St. Jerome Early Childhood Center __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Volume 28 Issue 1 Monthly Newsletter September 2017

‘St. Jerome Early Childhood Center, a Catholic Community, provides a loving and accepting environment

that fosters respect for all people, by modeling Christian values as our children grow and learn.’

ADMINISTRATOR'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the 2017-18 school year! We look forward to working with each of

our families throughout the upcoming months.

Our mission statement is noted above and we hope to be a living example of that

mission in our daily interactions with you, the children, and our staff. St. Jerome

ECC is, first and foremost, a Catholic Community. Our purpose, above all else,

is to pass on our Catholic faith to the children in our care.

As part of our Christ-centered community, you are invited & encouraged to join

us for ECC and parish events planned throughout the year. This month - our ECC

Fall Family Picnic will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16th; our first prayer service

will be on Sept. 29, St. Jerome’s Feast Day; our teachers will receive a special

blessing on Catechetical Sunday, Sept. 17, and our will parish host its annual

International Festival on Sunday, September 24.

On the first Friday of each month, families will receive this monthly newsletter

via email and posted on our ECC website. This first month, we are sending a

paper copy, but we will eliminate paper copies beginning in October. If you have

any questions about items mentioned in our newsletters, please call the ECC

office for clarification. If you do not receive an email copy of this newsletter,

please contact us so that we can correct your contact information.

I would like to thank you for your attendance at our Parent Orientation and for

your participation in our annual Open House. Both of these occasions help us

ease into the new year and minimize any questions or concerns that you might

have as your children begin this new chapter in their young lives. We had an

outstanding turnout at these two events, which only indicates, your willingness to

work together, as school and family, to provide the best early childhood

experience for your children. Parents are invited and encouraged to be actively

involved in our center environment.

May God continue to bless all we do in His Name. NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:

Sincerely in Christ, Denise Roach, ECC Administrator Preschool@stjeromeecc.org

Your 2017-18 ECC Staff

*Denise Roach, EC Administrator

*Terry Porter, Office Manager

*Nichole Ford, EC2 Teacher, Rm. 2

*Danijela Aslanovic, EC2 Asst. Teacher,

*Stephanie Martin, EC3 Teacher, Rm.1

*Tracy Brett, EC3 Asst. Teacher, Rm. 1

*Michelle Sherman, EC4 Teacher, Rm. 3

*Sue Homme, EC4 Teacher, Rm. 4

*Adriana Ruan, EC4Asst.Teacher, Rm 4

*Nichole Ford, Ext. Day - AM

*Tina Bowen, Ext. Day – PM

*All staff – Ext. Day Assistants as needed

Our Additional Substitute Staff:

Michelle Chacanias Tina Bowen

Julie Cunningham Cynthia Shaw

Cindy Travis Julia Whiting

Our Volunteers:

Madeline Moore, Parishioner

Kathya Quinde-Hidalgo

ECC FALL FAMILY PICNIC Join us on Saturday, Sept. 16th

from 11:00 – 2:00 on the ECC playground.

Come meet & greet all of our ECC families & staff. Flier in bags this week – RSVP by Sept. 12th.

Join Our ECC Family

St. Jerome ECC has space

available in our two and

four year old classes for

this current school year.

Your recommendation to

friends & family is greatly

appreciated.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

Generosity of Spirit: Thank you to our families for your generosity in contributing ‘back to school’ supplies.

Additionally, we are continuing our ‘leap of faith’ by participating in state VPK program for four-year olds. Several of

our four-year old families responded to our pledge drive to help offset the deficit of monies received from the state VPK

program to the actual cost for the quality, NAEYC accredited program which you have chosen for your child.

Additionally, classroom teachers have posted their ‘Wish Lists’. We are very optimistic that by continuing to work

together, we will accomplish great things this year.

Fun Fridays: Four year olds – please refer to your age level calendar for non-VPK days throughout the school year.

(9 Fridays-one each month, beginning with September 1 and three spring days.) Unless you have registered and paid

the fees for these days, your child will be off from school that day.

Week of Christian Service: St. Jerome ECC will join our fellow diocesan schools and centers for the Week of Christian

Service, September 25-29. Watch for details coming home shortly.

