JULY 2020
Greetings!

ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JULY 3rd FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY. WE WISH EVERYONE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!
CENTER HAPPENINGS
MINNESOTA GROWN
We have been having a great time planting and maintaining our very own vegetable gardens and cannot wait to see our vegetables start growing. In fact, we already sampled some radishes in June! Our garden areas are located at the preschool playground. Take a peek!
 
This year, the Edina Farmer’s Market will be held at Rosland Park, in the parking lot closest to the Edina Aquatic Center. This location will allow for wider walkways and the recommended social distancing between vendors and patrons. The market will be open on Thursday afternoons, between 3 - 7 PM. By hosting it later in the day, the fruits & vegetables are fresher. Most of the produce is picked in the morning for sale the same day. Products vary weekly but visitors can anticipate items like apples, beans, beef, breads, cheeses, confections, eggs, fruit, honey, jams, jerky, lamb, melons, pears, peppers, pork, potatoes, poultry, salsas, strawberries and sweet corn.

SPICING UP YOUR WALKS
How many walks has your family been on in the past few months?! If you need some ideas to spice up your walks and promote playful learning, check out these ideas from NAEYC:
PARENT REMINDERS
SUMMER VACATIONS=VACATION CREDITS
Please let us know about any vacation time you plan on taking this month by writing your child’s name on the calendar located on the parent table in the hallway. If you are on vacation for five weekdays in a row and have been with us for more than 6 months, you are eligible for a half-week tuition credit. To receive the credit, you need to complete an account adjustment form (also located at the parent table).  

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Fire and tornado safety are important to us at EFC! Each month, we practice these drills, so the children and teachers know what to do in case of an emergency. Feel free to discuss fire and tornado safety at home, and make sure you have a plan in place for your family as well.

COVID-19 NOTE
In accordance with state requirements, all workplaces are required to have a Covid-19 Preparedness Plan that outlines current health and safety procedures. If you would like to view EFC’s plan, please ask your center director.

U.S. CENSUS REMINDER
Just a reminder to fill out the U.S. census if you have not already done so! The census is a hugely important tool that helps the government determine representation, funding, and infrastructure planning.
 
To learn more, visit: https://mn.gov/admin/2020-census/

DO WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS?
We send e-newsletters and announcements through Constant Contact and daily notes through Baby/Daily Connect. If you or a family member are not receiving our communications, please let your director know so that we can update your email address.
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
  This month we are offering a mental break from some of the heavier topics we have covered in recent months. Enjoy this throwback article from 2014 below! 
PriscillaWilliamsEFCPres
THE STICK

While playing outside with your child this summer, don’t forget the value of the stick. Children find sticks an endless source of make-believe fun. In 2008 the stick, which may be the world’s oldest toy, was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Here are some of the attributes cited:

“Sticks can turn into magic wands, majorette batons and fishing poles. When children pretend with sticks, they cultivate their creativity and develop their imaginations.”

This made me smile when I realized that one of my favorite childhood photos is of my older sister and me sitting on a log. She was teaching me to whittle.

When hiking in the woods, I still love to find a sturdy stick to accompany me. Not only does it help me stabilize, it also makes me feel like a voyager on a real adventure. And part of the fun is exploring the area to find just the right stick!

Of the 53 toys that have made it into the National Toy Hall of Fame, the stick is the only one that is found in nature all ready to be played with. Sticks are all around us: they are natural and free.

After this past windy weekend our yard was filled with sticks of various sizes. Without any prompting our two-year-old grandson gathered several together to touch and examine.

Pretty soon I looked and saw that he found one still covered with leaves. Over a period of a few minutes that stick was a lawn mower and then evolved into a leaf blower. Later that day Steve and I had him help us pick up sticks and put them in a trash can.
What a fun afternoon! Now I want to find sticks to use to draw in the sand, make a campfire and then roast marshmallows!
Especially for Children
3300 Edinborough Way 
Edina MN 55435 
(952) 835-0505 

Center Director
Anna Wilson 
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