‌
Newsletter - February 2021
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.
Follow us on your preferred social media platform to hear about upcoming events, new resources and more.
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. March is National Music in Schools Month and our calendar includes some ideas about how to make simple instruments and create songs together. It highlights why music is an important part of your young child’s development. 

Nuestro calendario de SPARK ha sido creado para compartir ideas de actividades para niños pequeños, incluyendo cosas faciles que pueden hacer en la casa y tambien lugares diferentes que pueden explorar en su comunidad. El mes de marzo es mes nacional de musica en las escuela y el calendario incluye algunos ideas de como pueden hacer canciones y instrumentos juntos. Tambien hay buen informacion sobre la importancia de la musica en el desarrollo de sus niños pequeños.
Partner Spotlight: Kindergarten Registration
Batavia Public School District 101 – has begun kindergarten registration


East Aurora School District 131 - has begun kindergarten registration


Geneva Community Unit School District 304 - has begun kindergarten registration


Indian Prairie School District 204 - has begun kindergarten registration but please e-mail the school in order to register a child for kindergarten


Kaneland Community Unit School District 302- registration is February 20, 2021 8:00-11:30 AM
                                                                                       


Oswego Community Unit School District 308 - has begun kindergarten registration, registration takes place in two steps, first online, then followed by an appointment at Central Registration.


Plano Community Unit School District 88- March 1-19th is virtual registration, parents should contact P.H. Miller Elementary for questions
 
Link: Not yet available

St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 - Kindergarten enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year is from January 19-March 12. Enrollment is virtual, with documents managed through a DocuSign secure email.


West Aurora School District 129 - has begun kindergarten registration


Yorkville Community Unit School District 115– Registration is not open yet

Virtual Events - Parent Cafe
Parent Café
Featuring The Basics' "Read and Discuss Stories"

Thursday, March 4th
6:00 p.m. | Zoom

Join us for a parent café for families with young children. In this virtual café we will learn from each other about how our children learn through reading, even at an early age.

To register please contact Kassia Eide at kassia.eide@foxvalleyunitedway.org or at (630)896-4636 x109
Café para Padres
presentando los Basics' "Lean y Comenten
Cuentos"

jueves 18 de marzo
6:00 p.m. | Zoom

Unase a nosotros para un café para padres enfocado en familias con niños pequeños. En este café virtual aprenderemos de uno a otro sobre como nuestros hijos aprenden cómo nuestros hijos aprenden a través de la lectura, incluso a una edad temprana.

Contactar a Kassia Eide para registrar o para mas informacion a kassia.eide@foxvalleyunitedway.org or at (630)896-4636 x109
Virtual Play. Learn. Connect.
Únete a nosotros para escuchar una historia virtual con David! El está leyendo “María Tenía una Llamita” por Angela Domínguez.

Vamos a provocar un amor por la lectura hoy!
Did you miss our previous Play. Learn. Connect. activities? Not to worry you can check them all out on our website just click the green button below. And be sure to like our Facebook page to see all of our future virtual Play. Learn. Connect. activities. 
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.
Family Activity
English:
Wintertime can bring colder weather, longer nights, and even snow! Have fun talking all about the winter season with your little one. Ask, “What’s your favorite thing about winter? My favorite thing is...” Wintertime means that the sun sets earlier, so it’s a wonderful time to stargaze before your little one’s bedtime. On a clear night, bring your baby outside and talk about the stars. Try to find shapes within the stars and have fun coming up with names for the brightest stars! #TalkingIsTeaching
Español
El periodo de invierno puede traer un clima más frío, noches más largas e incluso nieve. Diviértase hablando sobre la temporada de invierno con sus pequeños. Pregunte: "¿Qué es lo que más les gusta del invierno? Lo que más me gusta es…". El periodo de invierno significa que el sol se pone más temprano, así que es un momento maravilloso para observar las estrellas antes de que sus pequeños se acuesten. En una noche clara, lleve a sus pequeños afuera y hablen de las estrellas. Intente encontrar figuras en un grupo de estrellas y diviértanse inventando nombres para las estrellas más brillantes. #Hablaresenseñar
Spotlight on Children's Books that Promote Diversity
Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball great Jackie Robinson, shares an inspirational story about her family in Tanzania, illustrated by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling artist and NAACP Award winner AG Ford.

Auntie Sharon and Grandmother Bibi have come to visit the family in Tanzania--all the way from America! Soon it will be Bibi's 85th birthday, and her seven grandchildren are planning a big surprise!

Recommended: Preschool - 2nd Grade
How Can Fox Valley United Way Improve Their Website
Fox Valley United Way is updating our website and we are very excited.

We would love your feedback on how we can improve your experience and better serve our communities.

Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. It shouldn't take more than a couple minutes.

Our current website is www.foxvalleyunitedway.org
Virtual 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.
Resources