November Schools of the Month!

NID Early Childhood East Region Meeting
Trinity, Roselle

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Upcoming Conferences:
1.  McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership: Leadership Connections Conference 
Location:  Westin Chicago North Shore   601 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL 60090
Dates/Times:Thursday, May 18, 2017 - Saturday, May 20, 2017     8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Fees: $475 Early Bird Registration  (by 2/28/17) and $575 Regular Registration

Recent “School Election” ideas:
1. Trinity Roselle=  They voted between two popular Eric Carle books
2.  St. Peter, Arlington Heights=  They voted or their favorite Childrens Book cats…. The Cat in the Hat & Pete the Cat

Other recent special school activities/events:
1. Veterans Day  (Trinity Early Learning, Naperville):  “Salute to a Soldier”   They dedicated prayers each day to different soldiers and held a food drive for a local homeless shelter which works a lot with vets.
2.   Academic Fair (St. John, Lombard):  The projects are on display in homerooms throughout the building .  Preschool – 3rd Grade developed class projects  while 4th – 8th grade put together individual projects.  Preschool did a project on “Maps”

Round Table Topic: Allergies & Other Health Issues

1.         Inhalers-  Some families have wanted their multiple children to “share” inhalers to keep down on the cost of having these inhalers at home and school.  Most schools require a doctor’s note/order to have an inhaler and use it at school.  It should have the child’s name on it along with  usage directions.

2.         Nurses-  Since most of our Lutheran early childhood and elementary schools do not have their own nurse, it would be nice if there was an NID nurse who could at least go around and advise schools of misc. school health issues.  Some schools do use the services of parish nurses, volunteer nurse moms, and township/city nurses.

3.         Allergy Policies- St. Peter Arlington Heights shared copies of their recently updated allergy policy. It also is on their website:

4.         Illinois State Board of Education- Illinois Health Requirements & Student Health Data information and forms:

5.         Department of Children and Family Services health (& many other)  forms:

6.         Epipens-  There are now provisions in the law for schools and centers to have “generic EpiPens.  You must find a doctor to write a prescriptions for them and a pharmacy to fill it, though.  For a coupon to save on these expensive Epipens, go to:
-Use “donated, expired” epipens to do more realistic training.  Use large oranges with these pens to get a better feeling of what it is like to really administer the epipen.  Different schools have very different policies about whether these epipens need to be kept locked up or not.  Advantages to keeping it locked up….supervision of its usage, especially with younger students.  Disadvantages of keeping it locked up….accessibility especially for use by a non-homeroom teacher.



7. School Tour of Trinity’s three preschool classrooms
           
Trinity’s Preschool Program:
o   The school has been in operation for over 117 years
o   NLSA accredited school with preschool through 8th grade
o   3 classrooms; 2 half day and 1 full day
o   Serves 2-5 year olds
o   Preschool Staff: Kim Epting, Adam Rink, Kendra Trosper Pera, Dawn Koenig & Michelle Wolf
o   Extended Care and Summer Camp programs


Some of Trinity’s Preschool Faculty:
o   Kim Epting
o   Adam Rink
o   Kendra Trosper Pera














Trinity’s Preschoolers recently participated in Election Day by voting for their favorite Eric Carle animal…. the kangaroo and the iguana. 



Trinity’s preschoolers showed their support for the Chicago Cubs with their World Series win through some special art puzzles. 


Trinity’s Full Day Preschool Classroom:




Trinity uses colorful curtains vs. doors for their classroom: 


NID Early Childhood East Region Meeting
Trinity, Huntley
Wednesday, November 17, 2016
Announcements:
*A 3rd NID Early Childhood Consultant,  Amiee Walsh, from Trinity Child Care, Naperville (Trinity, Lisle) has been added.  Her contact information at Trinity is: 
2244 w. 95TH St., Naperville, IL  60564                                               
630-946-6313 x 201
aimee.walsh@tlc4u.org
*Mike Zimmer’s dad  was called to his heavenly home.  His memorial service was scheduled for November 15, 2016 at 11 AM as St. Paul, Melrose Park.  Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at the church with a reception following the memorial service.