Fall Family Picnic: On Saturday, September 16th, St. Jerome ECC will host its Annual Fall Family Picnic from 11:00-

2:00, on our ECC playground. Come join us as we meet and greet all of our new and returning ECC

families. Our fall picnic is a great way to get to know our staff, our families, and our children. We always

have a great turnout for this first get-together of the year! Food, families, fun, playground and more! In

case of rain, check answering machine (596-9491) after 10:00am. (RSVP – Flier sent paper and email.)

Catechetical Sunday: On Sunday, September 17, our ECC staff will join together with all those who share our faith

with children at the 9:00 Mass. We ask for your prayers for the year ahead as we work together in His Name.

Breakfast with Santa: Our first planning meeting for our annual Breakfast with Santa will be held on Tuesday,

September 19th at 7:00pm in Rm. 5 of the Ed. Bldg. Parents and staff are encouraged to attend as we get

our major fundraising event underway. This annual event is an important part of our school budget and

we ask all of our ECC families to be involved. More than that, you will find that the Breakfast is a huge,

community-centered event that allows us to come together as a school family and enjoy one another’s

company while benefiting our school. Over 400 people attend this event, which is open to all.

Chairpersons are needed for several areas. Over the next two months, please watch for additional information & requests

regarding this important school-wide event. This is our only planning meeting for this event. The meeting will conclude

by 8:00pm.

Donations Needed: As plans get underway for our 26th Annual Breakfast with Santa, which will be held Saturday

December 9th, from 8:00am to 11:00am in the Parish Center, we are in need of the following contributions. St. Jerome

ECC is a non-profit, 503cb entity, making your contributions tax-deductible.

1. As ‘Santa’ distributes over 250 goodie bags to the children who will visit him, if your family or your business would

like to underwrite the cost of the goodie bags, a donation of $300 would cover this expense. Please call the ECC

office if you or your business would like to sponsor this donation. Items will need to be ordered shortly.

2. ‘A Grand Prize’ - In past years, we have had a family and/or local businesses generously donate our grand raffle

prizes – examples: a travel gift certificate, hotel stays, gift cards, etc., with values from $500 to $1,000. If someone

has a connection and would like to sponsor something similar again this year, please call the ECC office as soon as

possible, as it is beneficial for us to ‘announce’ the prizes to promote raffle sales.

Breakfast with Santa Class Theme Baskets: For families new to St. Jerome ECC, part of our Breakfast with Santa

raffle consists of Classroom Theme baskets. We ask families to donate an item, or two, to their class’s theme basket.

The baskets are then assembled and decorated and raffled at the Breakfast, along with other donated items such as gift

certificates, etc. Watch for additional information about the theme baskets coming home in October’s newsletter! If

you have an idea for a basket theme please let us know soon.

Prayer Service: In honor of St. Jerome's upcoming Feast Day, the Early Childhood Center will have its first prayer

service on Friday, September 29th at 11:45am in the Holy Family Chapel. Families are invited and encouraged to join

us. (Our three and four year old classes will attend the prayer service.) If it is not your child’s ‘school day’ – you are

welcome to meet us at the chapel and attend the service with your child.

International Festival: On Sunday, September 24th St. Jerome Catholic Church will host its Annual International

Festival. The 12:30 Mass will begin the celebration with the festival to follow in the Parish Center. The

festival will celebrate the international diversity of the parishioners of St. Jerome parish. For details visit

www.stjeromeonline.org. Bring the family out and enjoy delicious food and entertainment from ‘around the

world.’ See flier attached for additional details and how you can participate!

School Pictures: St. Jerome ECC children will have the opportunity to have individual school pictures taken on Oct.

12 & 13. All children, whose parents complete the forthcoming permission slip, will be photographed. Parents are

welcome to have younger and/or older siblings and/or the total family photographed if advanced notice is indicated on

the permission envelope. A date to view the photographs will be announced. Suncoast Smiles, our school photographer,

takes portrait-style photographs, usually taking three poses with various props. In the past, parents have been extremely

pleased with the quality and outcome of the photographs, often coming back to school each year to have their family

pictures taken long after they’ve ‘graduated’. The pictures are not prepaid and cost more than “school picture” shots,

as these are more professionally done. Parents are under no obligation to purchase the pictures.

