Hans Mayer Holiday Concert on Nov 30!

Winona Public Library Fundraiser

Hans Mayer Holiday Concert

Sun, Nov 30 ~ 3-4pm

Historic Masonic Theatre, 255 Main St

Kick off the holiday season while supporting your local library!

Our fave kids' musician is bringing his all-ages holiday tour

to Winona for the 1st time.

Join us for an afternoon of holiday carols

with Hans and special guest, violinst Sue Hauser.

Summer Program Fundraiser Cookbook unveiling - intro price $6.

Makes a great stocking stuffer!

Mon Petit Cupcake raffle - $1 a chance.

Tickets sold at Winona Public Library or

at the door on event day:

$5/adult, $2/child, or $10/family.

All proceeds buy new library books!

Sponsored by the Friends of Winona Public Library, Winona Community Foundation, and Mon Petit Cupcake.

Flippin' for Books Family Wellness & Literacy Fair

Flippin' for Books ~ Sat, Nov 15

9am-noon, Winona Sr High Concourse

Join us for our 3rd annual Wellness & Literacy Fair! This FREE family event starts with a pancake breakfast from

9-10:30am. Then spend the morning enjoying storytellers, puppet shows, crafts and games, build-a-book station, gym activities, resource booths, and McGruff.

Every child receives a free book to keep!

Sponsored by the Winona Early Childhood Initiative, ECFE,

YMCA, SEMCAC Head Start, and Sunrisers Kiwanis.

Fall StoryTime at Holzinger Lodge!

Looking for a free activity for your preschooler?
Join us for a Fall Storytime at rustic Holzinger Lodge from 9-10am on Fri, Nov 7 with storyteller, Susan Derks. Enjoy the storytelling, then take a leaf walk or play on the playground equipment at Holzinger. Open to the public. Great daycare outing! No registration. Questions? Call Winona Public Library at 452-4592.

Birds in Your Backyard: Projects for Children

WCDCPA is sponsoring a FREE training on Nov 13, 6:30-8:30pm upstairs at Jefferson's Pub. The training is Birds in Your Backyard: Ideas and projects for children interested in learning more about birds. 10 participants are needed for the event to happen.

Please RSVP by Nov 6th to Carolyn at 458-0015.

WCDCPA Holiday Fair this Saturday!

2008 WCDCPA Holiday Fair

Saturday, Nov 1

10am-2pm at the Winona Mall

Hot Dog Stand, Chinese Raffle, Bake Sale and many vendors including PartyLite, Discovery Toys, Chris's Critters, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, Uppercase Living, RG Crafts, Avon, Cookie Lee, Tupperware, Butterfly Boutique, Tastefully Simple, Creative Memories, plus more! A great way to get some holiday shopping done while supporting Winona County Day Care Providers.

Early Childhood Family Education

Listed below are classes that may have availability yet.
Call 494-0913 to check for availability or for any questions.
ECFE Welcomes All Families!
The Mission of ECFE is to educate, empower, and support all families by supporting parents as their child's first teacher, by offering information about child development and parenting techniques, and by giving children opportunities to discover and learn.

ECFE Staff Phone Numbers
494-0900 Margaret Schild, Coordinator
494-0916 Stephanie Gilliland, Early Childhood Educator
494-0919 Anne Hayes, School Readiness Facilitator
494-0915 Chris Overhaug, Early Childhood Educator and Parent Educator
494-0917 Ann Riebel, Parent Educator
494-0920 Katy Smith, Parent Educator
494-0918 Jill Burt, ECFE Librarian, classroom paraprofessional
494-0913 Judy Rusert, classroom paraprofessional
494-0913 Early Childhood Office, Glenda Roellich, secretary

JUST FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
Non-separating classes
Baby and Me
Babies bring joy and big changes to families. Join us for a weekly class for infants, 0-12 months, to explore topics relating to those bundles of joy! This is a relaxing class that also brings you information. You can ask all your baby questions and we'll explore current philosophies on infant growth. We'll sing songs and have baby play time. Sibling care is available, please request with registration.
Tuesday
11/11/08-1/13/09 Term 2
1-2:30 PM    
Parent Education Room 103



Bearly Toddler
This class suits the "new" toddler, who is between 12-24 months of age. Age appropriate activities and circle time are part of the morning as children become familiar with the early childhood room. A brief parent discussion will take place, as the children play in the room. Parents and children do not separate in this class.
Friday
11/7/08-1/16/09 Term 2
8:30-10 AM
Early Childhood Room 106


TOPICS FOR ALL AGES
SEPARATING CLASSES
Potpourri
Back by popular demand! This class will definitely be parent driven. Join other parents as we tackle the one time topics that pop up in class. Some likely topics may include; time outs, teaching children about money, sleep issues and much more.
Monday
11/10/08-1/12/09 Term 2
Noon – 2 PM
Early Childhood Room 106



OTHER ECFE OPPORTUNITIES

Daddy & Me Drop – In                    
Dads! Looking for a fun time for you and your child? Join other dads and their children for an evening drop - in. Drop - in begins with exciting, fun learning experiences and playtime, and then moves to circle time. Drop - in ends with time in the gym. Open to children ages 14 months to Kindergarten and their dads. No registration required.
Wednesday (Note new day)
11/5/08-1/14/09 Term 2         No class on 11/26/08
6-7:30 PM
Early Childhood Room 106

Drop – In Playgroup
This is a time for you and your child to play in tour Early Childhood room and gym. Come and explore new toys, sing songs and enjoy other fun activities with other parents and children. No registration required. This class meets weekly and is FREE.
Thursday
11/6/08-1/15/09 Term 2 NO DROP – IN 11/27/08, 12/25/08, 1/1/09
12:30-2:30 PM
Early Childhood Room 106

