The Parent Connection Newsletter
Dearest Parents, Families, and Caregivers,
We are hoping that this email finds you all doing well, healthy, and safe. With the passing of Tropical Storm Isaias, we are thankful for the minimal impacts to Palm Beach County, and at the same time, reminded that we are in the midst of Hurricane Season. Please see below for some helpful information and resources to help you get storm-ready should another tropical system possibly impact Palm Beach County in the coming weeks and months.

To date, we have offered a total of TWENTY WEEKS of Extended (At-Home) Learning Opportunities for families and children. It is so important to make sure our children continue learning through these unprecedented days. We are here to help support you to ensure that happens. We recognize a parent's role is their child's first teacher and we love to come alongside to support families in their parenting journey. Our Extended Learning project was launched to continue to meet the needs of our families through an evolving at-home/distant/virtual learning platform. We are all in this together!!

All parents are invited to tune in for a special Facebook Live! Four-Part Series, every Thursday @ 6pm throughout the month of August 2020 . For more information on these special events, please review the email below. In the mean time, click here to "like us" on Facebook so you can stay tuned in for our latest event updates and more details on our live broadcasts.

Go ahead and "like us," "follow us," or "subscribe" on all our social media channels:


If there is anything that we can do to support you during this time, please don't hesitate to reach out to us...


Thank you and stay safe,

Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
Special Guest Read-Along | Kindergarten... Here I Come!

Part One Of Our New Four-Part Series
Thursday, August 6th at 6pm
All parents are invited to tune in for a special Facebook Live! Four-Part Series , every Thursday @ 6pm throughout the month of August 2020 . Several special guest readers will take turns reading piece-by-piece of the helpful children's book: " Kindergarten... Here I Come! " by the wonderful children's author - D.J. Steinberg. Click here to "like us" on Facebook and stay tuned for our latest event updates and more details on our live broadcasts.
Final Week of Spring|Summer Extended Learning
We have updated both of pages of our Extended Learning Opportunities on our website. We've added our the latest custom-created resources and information just for you! Please enjoy our the latest updates at the links below for both families and children, as well as for child care providers. Let us know how you are using our content by tagging us on social media with #ELCatHome or #ELCschoolready. 💙

Please note that we will be taking a brief intermission from our Extended Learning Opportunities beginning the week of Monday, August 10. Please mark your calendars now for us to resume this special programming over Back-To-School week, with new content kicking off on Monday, August 31!
August 2020 | Information, Support, Resources
Back-To-School & Attendance Matters!
Each month, the Coalition focuses on a specific campaign to share with our audiences; our August awareness campaign, “On Time, On Target” Attendance Awareness includes information about virtual school/distance learning, with best practices and guidance on how to ensure your child is on track as you help them learn to thrive and succeed virtually.

2020 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday (August 7-9, 2020)
Florida's Back-to-School sales tax holiday is August 7 (at 12:01 am) to August 9 (at 11:59pm).  Parents and students can save sales tax on items like, clothing, footwear, accessories and certain school supplies.  Click here  to learn more and see the full list of tax-exempt school supplies.  Click here  for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.
Virtual Dance & Movement Classes for Students with Disabilities
Stretch, move and groove in their virtual dance studio every Monday at 3 and 4 PM! With professional dance instruction through Chance 2 Dance, students ages 5-11 AND ages 12 and up with disabilities can participate in free weekly classes that have been generously underwritten and funded by a local family foundation.

August Parents' Pages by the Office of Early Learning
In the August Parents' Pages, you'll will find tips for the first day of school and information on supporting your child in learning skills that lead to success in school and in life. Learn ways to use the local public library to enhance your child’s learning. Plus more information and activities for families and child care providers on how to:

  • Find books about Back-to-School.
  • Make a treat for your favorite dog or for a service dog.
  • Make Friday night a family night with PBS programs.
  • Purchase the safest hand sanitizer.
Updates from the School District of Palm Beach County
The School District of Palm Beach County will start the 2020-2021 school year with distance learning on Monday, August 31. On July 16, 2020, the School Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation to keep students in a remote learning environment until health conditions improve in Palm Beach County.


June 1 to November 30 is Hurricane Season in Florida
Palm Beach County's Public Safety and Emergency Management Department is the go-to resources for all things hurricane preparedness! Each year, they update the Official Hurricane Planning Guide attached and pictured here - also available in Spanish and Creole .

You can find even more helpful information and resources on their website , including an interactive tracking map, evacuation zone look-up tool, directions on how to download the official "PBC Disaster Awareness & Recovery Tool" (PBC DART) on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, and other important information such as shelter open/close status updates.
Kindergarten... Here I Come! Program Summary
Certainly this year's Kindergartners first elementary school experience will be quite different than years prior. We want you all to know the Early Learning Coalition is here for you and your family every step of the way. Our goal is to provide as many resources and assistance as possible to ease this transition for you and your child. To that end, we've added ALL EIGHT WEEKS of content and resources to our "Kindergarten... Here I Come!" page of our website. You can use these items to help prepare your child for their first day of Kindergarten on Monday, August 31.

READY, SET, GO!
Let's work together to help your child soar into Kindergarten!
Be Sweet & Retweet 💙
Join our vision:
Every child in Palm Beach County is Ready to Succeed in School and Life.