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As we dive into the month of October, our devoted educators are embracing the beauty of autumn to ignite curiosity and creativity among our young learners. This season, children are delving into the intriguing world of science, uncovering its wonders, and understanding how scientists make discoveries. Our curriculum includes hands-on science experiments that use some of the same tools that scientists employ and delves into the fascinating science of leaves and engaging in seasonal art projects.
October provides the perfect backdrop to celebrate National Book Month, and we have a diverse array of engaging activities lined up to nurture a lifelong passion for literature and early literacy. Reading opens the door to imagination and knowledge, and we are excited to introduce our little ones to the joys of reading.
And we love our highly anticipated October celebrations. In a manner that is both educational and fun, our students and teachers come together to commemorate the season. Activities include costume parades, creative pumpkin decorating, and themed projects encouraging exploration and creativity.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional team and to you for your unwavering support. With your help, we are able to foster a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for our children.
Warm regards,
Jessica Campbell
Executive Director
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On November 28, 2023, Giving Tuesday presents an opportunity for people worldwide to utilize their power of generosity, fostering connections, supporting communities, and collectively building a more just and equitable world.
Due to the absence of Give Where You Live in Collier County this year, we are thrilled to announce that Fun Time Early Childhood Academy will be participating in #GivingTuesday for the first time! Join us in making a difference and supporting our mission to provide high-quality education and care for children in our community.
Stay tuned on our website and social media accounts on how you can support us in #GivingTuesday.
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SUPER HEROES UNITE!
Join us on a special mission to benefit
Fun Time Early Childhood Academy
February 22, 2024
Grey Oaks Country Club
6 p.m
Honorary Chairs: Carol and Dick Munro
Help us prepare our little heroes for success!
To buy tickets or become a sponsor, please click on the link below.
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Introducing Christen Krembs: A Valuable Addition to Our Team
We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team, Christen Krembs, who has been a part of the Naples community since 2005. Her journey in education has been both impressive and extensive. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, which she obtained from Florida State University, and later earned her master's degree in educational leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University.
With a remarkable 18 years of experience in education in Collier County, Christen has had a diverse career path, serving as a classroom teacher, Principal, and Administrative Director of Teaching and Learning. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for education to our team.
One of her greatest joys is working with families, students, and staff to ensure children's success and nurture their love for learning. Her commitment to creating a positive and impactful educational environment is evident in everything she does.
We are excited to have Christen on board and look forward to benefiting from her extensive expertise, unwavering dedication, and genuine passion for education. With her remarkable background and her shared commitment to our mission of providing safe, quality, and affordable education, she will play a vital role in helping us achieve our goals.
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From TAPP Graduate to Inspiring Teacher
At Golden Gate High School, Patricia's journey is a powerful testament to the transformational impact of the Teen Age Parenting Program (TAPP) at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy. Despite being a teenage parent, Patricia successfully balanced parenthood and education through TAPP, which equipped her with parenting skills, emotional support, and plus it guided her toward her educational goals.
After completing high school, Patricia pursued early childhood education and now teaches at Fun Time, inspiring young parents just as she was once inspired. Her son, who started in the TAPP program, is now a thriving one-year-old student at Fun Time, underscoring the importance of early childhood education and parental involvement.
Patricia's story illustrates the benefits of TAPP and early learning programs in empowering teenage parents, providing essential support, and fostering a strong foundation for children's academic growth. Her journey from TAPP graduate to teacher at Fun Time exemplifies the transformative power of education and support, offering hope and inspiration to young parents for a brighter future.
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Garden Project: Cultivating Young Minds | |
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Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Greater Naples Leadership Class XXVI and The Healthy Earth Organization for their instrumental role in revitalizing our school garden, devastated by Hurricane Ian. Volunteers came together to clear weeds, enrich the soil, plant herbs and vegetables, mulch, and maintain the garden. This restoration isn't just about plants; it's about nurturing young minds.
Our preschoolers will enjoy hands-on lessons in science, ecology, and biology, observing plant life cycles and exploring insect ecosystems. Beyond academics, this project encourages healthy eating habits by involving children in planting and harvesting. They become more open to trying new foods, encouraging nutritious choices from an early age.
The garden's renewal stands as a testament to community collaboration and experiential learning, fostering our students' growth and health. We're excited about the journey ahead and will keep you posted on more garden adventures!
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Diving Into Learning: Coral Reef Presentation
by The Healthy Earth Organization
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The recent Coral Reef Presentation immersed our VPK classes in an ocean of knowledge about Florida's unique ecosystem. It was through our partnership with The Healthy Earth Organization's crucial partnership that we embarked on this educational adventure.
In small groups, students enjoyed a captivating video highlighting the connections between Florida's natural wonders and fostering a love for our environment.
Two VPK classrooms were the lucky recipients of fish tanks, home to our mascots, Bruce and Barney. Students will feed the fish daily.
Our Coral Reef Presentation deepened our students' appreciation for the world beneath the waves. We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Healthy Earth Organization and FGCU volunteers for making this experience possible!
