Little Knights News

It has been busy here at the Assumption ECLC.  Our PK4 classes started music in the beautiful new music room of Mrs. Rewa. Our PK3 classes had their first music class in our multipurpose room last Thursday.  The PK3 and PK4 classes LOVE going to gym and library in the big school.

Fall Spirit Day

PK3 and PK4 students received a flier last week in their Friday folder for ordering Tropical Smoothie for our Fall Spirit day on Friday, September 27^th.  If you would like your child to order, please turn in your child’s order form to their teacher, along with the $5, by Thursday, September 19^th.  Encourage your child to their wear favorite team shirt on Friday, September 27^th with uniform bottoms.

Charleston Wrap

Our fundraising deadline has been extended due to the hurricane!  Our new deadline is Friday, September 20^th.  Shopping online is super easy! Click here to register your child.  Our school ID is 11589.  Click here if you want to shop using the general ECLC account.

Yearbook Sale

Do not miss our limited-time sale!  Yearbook prices have been discounted to $40, the sale ends Sunday, September 22^nd!  Click here to purchase your yearbook now!  Use code: 10588.

Cost and deadlines:

• $40 until September 22, 2019
• $50 before March 1, 2020
• $75 on or after March 1, 2020
• Deadline: April 1, 2020
  • After this date remaining books will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. Yearbook purchases are also available in the front office.  The same prices and deadline dates apply.

Weather Day

We are so glad that everyone fared well during the hurricane.  We have received amnesty for the two of the three days we were out of school; Wednesday 9/4 and Thursday 9/5.  We will be using the scheduled Weather Day of Friday, February 14^th to make up for Tuesday, September 3^rd.  The school calendar has been updated.

Diaper Drive

We will be participating in a diaper drive for the Bahamas.  We are asking for donations of diapers of any size.  Please drop off your diaper donations in the front office between now and Tuesday, September 24^th.  Donations will be delivered to Catholic Charities on Wednesday, September 25^th.

Angel Kits

Please support Assumption’s efforts to provide Angel Kits for Catholic Charities.  There are items requested by grade level.  The ECLC is asked to collect; gallon Ziplock bags, toothbrushes, and bars of soap.  Please drop off all donations to your child’s classroom by Tuesday, September 24^th.

Home and School Association

The next HSA meeting will be September 24^th at 8:00AM.  We encourage all families to attend.  Be on the lookout for welcome letters from your child’s homeroom parent.  This will have important information about how to volunteer, upcoming events and ways to get involved in the Assumption community.

Picture Deadline

Picture day was very successful, with very few tears.  Be sure to turn in your picture order form by next Wednesday, September 25^th.  If your child was sick or did not get their picture taken successfully, make ups will be available at Kurt English’s studio on November 13th and 14th.  Please call Kurt English for more information 904.262.3080 or visit their website www.kurtenglish.com 

Jog-a-thon

Each year Assumption Catholic School and Assumption ECLC participate in a Jog-a-thon in October.  This year’s Jog-a-thon will be on Friday, October 4^th.   This year Jog-a-thon fundraiser is for the Fine Arts Department and improvements to Jordan Hall.

The Jog-a-thon has typically been for PK3 and PK4 students to participate in together on the fields.  Last year, we had the idea to extend the Jog-A-thon to our infants through PK2 families to do a “Stroll-A-thon.”  We wanted to touch base with our families to see if this is something they would be interested in doing.  It would be about a 30 minute stroll on our fields.  It would be a great time to enjoy our beautiful campus, stroll with your sweet ones, and meet other young families.  Please follow this link to complete the survey.  This is just for collection of information to see if this is something we should extend to our infant through PK2 families.  Please complete this 2 question survey: https://forms.gle/3ofxjpuebsrgWmbd8

Aftercare

We are no longer using the iCare hourly system for aftercare for “Green” families.  If you would like your child to stay past their program allowance it will be a flat daily rate; 12:00-3:00 $20, 3:00-6:00 $20, or 12:00-6:00 $35.  We ask that parents email 24 hours in advance to aeclc@assumptionjax.org.  Please include your child’s name and the date you are requesting your child to stay late.  If it is an emergency and aftercare is needed that day.  Please call 904-518-4880.

Class Dojo

All grade levels are utilizing Class Dojo this year as an additional method of communication.  Each child has received an invitation for the parents to sign up.  If you have not yet signed up, your child teacher will send home an additional invitation in their Friday folder.

Teachers

Parents meet Mrs. Valbuena and Mrs. Schellenberg!

Mrs. Valbuena was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Jacksonville University with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education.  Mrs. Valbuena has been teaching at Assumption for over 30 years.  She has taught 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade, but for more than 20 of those years she has been dedicated to the field of Early Childhood and teaching PK4 and was the preschool director until 2016.  When she is not teaching and planning fun and creative lessons for her class, she loves to spend time with family, go to the beach, collect shells, and traveling. 

Mrs. Schellenberg has been an assistant teacher for 5 years; 2 at San Jose Catholic School and 3 years at Assumption ECLC.   Mrs. Shellenberg has a beautiful large family!  She enjoys playing tennis, baking and volunteering in many different ministries.

Child Development Tidbit

Did you know that the greatest amount of brain growth occurs between birth and age five?  The cognitive processes develop rapidly in the first few years of life.  In fact, by age 3, approximately 85% of your child’s brain core structure has already formed.  At birth your child’s brain is only 25% of its adult size. At the age of 3, your child’s brain will develop to 80% of its adult size.  Your child’s developing brain triples within the first year of life and is virtually fully formed by the time a child enters kindergarten. This is why quality early childhood education is so important!  The fact that 80% of your child’s brain will develop while they are attending Assumption ECLC, is extremely important to us!  It is not surprising that young children who are exposed to early language and literacy experiences usually become good readers later.  Just as language development starts LONG before a child can speak, literacy skills develop LONG before they are able to read.

Lots of parents ask; “What can I do to help my child become a successful student?”  The answer is very simple, read to your child.  I encourage all families to read at least one story a night before bed.  If you are already reading one story, work your way up to 3 stories per night.  Scholastic Book Club is a great way to build your child’s library at home.  The next order deadline is Friday October 4^th.

Mark your Calendar for these Upcoming Events

• September 19^th – Tropical Smoothie Deadline PK3/PK4 only
• September 20^th – Charleston Wrap Extension Deadline
• September 22^nd — Early Bird Pricing for Yearbook Deadline
• September 24^th – HSA Meeting 8:00AM Kohl’s Hall,  Diaper Donation and  Angel Kits Donations Deadline
• September 25^th – Picture Order Deadline
• September 27^th – Spirit Shirt Day PK3/PK4 (with uniform bottoms)
• October 4^th – Jog – a – thon, Scholastic Order Deadline
• October 14^th – Parent teacher conferences No School Green Families
• October 18^th – Kona Ice $2.00 PK3/PK4
• October 19^th – Fall Festival
• October 25^th – No School for Green Families

Thank you for entrusting your child with us here at Assumption ECLC.  If you have any questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.

Blessings,

Kristin Spears

Director

Assumption ECLC

904-518-4880

Mission

“The Assumption Catholic Community, united in the Eucharist, provides a challenging academic education where living a Christ-centered life comes first.”

Philosophy Statement

Founded in Christ, the Assumption Early Childhood Learning Center creates a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for children beginning at infancy.  The teachers and staff care for and value each child, as a gift from God, and entirely promote their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual growth.  In partnership with families, children leave Assumption with the skills that provide them with a seamless transition into kindergarten.  Each child develops a sense of confidence, autonomy, self-discipline, respect, and love of God and neighbor.