Cultivate Mankato: May 2023 News

VOL. 36 MAY 2023

This Month's News

Parent Resource

IMPORTANT Policy Reminder!, Conference Recap, Upcoming Community Events

Help! My Child is Hitting

NURTURE. GROW. EMPOWER.

NEW!

Important! Find menus, events, events, reminders, forms, links, here on –our Access to menus, reminders, links,etc., forms, etc. allParent in one Dashboard location!

C L I C K H E R E T O AC C ES S T H E P AR EN T D AS H B OARD

Remember to bookmark or add the link to your home screen – this link cannot be found on our website.

Only those with the direct link can access the dashboard.

May News Index

2023 Center Closures

04

IMPORTANT Policy Reminder!

05

Up and Coming

06

Kindergarten Celebration, Preschool Picnic

07

Refer and Hire Incentive, Welcome

08

Hiring and Benefits

09

RaiseRight - Save on Tuition

10

Sensory Library

11

Your Participation is Needed!

12-13

Upcoming Monthly Study

14

Arena Group: GiANT Monthly Sessions

15

Upcoming Community Events

16

Scholastic Orders, Conference Recap

17

Workiversaries

18-19

Infant Development Center

20

227 Event Space

21

Parent Resource

22

Covid-19 Policies updated February 2022

Review & download MN Dept of Health COVID-19 Decision Tree for People in Child Care Programs

25-26

VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE READ As you are likely aware, we have a significant number of members in our Community at Cultivate who have severe nut allergies. Peanuts, along with many other varieties of nuts can cause severe allergic reactions in a wide range of ways, a few of which are by surface contact and airborne particles.

As a school we have a responsibility to keep our students, staff and visitors safe and to reduce risk of harm. We require all items brought into any of our sites to be free of: Peanuts, Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans, Hazelnuts, Cashews, Pistachios, Brazil Nuts, Pine Nuts, Macadamia Nuts, Peanut Butter or peanut based chocolate snacks (Snickers/ Reese’s pieces etc), items in which peanuts or nuts are listed as main ingredients, nut or peanut based oils or products, nut-based spreads such as Nutella or Almond Butter, etc.

DO'S AND DON'TS

FOR CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS AT CULTIVATE: ALLOWED

NOT ALLOWED

CUTIE ORANGES

NO CUPCAKES

FRUIT SNACKS

NO COOKIES

STICKERS

NO BAKED ITEMS

PENCILS/CRAYONS BUBBLES A STORY TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS

NO ICE CREAM NO POUCHES

Up & Coming!

DON'T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR

MAY 10: PROFESSIONAL GRADUATION PHOTOS PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, KINDERGARTENERS FALL ' 23

MAY 17: KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATION PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, KINDERGARTENERS FALL ' 23

MAY 8: CHILD CARE APPRECIATION WEEK NATION-WIDE, THANK YOUR CHILDRENS' TEACHERS

MAY 13: MVAC MANIFEST ART FAIR CM SPONSORING COMMUNITY EVENT, BEC LIBRARY 12-8PM

Details on pg 16

MAY 20: CITYART “KICK OFF YOUR WALK” onDetails pg 16 COMMUNITY EVENT, CARNEGIE ART CENTER 9-11AM

MAY 25: ANNUAL SPRING PRESCHOOL PICNIC PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, SIBLEY PARK 10-2PM

MAY 29: MEMORIAL DAY NATIONAL HOLIDAY ALL PROGRAMS, CENTER CLOSED

JUNE 17: JUNETEENTH CM SPONSORING

Details on pg 16

COMMUNITY EVENT, CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, AFTERNOON

KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATION WHEN: MAY 17TH AT 4:15PM We need time to get the community room ready after snack. So please do not come more than 5 minutes before, because we will still be setting up.

There will be plenty of room and all seats are good seats!

WHO: 2 GUESTS PER KINDERGARTEN CHILD ONLY PLEASE To keep numbers down. We will be recording it as well. To watch go to YouTube, search Cultivate Mankato, find Kindergarten Celebration 2023 on our Channel.

