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APRIL 2018
THE COURIER | WWW.THE-COURIER.ORG
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS
in St. Francis Area Schools Early Childhood
763-753-7170
Call ECFE at for more information or to register for any of the opportunities on this page. Lifelong Learning Center • 18900 Cedar Drive NW, Oak Grove • Online at www.isd15.org/ecfe Follow St. Francis Area Schools Early Childhood on Facebook to stay in the know and connect with other parents. Birth to K Express
Early Childhood Family Education A division of ISD 15 Community Education www.isd15.org 763-753-7170
Do you have a new baby in your house? Celebrating Baby
Birth-12 months Enjoy songs and games together and meet others who are experiencing the joys and challenges of raising a baby. Course: EC 0505 Date: Thursday, April 12 Time: 9:15-11:15 a.m. Fee: FREE
Come join us for an ECFE Babies and Parents Class
Birth-16 months Enjoy songs and games together and meet others who are experiencing the joys and challenges of raising a baby. This is a non-separating class. Course: EC 0504 Dates: Thursdays April 19-May 24 Time: 9:15-11:15 a.m. Fee: FREE
A Moving Child is A Learning Child Explore why movement matters for children’s learning. When children move they unlock the world around them and wire their brain. Learn the importance of reflexes, the senses, balance and spatial orientation, a sense of strength, gross and fine motor development as part of movement and learning. Foster a diet of physical activity to help your child move, grow and learn on their timetable. Course: EC 5508 Time: 9:15-11:15 a.m. Dates: Wednesdays April 4-May 23 (no class April 18 or May 16) Fee: $48
Tuesday Evening Nightowls Birth to K Express Play together and learn together. Discussion will focus on topics of interest to families with children of all ages. Course: EC 5506 Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Dates: Tuesdays April 10-May 22 Fee: $48 Above fees are based on $105,000+ annual gross income. Visit www.isd15.org/ecfe for class sliding fee chart.
Early Childhood Events Come to Pop In and Play! KinderKonzert @ Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis From learning about acoustics of the building to playing an instrument, children (and parents) list this as one of their favorite trips ever. Share the joy of music with this experience especially for four and five year olds and their parents (Orchestra Hall requirement). We’ll even get a behind the scene look at Orchestra Hall. Pack a bag lunch to eat on the bus. Course: EC 9404 Date: Friday, May 4 Time: Bus leaves LLC at 9:30 a.m.; returns by 2:00 p.m. Fee: $10 per person Deadline: Noon, April 17 Visit our webpage at www.isd15.org/ecfe for more events and classes.
Do you and your children need something to do? Check out Pop In and Play! Come once or come every week, whatever works for your schedule. Meet other families and build relationships that last a lifetime. No pre-registration required. Days & Times: Tuesdays 12:45-2:45 p.m. Wednesdays 9:15-11:15 a.m. Fee: $4 per child/max $12 per family (limit of 4 children per adult)
Pop In and Play! Schedule: March 28 April 3 4 10 11 17 18
Celebrate the Week of the Young Child The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, and families. Here are some ideas from NAEYC to help you celebrate with your child.
math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home. Practice organizing blocks by size! Try building a block tower with large blocks on the bottom and little blocks on top!
Music Monday, April 16
Artsy Thursday, April 19
April 16-20, 2018
Sing, dance, celebrate, and learn Through music, children develop math, language, and literacy skills—all while having fun and being active! Make up and record your own unique version of a song or write your own. Find the beat to connect music, movement, and math. Practice clapping, drumming, or stomping to the beat of the music while counting.
Tasty Tuesday, April 17
Healthy eating and fitness at home and school This fun, food-themed day is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Measure your ingredients while making your snacks! Ask children if they’d like the same or different amounts of each ingredient.
Work Together Wednesday, April 18
Work together, build together, learn together When children build together they explore
Think, problem solve, create Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday celebrate the joy and learning children experience when engaged in creative art making. Use any materials from crayons to paint, clay to crafts! Bring art outdoors! Offer dark and light paper, chalk and pastels, and suggest children create their own versions of the day and night sky!
Family Friday, April 20
Sharing family stories Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. NAEYC applauds family members role as young children’s first and most important teachers. Share pictures and stories about your family on NAEYC’s Facebook page or post to Twitter using the hashtag #woyc18 as we celebrate the unique role families play in their children’s learning and development.
Registration for the 2018-19 Preschool Place 15 preschool year is going on now! You may qualify for FREE or reduced preschool tuition and fees based on family size and income. Tuition reduction is available through Early Learning Pathway II Scholarships and/or School Readiness funds. If you meet income eligibility requirements or participate in one of the following programs: Minnesota Family Investment Program, Child Care Assistance Program, Free and ReducedPrice Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Food Support (SNAP) or Foster Care. Call Jenny at 763-753-7196 for more information.
The curriculum of Preschool Place 15 focuses on social skills and early literacy development. Mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, the arts and physical development are also part of the curriculum. Environments are designed to enhance and expand children’s understanding of the world as they direct their own play. Teachers facilitate the child’s learning; they guide and encourage independent learning in each child. } Classes offered at the Lifelong Learning Center in Oak Grove } Programming takes place September through May } Morning, afternoon and evening sessions available } One, two, three or four times per week } Two-hour to two-and-a-half-hour sessions } Most classes are age specific } Classes are also available for two-year-olds and very young three-year-olds
Turtles and Frogs
} Busing available for ALL full-year morning and afternoon classes
Shake Your Sillies Out Pete the Cat Dinosaur Roar Windy Weather Spring is Here Wild Wheels
} Sliding fee scale is available based on family size and income
For more information on classes and to register, visit www.isd15.org or call 763-753-7170.