Moms Supporting Moms
This is a group for moms of all ages and life experiences. Moms attend with their children and learn different parenting strategies, meet new friends and improve their self nurturing skills, in a supportive environment. Children will receive a fun early childhood classroom experience, while parents have time to meet in the parent education room.
Due to popular demand, we are now offering two different class times! The class will also meet weekly. This is a change from other years.
Registration is now required to attend the class for each term. Please fill out an ECFE registration form and return to the ECFE office.  
On Wednesday afternoons, children from birth up to school age can attend with their mom. On Tuesday evenings, children from birth to age 8 can attend with their mom.
Call Family Based Services at 494-0950 or Ann Riebel at 494-0917 for more information or with questions about child care or transportation needs. The Moms Supporting Moms Class is a collaborative between ECFE and Family Based Services.
Tuesday
11/11/08-1/13/09 Term 2 No Class 12/23/08
5:30-7:30 PM NOTE NEW TIME
Early Childhood Room 106
OR
Wednesday
11/5/08-1/14/09 Term 2
Noon – 2 PM
Early Childhood Room 106

Community Parenting
This class is ECFE parenting on wheels!  Are you interested in a parenting class or a one time guest speaking event, at your work setting, child care center, preschool or organization? Contact Katy Smith, Parent Educator, at 494-0920 for more information.

ELL Family School
A parenting and English class for immigrants and refugee adults and their preschool children. Parent-child time, parenting education, English and early childhood education is included in this learning school. There is also a home-visiting opportunity for participants in Family School that includes literacy activities, books, and one-on-one learning. Transportation assistance is available. Classes are on-going throughout the school year. Call Anne Hayes at 494-0919 for more information or to register.
Wednesday
12-2 PM
NOTE NEW LOCATION
Winona Area Learning Center
1299 W. 3rd Street, Winona

Teen Parenting at the WALC and WSHS
Parent education, prenatal education, parent-child activities and support for adolescent and expecting parents at the Winona Area Learning Center and Winona Senior High School. Contact Ann Riebel at 494-1460 for more information about the Teen Parent Program that is on going through out the school year.

Early Childhood Screening
Do you have a three year old? In Minnesota all children are required to complete Early Childhood Screening before they enter kindergarten. This screening should be done before your child turns four!
Make your appointment today call 494-0900.


ECFE PTA
2008-2009 ECFE PAC/PTA Officers:
Kim Hancock, President         452-3727
Laura Loos, Vice-President         474-0132
Tina Smeby, Treasurer                 474-6000
Jill Krase, Secretary                 961-0077

ECFE PAC/PTA meets the second Thursday of the month.  Visitors are always welcome!
Would you like to know more about the ECFE PTA? Looking for a volunteer opportunity that contributes to the quality of life for families with young children in our community? Join us on the second Thursday of the month at 6 PM. Child care is available.
(box)
Help support your ECFE PAC/PTA and become a member. PTA membership dues are only $5.75 per year. Watch for special events available to ECFE PTA members for no fee or a reduced fee.
Contact any of the PTA officers listed above, for membership information.

ECFE PAC/PTA Sponsored Events include:
*Family Field Trips
*Guest Speakers
*Family Gym Nights
*Family Sock Hop
*Family Events Newsletter
Look for more information about the ECFE PAC/PTA Special Events on www.winonakids.org

PAC/PTA Special Event
La Crosse Children's Museum
Friday
December 12
10:30 AM
Meet at the Museum, 207 5th Ave. S La Crosse
A map will be available in the ECFE office.
We will start with an introduction to "Pet Therapy Dogs" program and then time in  the museum. Families will be able to leave at their own time.
FREE for PTA members or $4 per child/payable at the door
12 months and under FREE
Adults are free
Registration is required by December 5.
Friday
12/12/08
10:30 AM
La Crosse Children's Museum
207 5th Ave. S. La Crosse WI

ECFE PTA Fund Raiser
Book Shelf of Winona        
Stop in to the store on Saturday, December 13th to have proceeds from
your purchase benefit the ECFE Parenting Library. All books and merchandise in
the store qualify, and even pre-paid special orders will be accepted.
Support ECFE PTA, support a local Winona business, and get great holiday gifts
during this wonderful fund raiser!
Saturday
12/13/08
8 AM - 6 PM
Winona Book Shelf
162 W. 2nd street


Flippin for Books  
Literacy and Wellness Fair
Saturday
November 15, 2008
9 am- Noon
WSHS Concourse
*Community Resource Booths
*Activities for Children
*Story Telling
*FREE Breakfast
Sponsored by Winona Early Childhood Initiative, ECFE and Winona YMCA.

ECFE FOUNDATION
The ECFE PTA has established a foundation fund in honor of our retired teachers who have worked so selflessly to support the mission of ECFE and by doing so have positively impacted the lives of the families and children who attend our programs.
Donations to the ECFE Foundation will be used to expand and support the number of classes and programs offered by ECFE. Offset program expenditures such as playground equipment and classroom supplies. Support special projects and events. Support children and families in need.
If you are looking for a way to contribute to the mission of ECFE please consider a donation to the ECFE Foundation Fund.
Thank you from the staff, both past and present, and the ECFE PAC/PTA!


Two Red Apples
Way up high in a tree.
Two red apples smiled at me
So I shook that tree as hard as I could!
Down came the apples
mm mm mm were they good!

Here is a Leaf
Here is a leaf, it is yellow and brown (use your hands)
Here is a leaf that (use your child's name ) found.
Put them together and you have two
One for me (point to self)
and one for you! (point to child)