Cherry E.C.F.E.🐾

⛄🌞March's mix of snow and sun reminded us that spring is COMING! 🌷 As April arrives, we're nearing the end of our ECFE calendar and planning a few field trips in the coming months.

Here are the key dates to note:

📅 Last Day of Class for the 2025~ 2026 School year : April 13th

• No Classes: April 6th Easter/Spring Break🐰

• Monday Morning Class Time Reminder: Pot Luck /End of class celebration

• Time to arrive~​

  • 10:30 am to 12:00

  • Morning classes will combine for a longer time frame and share a potluck meal together. ECFE provides hot dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, paper products, lemonade, and mac and cheese.

• Thank you again for being a part of our school family we were blessed by you all !

🏫🍎 Kindergarten and Preschool SNEAK A PEEK Night:

• Date: Thursday, April 16th 2026

• Time: 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

• Peek into Kindergarten: (For children entering Kindergarten in Fall 2026 must be 5 before September 1, 2026)​

• Peek into PreK: (For children entering Preschool in Fall 2026 must be 4 before September 1, 2026) ​

Join us for a cozy and fun Soup, Story & Playground Morning at Cherry School!

We’ll kick things off with playground time from 10:00–10:30 AM on the Early Childhood playground—perfect for kids to move, explore, and connect with friends. After playtime, families will head inside to enjoy a warm bowl of soup and a story together.

Date: Monday, April 27
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM

Cherry ECFE families are invited to a fun-filled morning at the Old School! Come explore the Discovery Center Early Childhood Room, enjoy time in the bounce house, and connect with other families in a playful, welcoming space.

We’ll wrap up our time together with an optional group lunch, available as a free-will offering. A $5.00 suggested donation includes soups, salads, and sandwiches (served Wednesdays & Thursdays).

Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Location: Old School Lives Highway 53 Cotton, MN

This is a great chance to play, learn, and build community—we hope to see you there!

Join us for a fun-filled evening at Cherry ECFE Truck Night & Car Show! 🚒🚜🚗

Bring the whole family to explore a variety of trucks and vehicles, enjoy a tasty root beer float 🥤, and share a free dinner together 🍽️. Kids will love visiting Mr. Ed’s Farm Animals 🐐🐓, and families can take time to view student work and displays! 🎨📚

Date: Tuesday, May 12
Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
Location: School North Parking Lot

Please let us know if you have a display you wish to bring. Hope to see you there! ✨

🌳☀️ ECFE Park Playdate! ☀️🌳

Join us for a fun-filled day at the park on Monday, May 18th! Families from both Cherry and North Woods schools are invited to come together for play, and outdoor fun. 🛝💛

Choose a time that works best for your family:
🕙 Morning Session: 10:00–11:30 AM
🌆 Evening Session: 4:30–6:00 PM

Come explore the playground, meet other ECFE families, and enjoy a relaxed time building friendships and community. 🌈

🥨 Light snacks will be available, or feel free to bring a picnic lunch and a blanket for your family to enjoy! 🧺

📍 Location: Olcott Park, 901 9th St N, Virginia, MN 55792

We can’t wait to see you at the park! 🌼😊

🎥 Watch & Try: “Serve and Return” with Your Child

Molly Wright shares a powerful message in her TED Talk about how everyday moments with your child shape their brain and future.

What if something as simple as playing peek-a-boo could build your child’s brain?

During the first five years of life, your child’s brain is growing faster than at any other time—creating over 1 million neural connections every second. These connections form the foundation for:Learning and language Emotional regulation Relationships Mental health

• 🧠 Early childhood years are crucial for brain development.
• 👶 Games like peekaboo can help build memory and trust in children.
• 🗨️ 'Serve and return' is critical for healthy development.
• 🔗 Strong child-adult connections boost confidence and exploration.
• 📈 The brain can make a million neural connections every second during early years.
• 🏠 A supportive environment and community are vital for child development.
• 🤝 Consistent interaction fosters life skills and mental health.
• 📵 Lack of meaningful interaction can cause confusion and stress in kids.
• 🎮 Play is important for building imagination and empathy.
• 📚 Vocabulary and attention can be enhanced through simple naming games.

📖 Spring Story Time (Read-Aloud)
Build language, connection, and imagination with a fun spring story:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g12WOtu04-I
🌸 Snuggle up or read outside on a blanket for extra fun!

🎨 Spring Crafts for Kids
Get creative with easy, low-prep craft ideas:
👉 /https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com/cool-spring-crafts/
🌈 Try paper flowers, rain clouds, or nature collages using items from home.

🔬 Outdoor Spring Science Activities
Turn your backyard into a hands-on learning lab:
👉/https://www.weareteachers.com/easy-science-experiments/
🌱 Explore planting seeds, watching bugs, and observing weather changes.