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In preschool, young children learn how to move through the world, navigate challenges, manage their feelings, and be a friend. These foundational skills follow children their entire lives and, after nearly two isolating pandemic years, they are more important than we’ve ever realized. A preschool that can support your child’s social-emotional growth is one of the most important investments you can make in your child's life. In this discussion you will learn: 1. How preschools address children’s social-emotional needs 2. How to gauge a school’s approach to social-emotional learning as you research schools 3. Why social-emotional learning is so important, especially now Our distinguished panel features these experts: Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communications, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Kevin O'Brien, Director, Mary Meyer School Meg Fitzgerald, Director of Early Childhood Education, Bennett Day School Samantha Maxwell, Preschool Director, Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor: British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Thank you to our Supporting Sponsors: Mary Meyer School Bennett Day School Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsor.

Preschool is the place where children learn how to move through the world, navigate challenges, manage their feelings, and be a friend. Social-emotional skills follow children their entire lives and, after nearly two isolating pandemic years, they are more important than we’ve ever realized. Finding a preschool that supports your child’s social-emotional growth is one of the most important investments you can make in your child's life. Our panelists, from some of Chicago's best preschools, share vital information on social-emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood. In this discussion we learn: - Why social-emotional learning is so important, especially now - How preschools address children’s social-emotional needs - How to gauge a school’s approach to social-emotional learning as you research schools Thank you to our preschool panelists, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park, Mary Meyer School, Bennett Day School and Bubbles Academy Arts-Integrated Preschool A special thank you to our presenting sponsor: British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park

Held every fall, NPN’s Annual Preschool & Elementary School Fair has been the No. 1 resource for school-searching parents for over 20 years! Parents can chat with reps from Chicago preschools and private elementary schools and attend breakout sessions about Chicago public schools. This year our school fair is virtual and runs from Saturday, September 25th through Saturday, October 16th. See the list of participating schools here. This year's fair consists of smart, organized, and one-of-a-kind resources and virtual events. FREE for NPN members! (Members, login to register). Register now to access: 1. Updated and new information in our School and Daycare Directory - File downloads - Videos - Photos - And more 2. An open house calendar - No need to search all over for dates, we pull them together for you in one simple document - Updated weekly as schools confirm/add dates - Register now to receive the link to the calendar 3. Live, virtual coffee talks with schools - Meet private school representatives - Watch a short, live presentation by the school - Ask questions - Register now for the schedule and links 4. Breakout sessions that explain everything you need to know about Chicago Public Schools 10/8/21 12:00 - 1:00pm CPS 101: Questions & Answers (FREE with school fair registration, receive the Zoom link in your school fair confirmation email) 10/15/21 12:00 - 1:00pm CPS 201: Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools Questions & Answers (FREE with school fair registration, receive the Zoom link in your school fair confirmation email) 10/22/21 12:00 - 1:00pm CPS 301: Selective Enrollment High Schools & Choice Programs (FREE for NPN members, REGISTRATION REQUIRED, register here) Registration required > FREE for NPN members > $35 non-members, comes with NPN membership to be activated November 1, for new members only. Does not apply to membership reactivations. >> Or join NPN now for $25 using promo code school21 and access the school fair, and everything NPN has to offer, for free! << Questions? Email Executive Director Amy Johnson at director@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) organization. We rely on the support of our members, partners, supporters, and sponsors to bring exceptional programming like this to parents. We would like to thank our Preschool & Elementary School sponsors for their support: Thank you to our sponsors Thank you to our media partner: Crain's Chicago Business Schools: Exhibitor registration is open. Click here to register.