WHAT: THE CELEBRATION WILL INCLUDE A FEW SONGS, EXPERT CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION, A PICTURE SLIDESHOW, AND SNACK/SOCIAL TIME CULTIVATE NEWS | 5

www.cultivatemankato.com

ATTIRE: CHILDREN WILL BE GIVEN A CULTIVATE MANKATO SHIRT TO WEAR AND A CAP TO USE FOR THE CELEBRATION GRADUATION PHOTOS: ARCHER PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE AT CULTIVATE ON MAY 10TH BETWEEN 8:00-9:00AM TO TAKE GRADUATION PHOTOS OF OUR PRESCHOOLERS GOING TO KINDERGARTEN THIS FALL. NOTE: A cap and gown, and a Cultivate shirt will be provided!

Spring

PRESCHOOL PICNIC

THURSDAY, MAY 25TH 10AM - NOON AT SIBLEY PARK Parents are invited to join us at the park for a picnic lunch prepared by Cultivate Kitchen.

Please complete the permission form for your child to attend the picnic.

PERMISSION FORM CULTIVATE NEWS | 7

www.cultivatemankato.com

CULTIVATE MANKATO

Referral & Hire $200 TUITION CREDIT

Family Incentive Program

Refer a teacher and if hired, receive $200 tuition credit.

No limits on the number of referral & hires.

Questions? Email Megan Diedrich at megan.diedrich@cultivatemankato.com

! e m o c l e W

​Please share this information to help us find caring, outstanding and qualified individual to join our team!

TO OUR TEAM!

Morgan Kiemele, Infant Teacher, April 10

OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS

OUR BENEFITS & INCENTIVES: ‣ Health, Dental, Vision Insurance ‣ Professional Development Training & Stipend ‣ Retirement Plan ‣ Professional Work Environment ‣ Competitive Wages ‣ Paid Teacher Appreciation Days ‣ Child Care Benefits ‣ No Nights or Weekends ‣ Drinks, Snacks & Lunch Provided ‣ Team Parties & Events

CLICK HERE TO APPLY CULTIVATE NEWS | 9

www.cultivatemankato.com

SAVE ON TUITION

click here for Cultivate Mankato' s RaiseRight FAQ ENROLL HERE

ENROLLMENT CODE:

GIFT CARD ORDER SCHEDULE:

HAVE QUESTIONS?

CZGPSWL3ID8X

1st & 3rd FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

JORDYN ERICKSON jordyn.erickson@cultivatemankato.com

CULTIVATE NEWS | 5

(physical gift cards)

www.cultivatemankato.com

C U L T I V A T E MN

SENSORY LENDING LIBRARY made possible by community donations through CultivateMN

Now Available!

Reserve Anytime. Online reservations only. 7 day reservations.

Pick up is available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30-5pm 110 S. Broad Street, Mankato MN 56001 We worked hard with Sam Olsen, OT with Persist Therapy, to get our sensory library ready for use! Cultivate Mankato teachers will also be able to utilize our sensory library, and children will be able to visit and use our quiet space if sensory breaks are needed.

Thank you to the following for supporting our youngest children!

Bev Palmquist Kristen Friedrichs Nazli Yilmaz CULTIVATE NEWS | 11

Kirsti Cole Michele Determan Lyn Merritt

Tarek Khalife The Dubbelde Family Anissa Sandland

Cathy Walser Brooke Forstner Shea Kluender

www.cultivatemankato.com

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS NEEDED!

Coming C U L T I V A T E M A N K A T O

Soon! C O O K B O O K

We are creating a CULTIVATE MANKATO COOKBOOK! This cookbook will include some of our favorite Cultivate Kitchen recipes alongside recipes from YOU! Please share a favorite family recipe and the story of why it is special to you. We are looking for your family’s go-to dishes. The ones that everyone looks forward to. The ones you break out for special occasions and the ones you eat every week. Maybe you have a recipe you created as a family, like Skyler’s Butterfly Breakfast. (see photo - - ->) Please submit your recipes and stories to becky@cultivatemankato.com by May 31st.