Mommy & Me Playgroup: Beginning September 22, our Mommy & Me Playgroup will resume on Fridays from

9:00am – 11:00am. Any and all caregivers and their pre-school children (4 and under) are welcome to explore and

enjoy a room full of developmentally appropriate materials and a playground time. Make use of our environment and

materials and spend some quality time with your child/ren while making new friends in a safe and controlled

environment. The Playgroup will meet in our Mommy & Me Playroom just inside the entrance to the ECC. (Enter

through the ECC door.) Playgroup is open to all - not just St. Jerome ECC families. (Note: If your child is enrolled at

SJECC and attends TTH, you are welcome to utilize the Playgroup on the Friday’s, as you can.) Cost: $5 per session.

The caregiver stays with their child during the Mommy and Me time. A flier with all dates is attached.

Enrichment Classes: St. Jerome ECC Enrichment Classes will be offered during our Extended Day hours. Classes

begin the week of September 11. Registration forms for the individual classes are available at the ECC office. A minimum of five children enrolled to offer each class. The times vary from 2:00-3:00 depending on the class/day. Soccer (Happy Feet)–Mondays Dance–Wednesdays Little Techs–Fridays

Parent-Teacher Conferences: St. Jerome ECC holds formal parent-teacher conferences twice each year. Our Fall

Conferences will be held on October 27, as noted on your calendars. School will be not in session that day. Parents

will have an opportunity to sign-up for a fifteen-minute conference with your child's teacher. The purpose of this first

conference is to give the parents and teachers the opportunity to meet with one another and share how the children are

adjusting to the new school environment. This conference offers the teacher and parents, great insight into the child

and his/her world. Signing up for conferences with be done through email and SignUp Genius. After signing up you

will receive a reminder email approximately 1 week before your conference.

Faith Formation: Families of children ages three through the elementary grades are encouraged to register for Faith

Formation Classes with St. Jerome Catholic Church (or your local parish). Classes begin September 10. Please call 595-

3100 x331 and speak with Lisa Reeves for details.

Program Assessments: Each May, our families complete an Annual Program Assessment. With that information and

other sources of feedback, our administration and staff seek to make modifications in our program to better suit the

needs of the families we serve. All program assessments are available for review. Thank you for your input, your

suggestions, and your positive comments regarding St. Jerome ECC.

Weekly Notes from Classroom Teachers: Families receive Weekly Classroom Notes on the last day of your child’s

week (Friday or Thursday) via email. The first weekly note went home via email as well as a paper copy on August 25,

with subsequent notes via email only, unless a family requests a paper copy. Each teacher will include a recap of all the

wonderful things that happened in that week and also will include details for the upcoming week or month, allowing

families to have expanded awareness of topics, skills, literature, themes, etc. that will be introduced in each particular

classroom. Families may want to expand upon these lessons by checking out books from your local library that

complement the topics presented or use the notes to spark conversations with your child about their day. A more detailed

lesson plan is posted outside each classroom door on Mondays outlining additional happenings for the week ahead. As

our teachers shared with you during their presentations at Parent Orientation, and as a NAEYC accredited early

childhood program, we believe in a student-led environment following the interest of the children in a particular group.

Our age-appropriate curriculums are woven into the experiences offered allowing true learning to happen.

Communication Folders: Each classroom has set up Communication Folders for each child that will come home to

families on the last day of your child’s week. Please review the items in the folder, as it will contain important school-

wide items as well as individual classroom items. Often responses are needed to items enclosed. Parents may send

communications to school or to the classroom teacher via this Communication Folder. Please take out the items each

week and review them to stay current with all school happenings. Parents or teachers may write a note on the paper

provided in the folder. (A note will not be written each week – but available, as needed for teacher or parent.)

