November 2026 Family Focus
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Parents as Teachers Events
Community Events
Community Resources
Driveway and Parking Lot Safety
Group Connection Spotlight
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Early Learning Screenings
If you have concerns about your child’s development, early intervention can help.
To access a free developmental screening, including vision/hearing for ages birth – 5, please contact us at 785-587-2830 extension 6.
Your child must reside in the USD 383 zoning boundaries to be eligible for screening.
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This newsletter is published by USD 383 Early Learning Home Based Services
Website: https://www.usd383.org/schools/early-learning/home-visiting
Phone Number: (785) 587-2058
Instagram: @usd383_pat_earlylearning
This newsletter provides timely information on topics of importance to parents of young children. If you have questions, or would like more information on specific topics covered in this newsletter, feel free to contact us.
Family Education Coordinator: Brandy Kirk
Family Advocates: Pam Jackson, Wanda Lewis, Vanessa Moreno, and Gretchen Renyer
Parent Educators: Jamie Johnston, Kim Newell, Ashley Sias, Chelsea Vu, and Amandine Yao.
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Parents as Teachers Events |
Join us for a fun, fall themed playgroup on Saturday, November 14th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. This event will take place at Eugene Field Early Learning Center, located at 1700 Leavenworth Street. Playing in our playroom is a great opportunity to engage with your child and meet other families! We will have a story-time, a fun fall art activity, and a book for your child to take home! If you would like to attend, please RSVP to chelseav@usd383.org |
Playgroup is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Eugene Field Early Learning Center; 1700 Leavenworth Street. Playgroup is closed when USD 383 Early Learning is closed. Closures for November are the 20th through the 27th. TAP to Togetherness is on Friday, November 6th and 13th from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. at College Hill Preschool; 2600 Kimball Avenue. We will also have a fall themed Playgroup on Saturday, November 14th from 9:30 to 11:00. |
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All parents and caregivers are welcome to join interactive sessions that support your child's development and connect you with other parents. Participating can gain you support by getting ideas and resources to help your child grow. You can also build relationships with other parents and families, learning together in a safe, welcoming environment.
TAP to Togetherness is from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. at College Hill Preschool on the following dates during the 2026/2027 school year:
September 11th, Sepetember 18th, October 2nd, October 30th, November 6th, November 13th, January 29th, February 19th, March 5th, April 9th, April 16th and April 23rd. Reach out to your parent educator with any questions.
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Every child deserves the chance to thrive. On Parents as Teachers Day, November 8, 2026, we celebrate the partnerships that make it happen. Join us in uplifting heroes – home visitors, parents, caregivers, and childhood champions. Share your favorite Parents as Teachers stories on social media using the #ParentsAsTeachersDay! |
The Veteran's Day parade held in Manhattan is our State's largest celebration of service, sponsored by the Flint Hills Veterans Coalition. The parade begins at 9:30 am on Wednesday, November 11th at the Manhattan Town Center, travels west down Poyntz Avenue, and concludes at City Park. Following the parade a ceremony is held beginning at 11 a.m. at the Peace Memorial Auditorium at City Hall featuring a keynote speaker. The ceremony is open to the public. |
Kansas Reads to Preschoolers month annually highlights the importance of reading aloud to young children. Join the Manhattan Public Library in celebrating during storytimes on November 10th through the 14th. All storytimes this week will feature the story Lightning Bug Jamboree, and each family who attends will receive a FREE BOOK to keep! Also join the library for a special reading by the author, Stephanie Brinkley, on November 17th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Brinkley will read her story and sing some songs with the kids. After storytime, children can make a craft and the author will be available for book signing. |
Head downtown for the 14th annual festival of lights! This is a free holiday event handcrafted by and for the local Manhattan, Kansas community. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at the Blue Earth Plaza, 410 S 3rd Street on Friday, November 27th at 7:00 p.m. The lights will be on every evening at dusk through January 3rd for you and your family's viewing pleasure! Visit www.mhkfestivaloflights.com for more information! |
Join Ascension Via Christi for free childbirth educational classes offered each month. All of the instructors currently work in Labor & Delivery and love sharing their knowledge, experience and passion for helping families feel prepared for birth. Classes will be on November 9th from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and November 14th from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Click the link below for more information! |
Pregnant or just had a baby? The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in English and Spanish. The trained Hotline counselors can:
- Listen to what you’re going through
- Connect you with local support groups and organizations
- Refer you to other health care professionals if you need more care
To utilize the hotline, call 1-833-TLC-MAMA or click the link below for more information.
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Driveway and Parking Lot Safety |
Parking lots and driveways can be dangerous places for kids as they are small and it is hard for drivers to see them. You can keep them safe by teaching them to be a parking lot STAR. S is for STOP! As soon as you get out of the car, stop and stand still. T is for TOUCH. Designate a place to touch on the car, or use a sticker or magnet, tell your child to keep their hand there! A is for ATTENTION. Pay attention and look at the cars around you. Listen to your grown-up. R is for READY! Wait for your grown-up to tell you it’s time to go. Click the link below for more information! |
Group Connection Spotlight |
This past October we had a group connection event at Warner Park in Manhattan! The children grabbed a magnifying glass and picked a bag with a bug Bingo card on it. They then made a snack mix to take along with them on their hike and headed to the trail! On their hike, they used their magnifying glasses to search for the bugs that matched their bingo card. The hike ended with children getting to pick a book and families got some great handouts about the benefits of nature play. |
Check out these pictures from our hike! The picture on the left is a little boy on the trail with a spider-man mask on his head, looking at the camera and holding a small paper bag with pictures of bugs on it. The middle picture is a little boy and his mom crouching down to look at some toy bugs on a trail. The picture on the right is a little boy looking at the camera and holding a paper bag open to show the camera. |
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