Upcoming Conferences:
*McHenry Community College recently (11/12/16)  had a great early childhood conference.  It is held in early November of each year.  The conference is called “Practical Ideas for the Child’s World.”  This year was the 28th Annual version of this conference. Very reasonable registration fee of $40 per person.  For more information: http://www.mchenry.edu/childsworld/ 

Misc. Tidbits:
1.        Trinity Huntley is in the process of NAC Accreditation.   They feel it’s an appropriate accreditation for their centers which assists with their “Quality Counts” status.  It’s also economical and practical for their center.  Here’s their link http://www.earlylearningleaders.org/?page=accreditation

2.        Immanuel, Belvidere’s Literacy Fair will be held on February 16  (3 sessions)
Contact Judy Schaefer if you would like to attend this event.

3.        Round Table Topic: Allergies & Other Health Issues

-Epipens-  Lots of discussion about families wanting their children to share their epipens or inhalers due to the high cost of these medical items.  None of the schools present are allowing this to happen, though.
           
-Allergy/Immunization Policies:
St. Peter, Arlington Heights shared their recently developed plan.  It is on their website, too.  http://stpeter.ss5.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6065973/Image/Food%20Allergy%20Policy%20St%20Peter%20August%202016.pdf

Trinity, Huntley shared about their monthly sign-off for families with students with allergies.  These families sign it after they have reviewed the snack list for the month and then note whether or not their children may participate in these particular snacks. 

Immanuel, Belidere shared a link to the vaccine form. It is a religious exemption (it was the "personal conviction" reason that was removed) but it now has to be signed by a physician/PA and accompany the family's letter of explanation.  http://idph.prod.acquia-sites.com/sites/default/files/forms/religious-exemption-form-081815-040816.pdf

Immanuel, Belvidere shared information about “Yummy Earth” which produces organic candy like red lollipops which do not have red dye in them.  https://www.mynaturalmarket.com/Yummy-Earth-Organic-Lollipops-Assorted-Flavors-Bin.html?gclid=CN3m-bihutACFYERgQod9YoLjg

Immanuel, Belvidere  also shared their recipe for Gluten Free Playdough

Gluten-Free Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients:
1 Cup White Rice Flour
1/2 Cup Cornstarch (make sure box says gluten free)
1/2 Cup Salt
1 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
1-1/2 tsp vegetable oil
1 Cup Water, hot but not boiling
Food Coloring, as desired
Directions:
1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium pot.
2. Add the vegetable oil, then the water, and continue to mix until thoroughly combined.
3. Heat the pot on the stove over low heat for about 3 minutes and stir frequently.
4. When the dough starts to pull away from the sides easily, turn out the dough onto parchment  paper or wax paper. Let it cool briefly until you can work it with your hands.
5.  Knead food coloring into the dough until you get the color you desire.
Additional Notes: Don’t overcook the dough. It shouldn’t need more than five - seven minutes. If needed, adjust the texture with small amounts of water (for dry, crumbly dough) or cornstarch (for sticky dough). Store in tightly sealed plastic bag or containers.

School Tour of TLC Preschool, Trinity Huntley
·        Established in 1993
·        DCFS Licensed
·        Director- Vicky Piller
·        Staff- 6 part time teachers and 7 teaching and program assistants
·        Half Day Programs
·        3 Classrooms
·        Recent Updates:  The congregation voted to go into a building expansion program in the next few years to add onto the building, bring water accessibility to the classrooms, and add an elevator to make the building more accessible and usable for both the preschoolers and the senior who attend the church.

This is Vicky’s 2nd school year at TLC.  She came to Trinity with much LCMS early childhood experience in school on the east coast, which is where many of her children and grandchildren live.  In addition to being an early childhood leader she also is a talented church organist.
TLC, Huntley celebrated Election Day with some special firecracker artwork.
TLC’s classrooms have full windows along one full wall.  There is an “exit” driveway from the parking lot on the other side of these windows.  The children wave “good-bye” to their parents each morning as school starts.




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