Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center Newsletter

TrumbullEarly ChildhoodEducation CenterNewsletterSUMMER 2009A Letter from Matthew Wheeler,TECEC CoordinatorDear TECEC Families;It is difficult to fathom that we are in the sunset phase of this school year. As I watch thesun dip below the horizon and the sky turn to twilight, I know I cannot stop the inevitable,that is, our school year is ending. It is not a time to rest on our laurels, but a time reflecton the children’s successes and accomplishments as we continue our work to assure eachchild is ready for the sunrise of a new school year.Our TECEC family would not have experienced such an accomplished year without everyoneworking together as a team. With a community of supportive parents, staff, Board ofEducation and the Town of Trumbull, our children were, and will continue to receive thehighest quality education in a district that has set forth its priority to be a community ofexcellence. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of severalindividuals in no particular order who have gone above and beyond what was asked ofthem time and time again. The dedicated staff at the TECEC is second to none assuringeach child and parent’s needs are met. Our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) ledby Meredith Chamberlain, Dawn Tamorria, Trisha Brown, Katrina McGrail, and DanaTrapasso have been a source of boundless energy and creativity as evidenced by coordinatingBack to School Night, the Halloween party, Ladies Night Out, multiple social eventsfor the children, the egg hunt, tee shirt and accessory sales, the book fair, Ice Cream Socialand several staff appreciation breakfasts and luncheons. I must thank Yolanda Soto andClaudia Hikade and all those who assisted them with the fundraising activities this year.Without their expert fundraising skills, many of the above-mentioned activities would nothave taken place.Our TECEC Father’s Club, which is championed by Kevin Chamberlain, Gary Neumann,John Tamorria and Dave Soto, had another eventful year. They arranged our first spaghettisupper and hosted our second annual “Preschool Olympics” which provided a day filledwith exciting events for the children. In addition to those two events, they raised fundsthrough pie sales and solicited donations to purchase an automatic external defibrillatorfor our school. This group of energetic men will continue to meet monthly on a social basisas well as soliciting your assistance to support the TECEC. One last acknowledgment is acouple (Amanda and Doug Cook) who have graciously published our newsletter this yearthat provided a venue to inform families about the activities surrounding the TECEC.I encourage those who are stepping forward to new endeavors remain passionate aboutmaking your new school as successful as the one you have created at the TECEC. For thosewho will be returning, I know the sunrise ahead of us will lead to many more glorious days,which we have been so accustomed. I wish you and your families a healthy, relaxing, andmemorable summer!My warmest regards,Matthew WheelerCALENDARJune 200919 Headstart TransitioningProgram 8:45-11:00 am22 Final PM session23 Legal day for AM session11:20 dismissal including SRPNo PM session for preschool orE.L.L.Head Start full day programcontinues with regular schedule24 Last day of preschool for AMsession. 11:20 dismissalincluding SRPNo PM session for preschool orE.L.L.Head Start full day programcontinues with regular scheduleLast day for half day Head Starthttp://www.trumbullps.org/tecec/index.htm

Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center NewsletterSUMMER 2009Safety RemindersWhen dropping off and picking up your children, automobilesmust only park in designated spots. If there are not spotsavailable at TECEC, please use Middlebrook Elementary School,as there are usually plenty of spaces available. Cars must notdouble park or block the bus lanes as this is a safety issue for ourchildren. I thank you for your anticipated cooperation.Please remember to display your parking cards when picking upyour children.Please refrain from talking on cellular devices during arrival anddismissal procedures.Please place your car in park when you are in line for arrival anddismissal.Lorraine Udom for voicing their concerns with the TrumbullBoard of Education Administrative staff as well as ABCD withreference to our Full Day program. It has been decided thatour full day program will remain in the TeCEC building for theupcoming school year.I would also like to thank Yolanda Soto for her continuedsupport as our Community Representative on our PolicyCommittee. Yolanda has been instrumental in organizing fundraising events, a Scholastic book fair, and many, many otheractivities that have proven to be beneficial to our program.This year we were fortunate enough to have Joann Verespej hosta Mother’s Day Breakfast for our center. Joann is a past parent;her son attended Head Start 28 years ago! She was graciousenough to bring an array of yummy home made goodies for ourMom’s. The children joined us for some treats and to sing aspecial song. Many Mom’s & Grandma’s enjoyed the morningand took home some special flowers made by the children.HSDear Parents,A Note from Alana StoffanHead Start CoordinatorIt is amazing to think this year has come and