Cultivate Mankato: November 2020 News

VOL. 07 NOV 2020

This Month's News

Parent Resources

CultivateMN

Weather Reminder, GMG Award, Toddler Classroom, Coffee Now Available

How to Give Choices and Improve the Most Challenging Behaviors

Stories Shared by Child Advocates

NURTURE. GROW. EMPOWER

November News Enjoying the First Snowfall Preschool 3

Message from Candice Lately, I’ve been indulging in goal setting books and one that I recently dusted off my shelf is Your Best Year Ever. I remember excitedly buying this book at the beginning of the year thinking, “yes, it will indeed be the best year ever!”

For the past several months, the book has sat on my bookshelf, and when I caught glimpses of the binding from the corner of my eye, I gave a little chuckle in spite of

Paint Sensory Activity

everything because, as we all know, this has not been the

in Infant 1

best year ever. In an effort to find a silver lining, I started reading it and have been pleasantly surprised. Specifically, in the chapter “You Can Upgrade Your Beliefs,” I was encouraged by the ability to reject the feeling of powerlessness that has surfaced within me (and others) this year. In the chapter, the author highlights four properties that help reframe our mindsets and reframe our beliefs; intention, forethought, action, and self-reflection. These four key elements are a great reminder that, whatever our circumstances, “we have the power to pursue a better

Science Experiment in Toddler 3

future.” As we begin to wind down the year, I find comfort in this gentle reminder. I find it hopeful and courageous. I feel empowered to build upon the resiliencies and hardships we’ve endured and help others do the same. I have a feeling that if we can continue working together, reframing our beliefs, and holding tightly onto kindness that the best is yet to come.

CANDICE DEAL-BARTELL Executive Director Dot Painting in Toddler 2

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www.cultivatemankato.com

Covid-19 Policies Review and download our COVID-19 Policy and Procedures

Click Here

Electrostatic Disinfectant Spray Every Wednesday we will be using an electrostatic disinfectant spray in the classrooms as another COVID-19 preventative.

Weather Reminder As the snow has already fallen this month, we want to remind you of our weather policy. Cultivate Mankato does not follow the district 77 weather closings. However, we may have to close if it is deemed unsafe for families and employees getting to and

Electrostatic disinfectant spray cleaning is the process of spraying an electrostatically charged mist onto surfaces and objects.

After the spray is applied, the sanitizing agent works to disinfect the covered surfaces. For this reason, electrostatic spray is an excellent solution for germ and contaminant ridden areas.

from Cultivate. We have only had to close early once last year so hopefully early closures will be minimal.

Also, please remember to bring snow boots,

New Toddler Room

snow pants, hats, mittens and a coat every

We have a new toddler room that opened this

day. We do have some extras but our extras

week. This classroom serves children ages 16

are limited.

months to 27 months.

Our Lead Teacher is Gerri Williamson who has

Upcoming Study

been our assistant teacher in Toddler 2.

www.cultivatemankato.com/get-toknow-us to learn more about Gerri!

Visit

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 the community with a focus on voting and choice study and in the next couple of weeks

winter study where we will also focus on holidays and traditions. we will begin our

If you feel your family has something special to share in regards to our upcoming study, we would love family participation. Reach out!

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www.cultivatemankato.com

Reserve the Community Room

Cultivate Coffee

The community room is now available for Cultivate families to use for free.

Please Note: COVID-19 Stay Safe MN Guidelines limits occupant capacity to no more than 25 percent (15 people per event).

Saturday reservations only. One reservation per day.

Now Available! To purchase visit our online store: www.cultivatemankato.com/shop Not a big coffee drinker? Purchase for your

To reserve the community room, please visit

work break room or as a Christmas gift.

www.cultivatemankato.com/community-room

Only have a Keurig at home? Just purchase

and click book now or send us a message

a reusable K cup!

for more information.

New Rates: January 2021 We will be doing a center-wide rate change effective 01/01/2021 (please note new families entering our program are already on the new pricing schedule). We believe that we are offering a high quality program with qualified teaching staff, excellent food, educational resources, and other resources that best serve the needs of all children. A more comprehensive email will be sent by Candice in the coming weeks to describe the details of the center-wide change, but we wanted to ensure you had time to plan and budget for the pricing change.

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www.cultivatemankato.com

Temp. Kitchen Helper Needed We are looking for temporary help in the kitchen. If you know anyone who would be

Upcoming Center Closings We will be closed the following upcoming days:

interested in making some extra money for Christmas Day

the holiday, please email Candice as soon as

Thanksgiving

possible

Day after Thanksgiving

candice@cultivatemankato.com

New Years Day

Christmas Eve

Start date: Immediately!

Hours: 6:00-11:00am What: Help prep breakfast and lunch Duration: Now - January (potentially longer)

NEW: Scholastic Book Orders

United Way Books with Kids Jordyn and Anissa volunteered with United Way Books for Kids this week. Volunteering is one way we are living out our core value of Community. With COVID-19, it has been

We are excited to start the Scholastic Book Club program at Cultivate. This program provides access to affordable, high quality books. Reading is a crucial part of your child’s development. Here at Cultivate Mankato, we want to provide ways to foster your child’s

difficult for us to go out and volunteer within our community. We are grateful that organizations have found safe ways to allow members of the community to help once again!

growth.