CULTIVATE NEWS | 8

Here is an example of a family recipe and story from Ms. Becky…

Salsa

6 medium size vine ripened tomatoes (stems removed) 2 jalapeno peppers 1 poblano pepper 1 cup green onion (diced) 1 juice from freshly squeezed lime 1 cup canned diced tomatoes 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2 cloves garlic (minced) 1 tbsp salt

Taco Filling

2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 cup finely chopped white onion 2 medium size jalapenos (seeded and finely chopped) 3 cloves of garlic (minced) 2 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp mexican oregano 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tbsp ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder 2 pounds ground beef 1 cup chicken stock 1 cup finely chopped fire roasted tomatoes (15oz can) 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (leaves and stems) 1 tbsp fresh juice from lime

She would fry the corn tortillas (one shell at a time) in a tiny cast iron skillet and as they began to harden she would fold one side over the other to form a taco shell and cook it a little longer until they were hard and crunchy. While this may sound simple enough, it was a process that would take hours of love and include a secret ingredient as well as a memory that would be with me forever.

Growing up, one of my favorite dishes was my mom’s tacos. I remember her cooking the ground beef in cast iron skillets that were handed down to her by her grandmother. She made fresh homemade salsa, chopped avocados (from our avocado tree), hand shredded cheese and lettuce.

Directions

On a stove heat a large skillet (medium high heat) place vine tomatoes and peppers in the skillet.

Continue to saute, rotating the vegetables occasionally until all sides begin to blister (about 20 minutes). Set aside to cool.

Once cooled, chop off the stems of the peppers, remove the seeds from the jalapenos.

Cut the vegetables into large pieces.

Place tomatoes, peppers, onion, lime juice, and canned tomatoes into a blender and pulse quickly until just mixed (about 5 seconds) add garlic, cilantro, salt and pulse for another 15 seconds until well blended but chunky.

Place in a large bowl and refrigerate until cooled. It tastes better after 24 hours. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add onions and cook until beginning to brown around edges (5-7 minutes) Add jalapenos and garlic and cook for 30 seconds then add chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander and chipotle powder and cook for another 30 seconds.

Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon until browned throughout about 5-7 minutes.

Stir in chicken stock and diced tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until liquid thickens, about 15 minutes.

Stir in cilantro and lime juice and season with salt to taste.

UPCOMING

MONTHLY STUDY

Within our education curriculum, we use studies to guide our lesson planning. Studies are a broad concept that we focus on for 4-6 weeks. Currently our study has been all about Spring.

This month we will begin our Water Study. Reach out if you feel your family has something special to share in regards to our upcoming study. We love family participation!

CULTIVATE NEWS | 14

www.cultivatemankato.com

INVITES YOU

ARENA GROUP

MONTHLY SESSIONS UPCOMING TOPIC:

5 VOICES Sessions are held every month via Zoom

Upcoming Session:

MAY 25

TH

* Participating is optional

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC If you would like to join this session, contact Candice Deal-Bartell at candice@arenagroup.services and request the zoom link For 2023 our team is intentionally focusing on culture, relationships, values, and leadership development at Cultivate! Every month, our team has the option to attend a virtual leadership meeting that focuses on a specific topic. All are welcome – including our Cultivate families!

CULTIVATE NEWS | 15

www.cultivatemankato.com

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS Children's activities sponsored by Cultivate Mankato / Cultivate MN E

E

TO

L E A R N MOR

CL ICK HER

MANIFEST ART FAIR BLUE EARTH COUNTY LIBRARY

12:00 - 8:00 p.m.

SAT. MAY 13

Cultivate Mankato will be hosting children’s activities at the Manifest Art Fair on Saturday, May 13th. Join us INSIDE the library for some table activities and OUTSIDE the library for BIG BUBBLES and more!

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

SAT. MAY 20 “ K I C K O F F Y O U R W A L K ”

CITYART COMMUNITY DAY

O MO R E I N F

I N G S OO

N

AFTERNOON

SAT. JUNE 17

RE TO L EAR

N

RE

M CO

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The Carnegie Art Center is kicking off the new season of the CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour on May 20th.

There will be live music, interactive art and guided tours at 9:30 and 10:30. Join Anissa outside on the sidewalk where we will be chalking the walk with amazing art.

CK

CARNEGIE ART CENTER

CL I

"Kick Off Your Walk" Community Day!

