EECV Family Newsletter

Hello EECV Families,

Did you know that each school in the district works with their students on learning ways to show our district's "3 BEs"; Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn? This work is part of our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. PBIS is designed to improve social-emotional skills, academic success, and school climate through teaching of social skills and praise and encouragement. At EECV, our teachers talk with their students each day about what it means to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn. We also have visual posters throughout the school to remind our students how to show their 3 BEs throughout their school day. Classes practice kindness and helpfulness. Every day on our video announcements, Mrs. Petiya or I remind students about the 3 BEs and we often challenge them to show their 3 BEs to their family and teachers. Learn more about how we recognize our 3 BEs in a later section below. Hopefully you may see your child showing you the 3 BEs at home as well.

As the holiday season and winter begins, I wish you and your family peace and wellness. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. We hope to see you soon!

Also, please follow us if you are not already: Elyria Early Childhood Village;

https://www.facebook.com/EECVSchool/

Thank you for choosing EECV as a partner in your child's education!

Sincerely,

Jackie Plantner, Principal

plantnerjacqueline@elyriaschools.org

Kate Petiya, Assistant Principal - petiyakatherine@elyriaschools.org

Myia Bruening, Secretary - brueningmyia@elyriaschools.org

Gissele Lugo, Secretary - lugogissele@elyriaschools.org

Jake Keith, School Nurse - keithjacob@elyriaschools.org

• Wednesday, 12/3/25 - Storytime with the Elyria Public Library for Blue, Gold, Pink, Lilac, Gray, Green, Peach, Orchid, Rose, and Poppy Rooms
• Monday, 12/8/25 - Bookmobile
• Monday, 12/8/25 - Winter Concert for Kindergarten Students at the Performing Arts Center. Students should arrive at 6:45 PM.
• Wednesday, 12/10/25 - Storytime with the Elyria Public Library for Yellow, Purple, Aqua, Coral, Orange, Silver, Sunflower, and Daisy Rooms
• Wednesday, 12/10/25 - Spirit Wear Fundraiser Pick Up
• Monday, 12/22/25 - Records Day, No School for Students
• Monday, 12/22/25 through Friday, 1/2/26 - Student Winter Break, No School for Students, office closed 12/23/25 through 1/2/26
• Wednesday, 1/7/26 - Storytime with the Elyria Public Library for Blue, Gold, Pink, Lilac, Gray, Green, Peach, Orchid, Rose, and Poppy Rooms
• Monday, 1/12/26 - Bookmobile
• Wednesday, 1/14/26 - Storytime with the Elyria Public Library for Yellow, Purple, Aqua, Coral, Orange, Silver, Sunflower, and Daisy Rooms
• 1/19/26 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed, No School
• 1/26/26 - Bookmobile
• 1/30/26 - Professional Development Day for Staff, No School for Students

EECV is planning Spirit Days during the week leading to Winter Break. Participation is optional. If you have any questions please reach out to your child’s teacher.

• Monday, December 15th - Candy Cane Day - Wear red & white.
  
• Tuesday, December 16th - Holiday Wear - Wear your festive socks, sweaters, and/or hats.
• Wednesday, December 17th - Grinch Day - Wear green.
• Thursday, December 18th - Pajama Day - Wear your weather appropriate pajamas. No slippers please.
• Friday, December 19th - Snowy Day - Wear blue and white.

From our school handbook:

We love to celebrate and recognize special occasions in our students’ lives. Sending in treats or items from home is not required or necessary; however, if you would like to send something in to celebrate an occasion, such as your child’s birthday, please keep the following in mind:

• We have many students with allergies, so be sure to discuss treats with the classroom teacher first. All treats must be pre-approved by the classroom teacher. No food sent in for birthdays/celebrations will be consumed at school. It will be sent home in backpacks.

• All food items sent in must be individually wrapped, factory packaged, and include a list of ingredients. Again, no food sent in for birthdays/celebrations will be consumed at school. It will be sent home in backpacks.

• We encourage non-food items such as stickers, small containers of playdough or bubbles, temporary tattoos, glow sticks, or crayons and coloring books.

• No balloons or large decorations will be permitted in the building.

Dear Parents,

As the winter season approaches, we want to share some helpful tips to keep your preschooler healthy, safe, and comfortable during the colder months. Young children are more vulnerable to cold-related illnesses and seasonal viruses, so a little extra care can make a big difference.

