A Note from The Director May 2015
Dear ICDC Family, It’s hard to believe that another school year is coming to an end at Interfaith Child Development Center. We have enjoyed watching your children learn and grow this year. Thank you for sharing your children with us! On June 1, 2015, I will assume the Director’s position here at ICDC. I am excited and truly grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to continuing to work with you, your children, and the teachers and staff as we carry out the mission and vision of ICDC. Please know that my door is always open to you should you ever have any questions or concerns. I am happy to announce that Debbie Lauducci will be the new Assistant Director beginning June 1st. She has been a Lead Teacher in our 3 year old School Day program for the last several years and we are looking forward to her continuing on at ICDC in her new role. We have an exciting month ahead, and are looking forward to a summer filled with learning, laughter, and fun! Kindest regards, Lisa Whittle
IMPORTANT DATES See Page 5 for this months important dates.
Important Deadline for Fall: The 2nd payment for the fall registration is due June 1st. Following completion of the payment, the enrollment packets will be sent out, either through the classroom or by mail. For those who have paid in full, your packets will be coming soon. ICDC Newsletter
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People of ICDC
Meet our new Assistant Director Debbie Lauducci Hi! I am Debbie Lauducci, the soon to be Assistant Director of Interfaith Child Development Center. I am absolutely elated and honored to have this challenging position. I have had the rewarding experience of working at ICDC for the past four years. I began working as a substitute teacher, and then worked in A-7 as a part time afternoon teacher with the formidable Pat & Laura team. Right away I felt I had found a home. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. I have enjoyed being lead teacher in P-20 for four school years and also have taught the school age summer school program for four summers.
I think I was destined to become an educator. My father was a middle school principal for thirty years and a Social Studies teacher before that. Education was always a priority in our house. Growing up my four younger brothers and myself knew there wasn't any other option after high school then to further our education to reach our full potential. I graduated from State University of New York at Oswego with a Bachelors degree in Early Education. Three weeks following graduation I married the man who would become the father of our four amazing children. I taught third grade for four years before starting our family. Having had three sons and one daughter in a span of seven years, I was fortunate to be able to be a stay at home mom. During this time I was Room Mother for ten years, I was a Cub Scout den mother, I taught Sunday School, and I went to school part time and received my Masters of Education in Early Childhood from S.U.N.Y. Oswego. When my youngest, Stephanie, started first grade I returned to teaching. Although this time I taught preschool and then became the Director. I was at Faith Lutheran Nursery School for eight years. Time flew and life was presenting some challenges and changes for me. I left Faith Lutheran to teach Kindergarten in a private school. Soon after I became Assistant Director of Elmcrest Early Education Center. Elmcrest Early Education Center is an inclusive school for preschoolers with disabilities as well as a learning environment for typical children. Each preschool classroom had eight special needs children and six typical children. The center also had an infant room and toddler room. As Assistant Director my responsibilities were much like those of the Assistant Director here at ICDC only with a Special Education twist! I enjoy the diversity of being an administrator working with children, parents, and fellow educators. Again life was about to change, fortunately for me the changes may not have been always easy but they have always been for something better. My “new” husband took advantage of an early retirement package at his business and we were off to find a place to live where the temperatures were warmer and the taxes less. We found that right here in The Woodlands! We love this community and all the amenities it has to offer. Although I have to admit I miss all my children and my sweet, funny, beautiful two year old grandson more than words can express. I tend to fly ”home” to Syracuse, New York as often as time permits. Since relocating to Texas we bought a new home in The Woodlands and have found jobs we love! I have received my Texas Educator Certification in grades Early Childhood – Sixth, and my Texas Childcare Director's Certificate. I am so happy to be part of a dedicated team of professionals devoted to ensuring each child receives the best education possible. I look forward to being your Assistant Director and together we will work in the development of each child to reach his/her full potential morally, intellectually, and socially in an environment that is welcoming and prepares children for a lifetime of learning.
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Curriculum Corner Rainbow Week
Literacy On Friday, May 8th, children’s author Ellen Leventhal (Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets) will be visiting the 3 and 4year-old classes at our school. Together, Ellen Leventhal and Ellen Rothberg (both former teachers at The Shlenker School in Houston, Texas) have written three fabulous children’s books. In addition to reading to the children, Ms. Leventhal will visit with the children about the writing process. There is an author waiting to be discovered within each of us!
Rainbow Week is May 11th – 15th. As we have fun with the colors of the rainbow this week, please have your child wear the color listed below for each day. Red on Monday Orange on Tuesday Green on Wednesday Blue on Thursday Rainbow colors on Friday!
