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. 
July Notes of Interest

Closed on July 4th!
Katie's Kids will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4th.

Water Feature
As a reminder, our water feature days have begun! Please make sure that your children have all the necessary items on their assigned water day, including a towel, swimsuit, swim diaper (if necessary), hat, and water shoes. 

Prep Freeze Cook Fundraiser
We are continuing our fundraiser through Prep Freeze Cook this month. We encourage your support our center by ordering frozen meals for your family and friends. Please pick up an order form at the front desk and return it to us by July 10th. Our center will receive 10% of all sales, and we plan on purchasing new outdoor tricycles with these proceeds. So far we have raised $118 (30% of our goal) and hope to raise more this month! We appreciate your support!

Relay for Life Thank You
Thank you for all of your support in our Relay for Life fundraising efforts and activities! Our Katie's Kids team raised a total of $2945, which is AMAZING!! If you didn't get a chance to contribute, you're still welcome to do so. Included below are a few pictures from this event.



 
 
Upcoming Dates

July 4th: Closed 
July 14th:  SNL @ K1 5:00-10:00PM



Closure Dates for 2018

Please click here   to view the Katie's Kids Center Closure list for 2018.
   
            
Bug Warnings & Prevention

West Nile Virus
The West Nile Virus (a mosquito-borne disease that causes inflammation of the brain) has been confirmed in the Bloomington-Normal area as of June 8th, 2018. You can obtain more information  here. Here are some tips for avoiding the West Nile virus:
  • Keep your skin covered
  • Make sure your windows have screens
  • Empty and clean items around your home that hold water
  • Apply insect repellentebd
  • Report dead birds and standing water sources
Bed Bugs
Our pest control partner suggested sharing some tips for preventing bed bug infestations within our homes and facilities. Read more about bed bugs here. Please be mindful before bringing new items into your home as well as our school.


            
Saturday Night Live

Saturday, July 14th
5:00 -10:00 p.m.
@ The Links (K1)

Enjoy a night out on July 14th. Children ages 3+ have the opportunity to watch a movie and use their artistic abilities to create a masterpiece of their choice! Free play activities will be set up for children under the age of 3 years. If you have any questions please ask the KKLC Leadership Team. 

Community Connections



















Our community has great things to offer families! We are adding this new section to the newsletter to help you connect to the variety of community events occurring  in the Bloomington/Normal area. Enjoy!

Car Seat Safety Check
Click here for the 2018 schedule of Car Seat Safety Checks

Children's Discovery Museum
Click here for the Summer 2018 schedule of events 

Farmer's Market
If you are looking for a variety of fresh farm products - including vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meat, eggs, plants, and more - visit the farmer's market on the downtown Bloomington square between 7:30AM and noon every Saturday through October. 

Kids Run for Fun
The Lake Run Club is hosting a Kids Run for Fun event every Friday at Parkside Junior High starting at 6PM (June 1st - August 10th). This family program is non-competitive and intended to help teach kids that exercising and running can be fun. This event is open for children aged 1-12 and their families.

Sugar Creek Arts Festival
Arts and crafts vendors from across the country will display their products at the Sugar Creek Arts Festival on the streets of Uptown Normal on Saturday and Sunday (July 14th-15th). Come out and enjoy the fun!

Sweet Corn Blues Festival
The Sweet Corn Blues Festival is coming up on August 25th and 26th on the streets of Uptown Normal. Come out with your family and enjoy some fun, food, and great music!

Ideas for Home
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Looking for a fun summer craft? Try constructing a homemade milk carton bird feeder using materials available in your home!

 
Loose Parts Donations -   

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!

Our Focus this Month: 
  • Paper towel rolls
  • Tissue paper
  • Streamers
Meals to Go

Busy this summer? Choose a meal from our July Meals to Go menu!


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July 5th

Main Dish: Chicken Parmesan w/ Pasta
Side: Garlic Bread
Dessert: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

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July 12th

Main Dish: Steak
Side: Garlic Chive Mashed Potatoes
Dessert: Red Velvet Cake

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July 19th

Main Dish: Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops
Side: Corn on the Cob
Dessert: Lemon Bars

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July 26th

Main Dish: White Fish Tacos
Side: Wild Rice
Dessert: Banana Cream Pie

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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 hope you enjoy the following recipe: 
 
Summer Chicken Parmesan 

Ingredients:
  • 1 ounce white whole-wheat flour (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2/3 cup plain whole-wheat breadcrumbs
  • 4 (4-oz.) chicken breast cutlets
  • 5/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • Cooking spray
  • 3 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped zucchini (about 1 medium)
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  
Directions:
  1. Preheat broiler with oven rack in middle position. Place flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour; dip in egg, and dredge in breadcrumbs.
  2. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add 2 cutlets; cook 1 minute on each side. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and remaining cutlets.
  3. Top cutlets with cheese; broil 1 1/2 minutes. Heat remaining oil in skillet. Add zucchini; sauté 1 minute. Add remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, tomatoes, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes. Serve with chicken, and top with basil.
     
 


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