Dear
Families,
Welcome to a
new school year! We are so excited to be
working with you and your child this year and look forward to a very busy
beginning of the school year.
My name is
Catie Stone and I will be the lead teacher in the classroom this school
year. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in
Early Childhood Education from U of M-Dearborn and my Master’s Degree in
Special Education from U of M-Dearborn as well!
Go Blue! I have been working at
the ECEC as a lead teacher for 11 years but have worked as a student staff
member here as well – and I even went to preschool here as a child!
My name is
Toni Addington, I will be the Teacher Assistant in the classroom this school
year. I graduated from Grand Rapids Community College with my Associate’s
degree, with plans to go back to school. Currently, this is my 2nd
year here at the ECEC, however this is my 13th year teaching.
As I am sure
you are aware, we do have some significant
allergies in our classroom this school year. Please make sure you are not sending peanut
butter or peanuts in your child’s lunch – you can use Sun Butter or Almond
Butter as alternatives. We are also not
permitting food at drop off time or for birthday/holiday celebrations. Alternative suggestions are listed in the
Parent Handbook.
One of the
big questions parents are wondering at the beginning of the school year is drop off routine. We want the children to come into the room,
wash hands with soap and water, put away their backpack, find their lunch label
and put their lunch away, and then sign in as their families sign in. This consistent routine was very effective
last year and helping your child through this process each morning builds
consistency and helps the children get comfortable quickly in the classroom. It is amazing how practicing to write their
names each morning with their families has built fine motor skills over the
school year. We were blown away last
year with how quickly the children caught on to the routine and began to read
and write their names!
Some of the
families have already expressed interest in knowing if there is anything needed in the classroom for the beginning
of the year. We can always use Matchbox
cars, books, small houseplants, dry erase markers, small trains and tracks, large woven baskets, and
Clorox wipes!
Thursday, September 19th is our fall Curriculum Night! You are invited from 5-6pm (open house style)
to the classroom to see some of the things the children have been doing the
first few weeks of school! We will be
demonstrating how different goals and objectives spanning content areas are
incorporated into play throughout our school day.
Friday, October 11th is a professional development day
for teachers so there is no school for children on this day.
Saturday, October 12th the ECEC is doing a meet up at
Plymouth Orchards from 12-3pm. This is a
great chance to meet up with families from our program, see animals, go on
tractor rides, and pick a pumpkin!
Parking is free and tractor rides are a few dollars, but fun is endless! Many of the classroom teachers will be
stopping by as well. Bring your whole
family!
Just a reminder
to dress in layers for unpredictable
Michigan weather! We will be spending as
much time outside as possible – especially with beautiful fall
temperatures.
Please know
if you ever need anything or have any questions to let us know. We look forward to a great year.
Catie Stone & Toni Addington
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