Dear Angie,

It's Summer T-Shirt Time! Each year, EFC designs a summer t-shirt for optional purchase to celebrate the season. Check out this year's shirt here. (Quote on back: "We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it." -- George Eliot)

If you wish to order, please do so by Monday, June 10. Happy Summer!

We are looking forward to spending a fun summer with your child here at Especially for Children. The Creative Curriculum will continue to be our foundation as we begin the sand study. We will then spend time studying our great state of MN then circling back with our garden study. Our gardens will continue to be our focus this summer.

“Planning, planting, and tending to a growing garden requires a wide variety of skills from all domains of development and learning. Children work together to care for the garden and solve problems that arise, develop language and literacy skills as they discuss garden plans and create plant markers, and use mathematical skills to compare plants and observe how they grow and change over time. By including plants in the garden that produce fruits and vegetables, children will see how a seed or seedling grows into a familiar food. They will learn about healthy eating habits and prepare fresh produce to make different recipes such as pizza or fresh salsa. Working with others will also help the children discover how gardens can build a sense of community and help people care for one another.”

CENTER HAPPENINGS

In honor of Fathers' Day, all dads, grandpas, special caregivers, or whoever drops off on Friday, June 14, will get special donut treats to go! Have a Happy Father’s Day weekend!

FAMILY REMINDERS

Especially for Children will be closed on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. Enjoy the long weekend!

FAMILY RESOURCES

ITALIAN ROASTED SNAP PEAS

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed

½ small red onion, thinly sliced

1 Cup cherry tomatoes

½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss together the snap peas. Onion, oil, salt, and crushed red pepper until evenly coated. Roast for 5 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Roast 8 minutes more or until vegetables are tender and lightly browned on the edges.

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS

LONG TERM EFC EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

We were honored to recognize our long term employees (those who have been with Especially for Children for 5 years or longer) at our Professional Development Day in May. They are pictured below!