Through the Scholastic Book Club, you have the choice to place an order each month. Your orders will also 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 will be due on the 2nd Friday of each month.

Shout Out to Becky The month of October was one filled with lots of opportunities to be creative and fun with snack. Thanks Becky!

Use the link below to order. Our first order will be due on Friday, November 13th. Any questions about ordering can be emailed to Ms. Tera at tera.vankeulen@cultivatemankato.com

Link to order: https://orders.scholastic.com/R76H7

Class Code: R76H7 CULTIVATE NEWS | 5

www.cultivatemankato.com

Greater Mankato Growth Award

Meditation with Andy Archer Every Friday our leadership team has a meditation session with Andrew Archer, a Cultivate Mankato dad and owner of Minnesota Mental Health Services.

Our sessions typically includes a sit down meditation followed by a walking meditation outside our building.

If you are interested in learning more about Andrew Archer's meditation services, visit

www.mankatotherapist.com/meditation

Cultivate Mankato is the City Center Partnership Award Winner for Renovations between $500,000 - $1,000,000!

City Design Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding architectural design enhancements that elevate spark the perceptions of the City Center in regard to renovations, new construction beautification efforts and public art.

We are honored to be this years recipient!

Check out the other recipients here:

greatermankato.com/hall-fame

You can also register to attend their virtual luncheon event and support all the recipients.

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www.cultivatemankato.com

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR WORK ANNIVERSARY Ashley Arndorfer, Becca Huse, & Jordyn Erickson

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Nov. Menu

We would like to give families the opportunity to order the bread that River Rock makes for our children. There are two different options to choose from: Sourdough and Midwest Multigrain.

Pick up is at Cultivate. Payment is added to your tuition.

Click the menu to download a pdf

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To place an order: Email us at info@cultivatemankato.com or send us a message in ProCare!

www.cultivatemankato.com

Parent Resource

later in the day.

The trick we want is to

make him think he’s in control, while we get what we need.

How to Give Choices and Improve the Most Challenging Behaviors

And one easy way

to do that is to give him choices.

So I realized, for this kid, it's all about choices."

autismclassroomresources.com/podcasts/ give-choices-improve-behavior

Click here

to listen to the full podcast

"As a preschool teacher recently said to

Click here

to read the transcript of the

me…'So I realized, for this kid, it’s all

podcast

about choices.”

This particular kid (and

many others) liked to be in control of EVERYTHING!

And he did it by refusing

the teacher’s directions. He would tell you what he would do (other than what you told him to), and he would tell other people (kids and adults) what to do.

We also found that we were always

What you will learn?

Why you win when you use choices What the research says about using choices as a preventive strategy for challenging behavior What type of choices you might give

getting into power struggles with him.

6 tips of how to make choices work

He could suck you into a power struggle

for you

faster than my money disappears at the Target Dollar Spot!Have You Met This Kid? I know he’s not the only one.

Article and podcast by Dr. Christine Reeve, BCBA-D

So how do

we address this type of behavior when we know all the kid wants is to be in control? Whether he wants to be the center of attention (i.e., the function of the behavior is to gain attention), or he wants to avoid doing work (escaperelated behaviors), it’s the fact that he meets those needs by controlling the situation.

I’ve also had students who being “in charge” is a setting event for challenging behavior. Essentially if someone argued with him and prevented him from doing or getting what he wanted earlier in the day, the challenging behavior would crop up

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www.cultivatemankato.com

Parent Resource Membership

Laura has years of experience in the classroom as a preschool and kindergarten teacher

Laura Walser, our Early Education

and also brings a

Coordinator will be creating short parent

plethora of leadership

resource videos called Upskill for $10/month.

experience. She works

Upcoming topics will be: Handling Big Emotions

directly with our teachers to ensure they are supported in early childhood education.

Emotion coaching Keeping yourself calm

“My name is Laura Walser and I am the

Bedtime routines

Early Education Coordinator at Cultivate

Building Independence

Some more topics that will be discussed in the future include: Biting Morning routine Teaching a skill vs consequences

Mankato. I am from Minnesota Lake. I graduated from Maple River Schools, then got my Early Childhood Education degree from Minnesota State University Mankato.

I worked at Maple River for 14 years as Kindergarten teacher and then Early Childhood Director.Through my experience in working with children and

Multiple environments equals multiple

being a parent, I have established a

expectations

passion for social/emotional development

Childcare drop off and pick up routine

and the important role it plays in laying

Setting your child up for successful sleep at childcare Potty Training The importance of sleep

the foundation for a child's life. It is so incredible to think of the impact we as early childhood care providers can have on children...it's an amazing feeling to know that our work truly makes a

Knowing yourself as a parent

difference! I am thrilled to be part of

Guiding your child’s behavior; positive

curriculum development and ensure best

discipline

practices with the team at Cultivate

Learning to talk; language development

If you are interested in becoming an Upskill member, please email Laura Walser at

laura.walser@cultivatemankato.com

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Mankato. I strive to provide the staff with the competencies, support and confidence they need to create a positive learning environment! I also enjoy collaborating with families and the community to empower them as well, in meeting the needs of young children.”

www.cultivatemankato.com

What is Cultivate MN? CultivateMN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.

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www.cultivatemankato.com

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www.cultivatemankato.com

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