Traveling Tote Bags: Each EC classroom has a number of traveling tote bags that will come home to families

throughout the school year. While each class has totes specific to their class (Dr. Seuss; Winter, the Dolphin, etc.), each

class will have a ‘Faith First’ traveling tote bag as well as a ‘Read & Grow’ tote bag. The teachers will be rotating the

traveling bags and each family will have a week to explore all the ‘bag’ has to offer. This is another way your family

can be involved in your child’s learning experience. We hope you enjoy them! Please see the directions in each bag for

the process involved in using and returning the items. Traveling school to home totes will begin later in September.

SCRIPS: See the flier attached regarding our SCRIPS program that we spoke with you about at our Parent Orientation.

Help support St. Jerome ECC with your ‘normal, everyday’ purchases. No extra expense for families, just a bit of

‘planned shopping’! The list of available retailers is on our website. Order forms were included in your Welcome Packet.

Publix cards in $50 & $100 increments are available only from the ECC Office. Orders are placed each Monday, with

a variety of gift cards on hand for immediate purchase.

Halloween Preparations: St. Jerome ECC will host its annual Halloween parade for our three and four year old classes

on Tuesday, October 31st. As you begin to think about costumes, we ask parents to refrain from costumes

that depict or support violence in any way. More information will come home in October - we just wanted

to mention this now in case you are very organized and way ahead of us. (Two year olds will receive

information from their child’s teacher as to how they will celebrate Halloween in their classroom.)

Four Year Olds: Our four-year old classes receive an ‘On Track to Kindergarten’ activity sheet in their

Communication Folder each Friday. This ‘homework’ page will come home to extend skills introduced at school and

offer families ways to work together on developmentally appropriate experiences. (It is not required that the page be

returned but children are more than welcome to show their teacher their work!)

REMINDERS:

New Email: Reminder – St. Jerome’s new email address is Preschool@stjeromeecc.org.

No School: School is not in session this coming Monday as we celebrate Labor Day.

No VPK Classes: Friday, September 1st is Non-VPK day for four year olds as noted on your calendars.

St. Jerome ECC Website: Families are reminded that school calendars, newsletters, and other current information can

be accessed on our school website at www.stjeromeearlychildhoodcenter.org. Each month, families will receive this

newsletter via email and it will post on our website. Please keep your contact information current to stay informed.

(Paper copies available on request.)

Facebook: Like us on facebook and watch for announcements, class activities, and lots of photos!

Monthly Calendars: Monthly ECC Calendars will be sent home and posted on our website each new month. Please

refer to the calendars for events and deadlines.

Birthday Policy: As discussed at Parent Orientation, individual children will be recognized by their teachers on their

birthdays but we will not have families or treats coming in to school for children’s birthdays. Families are asked to refer

to their Family Handbook to review the details and reasons for our birthday policy.

Classroom Family Directory: Classroom Directories will be available as of September 15th in the ECC office. To

receive a copy of your child's classroom directory, which includes a class list, parent names, phone numbers, and email

addresses please stop by the ECC office. Parents receiving a directory must sign for their copy; therefore, we cannot

send them home through the cubbies. We do not include home addresses in our class directories.

Inclement Weather: St. Jerome ECC follows the Pinellas County Schools (588-6424) with regards to school closures

in severe weather. At times, we may reopen before the county system, as often public schools are used as shelters. In

those cases, families will be contacted via email. Families may also check our voice mail at 596-9491. Parent Library: St. Jerome ECC has a growing Parent Library that includes books and other parenting materials

available for parent checkout. Topics include: Faith development, parenting, school-readiness, nutrition, siblings, etc.

The Parent Library is located on the bookcase in our ECC hallway. Come, sit a while on our family bench, and check

out the library!

Family Lending Library: Families are reminded to visit our Family Lending Library (located in the ECC hallway) to

check out bins with books and art supplies to read and create projects together as a family. Twenty different book titles

and projects are available. All art created by our families will be displayed on and around our ECC Family Art Exhibit

bulletin board.

AM Extended Day: AM care is available in Room 2 each morning beginning at 8:00am. Parents bringing their

children to school before your carline begins are asked to bring their children to Room 2 and sign in on the daily log.

All enrolled children may use our Extended Day programs, either on a ‘Routine’ basis or on an ‘As Needed’ basis.