gone soquickly! The end of the year is fast approaching andbefore you know it will be SUMMER! I would liketo take this opportunity to thank everyone for yoursupport and help in making the year a pleasant one.We have a fantastic program which is a reflection ofyou!As you all know our tri-annual federal review tookplace the week of May 11, 2009. It is with greatpleasure to inform you based upon our exitinterview with the Federal Review Team; Ibelieve we did a great job! Trumbull continuesto meet or exceed all of our performancestandards. It is only through the continued supportof the Trumbull Board of Education Administrative staff, HeadStart staff and parents that make this program the success thatit is. The federal review team shared that when they visited ourcenter they were so impressed by the warm welcome and manyhappy faces they saw. Many, many thanks for everyone’s help.I would personally like to thank all the parents who helpedthroughout the year on the various committees’. It is throughyour continued support that we can make things happen at HeadStart.A special Thank You to Claudia Hikade, Chairperson of theParent & Policy Committee for ALWAYS lending a helpinghand. Claudia was instrumental along with Carlos Reinoso, andMany thanks once again to the Jane Ryan Community for theirefforts in putting the Clothing Drive together. We had a hugeselection of clothes for our families to pick from. It is onlythrough the dedication and generosity of others that a programof this nature could become such a success. It has been apleasure to work with the many volunteers that helpedus bring this project together.I would also like to thank the Trumbull HighSchool students that came in to help with ourFull Day program. Our little ones get so excitedon the days they were here. They provided manyvolunteer hours reading, playing games, doingpuzzles, and lending a helping hand wherever it wasneeded. I hope it was as much fun for them as itwas for us to have them here.As we prepare to transition forward to kindergartenplease know that you are always welcome to drop byfor a visit. For those families that will be returningI look forward to seeing you again next year. I haveenjoyed getting to know all of you and have enjoyed workingwith you throughout the year.As the year closes it is always bittersweet. However, you alwayshave the memories of families close in your heart forever. I wantto thank all of you for sharing your precious children with usand wish you success, health and happiness in the future. Theirenthusiasm, warm nature and smiles make our Preschool awonderful place to learn.Sincerely,Alana StoffanTECEC Web Site: http://www.trumbullps.org/tecec/index.htm2

Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center NewsletterSUMMER 2009TECEC to Participate inthe Relay for LifeMembers of the TECEC staff will be participating in this year’sRelay For Life of Monroe/Trumbull on Friday June 12th toSaturday June 13th. The Relay For Life is a non-competitive,overnight walk-a-thon which will be held at Masuk High School.The Relay For Life is the primary fundraiser for the AmericanCancer Society. This year, over 4,600 Relays will be held acrossthe country to raise money for the American Cancer Society’smany national and local programs for cancer patients and theirfamilies. Some of the national programs include funding theAmerican Cancer Society’s national 24 hour hotline, which isstaffed by oncology nurses and other oncology professionals toanswer a cancer patient’s questions at any time of the day. Locally,funds go towards supporting programs such as Look Good, FeelBetter, which provides wigs, make-up and beauty tips for womenwho have lost their hair to cancer treatments. Funds also gotowards supporting Camp Rising Sun, which is the AmericanCancer Society’s camp for children 5-18 years old who havehad cancer. Located in northwestern Connecticut, over 100children, including children from Trumbull and Monroe,will be campers at Camp Rising Sun this summer. Ms. Gabbyand Mr. Scott are also counselors at Camp Rising Sun.In April, staff and students were able to wear their teamhats in an effort to begin our team fundraising for theRelay For Life. Staff had to pay for the right to weartheir hats, and each teacher had a can for any donationsthat our students wanted to contribute. The day wasa success, and we thank all of the students and theirfamilies who participated.Now the Relay is about a month away, and thereare between 12-14 staff members at TECEC who aregetting their walking shoes broken in for the event. Ifyou are already participating in the Relay on your own team, welook forward to seeing you there. If you are not involved in theRelay, we encourage you to come up to Masuk, check out theevent, and support Team TECEC and the Relay For Life!Thanks!Mr. Scottan Eric Carle inspired Bugs theme, and then we’ll shift gears tosummer safety and fun!Even if you don’t have wild summer plans, everything you do withyour child is a learning experience. We’d like to recommend tripsto the library, play dates with friends from school, swimming atthe pool, outings to the park to feed the ducks and exercise on theplayground. Don’t forget to bring bubbles, chalk and sunscreenon your outdoor excursions this summer! We can’t wait to seehow much your children have grown when they return to