FEBRUARY 2022
Greetings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EFC!
In February 2022, Especially for Children has been in business for 46 years!! After an overnight decision in 1976, Priscilla & Steve Williams took over two nursery school locations (Brooklyn Park & South Minneapolis) and named them Especially for Children. The company would eventually expand to a current total of 8 centers in the Metro area. Edinborough is the second longest running center behind the other Edina location. Our other locations include Bloomington, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, and Inver Grove Heights.   
 
The Edinborough site, which opened in 1987, was located in the current Brookdale senior building right next door. We originally opened with five classrooms and served only toddlers and preschoolers. The infant program was added in the early 90s. In 2013 we moved from the senior building to our current location in the Edinborough Corporate Center. Steve & Priscilla retired from the company in 2019, and their daughters Angie & Alli took over the everyday operations, together with DeeAnn.
 
We are incredibly proud of the impact we have had on so many children and families over the years. We would like to thank you for entrusting us with your most valuable assets (our kids!), and for partnering with us on your parenting journey. 
CENTER HAPPENINGS
PARENTS-DESIGN-A-VALENTINE
Parents—it is homework time!! We’d like all parents to design a Valentine for your child/ren to be hung up in the EFC hallways during the month of February! This is your chance to be creative and have fun! Please decorate a 9x12 or a 12x12 sheet of construction paper with poems, snapshots, glitter or whatever else you want. Examples will be posted outside each room. We hope to see some creative artwork. Please bring us your artwork no later than Friday, February 11
VALENTINE’S DAY
Each classroom will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Monday, February 14. We will play games and pass out Valentine’s Day cards. In early February, each classroom will communicate how many children/adults are in the room. According to our celebrations/treat policy, we will not allow any candy or sweets. Instead, we encourage you to consider non-edible treats such as mini-toys and stickers, or healthier options such as whole-grain crackers or fruit. Here is a great website for fun non-edible ideas: http://www.iheartnaptime.net/non-candy-valentine-ideas/ 
PARENT RESOURCES
CHINESE NEW YEAR – FEBRUARY 1st
The dates for Chinese New Year aren’t set in stone, and vary yearly based on the lunar cycle, but it always falls in January or February. The most important days of Chinese New Year are Chinese New Year’s Eve and the first day of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year’s Eve is very special and important day to gather with family and have a big feast. The celebration lasts for fifteen days with the Lantern Festival marking the end of the celebration.

2022 is the year of the Tiger. In Chinese culture, the Tiger is a symbol of strength and braveness, - a valued animal for being independent and having a strong sense of justice.
COVID CREDIT NOTE
We hope the new test-to-stay protocol is working well for families who are dealing with Covid exposures. Please note that accounts must be in good standing in order to receive any Covid credits for quarantine or isolation. Thank you!

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
LETTING IT OUT
By Angie Williams
Over the past few weeks, I have noticed an increase in the number of news articles devoted to the challenges parents—and especially parents of young children—are continuing to face as the pandemic drags on. The articles profile parents who are exhausted and at their breaking points.
 
We at EFC are doing what we can to make this time more manageable for families, but we know that the uncertainties and disruptions of the past two years have taken their toll on the families in our EFC community.
 
While we can all acknowledge the stress is there, figuring out what to do with it is not easy. Earlier this month a group of moms in Boston took to a football field and spent 20 minutes screaming into the cold night air. They needed to let out the stress and frustration with their whole bodies. As the organizer of the event described: “The scream resonated for people because it normalized their anger,” she said. “It’s been very powerful and quite healing.”
Primal Scream Gathering in Boston, New York Times

I love the notion that these women allowed themselves to “lose control” in this way for just a bit given that many of us have spent the last two years trying to maintain a sense of control and normalcy for our families in the midst of such turbulent times.
 
It also makes sense that finding a vocal and/or physical outlet can make a big difference in how we feel. No matter how many times we turn over in our minds some of the thoughts and worries we have about this pandemic, we are not able to influence everything that comes next. Transferring those ruminations to a simple scream might just be the meltdown we parents need to keep moving forward.
 
At the beginning of the pandemic, we called upon the wisdom of Mr. Rogers to help us navigate a time of uncertainty. At this point we all may benefit from a more basic method of stress release. Our hope is that the coming weeks provide a great deal of relief with the improvement of public health conditions. Until then, we hope you can find a moment to let it out if you need to.
TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS

Now-2/6 Art Shanty Projects, Lake Harriet, Mpls
Now-2/6 Winter Carnival, Saint Paul
Now-2/13 The North Star, Stages Theatre, Hopkins
Now-2/21 Ice Castles, New Brighton
Now-2/21 Winter Fete Activities, Bloomington
Now-2/26 Night Trains, TC Model Railroad Museum, St Paul
2/4 Fire & Ice, 50th & France, Edina   
2/4-2/5 Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby, Excelsior   
2/4-2/6 Loppet Winter Festival, Mpls
2/5 Luminary Loppet, Lake of the Isles 
2/5 Family Ice Fishing, Eagan
2/11 Candyland Trail, Centennial Lakes, Edina
2/12-2/13 February Art Fair, MN Landscape Arboretum
2/18 Family Friday Live Music, Midtown Global Market
2/19 Pop Ups On the Plaza: Winter Birds & Woven Bowls, 50th & France, Edina     

Especially for Children
3300 Edinborough Way 
Edina MN 55435 
(952) 835-0505 

Center Co-Directors
Anna Wilson and Samantha Baker
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