Refer to your Family Handbook for details. Extended Day billings will be sent home the first week of each month for

the previous month's use for those using Extended Day on an ‘As Needed’ basis. (The first bill for August’s use will

be sent via email on Sept. 6.) For those using ‘Routine Extended Day’ – monthly payments are due the 15th of

each month, August through May, with the amount noted for your routine plan for AM or PM care each day.

(Late after the 25th, +$25). Also, any late pick-up charges that families have incurred will be noted with the extended

day billings. We ask that tuition and extended day payments be made separately. Parents are reminded not to send

money/payments in to school in your child’s backpack.

Tuition: Monthly tuition payments are due the 1st of each month. Payments made after the 10th require a $25 late fee.

Car Line: Now that the children have become comfortable with the new-year, we ask that all parents dropping off or

picking up children use the car line system. Please arrive on time for drop-off and pick-up as our

carline moves very quickly, especially with our varied start and end times... All parents are asked to

arrive on time so that your children can experience a smooth transition to and from school and gain a

sense of the classroom routine. The car line system is in place for the safety of all. It is important that we minimize the

number of adults in the hallway and sidewalk areas so that we can adequately supervise the children. Your cooperation

in using the car-line, rather than walking up to the door for pick-up, is greatly appreciated. Parents who arrive first are

reminded to stop at the white line and not to park directly in front of our entrance, as it blocks access to the parking lot

ahead. If you arrive late to school, please park in an appropriate space and walk your child in to the center. Sign your

child in on the Sign-In Log located on the ECC office door. Cars cannot be left in front of the entrance for any reason.

Parents are asked to park in designated parking spaces and areas noted on your car route map.

Safety First: To maintain a safe school environment for all, the following procedures are in place at St. Jerome ECC:

-All ECC staff, substitutes and classroom volunteers, and visitors (parents included) wear badges when they are on

school property.

-All classrooms and office staff have walkie-talkie communication throughout the day.

-All ECC classroom doors will be in the locked position when the doors are closed.

-All parents and visitors must sign-in at the ECC office and receive a visitor badge before proceeding to the classrooms.

Visitors must also sign out when leaving the ECC.

-The intercom/buzzer/doorbell system is in place at the main entrance of the ECC.

-All visitors/volunteers spending time in the classrooms must wash their hands upon arrival.

These procedures in place are for the safety of all. Your cooperation is needed and greatly appreciated.

Drive Safely: All persons entering St. Jerome Parish property are asked to observe the posted 15mph speed limit. ECC

parents dropping off or picking up their children are advised to drive very cautiously behind the Parish Center and form

the line for drop off and pick up. Please be aware that many people are on the grounds, including employees,

parishioners, and visitors. If you are running late - please do not speed up to make up the time!

Car Signs: Please keep the car signs visible in your window when picking up your child from school. Families were

also asked to have the car sign in the window when dropping off your child, so we can get to know all of our new

children and families. Handy tip: If you have a children’s hanger with clips on it, attach it to your car sign and then hang

it from your rear-view mirror. This makes it easy to put up and down and easy for our staff to read them from a distance.

Car Seats: Florida law requires children under 5 years of age to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated

in the vehicle. Children are required by law to remain restrained until the car comes to a complete stop.

Emergency Drills: Fire drills will be held each month as required. Tornado and lockdown drills will be practiced this

month.

Nutritional Information: Nutritional guidelines and specific guidelines for those staying for lunch can be found in

your Welcome Packet and on the ECC website. Please review these items and help us encourage good eating habits for

our children. Please remember to pack your child’s lunch separate from his/her snack. Snack should be in a container

other than a lunch box as discussed earlier.

School/Parent Communication: Communications from St. Jerome ECC office and teachers will come home on the

last day of your child's school week. Please expect items on that day and check your child's bag. We hope that by

sending all-important communications home on one day, parents will watch for and review these items. Parents are

also asked to check and remove daily work from backpacks, as the children can tell you about their day, by sharing the

work that they bring home. Our monthly newsletter is one of our main means of communication between home and

school. Families are asked to watch for the newsletter which will be emailed and posted to the website the first week

of the month (typically the first Friday of each month).

