The Home Stretch!

Even though we have less than 4 weeks of school left, we have TONS going on!

• Class pictures will be taken next week (April 29-30).  These will NOT be dressy photos, and will be taken outside.  CDs, rather than paper pictures, will be sold for $10 each.  Also, cap and gown pictures for our 4K and 5K graduates will be made at this time, and CDs will also be available for purchase for $10 each.  With the CD, you have all rights to the image, and may make as many copies as you'd like.
•  Our Art Show will be held on May 8th.  This is a come-and-go event in your child's classroom, so come anytime between 12 and 1PM, and check out all the hard work our students have done all year long! 
• We will have field-day fun on May 13th.  We will be outside all day, so dress your child appropriately, and apply sunscreen.  We will have Chick-Fil-A nuggets for lunch, and we ask that you send $4 per child to cover this cost. 
• Graduation for Kindergarten will be at 11AM in the Student Building on May 15th. 
• Graduation for the 4K will be at 6PM in the Student Building on May 15th. 
• Last day of school for all students is May 15th.

If you have any questions about any of this information, feel free to call the ELC at 823-0550, or email Cynthia Turner at cturner@shades.org or Melissa Shockey at mshockey@shades.org.

Spring Sing

Guess what's coming up?

That's right, our annual Spring Sing!  It will take place on Thursday, April 17th, at 11 AM in the Conference Center.  Come and watch our students sing praise, jump for joy, and worship as only kids can do!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thinking ahead to next year

It's hard to believe that 2014 is already here!  We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's during our break.

With the new year come thoughts of registration for the 2014-2015 school year.  Registration will be held on 2/10/14 for all current ELC students and their siblings.  It will begin on 2/26/14 for the public.  Start thinking now about which class you would like to place your child, and even have a discussion with your teacher, if needed.

If your child is completing a 4-year-old class, consider our wonderful kindergarten program.  We piloted this program this year, and it has been an excellent experience.  The children have learned so much!  Please call us if you'd like to talk further about our kindergarten!

"C" is for Camping!

Last week, Mrs. Melinda's and Mrs. Laura's classes studied the letter "C".  As part of that study, these classes went "camping"!  They ate s'mores in a tent, and read a story around a "campfire"!

What a start!

We have had a great start to the new school year!  At this time, we'd like to highlight some of our new teachers at the ELC.

 Mrs. Debra Pounds is our new Computer teacher.  We love and miss Mrs. Tiffany (and if you have any botanical needs, call her at Southern Botanical), but we are very excited to have Mrs. Deb working with us.  The children already love her!
 

 

Mrs. Elizabeth Noble is working with the smallest babies at the ELC, until the birth of her newest son in November.  She is married to the Children's Minister at Shades Mountain Baptist, Shaun Noble.  She moved to Birmingham from Texas in 2012.

 

Mrs. Nicole Martinez works with Mrs. Elizabeth with the youngest babies.  Her children have attended the ELC in previous years, so we have known Mrs. Nicole for a long time, and we are happy to have her here!

Mrs. Rachel Edwards works with our younger preschoolers.  She hails from Chicago, so we are teaching her to say "y'all"!

 

Mrs. Susan Johnston works with Mrs. Rachel.  She has been a substitute at the ELC for 2 years, and is very familiar with our school.  She also works for UA, so you will never see her in orange and blue!

 

 

 Mrs. Traci Walter teaches one of our 2 day/week 2-year-old classes.  She used to teach teachers, so she is a huge asset to our program!  She's also a HUGE Tide fan!

 

 

Mrs. Samantha Burgess began the year at the ELC as Miss Samantha, but she recently got married!  Mrs. Samantha moved to Birmingham from Kentucky as a college student.

 

 

Mrs. Rebecca Owen is teaching one of our 5-day 4-year-old classes.  Mrs. Rebecca has taught kindergarten in public schools for several years.  We were thrilled to have her join our team!

 

 

Mrs. Corrie Powell joins us this year as a 5-day 4-year-old teacher.  Mrs. Corrie has 15 years of experience teaching preschoolers.  She is a such joy to have around!

 

We have been so blessed with these new teachers.  We have an excellent team at the ELC, the best around!







Teacher Appreciation Day

Today, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day!  Parents sent in an abundance of delicious food for brunch for our wonderful teachers!

The teachers, in turn, appreciate the food and the break provided!  Thank you to the moms who coordinated this (Jennifer Dowis and Becky Strickland) and the moms who stayed throughout the day to make sure everything was replenished (Jennifer Dowis and Brandi Davis).  Thank you, parents, for your thoughtfulness!  And, finally, thank you, ELC teachers, for all your hard work!  It doesn't go unnoticed!

Important Dates

As we wind down our 2012-2013 school year, please make note on your calendars of some important upcoming dates:

• April 18th - Spring Sing, 12pm in the Conference Center:  Ever wonder what happens in Thursday Chapel?  Come find out, and hear your children lead worship! 
• April 15th, 16th or 17th - Spring class group pictures:  A note was sent home with your child's specific day
• May 9th - Art Show, come and go between 12 and 1pm in your child's classroom:  see your child's art work from all year long
• May 14th - End of Year Bash:  a great time of outdoor fun and celebration, during regular school hours.  Lunch is from Chick-Fil-A; send $3.00
• May 16th - ELC Graduation for 4K, 6pm in the Conference Center

If you have any questions about these dates/events, please call us at (205)823-0550.