Early Learning Center

The children will all be learning about life cycles of animals, frogs, insects - there's just so much to learn! They will also be learning about how seeds grow, what plants need to grow, and we will be planting our garden boxes!

Here are some things to keep in mind as the weather becomes warmer.

Water - Warm temperatures mean the children are drinking more water. PLEASE send a reuseable water bottle clearly marked with your child's name -everyday. Please do not send water bottles with milk in them - with warmer temperatures the milk becomes warm by they time the children arrive at school and it spoils quickly.

Weather - The temperatures can be cool in the morning and hot in the afternoon. If your child wears a jacket, make sure it has his/her name on it. Sometimes, the AC in the classroom can be cool, you may want to keep a sweater in your child's backpack.

Shoes -If your child wears sandals to school (flip flops are not permitted) make sure to send running shoes in the backpack so she/he can participate in PE. (Keep in mind, we play outside for recess daily and sandals are hard to run and play in on the mulch.)

Sun Protection - If you want to send a hat or sunscreen, clearly marked with your child's name, please feel free to do so. We will keep it in your child's cubby.

Please contact your child's teacher with any questions!

As always, thank you for sharing your children with us!

Gail

That means - please do not send peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter cookies, snacks with peanut butter etc. Our policy excludes ALL tree nuts and peanuts - that includes almonds, cashews and walnuts. The cafeteria is aware of this change and is no longer providing the ELC any food or snacks that contain nuts.

Thank you for helping us to keep all of our students safe and healthy.

Mar. 6-10: Spirit Week - see flyer below

Mar. 10: Parent University "Home Hyjinks" - see flyer below

Mar. 13-17: Spring Break

Mar. 19: Parent University "Please Touch the Art" - see flyer below

Mar. 23: Blind Department Carnival - see flyer below

Mar. 24: Parent Chat - see flyer below

April 7: ELC Spring Fling / Field Day - please contact your child's teacher if you are interested in volunteering at this event - more info to come

April 10: NO SCHOOL

April 12 and 13: Dance Troupe presents, "Shrek Jr. the Musical" at 6:30 pm in Kirk Auditorium

End of April Date TBD: Countdown to Kindergarten - for all parents of children who will be transitioning to Kindergarten in Aug. 2023 - more info will be sent home soon

May 12: ELC Graduation - more info to come soon

March 3, 2023

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Hello,

This school year has been moving by quickly! It's been a while since I made a video message. I would like to take the opportunity to share four topics with you.

First – Next week is our Spirit Week. Our ELC (Early Learning Center) came up with fun and creative ways for students and staff to engage. Our themes for the week:

· Monday – Super Hero

· Tuesday – Tacky Tourist

· Wednesday – Stripes and Polka Dots

· Thursday – Colorful Rainbow

· Friday – Peace Out!

Second – Spring Break! Our spring break is Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17. Hope everyone has an awesome and fun week.

Third – Parent-Student Handbook. We just released the updated version of our Parent-Student Handbook. When there are updates due to statutes, rules, or expectations, we review our Parent-Student Handbook, make changes, and re-publish it to our website. You can find it on the Parent Services page under resources. The website address is www.fsdbk12.org/parent-services.

Fourth and last – Climate Surveys. In April, FSDB will be sending out our Climate Survey. This survey is for parents, students, and academic staff members. We ask questions about instruction, engagement, partnership, safety, and facilities. When you get the link, please take 10 to 15 mins to complete the survey. We want to know your thoughts so we can do better. We want to make sure each student is provided with the best educational and learning experience in order to prepare them for future success.

Hope you have a wonderful rest of your day and see you next time on the President's Post.

The ELC is happy to provide a copy of this book for all of our ELC families. If you were able to come to Montessori Night in February - you were already introduced to some of the concepts in this book. There are SO many good and easy ideas to incorporate at home to help your child build confidence and independence. This book will be sent home on March 6 to all ELC families.

This book is:

A parent’s guide to building independence, creativity, and confidence in their children using Montessori learning techniques, written by Montessori Foundation president Tim Seldin.

An international bestseller, How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way adapts Montessori teachings for easy use at home. Packed with Montessori-based preschool activities and educational games that build confidence and independence through active learning, this authoritative illustrated guide helps raise self-reliant and creative children. Celebrate physical and intellectual milestones from birth to age six with activity checklists, and encourage development through proven child-centered teaching methods.

This edition has been updated to include information about the neuroscience of child development and shares advice about screen time in the digital age, coparenting, other family changes, and gentle discipline methods.

How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way shows parents how to bring the teachings of Montessori into their home to create a safe, nurturing environment for their children with clear and concise instruction

This was SUCH a fun event! Thank you to all of our ELC Dads, Grandpas, Uncles and friends who were able to attend. It's such a good opportunity for your children to sit with all of you and share food and practice their manners. Each family will receive a copy of the book, Please Mr. Panda, Thank You Mr. Panda or I'll Wait Mr. Panda, to share with you at home. This year's event was made even better when the City of St Augustine Fire Department firefighters came to celebrate with us. They brought their firetruck and gear and after the event, all of the children were able to spend time with the firefighers trying on gear, getting in the truck and talking to them about their jobs. We look forward to this event every year. See below for pictures! (We tried to get a photo of all of our families and children but somehow we missed some of you who were here! Please know that with or without a photo, your presence was valued, was important, and made a strong impression on your child. Thank you all for coming!)

Email: strasselg@fsdbk12.org
Website: www.fsdbk12.org
Location: 207 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL, USA
Phone: 904-827-2835
Facebook: facebook.com/FSDBEarlyLearningCenter