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January News

Message from the Principal:

2014 was quite a year for us! We welcomed many new families to Enchanted Care, new teachers and made many new friends. We saw some big changes, but we have managed through them! I hope that each of you are feeling blessed at the beginning of this new year, as I do. I’m looking forward to a new year filled with fun and adventures, during our new clubs. This year promises to be filled with joy and happiness.

As always, thank you for choosing us at Enchanted Care to look after your children!

Nicole Vigansky, Principal Marysville KIDS’ Campus


Important Dates:

  • January 1: Enchanted Care CLOSED in observance of New Years Day
  • January 5: Tuition due for the weeks of Jan 5-9 & Jan 12 – 16
  • January 5: Marysville schools closed; Full Day Program at ECKC- Field trip to Sports Ohio from 9:30-2:00
  • January 19: Marysville schools closed; Full Day Program at ECKC
  • January 19: Tuition due for the weeks of Jan 19-23 & Jan 26 – 30
  • January 21: Family Game Night from 6:00-7:30pm – Come and enjoy food and a night filled of fun!
  • February 16: In-Service Day, Enchanted Care Kids Campus CLOSED

Reminders:

  • Every year Enchanted Care closes twice for an “in-service” day. On Monday, February 16th Enchanted Care Marysville will be CLOSED for the first of our two annual in-service days. Our building will be closed the entire day as all employees attend professional development classes, take time to assess our current program, and discuss changes we may want to see in the new year. Please remember this is President’s day, so your children will not be in school! Please let me know if you have any questions, or refer to the Parent Handbook for more information.
  • Family Game Night: You’re invited to Enchanted Care’s Family Game Night. All families are invited to come and enjoy games. We will have everything from life size Jenga to twister. We will be serving appetizers and refreshments for your enjoyment.
  • 2014 Tuition Statement: I will be e-mailing your 2014 Tuition Statements starting January 5, 2015. I hope to have everyone’s e-mailed by the end of the week. If you do not receive a statement please let me know and I can print a new copy for your convenience. Enchanted Care/Nobel Tax ID Number: 22-2465204

Enchanted Care’s Illness/Communicable Disease Policy: We’re in the middle of cold & flu season, so I hope you will take a moment to read through these reminders regarding illness and child attendance at our center. Listed below are the most common illnesses and symptoms – for a complete copy of our Illness/Communicable Disease Policy please refer to your parent handbook, or pick up an extra copy at the front desk.

  • Children may be readmitted to our center after illness according to the following guidelines:
    • Have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication
    • Are free of the symptoms of communicable disease
    • Are under the care of a licensed physician and are permitted in writing by him/her to return
    • If discharged for lice, must be found to be nit-free
  • Some common signs and symptoms of communicable disease which result in discharge from the center:
    • Temperature of 101°F or higher
    • Temperature of 100°F plus one other sign of illness
    • Vomiting more than once, or once plus one other sign of illness
    • Diarrhea (three or more abnormally loose stools within a 24-hour period)
    • Symptoms of conjunctivitis
    • Severe coughing
    • Evidence of lice, scabies, or other parasitic infection

Please remember, this is not a complete list, it is a sample of the most common signs and symptoms. For the complete list refer to your Parent Handbook or pick up a copy of the list at the front desk. If you ever have a question about whether or not your child will be permitted to attend while ill please do not hesitate to contact the center Principal.

It is important to us that your child is immunized according to the Ohio Department of Health’s recommended schedule. If you need help finding immunization clinics in Marysville please do not hesitate to ask us for help!


Severe Weather Closing Information:

With winter on its way every family should be familiar with the following policies:

  • Any time your child’s school is delayed or closed because of bad weather we will remain open unless there is a Level 3 Emergency for Union County.
  • When schools are cancelled for any reason there will be a limited number of children who will be able to stay here all day. That number is based on the number of employees who are able to be here throughout the day.
  • Daily sign-up is based on a “first-come (or call): first-served” basis, so you may want to arrive early or call ahead so we can put your child’s name on our list!
  • Listen for closing announcements on 610 WTVN AM, or 97.9 WNCI FM, watch Channel 6 ABC or Fox 28 News, or check 610wtvn.com or enchantedcare.com. You can also always call here if you aren’t sure whether we are closed or if the other Enchanted Care centers are.

We will always do our best to stay open to care for your children while you are at work, but inevitably we will occasionally have to close. Please know also that although the enrollment policy on school cancellation days is first-come first-served, we rarely had to turn a child away because we didn’t have the staffing, and we don’t suspect that we will this year either.


News from the Education Department:

Embracing Diversity and the Traditions of Others

Children as young as two years old begin to notice differences among people. For instance, they may notice differences between boys and girls, or recognize that some families eat different foods or celebrate different holidays than their own family.

Research shows that children who learn to have a strong appreciation of their own family traditions and culture have an easier time appreciating the traditions and cultures of others. With this foundation, as children progress through elementary school and beyond, they have more social confidence and success in interacting with many different types of people.

Below are some ways that we focus on self-awareness and the appreciation of diverse cultures in the classroom, as well as some ideas you can try at home.

INFANTS/TODDLERS: In our classrooms, infants and toddlers look at photos of familiar people and practice pointing to and naming each person, helping them to communicate a concept of self and family.

At home, collect photos of people your baby knows, and place them where he can see and reach them. Talk about the photo with your baby. For example, “Look Jake, here’s your grandmother. Who’s she holding? That’s you, Jake!” Toddlers may be able to find and name different family members.

BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3): We introduce Spanish in our Beginner program to give children a head start on mastering a second language and understanding different cultures. In addition to Spanish language, students explore different traditions in Spanish speaking countries, such as music, musical instruments, and food.

At home, discuss your own family’s traditions with your child. Show him photos from different holidays and explain why you celebrate your traditions, such as why you go to Grandma’s house for Christmas or why you light candles for Hanukkah.

INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4): As children read stories about different family structures, home environments, and traditions around the world, our teachers encourage them to share their own experiences. During circle time for example, we may read a story about children living in a different country, in a different type of house and wearing a different type of clothes. Afterward, the teacher connects the story back to what the children know by asking, “What does your house look like?” and “Who lives in your house with you?”

Recommended books to read with your 3 or 4 year old include The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss, The Color of Us by Karen Katz, Why Am I Different by Norma Simon and It’s Okay to be Different by Todd Parr. After you’re done reading, share what’s unique about your child and ask him to discuss how he is different from the characters in the story.

PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5): Pre-K children are curious to share their experiences and learn about those of others. Our teachers cultivate this curiosity with a focus on diversity. One way is by transforming their classrooms into international markets. Parents and teachers provide food, magazines, currency and musical instruments from various countries, and children are given the opportunity to shop for items found around the world. Some schools hold a cultural block party in which families share their heritage, including traditional foods.

Recommended books to read with your child at this stage include Whoever You Are by Mem Fox and Hats Off to Hair by Virginia Kroll.

In summary, we provide many opportunities for children to build self-identity, share family traditions, and learn about diversity in the classroom and around the globe. The better children understand themselves and the world around them, the easier they will make friends, accept others and appreciate differences as they transition into elementary school and beyond.

– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education

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