1. Dress in Layers

Children lose heat faster than adults. Make sure your child wears layers of warm, breathable clothing, including hats, gloves, and waterproof boots. Layers help trap warmth and allow for easy adjustment indoors. Avoid bulky coats in car seats—strap your child in first, then cover them with a blanket for safety. [headstart.gov]

2. Boost Immunity with Nutrition

A balanced diet supports a strong immune system. Offer plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with whole grains and lean proteins. Foods with zinc (beans, nuts) and probiotics (yogurt) are great additions. Vitamin D supplements may help during darker months when sunlight is limited. [iuhealth.org]

3. Stay Hydrated

Cold weather can make kids less aware of thirst, but hydration is just as important in winter. Encourage water throughout the day and consider warm drinks like herbal tea or broth for comfort. [lesenfants...ldcare.com]

4. Maintain Good Sleep

Preschoolers need 10–13 hours of sleep each night. Consistent sleep routines help strengthen immunity and keep children energized for winter activities. [lesenfants...ldcare.com]

5. Practice Hand Hygiene

Frequent handwashing is one of the best defenses against colds and flu. Teach your child to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after playing outside or before eating. [iuhealth.org]

6. Get Vaccinated

Flu and other seasonal viruses spread easily during winter. Vaccinations are an important tool to prevent or reduce illness severity. [iuhealth.org]

7. Safe Outdoor Play

Outdoor time is healthy, but encourage breaks inside to keep the children warm. Bring children indoors if they become wet or cold. Apply sunscreen even in winter—snow reflects sunlight. [healthychildren.org], [headstart.gov]

By following these tips, we can help ensure that your child enjoys a safe and healthy winter season. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our preschool and kindergarten community well!

Warmly,
Nurse Jake

Be Respectful - Be kind and be a good friend.

Be Responsible - Follow school rules and be safe.

Be Ready to Learn - Be a good listener.

If your child will be riding the school bus this year, you will be notified of the bus schedule by GG&C Transportation. If you have any questions regarding the bus number or times for drop off and pick up, please contact GG&C Transportation directly at 284-8030.

If you need to make any change to your child's bus pick up or drop off, call the EECV Main Office at 440-284-8250. Thank you!

• Morning Student Arrival begins at 8:55 AM
• Afternoon Student Arrival begins at 12:35 PM

Parents choosing to transport their child by car must enter and exit from the Adelbert St. entrance to the Westwood Campus ONLY. See pictures in a later section of this newsletter.

Parents must park and walk their child to their designated arrival door (see map below). At the door, parents will leave their child with an EECV staff member who will escort them to class. No parents will be allowed to escort their child to the classroom.

• Gray, Yellow, Aqua, Peach, Pink, Orange, and Blue Rooms – East entrances
• Gold, Purple, Green, Lilac, Silver, and Coral Rooms – West entrance

• Morning Student Dismissal is at 11:40 AM
• Afternoon Student Dismissal is at 3:10 PM

Parents choosing to transport their child by car must enter and exit from the Adelbert St. entrance to the Westwood campus ONLY.

Parents must park and walk to their child's designated dismissal door (see below). At the door parents wait for the child's teacher to dismiss the child to their parent or guardian. Identification will be checked until staff are able to identify the person picking up the child. Please remember to bring an ID with you each day.

• Gray, Yellow, Aqua, Peach, Pink, Orange, and Blue Rooms – East entrances
• Gold, Purple, Green, Lilac, Silver, and Coral Rooms – West entrance

Have you opted in to receive text messages from Elyria Schools?

If you haven't already, please take a moment to sign up to receive automatic text messages from Elyria Schools.

This is a valuable tool in an emergency or when there's important, time-sensitive information to share.

The service is free and opting in is easy. Parents or guardians simply need to send a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district's short code number at 67587.

Just as simple, you can opt out at any time by replying to one of our messages with “Stop.”

The text feature and the robocall system are tied directly a student's contact information that is on file with your child's school. Please make sure this information is kept up-to-date to ensure you continue receiving calls or texts from Elyria Schools.

Please call the office to report your child's absence at 284-8250 before 9:15 AM. Our phone has 24-hour voicemail so that you may call and leave a message anytime. Please leave a voicemail if no one answers the phone in the office; voicemails are frequently checked and the office will receive your message.

Please make sure you always have a photo ID with you, when you come to the school, this is for the safety of our students.

The Main Office of any school building is a hub of activity. Students and staff are always on the go, in and out of the space throughout the school day.

It’s an active place for regular check-ins and meetings with students, as well as staff conferences and daily interactions with school principals and counselors. The Main Office is also a confidential space at times for conversations and interactions between school personnel and students.

Parents and caregivers are part of the equation, too. For any number of reasons, parents may be asked to come to their child’s school during the day. When that happens, parents should follow the district’s visitor procedures by using the school’s main entrance buzzer and intercom system to gain entrance to the school, and then signing in at the front desk.

If parents/caregivers do not have a meeting at the school but still need to come to the school during the day to see their child or to speak to a staff member, call-ahead notice or an appointment is required.

This ensures parents will be seen in a timely manner and upholds the safety practices of the school. To contact the Main Office, please call 440-284-8250.

Learners thrive when school is engaging and personally meaningful.

All Pioneers have a voice in decisions that affect them.

Excellence is achieved through vision, commitment and moral leadership.

Elyria Early Childhood Village

Email: plantnerjacqueline@elyriaschools.org
Website: www.elyriaschools.org
Location: 42331 Griswold Road, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: (440) 284-8250
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EECVSchool/