Under CT State Law, children turning 5 on or before September 1, 2024, can attend public school that fall. Previously, this cutoff date was January 1st so children who are turning 5 between September 2, 2024, to January 1, 2025, will not be able to start public school as expected without an exception. In January, the Southington Public School District offered screenings to impacted children to determine if they could receive this exception. All participating families were notified by mid-February. If you missed the screenings or have any questions, please contact the SPS central office at 860-628-3204. The District selected an age-based screening tool so there is no benefit to waiting until your child is older.
As discussed in our January newsletter, Southington Public Schools will host the Kindergarten Registration Information Session for all parents/guardians who have children entering kindergarten for the 2024-202 school year on Monday, March 11th at 5:30 pm at DePaolo Middle School. No registration is required.
The ECCS and Southington Public Schools also host a Kindergarten Readiness Workshop on Thursday, March 28th, at 6 pm at DePaolo Middle School. This is for the parents/guardians of children entering kindergarten in the next two school years. Learn about what children should know about literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning skills to be prepared for entering kindergarten in the Southington Public Schools in the Fall of 2024 or 2025. Register in advance for this free workshop.
Details about both of these events and the kindergarten registration process are on the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington's website at http://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/southington-kindergarten-registration/
Children's dental health is an essential aspect of their overall well-being. It is important to start caring for a child's teeth from an early age to prevent tooth decay and other dental problems. Cavities are the most common chronic health problem among children with 23% of all kids will get cavities before their 5th birthday. Cavities can be prevented by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugary drinks and food, and visiting the dentist regularly.
Protect your little one’s teeth by caring for your own mouth while pregnant.
Ensure to clean your baby’s gums after every meal.
Avoid giving babies a bottle at bedtime.
Remember to brush your child’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. For children younger than 2 years, consult with your dentist about when to start using fluoride toothpaste.
Limit drinks and food with added sugars.
Schedule your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or after their first tooth appears.
If you are looking for a dentist for your child, check out our Resource Directory.
Learn more about children’s dental health
You're invited to join our Facebook communities! We have set up individual Facebook groups for Southington families of children born or due each year from 2018 to 2024. We hope that with these groups, we can foster a sense of community for the families of young children.
Learn more about these groups and the importance of community at www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/resources/community
All ECCS groups can be found at www.facebook.com/ECCSouthington/groups.
Join the ECCS at any of these events next month.
ECCS Office Hours at Southington Public Library
March 1 from 9:30 am to 12:00
March 18, from 9:00 am to 11:00
Stop by the Southington Public Library and see the ECCS Executive Director, Joanne Kelleher. She can answer your questions about summer camps, kindergarten registration, raising children here in town or help you get set up in the Sparkler mobile app.
Look for the ECCS table near the Children’s Department.
Puerto Vallarta fundraiser
Save the date! The ECCS is having a fundraiser at Puerto Vallarta on Queen Street in Southington on Tuesday, March 5th and we hope you can join us.
Twenty percent of all sales on that day, from 3 pm to close, will go to the ECCS. You don't need to bring a flyer or tell them.
Save the dates!
The ECCS is planning to be at these family-friendly events. Details will be announced by the sponsoring organizations later in the spring.
- Family Fun Day at The Southington Drive-in– May 4, 11 am to 3 pm, rain date May 11
- Baby Prom at The Southington Public Library – May 11, 10 am to 12 pm
- Touch a Truck at The Southington Drive-in – May 18, 10 am to 2 pm, rain date May 19
- Southington Pride at Camp Sloper – May 18, 2 pm to 5 pm
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2) Forward this email to a friend or colleague.
3) Volunteer your time as a board member or advocate.
4) Help with one-time or periodic donations.
Copyright © 2024 Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, all rights reserved.
Our mailing address:
Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington
PO Box 210
Southington, CT 06489-0210