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Newsletter - July 2020
SPARK is the hub of a valuable wheel. An education initiative of Fox Valley United Way, SPARK (Strong, Prepared and Ready for Kindergarten) connects underserved Aurora, Illinois, families with early education and childcare opportunities that prepare their young children for success in school and life.
SPARK Calendar
Our SPARK monthly calendar has been created to share ideas for activities for young children, including easy things you can do at home as well as new places to explore in the community. This month we are highlighting several activities that focus on early math that are fun and engaging for your children. Click on the links for more information!
Virtual Play. Learn. Connect.
Check out our first VIRTUAL Play. Learn. Connect. from Family Focus! We will be hosting a virtual Play. Learn. Connect. every Tuesday and Thursday on our social media. If you don't follow us click the links below to get to our account and give us a like!



Parents as Teachers is a free home visitation program that promotes the optimal early development. Serving prenatal to 3 years old. Contact us for more Information 773-707-6389
Padres como Maestros es un programa de visitas al hogar gratuito en cual se promueve el desarrollo en los niños desde el nacimiento. Nuestro programa esta disponible para mamas embarazadas y para niños menores de 3 anos. Llámenos para más información 773-707-6389
Gateway to Early Childhood: Virtual support now available for our families
The goal of SPARK is to connect families with children birth to 5 to quality early childhood supports and services. If you are looking for a program for you child, please watch this short video for more information on how to connect with our staff.
El objetivo de SPARK es conectar a las familias con niños desde el nacimiento hasta los 5 años con servicios y apoyos de calidad para la primera infancia. Si está buscando un programa para su hijo, mire este breve video para obtener más información sobre cómo conectarse con nuestro personal .
Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education
All children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential as engaged learners and valued members of society. Thus, all early childhood educators have a professional obligation to advance equity. They can do this best when they are effectively supported by the early learning settings in which they work and when they and their wider communities embrace diversity and full inclusion as strengths, uphold fundamental principles of fairness and justice, and work to eliminate structural inequities that limit equitable learning opportunities.
Census 2020
If you have already completed the census only to realize you left off your baby, young child, or someone else, you can correct your census submission. The Census Bureau offers the following guidance to make corrections on forms that have already been submitted
Family Activities
Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development
Young children need regular physical activity - active play - to develop and grow. Active play not only strengthens bones, muscles and the brain but it can also strengthen developmental milestones and encourage language development. 
El juego activo fomenta el desarrollo de niños pequeños 
Los niños pequeños necesitan actividad física regular - juego activo - para desarrollarse y crecer. El juego activo no solo fortalece los huesos, los músculos y el cerebro, sino que también puede fortalecer los indicadores del desarrollo y fomentar el desarrollo del lenguaje.
Diverse Children's Books
Jackie Robinson always loved sports, especially baseball. But he lived at a time before the Civil Rights Movement, when the rules weren't fair to African Americans. Even though Jackie was a great athlete, he wasn't allowed on the best teams just because of the color of his skin. Jackie knew that sports were best when everyone, of every color, played together. He became the first black player in Major League Baseball, and his bravery changed African-American history and led the way to equality in all sports in America.

Reading Level: PreK-K
Virtual Play. Learn. Connect. Activities
We have added a running list of virtual activities you can do with your children while you are home. We will continue to add this page as we find more activities. You can find virtual zoo tours, tours of national parks, hear a bedtime story from outer space, activities you can do with your children focusing on all different topics from math to literacy and everything in between. We are all in this together let's Live United and SPARK a love of learning while we are all staying home.
Preschool Openings in Your District
East Aurora
  • East Aurora School District 131 is now accepting registrations for 3 and 4 year old children.
  • Registration is the first step in entering East Aurora’s FREE preschool program.
  • https://ecc.d131.org/register/
West Aurora
  • To register you child for preschool at the West Aurora Early Learning Academy please call the office at (630)301-5016
Oswego
  • Children 3-5 years of age who meet eligibility requirements, may attend this free preschool program.
  • Parents interested in scheduling a preschool screening should contact (630) 551-9613.
  • https://www.sd308.org/Page/8237
Indian Prairie
Kindergarten Registration
East Aurora
West Aurora
Kaneland
Plano
Batavia
Geneva
St Charles
Yorkville
  • https://www.y115.org/Page/3354
  • Parents will complete registration online or by visiting the school their child will be attending. They can also contact the district administrative office at 630-553-4382.
Oswego
Indian Prairie
Resources