Tri-County Citizen

Chalk Talk





St. Charles Elementary School is proud to offer services within the building from birth to fifth grade. In the fall of 2017, we began offering an infant to 2-year-old program. The infant program has been incredibly successful and has maintained full occupancy since its conception. Through the creation of the infant room, we have the distinction of being able to offer a comprehensive program that allows families to have the comfort of knowing that their child is able to develop and grow within the comforts of the same complex. Once a child transitions from the infant room they graduate on to the childcare room that offers services for children who are of 2 to 5 years of age.

The Bulldogs Kids Care is open during the entire calendar year. During the school year, it is also available for latchkey services before and after school for school-age children. While students are part of this program they have the opportunity to either attend the childcare room exclusively or spend part of their day at our Sunshine Learning Center Preschool. Our preschool program prepares the children for a smooth transition into our young fives program or kindergarten. Families that have different arrangements for the children’s child care needs also have the ability to choose only to have their children attend the preschool program.

Once a child reaches the age requirement for kindergarten, which is turning 5 years old by Sept. 1 or through the completion of a waiver allowing students that turn 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 1, they may enroll in either our young fives program or kindergarten. For the last two years, we have offered a young fives program as a precursor to kindergarten for students that either are not demonstrating the skill set desired to enter kindergarten or are not socially/ emotionally prepared for kindergarten. During the past two years, the program has been very successful and the students placed within it have transitioned into kindergarten very well prepared.

On March 5 from 6 -7 p.m., St. Charles Elementary will be hosting their annual young five and kindergarten roundup. Then on March 12 from 5-6 p.m., the Sunshine Learning Center and Bulldog Kids Care will be holding an Open House and enrollment night.

Please feel free to contact us about any questions or to set up a personal visit at (989) 865- 9210. The Bulldog Kids Care Director is Christy Sheldon, Sunshine Learning Center Director is Renee Thorton or contact the St. Charles Elementary Principal, Mark Benson.

Social Media

I want to bring to your attention to an issue that is circulating on social media. It is called the “Momo Challenge.” Momo appears as a frightening image while children are viewing videos or on an app. Children are told if they do not complete the challenges, Momo will curse or harm them or their loved ones. It can pop up on multiple social media apps, possibly circumventing parental controls.

Please use this as an opportunity to remind your children not to accept any communication or request from an unknown phone number, link or app without talking to you first. Parental monitoring and discussions are always the best prevention of inappropriate social media material.