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. 
November Notes of Interest
Parent Teacher Conferences
We will be hosting parent teacher conferences through the month of November. 

The schedule is as follows:
  • November 1st: Room 7
  • November 2nd: Room 3
  • November 7th: Room 1
  • November 8th: Room 5
  • November 9th: Room 8
  • November 14th: Room 4
  • November 28th: Room 6
  • November 30th: Room 2

You can sign up for a time slot in your child's classroom. If your scheduled day does not work for your family, please notify your child's teacher and we will do our best to schedule a conference for you on a different day.

Photo Reminder
We would like to take this opportunity to remind all families about our photo policy. While we understand that you may want to take a personal photo of your child in his/her classroom environment, we ask that you do so with care. Please make sure you only capture your child in the photo and no other child unless you have received permission from that child's family. Please take the same level of care when taking videos as well. We take confidentiality seriously here at Katie's Kids and we want to ensure the safety and privacy of all of our children. Thank you for your understanding! 

Extra Winter Gear
We are looking for extra winter gear to keep on site for children who may forget to bring theirs one day. In particular we would like to have a variety of snow pants, winter boots, and hats & gloves. If you have any old pairs at home that you would like to donate, we will gladly accept them. 

Messy Mondays
Messy Mondays will continue through the month of November. Please remember to send your children in clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. For more information, please click here. 

Prep Freeze Cook Fundraiser 
We will continue our Prep Freeze Cook fundraiser in November. Make your evening easier and have someone else prepare dinner for you! Pick up your order form in the lobby. So far, we have raised $235.20 for new preschool tricycles (59% of our goal). Thank you for your continued support!

 
 
Upcoming Dates


November 1st & 2nd: Spirit Week Continued
November 8th: Parent Committee Meeting 5:30-6:30
November 10th: SNL @ K1 5:00 - 10:00pm
November 16th: Christmas Parade Shirt Orders Due
November 19th: Last Messy Monday
November 21st: School Age Day
November 22nd & 23rd: Closed for Thanksgiving

December 1st: Christmas Parade
December 8th: SNL @ K2 5:00-10:00
December 16th: SNL @ K1 12:00 - 4:00 pm


Closure Dates for 2018

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

C losure Dates for 2019

Please click   here  to view the Katie's Kids Center Closure list for 2019.

   
            


P.A.C is BACK!!!!
 
What is P.A.C?
P.A.C stands for the Parent Advisory Committee
 
The Parent Advisory Committee (P.A.C) is a volunteer service group that actively supports KKLC and its mission by promoting and participating in center activities, especially extra-curricular activities; gathering and maintaining a fund to benefit the center family programming; serving as a liaison between the parents and the KKLC leadership team; proffering advice to the KKLC leadership team; and by putting its expertise at the KKLC leadership team's disposal.
 
Plan to attend an Informational Meeting on:
 
Thursday, November 8th from 5:30 to 6:30
 
The first meeting will be held in the Activity/Gross Motor room at KKLC 1.



Saturday Night Live

Saturday, November 10th
5:00 -10:00 p.m.
@ the Links (K1)

Enjoy a night out on your own! We will watch your kids. 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. 

Health Corner
information provided to us by Nurse Amy, our nurse consultant


Stomach "Flu" vs The "Flu"


Often times there is confusion around the differences between the flu and the stomach flu. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory illness that most frequently appears in the winter and early spring. Gastroenteritis or commonly called the stomach flu can be caused by a variety of different viruses and cause gastrointestinal symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea. Prevention is the best medicine. Frequent handwashing is the best defense against spreading viruses.


Click below for more information.

            
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!

Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
Click here to view the 2018 - 2019 Season of Events

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

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

Connect Transit Coloring Contest
Click here to view the rules and download the official entry form. You can also pick up a packet at our front desk! Forms must be submitted by Friday, November 16th.

Ideas for Home
--------------------------------------------  
Leaves, Leaves Everywhere! Why not use them for a creative activity with your child. Take a nature walk and collect leaves of all shapes and sizes. Then use them to create leaf rubbings. 

Click  here for ideas!
 
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: 
  • Pine Cones, Acorns, Sticks, Straw
  • Fallen leaves & Sweet Gum Balls (pictured right)
  • Feathers
What are we thankful for this year? YOU! 
As a thank you for being a part of our Katie's Kids family, we are giving each family a free Meal to Go for 2! Look for your gift certificate in your child's cubby next week. 
Meals to Go

Did you know? In order to make our foot print a little less on this Earth, we use reusable food containers for our Meals to Go! We kindly ask that you rinse your containers and return them to the front desk at your earliest convenience . We will wash and sanitize these containers to be used for our next meals. 

_______________________


November 1st

Pistachio Garlic Herb Pasta
Garlic Bread
Oreo Cheesecake
___________________ __

 
November 8th

Chili
Cornbread
Brownies
______________________


November 15th

Reuben Sandwich
Garden Salad w/Buttermilk Ranch
Blackberry Strudel Bars
______________________


November 22nd 

No Meal To Go
Happy Thanksgiving!
______________________


November 29th

Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole
Garlic Bread
Double Chocolate Cupcakes

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: 
 
Breakfast Polenta Casserole

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup red onion, small dice 
  • 1 cup Yukon gold potatoes, small dice
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • 6 oz raw pork sausage
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup course corn meal or polenta
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ⅔  cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  
Directions:

  1. Sauté onions in a small amount of olive oil over medium-low heat until golden brown. While the onions are cooking, steam the potatoes in a lidded pot with a small amount of  water until they are tender.
  2. Add steamed potatoes to the onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook the potato/onion mixture until the potatoes are browned. Set aside.
  3. Cook the sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Cool.
  4. Refrigerate the onion/potato mixture and the sausage overnight.
The next morning:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. To prepare the polenta bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Whisk in the cornmeal and cook the mixture over low heat until thick and smooth (approximately 7 minutes).
  3. Pour the prepared polenta into an ungreased casserole dish. It will begin to get firm as you scramble the eggs.
  4. Scramble the eggs over medium heat until slightly firm, but still wet, and season with salt and pepper. The eggs will finish cooking in the oven. 
  5. Spread the potato mixture, sausage, and parmesan and cheddar cheese over the polenta.  Pour the eggs on top of the entire dish. Bake until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Cool slightly, then cut and serve. 
  

 

Katie's Kids Learning | @ the Links | 309.663.5800 |  [email protected] | www.katieskids.net
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