JUNETEENTH

CIVIC CENTER PLAZA

Join Us! Please join us at the Greater Mankato Diversity Council Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 17th. Cultivate Mankato will be hosting the children’s activities.

Look for more details in the June newsletter.

If you would like to volunteer at this event please contact Anissa. anissa@cultivatemankato.com

HELP US BUILD OUR CLASSROOM RESOURCES

SCHOLASTIC Book Orders!

Use Class Code: R76H7

Through the Scholastic Book Club, you have the choice to place an order each month. Your orders will allow us to earn free books for our Cultivate library and will be used throughout all of our classrooms. Books will be delivered to Cultivate and sent home with your child.

Orders are due the 2nd Friday of every month.

Reminder: please write your first & last name on your book orders Use the link below to order.

Order will be due on Friday, May 12th.

Any questions about ordering can be emailed to Ms. Tera at tera.vankeulen@cultivatemankato.com Link to order: https://orders.scholastic.com/R76H7

TEACHER-PARENT CONFERENCES RECAP Last month, April, our Education program completed a checkpoint through the GOLD assessment.

All teachers used specific documentation they had been collecting over the last months, and then reviewed where each child was in their development using the GOLD assessment tool. These reports were shared out to each parent, including some goals to focus on. This was the first time the infant program had done a checkpoint report, so they did a modified version to start with. Next checkpoint, they will be completing all objectives in 6 developmental areas. Congrats infant teachers on starting the process of assessment and GOLD reports!

This past checkpoint, the toddler and preschool teachers for the first time, completed all objectives...that is between 50-60 objectives they planned activities around, collected multiple observations on and completed a report on!

Congrats to the toddler and preschool teachers on this accomplishment and your hard work!

CULTIVATE NEWS | 17

www.cultivatemankato.com

CELEBRATING Four YEARS WORK ANNIVERSARY Anissa Sandland Community and Culture Coordinator

CULTIVATE NEWS | 18

www.cultivatemankato.com

CELEBRATING Three YEARS WORK ANNIVERSARY Tera Van Keulen Infant Teacher & Infant Program Liaison

CULTIVATE NEWS | 19

www.cultivatemankato.com

CULTIVATE MANKATO INFANT DEVELOPMENT CENTER

SAME PROGRAM SAME VALUES SECOND LOCATION

SECURE YOUR SPOT FOR FALL NOW ENROLLING FOR JANUARY 2024 | NOW HIRING

www.cultivatemankato.com Interested in being a volunteer baby rocker? Contact Us Today!

Our Infant Development Center:

♡ Conveniently located near Mayo Hospital & Mankato Clinic ♡ Space is designed specifically for infants 3-16 months ♡ Brand new facility with the same stellar infant program ♡ Exceeds policies & procedures expectations ♡ Detailed parent communication throughout the day ♡ Infant development checklists, lesson planning & activities ♡ Staff on-site training & professional development CULTIVATE NEWS | 20

ENROLLMENT CONTACT FORM JOIN OUR TEAM APPLY HERE MORE INFORMATION www.cultivatemankato.com

free event space to host your child' s next birthday party

227 EVENT SPACE PARTNERED WITH NU EVENT PLANNING and offers a beautiful space for your upcoming party, meeting, or training.

Located in beautiful downtown Mankato, 227 E. Main Street.

Our Event Space provides:​​

Reservation Cost:

Seating for up to 60 people A large kitchen island with bar stools A kitchenette with:

$250 for 4 hours ​ FREE for CM Families

refrigerator, freezer, sink & microwave

Please Note: Saturday and Sunday reservations only.

Tables, table clothes & matching chairs Large windows providing lots of natural light Beautiful artwork Access to bathrooms

2023 Graduations are right around the corner and our 227 Event space is the perfect venue!

ALL PROCEEDS FROM OUR 227 EVENT SPACE SUPPORTS CULTIVATE MANKATO' S MISSION & INITIATIVES

FULL SERVICE EVENT PLANNING 227 Event Space partnered with Nu Event Planning

EVENT SPACE

Parent Resources

CULTIVATE NEWS | 22

www.cultivatemankato.com