Fundraising: Remember to check our website for the details and product list of our many fundraising/label

saving/recycling programs. (Boxtops for Education, Ink Cartridges.)

T-shirts: St. Jerome ECC children’s school T-shirts (red) are available in the center office for $10. Those who have

SJECC t-shirts will be asked to wear them on our feast day at the end of September as well as each Monday

(Tuesday for TTh classes.)

Label Belongings: Parents are asked to label all of your child's belongings, including snacks bags, lunch boxes, and

backpacks.

THANK YOU'S

To the Guinand Family for providing each teacher with generous Walmart gift cards for classroom needs!

To the Taylor family for their donation to replace a couch and chair in Room 2!

To our families who donated the much needed supply items of tissues, baggies, batteries, gift cards, etc.

To all of our families and friends who placed orders for Scholastic books this month! (Due September 1.) Your support

is greatly appreciated by all! Books should arrive in about two weeks.

To those families who purchased books from our Usborne Book Fair. With your purchases our teachers were able to

choose new books for their classrooms.

To all those who assisted with our summer program, our ECC Staff, our Parish Music Ministry, and more! The children

had a wonderful time!

To those who have generously supported St. Jerome ECC – in many and varied ways! We are truly blessed and grateful!

To the many parents who have already signed up to help with the various volunteer opportunites outlined in your family

handbook. ‘Many hands, make light work!’

WANTED:

Class ‘Wish-lists’ have now been posted by each classroom. If you would like to contribute an item.

Dress up clothing for our dramatic play areas- Especially over-sized items (easier to get in and out of) – such as boys

suit jackets and vests, boy’s robes, clip-on ties, fancy dress up clothes, multi-cultural clothes (kimonos, ponchos, etc.),

animal costumes, and ‘career clothes’ (chef, community helpers, etc.) Note: No long ties or shoes.

WELCOME

Danijela Aslanovic – EC2 Asst. Teacher Danijela has been with us the last two years as a parent, a

classroom volunteer and a substitute staff member. We warmly welcome Danijela to her new position in

our EC2 classroom.

Julia Whiting and Cindy Travis have joined our staff as substitute staff members over the last several

months.

Beth Daniels, college student, will be completing her practicum in our EC3 class on MWF’s now through October.

GOD BLESS:

Mrs. Dorothy Leiner, St. Jerome ECC staff member who returned to her former career in IT services. We thank Dorothy

for her ten years of service to our school and families. We’re keeping her on speed dial for techy questions!

Mrs. Barbara Barbaro, who worked with us last year as our speech and language teacher. Barbara took a full time

position and regrets she will not be able to be with us this year. We were grateful for her service to our children.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Leah, Room 1, on the birth of her baby brother, Jason.

Trey, Room 3, on the birth of his baby brother, Cal.

To all of our ECC staff members who completed additional certifications, EC coursework, and catechist classes!

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Nolan Rm. 1 8/11

Tommy Rm. 1 8/12

Charlie Rm. 1 8/13

Jase K. Rm. 1 8/29

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Emma Rm. 2 9/01

Mrs. Sherman Rm. 3 9/02

Lucy Rm. 3 9/07

Evee Rm. 1 9/17

Mason Rm. 1 9/19

Megan Rm. 1 9/23

PRAYERS:

For Bishop Parkes and his family, on the loss of the Bishop’s brother, Chris.

For Father Tom’s sister, Geri, who remains under hospital care.

As we approach the 16th anniversary of September 11th, we pray:

For the church throughout the world

For world leaders and governments

For those who died September 11, 2001

For those who grieve

For children left without parents

For all those who have helped

For the grace to forgive

For a future of freedom and peace

UPCOMING:

Sept. 1 Tuition/Pledges Due

Sept. 1 Non-VPK Day – Fun Friday only for Four Year Olds

Sept. 6 Ext. Day Billing Emailed

Sept. 10 Last day for on-time tuition

Sept. 11-15 Enrichment Class Begins

Sept. 13 Picnic Responses Due Sept. 15 Ext. Day Pymt. Due (late after 9/25)

