Our 20^th Year Anniversary Party last night was certainly one for the records books! Thank you for coming out as a school community to celebrate. We say this every year…but last night was the BEST party ever! It is truly one of our greatest joys watching children play and party with all of their trusted adults! Add in excellent music, delicious food, fall activities and 2 totally awesome blue hens…and you have all of the necessary ingredients for a magical night!

While it was a party for the record books, the evening signified a much deeper meaning for us. It is our honor to work with such a talented team. Their unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment is unique to the ELC. As you witnessed first-hand last night, we are a passionate group who love deeply and support not only children and families, but each other. 

We were also delighted that so many of our retirees could join in the fun! We received a thank you message from one of our honorees who was part of the original ELC team. She had not been back to the center since she left 14 years ago.

In her message, she shared…

" I was a bit nervous about coming, I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know if anyone would remember me, but it was a great deal of fun and very emotional. I got to hug old friends and coworkers and we were truly happy to see each other. I had tears of happiness fall more than once. The building and grounds look wonderful and the children and families were happy to be there too.

Twenty years ago, I was there on opening day. It was a grand leap of faith that we could get it right, but a dedicated group of people worked hard at it every day and learned from each other. I realized today that I look back on that and am truly proud of all of us. 

I could see today that you are continuing to do that. I saw it on the faces of the children, their parents and the staff."

What we have learned over the years by example is that we all – children, families, UD students/faculty, and ELC team members leave a little bit of ourselves behind as we enjoy our ELC years. It is exactly how the ELC was designed over 20 years ago…to be a dynamic, vibrant early learning center for all who enter. What we do today as a community directly impacts all coming to the ELC to learn and grow in the future. Thank you for choosing to be a part of the ELC…our school family. We couldn’t do it without you!

In Partnership,

Kelly and Jessica

Anniversary Celebrations

Last night was truly memorable for so many reasons. An emotional moment for us was paying tribute to the professionals - our friends and colleagues - who have retired from the ELC during our first 20 years of operations. We presented a new plaque in their honor that will soon be hung in our lobby.

The plaque reads...

At the UD Early Learning Center, we do "big things". We believe in the power of partnerships and witness first-hand every day the beauty and wonder that happens for children when their important adults all work together and demand greatness. The ELC School Family recognizes the incredible talents and dedication of the following team members who have retired. We thank them for the gifts they so freely shared with all of us and know, without a doubt, that the UD ELC is a better place because of them.

Our Retirees:

Ann Draper, 2004-2010

Linda Cole, 2006-2012

Beth Allen, 2005-2014

Fran Walls, 2004-2015

Mary Ann McGonigal, 2007-2016

Lois Mahan, 2007-2017

Peg Bradley, 2005-2018

Barbara Clayton, 2004-2019

Eileen Blouse, 2004-2019

Cathy Coppol, 2004-2019

Sherry Lewis, 2005-2020

Robin Crawford, 2005-2021

Julie Perry, 2007-2021

Phyllis Roland, 2007-2022

Trisha Dean, 2005-2024

Becky Brown, 2004-2024

We will be planting 16 trees in their honor on the playgrounds of the ELC!

Our Anniversary Party was particularly successful because of the amazing ELC Planning Committee! Please join us in thanking the talented team efforts of Susie, Lindsay, Becky, Sarah, Jaime, Cyndi, Brittany, Susan, Lisa, and Laura. Thank you also to our "sea of blue shirts" who helped during the party and with the clean up at the end.

We are hosting a Scholastic Book Fair next week in our conference room!

• Shopping will be available 7 am – 10 am and 3 pm – 5:45 pm.
• All shopping will be with parents. Classes will not shop together.
• Important: Purchases can be made with cash or card. Please do not sign up for Scholastic eWallet.

Any funds raised for the school through the sale will be used to purchase books for classrooms. Enjoy!

We are looking forward to our upcoming family conferences on November 20th! This is a wonderful opportunity for families and teachers to sit together and share child observations, accomplishments, and questions and goal set for the future. Please be on the look out for a sign up system from your child's classroom to select your time slot.

11/4 Milburn Orchard’s trip for PS2 through PK8

11/5 ELC is CLOSED for Election Day

11/4 - 11/8 Scholastic Book Fair in ELC Lobby - more details to come!

11/25 - 11/27 ELC CLOSED - Family Conferences and PD

11/28 - 11/29 ELC CLOSED for Thanksgiving