiser

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Here Almost Here

First View Bus Tracking App

Pyramid Pyramid

What is the Pyramid Model?

Beginning of the School Year Focus: Transitions

Backpack Connection Series for Families: How to Help Your Child Transition Smoothly Between Places and Activities

A Note From Mrs. Furnish A Note From Mrs. Furnish

Health Office

Important/ Required Forms Important/ Required Forms

Required Form to be Completed by a Physician-- Updated

Early Childhood Parent Directory

Important Links Important Links

About Us About Us

September 18, 2026

All Things EC

Office Information

Important Information & Events

Pyramid

A Note From Mrs. Furnish

Important/ Required Forms

Important Links

About Us