Dear ELC Families,

Welcome to another exciting school year at the Early Learning Center! We hope your summer was filled with fun, laughter, and lots of special memories with your little ones. As we prepare to embark on a new adventure together, we want to extend a warm welcome to both our returning families and those joining us for the first time.

As you’ll see below, one of our goals is to create a nurturing environment where your child feels safe, loved, and encouraged to explore the world around them while learning to be a Super Friend. We will spend the year focusing on being respectful, responsible, safe and kind all while engaging in learning experiences designed to support your child’s learning and development.

We are excited to see all the bright smiles and eager faces as we start this new journey together. Let’s make this school year one filled with joy, discovery, and lots of fun!

Warmest regards,

Frank Rich, Principal

Classroom Placements

Please check your email for the class placement around Noon. If you don't see an email, please check your SPAM folder. In that email will be the session, teacher name, and orientation information.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

School Hours

AM Session: 8:55-11:25
PM Session: 12:45-3:15

Arrival Procedures

Arrival Times
- AM 8:45-8:55
- PM 12:35-12:45

If you arrive after these times, you will need to check in at the Main Office and a staff member from the ELC will come and walk your child to class. We will not be allowing students in the drop off doors after the allotted times.

Please remember to hold your child's hand through the parking lot as stated in our ELC handbook. It is a busy place and we want to ensure safety of all students.

Please walk your child to the following entrances based on the classroom teacher for drop off.
- Door 1 (James Street entrance)
  - Ms. Kathy M., Ms. Alex, Ms. Kathy D, and Ms. Fran
- Door 3 (Immediate right of the gymnasium)
  - Ms. Renee, Ms. Lauren, Ms. Chris G.
- Door 5 (On opposite side of the gymnasium)
  - Ms. Deanna, Ms. Chris S, Ms. Courtney

Dismissal Procedures

Dismissal Times
- AM Session: 11:25am
- PM Session: 3:10pm
Please wait outside these doors for your child.
- Door 1 (James Street entrance)
  - Ms. Kathy M., Ms. Alex, Ms. Kathy D., Ms. Fran
- Door 3 (Immediate right of the gymnasium)
  - Ms. Renee, Ms. Lauren, Ms. Chris G.
- Door 5 (On opposite side of the gymnasium)
  - Ms. Deanna, Ms. Chris S, Ms. Courtney.

We ask that all parents come to the door when the class is called so we can speed up the dismissal process. Walkers from Thacher will be dismissing from Door 3 as well so we need all parents at that door to be promptly at dismissal time.

Please see the below pictures for door location and parking lot guidance. We appreciate you strictly adhering to these times, so as to make a smooth transition to and from school, as well as to maximize the learning time for our youngest learners!

Absences

Just a reminder that if your child is sick or not coming to school for any reason, please contact the ELC office at (508) 223-1563. Messaging the teacher through Rooms or emailing the teacher is great but if the teacher is out we may not get the message.

Dismissing Your Child

If you need to change your student's dismissal routine (e.g. change from taking the bus to getting picked up, dismiss early for doctor's appointment, etc.), you must send in a note or send Miss Meg or Miss Janice an email or a Rooms message in the ELC room.

We recognize that much of our world now communicates digitally, and it's tempting and logical that you would think to email your child's teacher. However, we run into issues when either the teacher is out that day and unable to alert the office, or if the email comes in while the teacher is in front of the class and isn't able to check their email. With all of that in mind, please send in a hard copy of the dismissal note.

We ask that dismissals occur by 11am for the morning session and 2:50pm for the pm session due to the inability to use the bus loop at this time.

Buses

We are very thankful for our mini buses and van pools who get our students to school safe. Please make sure that you are on the curb waiting for your student and in view at least 10 minutes before it is due. Buses can run early or late for various reasons. If you need to know the time for pick up and drop off please look in Aspen under transportation. Bus information may not be available until after Labor Day.

Please note that if you are not outside then your student will be dropped back at school and you will need to come and transport them home yourself. Please make sure you have an emergency contact that lives in the area if you are not available.

Communication

This digital newsletter, The ELC Panda Press, is our primary method of communication for schoolwide information. It will be posted in our Attleboro Public Schools app at the end of each week. We strongly encourage everyone to download the Attleboro Public Schools app. This mobile app is the go-to place for district and school events, alerts, documents, and staff directories. Through this app, families can also access Rooms to communicate with your child's teacher. please visit the Rooms Support page for more detailed information and a link to download the app on both Android and Apple devices.

We also frequently post to our school website & Facebook page as well, so make sure to visit it and click “Follow.”

Please remember our staff are working with your children throughout the day. This means we may take up to 24 hours to respond to emails and you may need an appointment to have a meeting. Our clerk, Miss Janice, is often able to answer your questions. We maintain student confidentiality as required by law and frequently we cannot give out student information over the phone.

What Does My Child Need to Bring:

Backpack
Snack (Nut Free and Shellfish Free)
Water Bottle or Milk money
Change of clothes, including socks (to be kept at school for emergencies)
Diapers, wipes, extra underwear

Please label everything with your child's first name and last initial in case it falls out of their lockers.

Milk Available During Snack

Milk can be purchased with snack for $0.20, unless your student qualifies for free/reduced lunch.

If you believe you may qualify for assistance for milk, please fill out the General Eligibility Form linked here.

Nursing

Please remember that if your student(s) will need medication in school this year, please see your doctor for medication orders. These need to be renewed at the beginning of each school year. All medications need to be brought in by an adult. We are unable to accept medications that come in the backpack.

Please contact Nurse Kilfoyle and Nurse Rosario before coming to the school so they know to expect you.

Please make sure we have the most up-to-date vaccination records for your child, especially after their annual physical. If your child has any allergies (e.g., food, bees, etc.), please reach out to the nurses to make sure we have that in our records to help us keep your child safe.

The nurse's office is always looking for gently used clothing in the sizes 5, 6, 8, new socks of all sizes, and new underwear of all sizes. For those who shop at stores with plastic bags we also are looking for used bags for when children need to change clothes and bring the soiled clothes home.

Lisa Kilfoyle: lkilfoyle@attleboroschools.com

Stephanie Rosario: srosario@attleboroschools.com

Community News

Visit the APS Community Fliers page to view the most recent events, opportunities, and resources happening within the Attleboro Community.

Important Dates to Remember

9/11/2024: ELC Orientation
- AM Session: 10-10:45a
- PM Session: 1:30-2:15p
9/12/24: ELC's First Day of School
10/7/24: Picture Day
10/10/24: ELC's Welcome Back Night
- AM Session: 6-6:45p
- PM Session: 7-7:45p
10/11/24: ELC No School Only
10/14/24: Columbus Day: No School

ELC Panda Press: 8/23/24

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures