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Executive Director Jessica Campbell, board member and event chair Pam Heffernan, and Jessica’s husband Brian Campbell. | |
Thank You for Making the Superhero Gala Unforgettable!
We extend our sincere gratitude to those who joined us at the Superhero Gala on February 22. Your presence made the evening special, and we are thrilled that you could be a part of this remarkable event.
The gala was a tremendous success, thanks to our attendees' incredible energy and enthusiasm. We were able to raise over $600,000 to benefit the Fun Time Academy mission! We trust that you enjoyed the night, which was filled with fun, laughter and celebration.
As we reflect on the evening, we are reminded that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Your support as a guest, donor and advocate reinforces the importance of community in creating a nurturing environment for our children.
Once again, thank you for being a superhero in our Fun Time Academy community. We are grateful for your ongoing support, and we look forward to future opportunities to come together and make a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Jessica Campbell
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FTA Acquires Former Child's Path at Santa Barbara
We are thrilled to announce that on Friday, February 23, Fun Time Early Childhood Academy closed on an asset transfer agreement involving the former Child's Path early learning center at 3144 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Naples. This transaction will further our mission as we continue to meet the growing demand to serve low-income families and children in the area.
The transfer of operational responsibilities formally took place on Monday, February 26. We are still in the process of assimilating Child's Path's employees, while addressing both current and future staffing needs that may exist. Property upgrades and renovations are currently being assessed and implemented to bring the facility up to Fun Time Academy standards. Numerous renovations are scheduled to take place during spring break in April.
We'd like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the Child's Path team that are now part of the Fun Time team. We look forward to sharing our passion for education and early learning and giving children a strong start to their futures. Stay tuned for many great stories and things to come from Fun Time Early Childhood Academy - Santa Barbara.
If you would like to donate to the renovations at the new Santa Barbara location, you can do so by clicking the button below. Thank you in advance for your support.
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SWFL Chapter of The Kiwi Club Raises $7,000 for FTA
The Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Airlines Kiwi Club recently announced that they have raised $7,000 in support of Fun Time Early Childhood Academy. This generous gift was raised through raffles held by the club throughout the season as well as their annual auction. A check presentation ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, March 23. at Lely Country Club.
The Kiwi Club membership consists of former and current American Airlines stewardesses/flight attendants and former stewardesses/flight attendants of airlines acquired by or merged with American Airlines, including former & current (non-contracted) flight attendants of American Eagle (now Envoy).
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Welcome Our Newest Staff Member
Elizabeth Axberg is a certified Human Resource (HR) Professional with a wealth of HR experience, demonstrating expertise in relationship-building, performance management, employment law, recruitment and training.
Elizabeth is skilled in the hiring process, as well as conducting onboarding and providing HR guidance. Her prior roles involved HRIS management, performance appraisals, benefits administration and compliance with employment laws. With a strong background as a store manager and general manager in the retail sector, Elizabeth has showcased proficiency in recruitment, payroll processing, sales planning and staff development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and is certified as a Society of Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). We look forward to the positive impact that we know she will have on our organization.
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Head Start and School Readiness: What is the Difference?
Both Florida’s School Readiness (SR) program and Head Start (HS) serve income-eligible families and encourage parent engagement, but they differ when it comes to eligibility and services. SR serves children from birth to age 13 of parents who are working on or participating in an educational program while their children receive child care and learn skills to help them succeed in school. HS serves families with children ages 3 to 5. SR enrolls up to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), while HS enrolls up to 100 percent of FPL. Both SR and HS prioritize the enrollment of children experiencing homelessness and children in foster care.
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Thank You, S.T.A.R. & NCEF!
The S.T.A.R. program, funded by the Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF), was launched in response to concerning statistics of preschool expulsions. S.T.A.R. provides free behavioral and language support to children aged birth to five, aiming to prevent expulsions. They offer vital services at no cost to our families. With S.T.A.R.'s assistance, our students overcame challenges and get prepared for kindergarten. This underscores the program's impact on early intervention and fostering positive learning environments.
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Thank You, Christ Child Society of Naples!
A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful women from Christ Child Society of Naples who volunteered their time on Valentine's Day to read books, play games and serve yummy snacks to our students! Their kindness and dedication bring joy to our early learning center.
We're so grateful for your support!
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Our children delved into the fascinating realms of seasons and weather throughout the month of February. They acquired knowledge about spring, summer, fall, and winter, along with their distinctive characteristics, weather patterns and seasonal activities.
In exploring various weather types—sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy and windy—teachers guided the students in describing temperatures using terms like hot, warm, cool and cold. The curriculum expanded to encompass fundamental science concepts related to seasons and weather, including the water cycle, clouds and the sun. Hands-on experiments and observations enriched their understanding. This immersive learning experience fostered a deeper appreciation for the natural world, laying a foundation for future scientific exploration.
Simultaneously, National Children's Dental Health Month in February prompted a focus on oral hygiene. Teachers emphasized the importance of habits like regular brushing, flossing, and maintaining a healthy diet to ensure optimal dental health and overall well-being for our children.
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The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) | |
We want to highlight the importance of the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy program, a crucial tool for our Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) classrooms. Administered three times annually, this assessment ensures tailored academic support for each child's growth in early literacy and math. Our dedicated teachers meet with families to share post-evaluation insights and practical suggestions for supporting learning at home. Parent participation is key to unlocking every child's potential and ensuring a successful educational journey. | |
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Suncoast Credit Union Credit Card Makeover Class
"Getting Out of Debt"
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We kicked off our series of financial literacy classes this month! Parents participated in a night of building their knowledge about creating budgets and controlling the urge to spend. They also learned strategies to decrease their debt and how to improve their credit standing.
Those who participated received access to a free financial education and counseling service in order to gain more support on money management and debt-decreasing options.
We thank Suncoast Credit Union for their continued partnership with Fun Time Academy and for providing our parents with such wonderful financial literacy supports.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara Kesman | |
We are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who play a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience for our young learners. Today we highlight one of our exceptional volunteers who has made a significant impact.
Barbara Kesman joined our amazing group of volunteers in the fall of 2023. When we first met Barbara, her joy and dedication to support early childhood education radiated through our halls! She quickly signed up to become a volunteer in one of our classrooms where she works with small groups, reads to the class, and can often be seen playing in centers with the children. The palpable excitement of the class every time that she arrives is a joy to witness, and we appreciate the support and passion for education that Barbara shows Fun Time Academy!
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School will be closed on the following days in March:
Friday, March 15:
Teacher Professional Development Day
Friday, March 29:
Good Friday
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If you recently moved or changed your email address or phone number, please update your information by clicking the button below. | |
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Our 2023 Annual Report is here, showcasing a year filled with success, learning and growth! Thanks to your support, we've achieved incredible milestones.
Here's to more fun and discovery in the months ahead!
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Your commitment to Fun Time Early Childhood Academy allows us to provide safe, quality, affordable education and care for children and parents from low-income working families and to prepare the children for kindergarten, ready to read and ready to learn! | | | | |