Science Lab Our little scientists will be seeing a lot of crawly critters this month in the science lab! We will be learning about identifying different types of insects and learning the parts of an insect during our science lab time. We will even have some special guests-our scientists will be able to watch ladybugs hatch and grow in a habitat made especially for them! These are some books you can read at home with your scientist: The Very Quiet Cricket- Eric Carle Bugs Are Insects- Anne Rockwell, Steve Jenkins Butterflies in the Garden- Carol Lerner Charlie the Caterpillar- Dom DeLuise
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Health & Safety Here are some tips for safe outdoor activities as the weather gets warmer, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Insect repellents prevent bites from mosquitos, ticks, fleas, and biting flies. They do not protect against stinging insects. The best repellents contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Repellents should contain no more than 30% DEET. Do not apply on children younger than 2 months. Sunscreen combined with DEET can cause the sunscreen to be less effective and can overexpose your child to DEET. Tips on using repellents safely: Apply spray in open areas Apply on clothing and exposed skin Wash clothes and skin when coming indoors Do not spray directly on face Tips on sun safety: Wear lightweight clothes, hats, and sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection Avoid sun 10am-4pm when UV rays are strongest Use broad spectrum sunscreen (screens out UVB and UVA rays) with an SPF of 15-30 Apply 15-30 minutes before sun exposure Reapply every 2 hours Sunburn can occur on cloudy days (UV rays can get through clouds) Avoid eye area If sunscreen irritates skin, use a brand with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide When to call the Doctor: If baby gets sunburn and is less than a year, call your baby’s Doctor right away Call your Doctor for older children with blistering, pain, or fever How to soothe sunburn: Give your child water or fruit juice to replace lost fluids Use cool water to soothe skin Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain Keep your child out of the sun until sunburn is fully healed Only use medicated lotions if okay with your Doctor Make sure everyone knows how to protect their skin and eyes. Set a good example by practicing sun safety yourself. Georgy Redifer, RN, School Nurse
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Other Notes “LastDay”Reminders: Last days of Enrichment Classes:
Playball (various class days) - The week of May 18-22 Boni’s Dance- May 20 Music by Mary - May 26
Way-To-Go ICDC Children and Families! Thanks to the incredible generosity of all of you we were able to collect over 1,000 pounds of food for our Interfaith Food Pantry! Our children learned a valuable lesson – that happiness comes from giving to others.
IMPORTANT DATES All Thursdays & Fridays
Spirit Days – wear your ICDC t-shirts
May 4-May 8
Staff Appreciation Week
May11-15
Rainbow Week
May 18
Last Day for M- MDO Class
May 25
Memorial Day- Center Closed
May 27
Last Day for W- MDO Class
May 28
Last Day for T/Th Partial Preschool, T/Th School Day, T/Th MDO Classes
May 29
Last Day for all other Partial Day, School Day, and MDO Classes
June 4
Last Day All Day Program
June 5
First Day of Summer Camp- All Day Program
June 8
First Day of Summer Camp Program- Session
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ICDC Parent’s Club From The President
TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK May brings Staff Appreciation Week - our annual way to honor our fantastic teachers and staff! They work so hard for our children and families. This is our opportunity to show them how much we appreciate all that they do! Staff Appreciation Week will take place Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8. There are many opportunities for all - you may bring in a brunch or dessert item, volunteer your time on brunch day or dessert day or donate an item to be raffled off at our staff appreciation dinner. We’ve received some wonderful items so far… Any participation would be so appreciated!!
BOOK FAIR – UNDER THE SEA Thank you to everyone who participated in our book fair! It was such a success! We brought in a little over $10,000 for our school. We could not have done it without our wonderful co-chairs Catherine Preddy and Julie Hinson and our amazing volunteers. GET INVOLVED If you have an interest in participating in the ICDC Parent's Club Board or Chairing an Event or simply learning more about our school and ways to be involved for the MANY THANKS As the school year closes, I would like to extend a special thank you to the incredible group of mom’s that have made up the ICDC Parent’s Club Board. They have gone above and beyond dedicating their time and special talents to leading amazing events and raising money for our school, and making the ICDC staff and teachers feel so special. I honestly couldn’t do it without each one of these remarkable, giving, super sweet and talented ladies. Mary-Kathryn D’Agostino, Julie Hinson, Gina Lee (Room Mom Coord.), Lindsey Perkins, Catherine Preddy (Newsletter), Elizabeth Reno (Treasurer), Carey Scarcessa, Tiana Smith (Secretary), Julia Warren, Ashley Williams, Rachel Polsky, Hoa Vu & Lesley Work (Vice President / Spirit Chair) A big heartfelt THANK YOU also to our room mom’s and each one of our families for supporting Parent’s Club and our school in so many positive ways. You help make our school great! Through your participation in our events and fundraisers allows Parent’s Club to provide so much back to our school – teacher scholarships for continuing education, magazines for the staff lounge, field trip tshirts for summer students, cookie socials, books for each classroom from the book fair, classroom supplies, quarterly teacher appreciation meals, a teacher and staff appreciation dinner held at a local restaurant, gift cards purchased as raffle items for luncheon and dinner, $50 gift cards for each teacher at the end of the year, additional wish list items to be fulfilled before the end of the year, and so much more… ! So each and everything that you contribute helps a whole lot and we thank you! Please email or call me with any questions, anytime… Have a fun and safe summer! Thank you, Shannon skdelapaz@gmail.com 713/851.1411 ICDC Parent’s Club- President
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Goodbye
As I begin my last month as Director, I just wanted to thank you again for your kindness and support over the past year. It has truly been a pleasure to serve you all. The opportunity to do this work has been a gift to me. I wish you all the very best, and I will miss you. Julie Oudin
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