8-7-2025 Bulldog Pups Newsletter

Posted Date: 8/07/25 (12:32 PM)

Early Childhood Center

Bulldog Pups Newsletter

August 7, 2025

Hello ECC Students and Families

Hello ECC students, families, and welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! I am excited and honored to be the coordinator over the Early Childhood Center this school year. Our theme for this school year is Building Learners, and I am so excited to watch, help, and support your child as they build on their learning throughout the school year.

At the ECC, we believe in nurturing each child's individual growth through meaningful, hands-on play. Our goal is to create a predictable and supportive environment where children feel comfortable exploring their curiosity and developing crucial social, emotional, and communication skills. We're excited to partner with you and your family this year to help your child become a competent, lifelong learner. Please get involved, stay informed and connected, and reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Warmly,

John Siegler

Coordinator of Student Services & Early Learning

Back to School Information

More detailed information about the start of the school year is also being mailed home to each family.

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: Class assignments may be viewed in Parent Square beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 8th.

ParentSquare link: https://www.parentsquare.com/signin

If you don't have the invitation: Go to ParentSquare's sign-in page.
Enter the email address or phone number that is on file with the school.
Follow the prompts to verify your account and create a password.

Parent Video - Getting Started with ParentSquare (3 minutes)

If you haven’t registered your child for school this year, you will not receive a class assignment. Please go to this page to register.

ECC MEET & GREET:

Our Meet & Greet event will be held on Monday, August 25th. All students, along with their parents/guardians, are invited to find their classrooms and meet their teachers from 9:00-10:00 a.m. for morning students and 12:15-1:15 p.m. for afternoon students.

Please refrain from using this time to conference with the teacher. If you have questions or need to conference with the teacher, please email or call the teacher. Parking will be tight, so please consider carpooling, remote parking, or walking.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 26th.

SCHOOL HOURS:

Morning students attend school from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Drop-off time is 8:55 a.m.

Afternoon students attend school from 12:15-2:45 p.m. Monday-Friday. Drop-off time is 12:10 p.m.

Please arrive on time because our staff is unavailable to watch your child before or after sessions.

BUS TRANSPORTATION: If your child is eligible for bus transportation, you will be able to see your child’s route information in the Parent Portal the week of August 12th.

STUDENT INFORMATION FORM 2025-2026: This form is being mailed to each family. Please complete for each student attending our preschool and return to the ECC.

MEDICAL FORMS: Please send your child’s medical forms with your child for the first day of school if you have not already done so. A physical exam is required before students enter preschool. Click Here for specific information about medical forms.

School Supplies

Please send your child to school with the following supplies daily:

A large backpack (big enough to fit a folder)
A water bottle labeled with your child's name

Please send your child to school with these items that will remain at school:

A change of clothes (pants, shirt, underwear, socks) placed in a Ziploc bag with your child's name on it.
Package of pull-ups or diapers in your child's size and 2 packs of baby wipes if your child is not potty trained.

Upcoming Events

August 8th: Class assignments posted on Parent Portal, 4:30 p.m.
August 25th: Meet & Greet 9:00-10:00 for morning students & 12:15-1:15 for afternoon students.
August 26th: First Day of School
September 9th: Curriculum Night

Important Links

Parent Portal

25-26 School Calendar

Parent/Student Handbook-Coming Soon!

ELL Parent Center

Skokie Public Library

District 68 Community Bulletin Board

Contact info

847-568-8901

Coordinator of Student Services & Early Learning:

John Siegler, jsiegler@skokie68.org

Administrative Assistant for the Director of Student Services:

Jill Marquardt - jmarquardt@skokie68.org

Early Childhood Secretary:

Heidi Canchola - hcanchola@skokie68.org