Next week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, and we want to celebrate the incredible people who make our school shine! Our teachers and staff are truly Sun-Sational, and we need your help to make sure they feel the warmth.
We’re asking students to help us brighten a staff member’s day with a personal note of thanks. Whether it's a classroom teacher, a specialist, or a member of the support team, let’s show them they are the "bright spot" in our day!
Here’s How to Spread the Sunshine:
Go Free-Style: Your student can create their very own, totally unique "sunny" note or drawing. Use bright colors, glitter, or whatever helps them express their gratitude!
Use Our Template: If you prefer a little more structure, your student can color and fill out the "You Brighten My Day" templatewe’ve put together. It’s the perfect way to add a personal touch!
Deliver the Rays: Students can bring their sun-sational notes to school next week and personally deliver them to the staff members they want to recognize.
No Printer? No Sweat!
If you can’t print at home, don't let it cloud your day! Just cruise by the front office, we’ll have plenty of paper copies of the template ready for our young artists.
Thank you for helping us make this week bright!
May is going to be a busy month! Please read through this newsletter carefully, as it contains a lot of information about the end of the school year.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
End of Year Celebration 9:00-9:30 AM (Fronimos, Gebhardt, Sandstrom AM Classes)
End of Year Celebration 10:30-11:00 AM (Diaz, Hague, Thomas AM Classes)
End of Year Celebration 12:35-1:05 PM (Fronimos, Gebhardt, Sandstrom PM Classes)
End of Year Celebration 2:05-2:35 PM (Diaz, Hague, Thomas PM Classes)
Tuesday, June 2
Book Swap Day
End of Year Celebration 9:00-9:30 AM (Howery, Merkel, Walsh AM Classes)
End of Year Celebration 10:30-11:00 AM (Hershman, Kawczynski, Mansavage AM Classes)
End of Year Celebration 12:35-1:05 PM (Howery, Merkel, Walsh PM Classes)
End of Year Celebration 2:05-2:35 PM (Hershman, Kawczynski, Mansavage PM Classes)
Wednesday, June 3
Book Swap Day
Thursday, June 4
Last Day of School
End of Year Celebrations and Promotions to Kindergarten
It's been such a wonderful school year, and the students can't wait to celebrate! Join us for an End of the Year Celebration where students will sing some songs and we will honor the preschoolers who are being promoted to Kindergarten!
Students will have a regular school day on the day of their celebration and should arrive for regular school hours. However, if you would like to join us for the celebration, please see the information below. This event will take place in our gym, and due to space limitations, we are only admitting three guests per child for the celebrations. Thank you in advance for adhering to our guidelines. If you have any questions about this, please contact your classroom teacher or email Barb Golik at bgolik@emsd63.org.
Dates & Times:
June 1 @ 9:00 AM or 12:35 PM: Ms. Fronimos, Ms. Gebhardt, Ms. Sandstrom
June 1 @ 10:30 AM or 2:05 PM: Ms. Diaz, Ms. Hague, Ms. Thomas
June 2@ 9:00 AM or 12:35 PM: Ms. Howery, Ms. Merkel, Ms. Walsh
June 2@ 10:30 AM or 2:05 PM: Ms. Hershman, Ms. Kawczynski, Ms. Mansavage
Additional Information: The celebration will last approximately 30 minutes.
Please enter the building at Door #2. Doors will open 20 minutes prior to the start of each celebration.
The celebrations will start promptly at each start time.
If you plan on bringing balloons for your student, please leave them in your car until after the performance. These will not be allowed in the gym during the performance.
Live Stream: The events will be live-streamed HERE. You can watch from home or provide this link to family members who are not in attendance.
Class Pictures: Teachers will take a class picture with students earlier in the day and will email it home to families. Unfortunately, we will not have time to take group pictures after the celebration.
Individual Photos: We will have two photo backdrops available in the Imagination Station, where you are welcome to take pictures with your child after the celebration.
Dismissal: If you are taking your child home after the celebration, please email your classroom teacher at least 1 day prior to the celebration. You will need to see the classroom teacher at the end of the performance to collect your child.
Popsicles in the Park
Join us on the school playground on Thursday, May 7th, from 9:15 – 10:45 AM for a morning of Popsicles in the Park. We will have a balloon artist twisting masterpieces, face painting, outdoor fun, and games. Enter the school playground by Door #8 to join the fun!
Cool Treats: Popsicles for everyone!
The Cut-off: To make sure everyone gets a turn, the lines for the balloon artist and face painter will close at 10:30 AM.
