MAY 2018
Greetings!

EFC ANNUAL ART FAIR
Please join us for our gallery opening on Thursday, May 3, from 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. We are excited to show you our masterpieces. There will be art activities for the children and light refreshments will be served. In order for the teachers to set up all of the art experiences the children have been working so hard on, we ask for the children to be picked up by 5:30 p.m. on this day if possible.  
THANK YOU!
On behalf of our teaching staff, we would like to thank all of the families who participated in the teacher appreciation luncheon. Everything was delicious and very much appreciated! Also, for those who took the time to write note cards for the EFC mail. We all treasured your kind words.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
SUMMER SOCCER WEDNESDAYS
We are excited to offer our EFC preschoolers Summer Soccer led by Revolutionary Sports. Children will participate in an engaging, age-appropriate soccer class. They will learn soccer skills, practice teamwork, and have fun!

June 6-August 8 (10 weeks)
$60 per child
Please sign up by Wednesday, May 30.  
PARENT REMINDERS
EFC CLOSED
EFC will be closed on Friday, May 25, for our Staff Professional Development Day, as well as Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day. By closing the center for a staff in-service day, EFC’s goal is to provide our staff with time to complete a portion of their in-service hours required by the State of MN. Have a great weekend & thank you for your support!!
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
PriscillaWilliamsEFCPres
PARENTS AS CARING GARDENERS
Daisy and Suzie danced the summer away.
They grew strong.
They were beautiful.
They were thankful for caring gardeners.”

This is an excerpt from a children’s book titled Go Daisy, Grow written by Ruth Ann Willius. The story engages readers in cheering on a daisy – from seed, through a rough period of struggles, to a second chance when she’s finally given the attention and nourishment she needs to reach her full, beautiful potential.

I received a copy of the book and love it on many levels. First, Ruth, the author, worked at Especially for Children for over 20 years and was my soul mate as we decided how best to develop a program to educate and nurture young children. It is so exciting to see how Ruth’s experience as a teacher and manager have come together with her love of nature and her skill as a parent educator to create this wonderful story.

The illustrations in the book are all done by sixth graders from Scandia Elementary School. The art is amazing, and the collaboration that took place between Ruth and the students makes the book a truly unique creation.

As Mother’s Day approaches I was thinking about this book’s timely message about the importance of nurture. Just as Daisy was able to achieve her dreams when she was given care and attention, our children are given the opportunities they need to reach their full potential through the adults in their lives who act as “ caring gardeners.”

From her years of being a mother, a teacher and a parent educator, as well as an avid gardener, Ruth has developed a simple formula that I would like to share with you.

Good Beginnings + Patience + Knowledge + A loving caregiver = Successful Growth

By being a “ caring gardener” for your child, you will dance together as dreams are achieved!
The illustrations in the book are all done by sixth graders from Scandia Elementary School. The art is amazing, and the collaboration that took place between Ruth and the students makes the book a truly unique creation.

As Mother’s Day approaches I was thinking about this book’s timely message about the importance of nurture. Just as Daisy was able to achieve her dreams when she was given care and attention, our children are given the opportunities they need to reach their full potential through the adults in their lives who act as “ caring gardeners.”

From her years of being a mother, a teacher and a parent educator, as well as an avid gardener, Ruth has developed a simple formula that I would like to share with you.

Good Beginnings + Patience + Knowledge + A loving caregiver = Successful Growth

By being a “ caring gardener” for your child, you will dance together as dreams are achieved!
TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS

Now-5/6 Farm Babies , MN Zoo, Apple Valley
Now-5/13   Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit , MN Children's Museum, St. Paul
Now-5/20 Whoever You Are , Stages Theatre, Hopkins
Now-6/10 Dr. Seuss's The Lorax , Children’s Theatre Company
5/3-5/6 Festival of Nations , St. Paul RiverCentre
5/5 Walk for Animals , Golden Valley
5/6 MayDay Parade & Festival , Minneapolis
5/12 Dash it for Baskets , Eagan
5/13 Mother’s Day Symphony , Landmark Center, St. Paul
5/18-5/20 Art-A-Whirl , NE Minneapolis
After the long winter we had, any activity that our family can participate in outside in the sunshine sounds like an excellent idea. I have never been known for my green thumb, and in fact always feel a bit guilty when given a plant by a friend because it’s not likely to last long under my care. However, after reading this  blog post  on gardening with children, I’m inspired to try out a pizza garden with our girls this summer.

Especially for Children
5015 W. 70 Street
Edina MN 55439 
(952) 946-9971 

Center Directors:
Susan Wilson and Michelle Botz
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