schoolin the fall.With warm wishes for a fun-filled summer,Your threes teachers! Heatherly Hane, Dawn Matos, DorianPacelli, Lisa Piatt, Claudia Shriver4’s ClassroomsWe are so proud of our four year olds. They haveall grown tremendously over the year and are soready for their next step! To help maintain their skillsover the summer we have a few suggestions:Take trips often to the local library and read, read,read!!!! Play games with letters, words, and numberslooking for them wherever you go. Making counting partof your summer days… count cars, signs, people, plates,napkins, utensils etc daily. Draw and cut picturesmaking cards and books for the children to call theirown to share with friends and family. Summer is agreat time to make plans with friends and keep in touchwith their preschool friends such as play dates, meeting at thepark or the beach… don’t forget the sunblock!Have a safe and HAPPY SUMMER-With warm wishes for the next year, Ms. Jo, Miss Claudia, MissGerber, Miss Heather, and Mr. Todd.3’s ClassroomsSpring is finally in the air! We’re looking forward to our secondannual preschool Olympics and celebrating school spirit! We hopeto see you there for an exciting day with the children! Recently inschool, we have been learning about living things (plants andanimals), and how things grow! This learning continues withTECEC Web Site: http://www.trumbullps.org/tecec/index.htm3

Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center NewsletterSUMMER 2009PEDIATRICKSQUICKIES:As our school year ends there are a few housekeeping chores thatwe must take care of. If your child has medication in my office,I will be sending you a letter reminding you to pick it up by thelast day of school. With the letter will be information on summerschool and the forms for medications for next year. The forms arethe same for every school, so this should help you get ready for thenew school year no matter where your child is going.If your child will be getting a physical this summer, please take ayellow form for preschool and a blue form for kindergarten withyou to the doctor’s office. Forms are in the foyer of TECEC.Is your child coming to our summer school program? If so, theteacher will need a change of summer clothing, diapers (ifneeded), and wipes.HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS:May is Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness month.Please protect your children and yourselves fromsun damage. Sunscreen should be applied at homebefore school. Please read the labels and try it athome before applying it for school, as PABA cancause some allergic reactions. If you would likemore information on sunscreens please log on tokeepkidshealthy.com. Please remember, we cannotgive your child any medication or apply any topicalcreams or lotions without a doctor’s order. And,don’t forget sunglasses to protect those beautifullittle (and big) eyes.Please remember to send your child to school in sneakers so theycan have fun on the playground and in the Activity Room. Fancyshoes, especially clogs and crocks slip off and cause children toloose their footing and get hurt.Summer means swimming. Stewie the Duck is the perfect wayto get off to a good and safe start. The Children’s Room in theTrumbull Library also has books on water safety. The Libraryis planning a child ID program in August. Watch the TrumbullTimes for more information and dates.The bottom of a lady’s purse-Do not place on restroom floor-wipeoffMen’s wallet-Air them out-They “live” where it’s dark and warmMake-up case-Clean case with disinfecting wipe and wipe off allmake-up containers. Replace make-up every 3-6 months.Remote controls-Disinfect them with a sanitizing wipe and washyour handsComputer keyboards and the mouse-same as aboveYour telephone-same as abovePillows and Mattress-See The Secret Life of Germs. You’ll knowwhat to do!Can you think of 3 more?FROM MY HEART TO YOURS:In these difficult economic times it is sometimes impossibleto lend a helping hand to all those who need one. There isa way your family can help many organizations at one timewith simply a click of your computer mouse. HYPERLINK“http://www.thechildhealthsite.com/” \o “http://www.thechildhealthsite.com/” www.thechildhealthsite.comwill get you there and you can give to AnimalRescue, the Rainforest, Literacy, Child Health,Breast Cancer and Hunger without spending apenny. Sponsors support the sites. It’s a greatway to teach children about our world and helpingothers, as well as shopping around the globe. I givetwice a day, once at home and once at school.Gardens are the way to go this summer. Kids love gettingdirty and it’s a great way to spend a few hours each day. Why nottry some sunflowers? They grow fast and will supply the birds lotsof “free” seeds in the fall. This year I’m going to try worm farming.If you would like to see how it’s done, look up Cheap and EasyWorm Bin on the net. Your kids will love this! They’ll have toeat their vegetables so they can feed the worms!Always remember “Every Day Is An Opportunity To Make A NewHappy Ending.” Have a happy healthy summer.Nurse PatDid you know that 80% of infections are transmitted by direct andindirect human contact? Here are 9 every day items that carrygerms and are easy to sanitize.Sponges-zap in the microwave 1-2 minutes and replace monthlyToothbrushes-Get new ones if you are sick and every 3-6 monthsTECEC Web Site: http://www.trumbullps.org/tecec/index.htm4

Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center NewsletterSUMMER 2009PTOFrom the PTOThe PTO Executive BoardIt is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of anotherschool year! As we look back on our fundraisers, organizedplaydates, and social events like the Halloween Party and SpringEgg Hunt, we feel good about our accomplishments. We raisedover $7,000 since September, which has been used to purchaseneeded items for the school, provide enrichment and specialevents, and will help us get off to a strong start in the 2009-10school year.Most recently, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, byhosting a luncheon for the entire staff. They enjoyed a deliciouscatered lunch and raffle prizes! Thank you to all the parents whodonated food, money, and their time to make this a very special,and well-deserved event!WANTEDParents ToPArticipate in PTOand Fathers Clubfor th e 2009-2010TECEC year!We continued to host playdates for our TECEC families over thepast few months. Our families have really enjoyed these eventsas it gave them a chance to get to know one another while theirchildren had fun.At this time, our Penny Drive has raised approximately $150!That money will be used to purchase flowers that will be plantedall around the front of the school. Thank you to all of you whodonated your pennies.Save PaperDownload the TECECNewsletter online!We’re happy to say that our Ladies’ Night shopping event onMarch 27th was a great success! We raised over $1,000! We hadover 20 vendors, catered food, raffle prizes, and a silent auction.The feedback we received from both vendors and guests was verypositive. We’re looking forward to running this event again nextyear.We have really enjoyed working together in raising funds forTECEC and planning social activities for all our families. If youwant to be involved in future PTO-sponsored events, please letus know! Whether you have a little or a lot of time, any time youcan give is really appreciated! We’re already planning events fornext year and we need Event Chairpersons. If you are interested,please send us an email at HYPERLINK “mailto:TECECPTO@gmail.com” TECECPTO@gmail.com. If you know of a newfamily starting in the Fall, please tell them about the PTO! We’realways looking for new ideas and would love to see you at ournext PTO meeting!We wish you all a healthy and happy summer!Warm regards,The PTO Executive BoardTECEC Web Site: http://www.trumbullps.org/tecec/index.htm5

Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center NewsletterSUMMER 2009TECEC SUMMER ANNOUNCEMENTSMore Fruit for KidsFruit Dips- Dip apple slices, strawberries cut in half,pineapple chunks and kiwi slices in flavored yogurt.Yogurt Parfait-Serve fruit on nonfat yogurt. Top withcrushed graham crackers and enjoy!Kiwi Cups- Cut a kiwi in half and eat with a spoon. Onekiwi has as much Vitamin C as an orangeStrawberries are a treat!They are quick and easy to eat- just rinse lightly andyou’re ready for a treat!• Toss sliced strawberries on top of cereal.• Serve on top of pancakes or waffles• Blend frozen or fresh strawberries with yogurt for asmoothie.• Serve on toast sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.Say YES to a Mess!Children learn how to enjoy a variety of foods when theyplay with their food.Say yes to a mess and enjoy trying new foods!• Make faces on food.• Use small pieces of food to create eyes, noses andmouths. All foods can have a “smile”.• Give them new names. Broccoli can be” baby trees”. Abaked potato can be “Mr. Potato Head”.• Read Stories about food.• Read books about growing and cooking vegetables.• Plant seeds in a small pot. Start a garden together.• Try new vegetables from story books.• Be ready for a mess.Kabob PartySmall children can make their own kabobs. It is a funway to try new fruits and vegetables!Put newspaper under the table and chairs. It makes cleanup much easier.• Ham and turkey cubes • Pineapple chunks• Cherry tomatoes • Kiwi slices• Cooked carrot slices • Orange slices• Soft cheese cubes • Banana chunks• Peppers • Melon chunks• Mushrooms • StrawberriesArrange meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables on alarge serving tray. Ask children to put their choiceson pretzel sticks. Eat!Head Start OfficersChairperson, Claudia Hikade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380-6806Co-Chairperson, Lorraine Udom ...............543-7151Secretary, Katie Santos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261-2759Treasurer, Peter Santos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261-2759Your PTO Executive CommitteeMeredith Chamberlain, Co-President .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . meredith@dcstructural.comDawn Tramorria, Co-President.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dawnie0504@yahoo.comTricia Brown, Treasurer............................ triciabrownbarefootbooks@gmail.comKatrina McGrail, Secretary .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kamcgrail@hotmail.comDaina Trapasso, Room Parent Liaison............................... tececpto@gmail.comJennifer Larsen-Neumann, Event Coordinator. ................. lexuspoodle@netzero.netTECEC Web Site: http://www.trumbullps.org/tecec/index.htm6