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Our VPK students learned about the importance of recycling and what can be recycled. Thank you to the Healthy Earth Organization for coming out and having our student interact with various items to determine what goes in the trash or what goes in the recycle. | |
The children at Fun Time Academy had a blast during the costume parade. Their faces lit up as they showed off their creative costumes, from superheroes to princesses. Laughter and joy filled the air, making it a memorable day for our little ones. | |
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This month we kicked off our "At Home Monthly Parent Involvement Project." Families were asked to decorate a pumpkin with their child at home and bring them in to display in our Fun Time Family Pumpkin Patch.
Children loved sharing their decorated pumpkin with their class and did a great job describing how they decorated it.
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Scientific Inquiry: Young Scientists at Work | |
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Every day, our young learners eagerly embrace their inner scientists, using scientific tools to explore the world around them.
They gain essential observation skills and learn to gather data and draw conclusions through hands-on experiences with tools like magnifying glasses, thermometers, and rulers.
One of our recent captivating activities involved making predictions and experimenting with pumpkins, dissecting them with magnifying glasses to count seeds and test their conjectures, thus enabling them to understand the scientific method and the value of observation and investigation.
As they delved into scientific exploration, our students also learned the importance of sharing their findings and outcomes with their peers, thereby enhancing their communication skills and fostering a sense of community and collaborative learning.
These experiences not only make our children proficient in using scientific tools but also ignite a lifelong love for exploring, predicting, experimenting, and discussing their findings.
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Cooking Class by UF/IFAS Extension Family
Nutrition Program at Downtown Location
| The University of Florida's cooking class was a great success. Parents eagerly delved into the art of preparing a scrumptious stir fry. They left with not only new culinary skills but also all the essential cooking supplies and ingredients to recreate this meal at home. It was an educational and tasty adventure, fostering a love for cooking and the importance of family meals. | |
Now Accepting Volunteer Applications | |
We're ready to launch our
2023-2024 Volunteer Season!
If you're eager to join us as a volunteer and want to explore the many ways you can contribute to Fun Time Academy, please don't hesitate to reach out to Christen Krembs at 239-261-8284 or via email at ckrembs@funtimeacademy.org for any inquiries you may have about volunteering.
We are most grateful for the invaluable assistance we have received in the past and look forward to welcoming future volunteers, knowing it will be another amazing year for our dedicated volunteers.
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New to Volunteering?
Are you considering joining the ranks of our dedicated volunteers at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy? To learn more about our volunteer program and what to expect, take a moment to watch this informative video. It's your first step toward becoming an essential part of our mission!
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Interested in Supporting Our Mission?
If you'd like to make a meaningful contribution to support our mission, consider making a donation. Your generosity will help us continue providing safe, quality, and affordable education and care to children in need.
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Multiple Year-End Donation Options for You
Are you aware of the tax benefits associated with Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) and Donor Advised Funds when making year-end donations to support Fun Time Early Childhood Academy?
If you're 70½ or older, you can take advantage of QCDs, enabling you to direct up to $100,000 annually from your IRA to a qualified charity like Fun Time Academy. By using QCDs, you can offset Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your IRA, ensuring a tax-free withdrawal and the opportunity to make a charitable contribution without depleting your current cash or other assets.
Many financial institutions require QCD arrangements from your IRA to be set up in October or November, so consider this option for your year-end giving now.
Another alternative is to donate through a Donor Advised Fund.
This year, the Secure 2.0 Act has introduced a new option for those aged 70½ or older with IRAs. They can use a QCD from their IRA to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). A CGA is a mutually beneficial contract where donors provide a gift, potentially earning a partial tax deduction, and receive a fixed stream of income from the charity for life.
Consult your financial advisor to determine the best option for you.
To explore making a year-end gift through your donor-advised fund or IRA or to learn more about establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity, please contact Beth Sterchi at 239-261-8284 or BSterchi@funtimeacademy.org.
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Introducing the Legacy Society
For our dedicated supporters who share a deep passion for Fun Time Early Childhood Academy's mission, there's a unique opportunity to leave a lasting educational legacy for generations to come.
By including Fun Time in your estate planning, you can create a preplanned legacy gift with a profound and enduring impact. This thoughtful gesture allows you to experience the tax benefits of your contribution long before the actual gift is made, ensuring that your love for education will live on.
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Watch this interesting video regarding the importance of brain development in early childhood.
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Collier CARES is a mobile and web app that connects people in need with vital resources and services in Collier County, Florida. Created by the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) in partnership with the Collier Community Foundation and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. The app serves the most vulnerable populations in the county.
This free bilingual application provides users with information about critical resources and services available in Collier County. NCEF is dedicated to partnering with community leaders, stakeholders, and service providers across the county to ensure that every family has access to help in times of need.
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If you recently moved or changed your email address or phone number, please update your information by clicking the button below. | |
Your commitment to Fun Time Early Childhood Academy allows us to provide safe, quality, affordable education and care for children and parents from low-income working families and to prepare the children for kindergarten, ready to read and ready to learn! | | | | |
