Educare Newsletter

Spring 2024

Waterville Mayor Michael Morris (center left) shares proclamation with Brittany Foss, Family Services Coordinator (left), Tracye Fortin, COO (center right) and Erica Palmer, Education Manager (right).

Mayor Morris speaking to children and families at Educare.

Music Monday

Work Together Wednesday

Artsy Thursday

Tracye Fortin, COO; Rhonda Kaiser, School Director; Mary-Gene Rumery, Parent Ambassador

The Mid Maine Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast features Educare Central Maine

On Thursday, April 11, Tracye Fortin, Educare Central Maine COO; Rhonda Kaiser, School Director; and Mary-Gene Rumery, Educare Central Maine Parent Ambassador, spoke at the Mid Maine Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast. They shared data and strategies to increase quality early childhood programming across Maine and its direct correlation to a stronger economy.

Educare Participates in Play-based Science and Engineering Project

Educare teacher, Jessie Macdaid, is a participant in the Science and Engineering in Play (SciEPlay) project. SciEPlay is a National Science Foundation-funded research and professional learning project aimed at understanding how young learners (PreK and Kindergarten) engage in science and engineering naturally through play. The project is a collaboration between Bowdoin College, the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, and national Samara Early Learning. The work includes research and teacher professional learning, as we are equally interested in how early elementary educators can identify and support science and engineering both inside the classroom and in outdoor spaces.

For more information, click/tap below.

Assistant Chef Jasmine shares the story "Thank you, Mama" with children.

Trying new foods!

Educare Children Expand their Taste Buds

Children at Educare Central Maine had opportunities to taste test new, nutritious foods in March, National Nutrition Month.

With the book Thank you, Mama as a guide, Assistant Chef Jasmine has been introducing foods from the book and talking to the children about what those foods look like, smell like and taste like. If children were hesitant about trying new things such as avocados, olives, or raw peppers, Jasmine encouraged them to smell it, touch it, or engage with the food in another positive way. 

Talking about food, showing children new foods, and helping them become familiar with ingredients at such a young age, can help children choose these healthier options in the future. The children were excited to have Miss Jasmine join them and for the chance to try new things!

Families were also delighted to receive food items to try at home.

Children and Families Learn about Financial Literacy

For financial literacy month in April, children and families at Educare Central Maine welcomed special guests to help them learn about financial literacy. 

Author Shellie Black, and Illustrator Kianna Windham, shared their book Pocket Change and Dollar Bills. 

Families also learned how to use their $500 Alfond Grant to open a NextGen 529 account. This grant is awarded to babies born in Maine for future higher education expenses.  Click/tap below for more information.

Author Shellie Black (left) and Illustrator Kianna Windham (right).