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. 

August Notes of Interest

Thank you!!
Thank you so much for helping us with the Back 2 School drive! We had a record number of donations this year from our center. We are so thankful for all of our generous families!! 

Hand-washing at Drop-off
Hand-washing is an important part of our daily process and the best way to cut down on germs. Our staff do a great job at ensuring all of our children are washing hands at the appropriate times throughout the day. But it has been noted that we are missing a crucial time period...Drop-off! Please help us cut back on the outside germs being brought into our classroom by washing your child's hands when they enter the classroom upon arrival each day. Not only is this is a DCFS requirement that we need to follow, but it is a healthy habit to have as we soon enter into sick season. 

Professional Development Day
Just a reminder that we are closed on August 16th for professional development day. We have a great day planned for our staff this year and we are so thankful for all of our supportive families that allow this day to happen.
 
Messy Monday
We will be hosting a Messy Monday on August 26th this month. The theme is Foamy Games. The older children will be playing twister with colored shaving cream on the dots. The younger children will explore colored whipped cream.

Last Water Day
The last day for water day is August 30th. Please be sure to bring home all of your child's swim belongings.

Prep Freeze Cook Fundraiser 
We will continue the Prep Freeze Cook Fundraiser this month to raise further funds for lending library materials. You can find an order form at the front desk. 

Staff Kudos

Do you have any positive moments you want to share about our staff? If so, we want to hear them! We have created a new Google form called Katie's Kids Kudos. The form is easy for you to access from home, so no need to take extra time at pick up and drop off. Simply click on the button below, fill out the form, and submit. We will be sure to share these positive moments with our staff, as well. 


  Kudos!
 
 
Upcoming Dates

August 7th: P.A.C. Meeting 5pm (Wednesday!)
August 10th: SNL @ K1 5:00pm - 10:00pm
August 15th: Last Day of School Age Summer Camp 
August 16th: Closed for Professional Development Day
August 17th: K2's 10 Year Anniversary
August 26th: Messy Monday


September 2nd: Closed for Labor Day



C losure Dates for 2019

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


Help spread the word of Katie's Kids!
Do you have a friend, neighbor, or colleague looking for care?  For every family you refer to Katie's Kids we will apply a $50 credit to your account after the family has been with us for 90 days.

Saturday Night Live

Saturday, August 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


Eye Health

August is Children's Eye Health & Safety Awareness month. Below are some articles on vision development as well as keeping your child's eyes healthy.




            
Community Connections



















Our community has great things to offer families! This section of the newsletter is to help you connect to the variety of community events occurring  in the Bloomington/Normal area. Enjoy!

1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Children under age 5 can earn a free tote bag by reading 1000 books before Kindergarten. Click here for more information.

Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
Click here to view the 2019 - 2020 Season of Events

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

Corn Crib Car Show
The Corn Crib Car show will be held on September 7th, but tickets go on sale starting May 9th. Click here for more information. 

Cornbelters
Click here to view the Cornbelters summer schedule.

Day of the Dozer
The Day of the Dozer is on August 24th this year! Click here for more information.

Downtown Bloomington First Friday Events
On the first Friday of each month Downtown Bloomington businesses showcase their wares and artisitc abilities. Click here for more information.

Front Street Music Festival
The Front Street Music festival is on August 17th this year! Click here to see the list of bands performing. 

Hummingbird Festival 
Sugar Grove Nature Center is hosting their annual hummingbird festival and pollination celebration on September 1st. Click here for more information.

Illinois State Fair
The fair will be held in Springfield again this year from August 8th - August 18th. Click here for more information.

Open Cockpit Day
The next Open Cockpit Day is August 17th. Click here to view more information.

Sweet Corn & Circus Festival 
The Sweet Corn Festival will be held on August 24th and 25th this year and will be showcasing circus events! Click here for more information. 

Ideas for Home
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Matching games are a fun way to stimulate memory, focus, and cognition in young children. Traditionally the game is made for children 3 years and older but you can easily modify it for younger children as well. Click below to see how. 

Simplified Matching Game for Toddlers
 
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: 
  • The insides of push pops
  • Tops to puree pouches
  • Disposable Fruit Cups (cleaned)
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. 

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August 1st

Prime Rib Dip w/Mushrooms & Onions
Steamed Broccoli
Sugar Cookie
___________________ __

 
August 8th

Buffalo Chicken French Bread
Homemade Fries w/Sea Salt
Chocolate Cake
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August 15th

No Meal To Go
______________________


August 22nd 

BLTA on a Croissant
Macaroni Salad
Raspberry Cheesecake
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August 29th

Swiss & Mushroom BBQ Burger
Oven Fried Pickles
Chocolate Covered Oreos

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: 
 
Israeli Couscous w/Cherries

Ingredients:
  • 1 Red onion
  • 1c Israeli Couscous
  • 1 1/2c Water
  • 1/2tsp Kosher Salt
  • 8oz half, pitted Cherries
  • 1/2c Feta cheese
  • 1/4c Parsley 
  • 1/4c Scallions 
  • 2TBSP White Wine Vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Saute 1 chopped red onion in olive oil until softened. Add 1 cup Israeli couscous; cook, stirring, 4 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat, 8 minutes. Toss with 8 ounces halved pitted cherries, 1/2 cup crumbled feta, 1/4 cup each chopped parsley and scallions and 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
 

Katie's Kids Learning | @ the Links | 309.663.5800 |  Katie@katieskids.net | www.katieskids.net
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