Choosing a quality, nurturing preschool or daycare program is often the first major decision parents make for their children. With so many competing priorities—cost, location, curriculum, size of classrooms and more—the process can be overwhelming. The Jewish United Fund of Chicago (JUF) recognizes the complexity of choices and has created extensive resources to guide decision making and ease the financial burden on families. JUF Right Start, the first program of its kind, was created to increase access to Jewish early childhood programs for Chicago-area families by providing a tuition discount to eligible children attending a Jewish program for the first time. There are 36 Jewish early childhood centers across the Chicago metropolitan area, each of which creates a warm, loving environment where a child’s natural curiosity is nurtured. Inspired by Jewish values and infused with Jewish learning, these 36 schools are often the first place where a child—and their parents—find their community. Recognizing that families may be struggling financially going into the 2022-23 school year, JUF Right Start is expanding: Families receiving the full Federal Child Tax Credit may be eligible for matching funds, with a savings of up to $7,200 on a Jewish early childhood program. The Child Tax Credit has been expanded to $3,600 per child under 6 for working families who earn up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent. JUF Right Start eligible families who qualify for the full Child Tax Credit and complete an attestation in the JUF Right Start application may receive additional funds of up to $3,600. “JUF supports the Jewish family,” said Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, JUF executive vice chairman and longtime champion of Jewish early childhood education. “This is the largest program of its sort in the country. We recognize that some families may need additional financial assistance right now, and we want to help.” Families who do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit may still qualify to receive a JUF Right Start voucher of up to $2,000. “I’m so proud of the resources we built at JUF to help parents,” said Anna Hartman, Director of Early Childhood Excellence at JUF. “We are parents too who have made these kinds of decisions and have experienced just how impactful and transformational a successful early childhood experience can be for both the child and the family.” Not sure where to start? The Preschool Concierge makes the process of learning about Jewish early childhood programs easy and convenient. Call 312-357-4967 or email preschoolconcierge@juf.org and expect to hear back within 24 hours during normal business hours (9:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday, except legal and Jewish holidays). To learn more about how your family can save on Jewish preschool, visit ChicagoJewishPreschoolFinder.org or contact RightStart@juf.org.

What is the difference between a classical and gifted school? What does the testing process involve? What can my child do to prepare? How do admissions work? How do I know if these programs are right for my child? Going beyond the basic information given at our popular CPS 101 seminars, CPS 201 covers CPS Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (SEES). This CPS 201 Questions & Answers session, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS, includes: - Guidance on the selective enrollment elementary school application process - Information about selection criteria and admissions process - Answers to questions from our live audience This session was recorded live on October 15, 2021. Find more in-depth selective enrollment application info in the video CPS 201, recorded 9/20.

What is a magnet school? What is your tier and why does it matter? Is there really an option for free, all-day preschool? In this CPS 101 Questions & Answers session, Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS gives a short presentation that walks you through the recent updates to the preschool and elementary school application and admissions process. The rest of the time is dedicated to answering parent questions. Recorded 10/8/21 Find more in-depth CPS application info in the video CPS 101, recorded 9/20.

Join us for a presentation followed by Q&A; led by Julie Brodsky, Assistant Vice President, JUF Young Families & Jenna Turner, Director of Early Childhood Learning. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join us and learn more about Eyas Landing, and our Neuropsychological Evaluations. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Just Bubbles Academy for a short talk with Sam Maxwell, Director, followed by Q & A. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Ancona's Virtual Admissions Information Session and Q&A with- Melanie Ahmad- Director of Enrollment and Tuition Assistance. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join our upcoming Virtual Info Session with members of the Admission Team, a current FXW Teacher and current Parent. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Learn about the Smart Love approach to early childhood education and how it sets a positive outlook on school for years to come! Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Presentation with Emily Breidenbach, Director of Enrollment, and Q&A. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join the Immaculate Conception's Director of Admissions, Corey Jacobson, for a presentation, virtual tour of our campus buildings, and a Q&A. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join the Immaculate Conception's Director of Admissions, Corey Jacobson, for a presentation, virtual tour of our campus buildings, and a Q&A. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join us for U of C Lab School's admissions presentation followed by Q&A. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join St. Benedict's Virtual Presentation and Q&A with Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of Parish School, and Ms. Rachel Waldron, Head of Lower School. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join BDS for a virtual chat and Q&A with their admissions team. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join us for presentations from Sacred Heart's Head of Schools and Director of Curriculum and Instruction, followed by a Q&A session with current parents. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join us for presentations from Sacred Heart's Head of Schools and Director of Curriculum and Instruction, followed by a Q&A session with current parents. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Participants will hear from City Day's head of school and director of admissions. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

We will bring prospective families on a virtual tour of Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, followed by a Q&A session. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Spend time with the Near North community to explore the Montessori philosophy, culture, and programs. Director of Enrollment Management, Vaneesha Pause and Primary Director, Reena Morgan will be available to answer questions about NNM. Be sure to reserve a space at one of our Coffee Information Sessions and hear from our parents and students. Attendance at a tour is a required step in the admission process. At this time, Coffees will be in-person and all attendees must be fully vaccinated; proof of COVID19 vaccination will be required upon arrival. At this time, we intend to hold Admissions related meetings in-person, including Prospective Family Meetings (scheduled December - February). Be sure to select a Coffee Information Session date before the respective application deadline for your child. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join us for a brief presentation about Science & Arts, followed by Q&A. Led by Head of School Tim Costello. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.

Join Bennett Day School's Director of Enrollment, Laura Maheshwary, for a short presentation followed by a Q&A. Register here for NPN's Preschool & Elementary School Fair to receive the link for this virtual coffee session.