Early Learning Center News

"The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own desire to learn. "

― Maria Montessori

January 15th- Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

January is here! This year will be full of new beginnings, new adventures, and new experiences! The 1st semester has officially ended. It seems like it was just yesterday that it was the first day of school! This year will be a great year, and we look forward to continuing to watch your children grow! We are also ecstatic to announce that the ELC has a new Director, Catherine Bailey!

Mark your calendars:

January 15th- Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

As always, thank you for sharing your children with us. May this year bless your family with success and positivity!

- Paula

Paula Wagner

Executive Director of Parent Services

wagnerp@fsdbk12.org

Phone: (904)827-2221

VP: (904)201-4540

Our Classroom Theme for this month is Zoo and Dinosaurs! We will be discussing types of animals that live in the Zoo and how Dinosaurs transform through the years. We will also be discussing types of animals that eat plants and meat. We have a new student joining us this month! Welcome Karyn! We had to say goodbye to Tina, our teacher assistant. She will be missed!

This student is working on Pink Tower and Brown Stair Extensions. The purpose of this is to introduce children to the concept of variation in size, weight, and stacking. Children are expected to discriminate differences. This lesson introduces math concepts such as length, width, and height

In the afternoon, big workers (Kindergarten ready students) have been working hard to learn how to form simple words and recognize upper and lowercase letters and match them to the correct words. We continue to work on kindergarten readiness skills in order for students to be able to have smooth transitions when they move up.

Montessori at home Tips: Practical life in the KITCHEN!

Have your child help you in the kitchen at home.

-Peeling and cutting bananas/orange

-Dish Washing

-Pouring water or milk for their cereal

-Cut and wash vegetables

-scooping snacks or side dish on their plate

These simple activities will help give your child success and self-confidence of independence. Those activities also will attract your child and give them a calm focus to do adult-like tasks on their own. This will gain a sense of responsibility in their own home and space.

In the Blue classroom, our kiddos have been discussing responsibility, dinosaurs, and learning all about Scandanavian culture! We also have had some big changes to our schedule! We have started eating lunch in the Big Cafeteria on campus! They have adjusted really well to the transition. We are so proud of them! We also welcomed a new friend to our class, named Leo!

For the month of January, we are celebrating National Hobby Month. On Saturdays, your child can choose their favorite hobbies to do at home with family and friends. Many of these are outdoor activities. You can

always adapt these ideas. This is a great opportunity to stay active while also spending quality time with family and doing something you all enjoy or something you haven't tried before to gain a new experience.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

- Physical Education & Health Team

The ELC posts cute pictures of cute kids doing cute things. FSDB posts notices to keep you aware of all of our FSDB Parent Classes and other activities.

If you would like to follow the page, click the link below. Also, if you have not done so already, please like and follow the main FSDB Facebook page.

ELC Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/FSDBEarlyLearningCenter

FSDB Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fsdbk12

Parent Engagement Workshops (PEW) are learning opportunities open to ALL FSDB parents, guardians and caregivers. During PEW, we discuss current and relevant information about our school, parenting strategies, helpful resources, and much more.

ELC Office

PH or Text: 904-827-2835

VP: 904-201-4529

Gore Hall Office (if you cannot reach anyone in the ELC)

904-827-2520

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Health Care Center

PH: 904-827-2410

VP: 904-201-3910

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Transportation

PH: 800-992-8747

Parent Services

PH: 904-827-2212

VP: 904-201-4527

Campus Police

PH: 904-827-2315

207 San Marco Avenue,

St. Augustine, FL, USA

wagnerp@fsdbk12.org

ELC Webpage

ELC Facebook Group

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, political opinion, affiliation, marital status, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other basis as mandated by federal and state law in its educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices. FSDB also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups as required by law.

Contacts for questions, complaints, or requests for additional information are as follows:

Student Discrimination/Harassment

FSDB Boarding Program Administrator

PH: 904-827-2603

Requests in writing can be sent to:

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

207 San Marco Avenue

St. Augustine, FL 32084