Mission Statement
  
To elevate child development to a new level by leading the social and emotional growth and education of young children by providing a safe, welcoming, home-like environment with a caring, educated and professional staff that promotes partnerships between parents, children, and other early childhood professionals. 
January Notes of Interest

Maternity Leaves
Marissa had her baby on December 14th, 2016! A happy healthy baby girl named Inara Ann Held 4 lbs. 8 oz. 18 inches long! We are so excited for the Held family and cannot wait to see what 2017 has in store for them! With Marissa officially starting maternity leave please feel free to ask Katie, Tia, or Kristen any questions or concerns you may have, we would be happy to help! Before we know it we'll have another transitional period for Tia to go on her maternity leave. It's going to be a busy winter for our directors and we couldn't be more happy for them and their families!

Activity Fee
As of January 9th, an Activity Fee of $75/per child will be added to your account. This fee includes preparation of individualized portfolio's as well go going towards the new online version of Teaching Strategies of GOLD online assessment tool. 

Click on the link below for more information.


Giving Tree
We are so happy for our preschoolers who helped out in the community by donating winter clothing for those in need! Room 5 had a Giving Tree outside of their room decorated with hats and gloves throughout to give to others! Our preschoolers were very thoughtful this holiday season and we couldn't be more proud of them!

Parking
As the weather turns colder, we know it will be very tempting to park as close to the building as possible. However, for proper flow of the parking lot, it is important that you park only in the designated areas. You may park in the spots in the front lot, back lot, or along the curb in front of the flag. You may not park along the opposite curb from the flag pole. Thank you for your understanding!
 
Website
We are excited to announce that we have officially launched our new website design!! Check out the changes at www.katieskids.net and let us know what you think! 

T-shirts
We still have t-shirts available for sale in honor of our 10 year anniversary. If you are interested in purchasing one (or some), please let the front desk know. They are being sold on a first come, first serve basis for $10 each. For available quantities and sizes, see below:


Upcoming Dates
January 2nd - Closed for New Year's Day  
 
January 3rd-6th, 9th, & 16th - School Age Program

January 21st - SNL at Katie's Kids II @ Fort Jesse


 

 
Closure Dates for 2017

Please click here
to view the Katie's Kids Center Closure list for 2017.
   
  
        
Saturday Night Live
At Katie's Kids II @ Fort Jesse
Saturday, January 21st
5:00 -10:00 p.m.

Need a night off? Can't find a babysitter? Katie's Kids would love to help! Saturday Night Live is a Saturday night out for parents while children come to school for a dinner and a movie night! If you have any questions please feel free to ask administration. 
 
Classroom News
 
Please click on your child's room number to view their classroom newsletter. 
   
Room 1 (Infants/Toddlers) - Ms. Paige, Ms. Brittany, & Ms. Taylor
 
Room 2 (Infants/Toddlers) - Ms. Lori
 
Room 3 (Infants) - Ms. Chasney & Ms. Barb
 
Room 4 (Toddlers/Twos) -  Ms. Caitlin, Ms. Courtney 
 Ms. Laya
 
Room 5 (Pre- K) - Ms. Angelica & Ms. Kayla
 
Room 6 (Pre-K) - Ms. Skylar & Ms. Alexis
 
Room 7 (Pre-K) - Ms. Heather, Ms. Katie, & Mr. Matt
 
Room 8 (Toddlers/Twos) - Ms. Kelly, Ms. Rebecca, & Ms. Courtney

 

Developing Melodies® Music Corner
 

With the new year beginning, we would love to say a huge thank you and farewell to Miss Callie our Music Therapy Teacher! She has to decided to pursue Music Therapy closer to home and we appreciate everything she has does for Katie's Kids and will miss her immensely! From Developing Melodies as well is our new Music Therapy teacher Miss Janel Metzger! Miss Janel will be joining our Katie's Kids family and we couldn't be more excited to have her! To get to know Miss Janel a little more, here is a biography about her:


Janel Metzger,
MT-BC, is a Board-Certified Music Therapist. She started playing piano at age 5, took flute lessons from age 11 through college, and started guitar and ukulele in college. She graduated from Western Illinois University magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Music Therapy. Janel began her Music Therapy career working at West Music in their Music Therapy department in April 2014. She has worked with a variety of clientele including students with disabilities in schools, nursing home groups, hospice patients, groups of adults with disabilities, recreational music groups for young adults with disabilities and adaptive lessons. Janel joined the Developing Melodies team in September 2015.  

We cannot wait to have Miss Janel join our family and enjoy music!
 
 
Loose Parts Donations -   
 
Our Focus this Month: 

Keep track of all of those extra parts as you start the new year. We can use them here! 
  • paper towel rolls
  • shoe boxes
  • tissue paper
  • bubble wrap
  • cardboard packing materials
  • plastic bottles
 
  
We, at Katie's Kids, would like to keep utilizing loose parts in our classrooms throughout the year.  Therefore, we are inviting parents and families that are interested to keep the supplies coming!  If you choose to donate you can drop the materials off at the front desk at any time!
  
Be sure to look through our center for how the loose parts are being used within the curriculum! 
  
Thank you in advance for your donations, we look forward to seeing the creativity that stems from all of the materials!

Reggio Reads...
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"Space has to be a sort of aquarium that mirrors the ideas, values, attitudes, and culture of the people who live within it."

- Loris Malaguzzi

January Meals to Go w/Patti 

January 5th
   Entrée: 
Chicken Piccata on Bed of Zucchini Noodles
Roasted Fingerlings 
  Dessert:  
Cranberry Bliss Bake  
 
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January 12th

Entrée:   
Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy and Corn
Dessert:  
Snicker doodle Bar
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January 19th

Entrée:  Chicken Cordon Bleu
Roasted Potatoes
Herb Salad 
Dessert:    
Chocolate Macaroons 
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January 26th 

Entrée:  
Steak Sandwich w/ Caramelized Onions and Bleu Cheese Dressing
Cole Slaw
Dessert:    
 Banana Bars w/ Cream Cheese Frosting 
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Getting Healthier...
At Katie's Kids Learning Center, we are committed to providing the best possible nutrition to you and your family.  We want to keep you updated about the healthy changes we are making on our menu to promote nutrition and wellness at our center.  The following recipe is now being offered as snack at our center: 
 
Title :  Sweet Potato Tater Tots 

Ingredients:
  • 3-4 cooked sweet potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, to taste
  • Olive Oil

Directions:
  1. Preheat over to 425 F
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper
  3. Peel and boil potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until cooked, then drain.
  4. Grate the sweet potatoes and place in a bowl.
  5. With your hands, carefully stir in salt and pepper and form the mixture into balls or small cylinders and place on a sheet pan.
  6. Spray or drizzle olive oil over the top.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
  8. Serves 6-8 people
 


Katie's Kids Learning | @ the Links | 309.663.5800 |  Katie@katieskids.net | www.katieskids.net
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