Preschool Press

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

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).

School Improvement Day

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.

Memorial Day

Please note this is different from the last day for older students.

Save the date for our Haines Firefly community celebration at Pottawatomie Park's inclusive playground. Classrooms will be assigned for one of two sessions: 9:00 am - 10:30 am or 10:45 am - 12:15 pm

Thank-you to those of you who were able to join the concert last night to sing, clap, and dance in celebration of the Week of the Young Child. We saw so many smiles, and heard loads of giggles! You are important to our work and we couldn’t do it without you.

Week of the Young Child is all about celebrating learning through creativity, connection, and play. Early childhood is a time of rapid growth. Experiences during these formative years lay the foundation for lifelong success. It shines a spotlight on how intentional teaching, supportive relationships, and engaging environments help children thrive.

We’d like to thank each of you for your partnership as we join you in supporting your child’s journey of discovery and growth. It is a joy to get to know you and your child(ren) and we are honored to be a part of your child’s early years.

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 May 1 to see preschoolers that are signed up to participate and did not see the dentist on February 13 or March 27. 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

May 12 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Online / Virtual

Registration

6:30PM – 7:30PM

** This event will be presented in English with Spanish translation **

This session is designed to support families and caregivers in understanding how sleep affects young children’s learning, behavior, emotions, and overall well-being—especially for children with developmental differences or IEPs. We will review the science of sleep in a practical, accessible way and discuss common sleep challenges that can interfere with daytime functioning at home and school. Parents and caregivers will also walk away with concrete, evidence-based strategies they can begin using right away to support healthier sleep habits and more restful nights for their children.

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. Remaining playgroup dates for the year are April 13, 20, 27, and May 4. Once you are registered you can attend whenever it works for you. Playgroups will resume in Fall 2026.

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 2026-2027 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.

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

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