ECC Family Updates - October 29, 2021

Calendar Update

We have changed our Half Days for November, March and June.

NEW DATES:

November 3
March 2
June 1

Find our revised calendar here.

In this Newsletter:

Anti-Bias Education Corner: Celebrating vs. Learning about Holidays
Diwali, Day of the Dead and Native American Heritage Month
ECC Handbook: Please Review and Sign Consent Form
TLCPA November 4th Meeting Save the Date
Interested in taking Family ASL Classes? Let us know!
Please fill out this form to opt-in to our Parent/Caregiver Directory: Click Here
Yearbook Cover Contest: See Flyer | en español
Reminder: COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Saturday, October 30. Last chance to sign up for an appointment - Click Here.

en español

Hello, ECC Families!

I can't believe that this month has come to an end. Before we start November on Monday, I feel that it is important to mention that our ECC is engaged in a practice of Anti-Bias Early Education. As outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Anti-Bias Early Education is a philosophical and tactical approach to creating equitable, open, and nurturing spaces for all children and adults to learn, thrive, and grow. Our ECC respects all of our children's and families’ traditions, backgrounds and differences. Anti-Bias is a daily practice aimed at helping everyone feel welcomed and comfortable in the classroom.

One meaningful way that we maintain our anti-bias practice is our approach to holidays. There is an important difference between celebrating a holiday and learning about it. There are even many teachable moments around holidays, including the idea of fair and unfair and differences in family customs. Anti-Bias is about making everyone feel welcomed and safe. Here are some ideas and suggestions about practicing anti-bias and learning about holidays at the same time:

Falling on October 31, Halloween kicks off a holiday season that continues through the end of the year and into spring.

While dressing up in costume is very fun, and many children participate out of school, it is important to remember that not all families celebrate Halloween
Not all children who dress up have store-bought costumes;
Asking children to wear a costume may be a hardship on some families;
Halloween often portrays the color black as bad or evil, and elderly women as witches. There is bias in both of these stereotypes.
We know - dressing up is FUN.
If a child wears a costume on Halloween, that is their personal choice;
We talk to children about their interests;
We plan open-ended art (not “put faces” on pumpkins such as Jack-o-lantern);
We allow children to make choices about their day and activities;
If a child initiates play that is holiday-related, that is okay. We talk to them about it and encourage critical thinking. If they build a haunted house in a block area, or draw ghosts at art, we talk to them about it and ask the same open-ended questions we would with any other activity.

Again, it is important to remember that we acknowledge all of our ECC children’s traditions, backgrounds and differences and how we incorporate them in our classroom to ensure that they learn, thrive and grow.

Reminders:

Early Dismissal on Wednesday, November 3rd.
If your child arrives late, please go to our White House/Admin Building to sign in and then bring your child to the front entrance at ECC building to wait for a staff member

Anti-Bias Education Corner:

I would like to recognize 3 separate celebrations starting next week -

In India, one of the most significant festivals - Diwali, the Festival of Lights. It is a five-day celebration that includes good food, fireworks, colored sand, and special candles and lamps. This celebration of Rama’s eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.

Here is a list of children’s books about this unique holiday. For more information on this culture, click here.

Diwali Vocabulary in ASL:

Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a festive celebration which survives from ancient Mexico. In the 16th century, the festival was incorporated into Catholic All Souls Day and All Saints Day. This year, Day of the Dead observances are celebrated beginning on the evening of Sunday, October 31, 2021 and ends on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

Children are remembered on the Day of the Innocents (“Dia de los Inocentes”) on November 1, followed by other loved ones who are counted among the dearly departed on November 2, the Day of the Dead:

Resources:

Smithsonian - Five facts about Día de los Muertos
Dia de Los Muertos Vocabulary in ASL
ASL Connect: Day of the Dead

A Short Documentary on Day of the Dead:

Finally, One of my favorite movies - “Coco”!

The animated tale tells the story of a young Mexican musician who enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer, and to unlock the real story behind his family's history.

We also acknowledge that November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.

This is a great resource that you could use to share with your family, as well as this one sharing Native American Heritage Month Vocabulary in ASL.