Sept. 15 Mommy & Me Playgroup Begins 9:00am-11:00am

Sept. 16 ECC Family Picnic 11:00am-2:00pm

Sept. 17 Catechetical Sunday

Sept. 19 Breakfast with Santa Planning Meeting 7:00pm

Sept. 24 International Festival (Parish Sponsored Event) All are welcome

Sept. 25 Ext. Day Pymt. Last day for on-time payment

Sept. 25-29 Week of Christian Service

Sept. 29 Prayer Service – 11:45am Holy Family Chapel All are welcome

Oct. 1 Tuition Due

Oct. 2 Feast of Guardian Angels

Oct. 4 Feast of St. Francis

Oct. 5 Extended Day Bill Emailed

Oct. 8 Non-VPK Day – Fun Friday only for Four Year Olds

Oct. 7 Blessing of the Animals (Parish Event) after 9:00 Mass

Oct. 12/13 School (Individual) Pictures

Oct. 10 Last day for on-time tuition

Oct. 27 Parent Teacher Conferences/No School for Students

Oct. 31 Halloween Parade

First days! See more pictures on our facebook page!

Or daddy, grandma, nanny...

the caregiver!

Mommy & Me

Playgroup St. Jerome ECC

10895 Hamlin Blvd, Largo Preschool@stjeromeecc.org (727) 596-9491 Visit our website at www.stjeromeearlychildhoodcenter.org

Come join us for our Mommy & Me Playgroup on Fridays from 9:00-11:00. Caregivers and their pre-school children (ages 4 and under), who are not attending the ECC are

invited to explore and enjoy all our center has to offer. (ECC children who not in school on Fr idays are also welcome to participate.)

Make use of our developmentally appropriate environment and materials and spend some quality time with your child/ren while making new friends in a safe and controlled environment. The Playgroup will meet in our Mommy & Me Play-space in the Education Building. (Enter

through the ECC entrance.) Playground time is also available. Cost is $5.00 per family.

No pre-registration or membership is required. Children are under your care and supervision.

Dates for the 2017-18 School Year September 22, 29 January 12, 19, 26 October 6, 13, 20 February 2, 9, 16, 23 No November Dates! March 2, 9, 16, 23 December 1, 8, 15 April 13, 20, 27

May 4

Shop with SCRIP / Support SJECC

Fundraising while you shop!! St. Jerome ECC is continuing their Scrip Fundraising program. Help your school raise funds

while you shop by using gift cards instead of your cash or credit cards!!! No cost to you!

The best way to make this program successful is by purchasing gift cards to use for your

regular weekly purchases (groceries, gas, drug store, Starbucks, etc.) in place of cash, checks or credit

cards all year long. You also want to stock up for those special occasions – Christmas, birthdays, home

improvements and vacations! We have gift cards available for everyone. And if you don’t find something

specific to fit your needs, Visa and Discover cards are also available to be used wherever those charge

cards are accepted.

We offer gift cards for over 500 retailers including Publix, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens,

Speedway, Wawa’s. There are restaurants, entertainment venues (Disney, movies), as well as travel (air, hotel,

cruise) cards to choose from. You pay full face value for the gift cards and the retailers give our school a

percentage of the sales. The amount of our rebate varies from 1.5% to 13% depending on the retailer. The

attached list tells you all of the retailers available, the denominations cards come in and the percentage we earn

back.

We keep a sampling of local retail cards available for immediate purchase including $50.00 and $100.00

Publix cards. (Publix cards are only available in the ECC office.)

Payments must be made by cash or check.

If you prefer to set up a PrestoPay account and make your purchases online you can get started by:

1. Go to wwwshopwithscrip.com

2. Click on GET STARTED

3. Click on JOIN YOUR EXISTING SCRIP PROGRAM

4. Fill out the registration form and accept terms of use at the bottom.

5. Answer the security questions.

6. Enter our ENROLLMENT CODE: E253B7EA47485

7. JOIN – Select St. Jerome Early Childhood Center

8. Start Shopping!

**NOTE – Publix cards are NOT available online

We place orders on a weekly basis when needs warrant. Orders placed by 10:00 on Mondays, by calling

or stopping by the ECC will be available for pick up in the Early Childhood Center office by the end of the

week.

Thank you for your support of St. Jerome Early Childhood Center!