Rain or Shine: If the clouds get grumpy, we’ll just move the fun inside!
RSVP by Tuesday, May 5th—we can’t wait to see you there!
Library Services
The last day to check out library books is Thursday, May 21. Please return all library books by Thursday, May 28. Thank you!
Registration
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open! Check out our registration webpage for details - and a reminder that children entering kindergarten must be five years old as of September 1.
A SPECIAL NOTE:
Due to the new student early sign up policy (see above) a new option - School Pickup - has has been added to the registration process.
Emergency contacts must have "School Pickup" selected in order for our staff to release your child to those contacts.
Please review your family and emergency contact information carefully when registering.
The East Maine School District 63 Foundation helps support initiatives at D63 like the FRC Marketplace, Open Gym, and sliding scale fees for Expanded Learning programs. This foundation is entirely volunteer-run and depends on generous donations to continue to support this important work. We need your help to spread the word and come out to support us at the annual EMSD63 Foundation Family Fun Fest happening from May 14-17 at Golf Mill Park! You will even see our very own FRC staff at the First Aid Tent - stop by and say, “hi!” This is a great fundraiser that helps provide vital support for our D63 community, and we can’t wait to see you there!
ID Needed for Pick Up
All parents and approved pick-up persons must show a valid state-issued ID to sign a student out early.
No ID, no release.
Visitor Aware provides an additional layer of security for your child by validating the identities of anyone entering the premises or seeking to pick up a student.
What kind of identification is required?
A valid, non-expired state-issued identification plastic card with a photo of you. Photos of ID and/or screenshots of state IDs will not be accepted.
Alternative options – accepted, but not recommended - require staff-assisted check-in:
Green Cards
Passport
Mexican Consular ID Card
Military Identification Card
Backpack Tags
Please make sure to send your child to school with their backpack each day. Attached to their backpack will be a tag (an example is pictured) that helps us identify each student and the classroom that they need to go to. We ask that you do not remove these from your child's backpack, as they help all of our staff make sure that students get to their correct classrooms. If the tag for your student has been misplaced, please let the teacher know, and we will get you a new one.
If you are in need of a backpack for your child, please let the classroom teacher know, and we can help to secure one.
Reporting Absences
If your child has to miss school due to illness or any other reason, please submit via the Parent Portal.
How to use the Parent Portal to report your child’s absence:
All absences must be submitted on the morning of the day your child will miss school - NOT the night before. Once you log into the Portal, you’ll choose your child’s name and navigate to a list of online forms. Select and complete the “Absence Form,” and then submit.
Important Note: Teachers will not respond to ParentSquare messages or emails regarding transportation changes, early pickups, late pickups, or alternate pickup persons.
The front office will ensure classroom teachers receive all necessary updates.
Parking Lot Guidelines
Safety is a top priority of the preschool staff. Following the school's traffic patterns in the school zone provides for a safe environment. There are designated pick-up and drop-off zones for students that do not interfere with bus traffic. Your cooperation will help to ensure the safety of all of our school children. Please click herefor the map.
A few safety reminders:
For drop off and pick up, enter the parking lot from the drive located off of Harrison Street. Cars will proceed down the drive alongside the Early Learning Center (Watch the video in this newsletter).
Make a right turn to enter the parking lot of the Early Learning Center. Park your car and proceed to the arrival and dismissal door that your child’s class is assigned to.
Please only use the designated handicapped parking space if you are authorized to do so.
To exit the parking lot, please proceed to the exit that is located off of Dee Rd.
School zones are also cell phone-free zones. This means that any cell phone use, even hands-free, is prohibited.
ELC Behavior Expectations
At the Early Learning Center, we are consistently working on teaching students expectations and rules for the different learning environments. Our three big expectations are Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Ready. Rules in different parts of the school are then linked to these expectations. Each expectation and rule is focused on being positive and specifically telling children what "to do" rather than what not to do. Please see the expectations at the Early Learning Center here.
Click here to find a great resource about being consistent with positive guidance for young children that could be helpful at home.
Birthday Treats
We love to celebrate birthdays with our students. If you would like to provide your child’s class with a birthday remembrance, please feel free to send non-food items such as pencils, erasers, stickers, bookmarks, or a book for the classroom library. We will not allow the distribution of any food items to celebrate the birthdays of students or teachers. This will ensure that we are in compliance with the federal, state, and District 63 nutrition guidelines and are mindful of keeping students with food allergies safe. Your support in this matter is much appreciated.
