Let the School Bell Ring - Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Updated center offers young students a contagious creative environment to learn, play and grow

Andrea Sumner

Let the School Bell Ring!

St. Paul Early Childhood Center will host a Grand Opening Celebration from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 18. This is an opportunity for Norridge, Norwood Park, Edison Park, Park Ridge and the surrounding communities to tour the updated center. Alderman Anthony Napolitano of the 41st ward, school leaders and community partners will join the ribbon-cutting and bell ringing ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

St. Paul Lutheran Church's new Early Childhood Center calls all budding young artists and explorers to discover this fun, hands-on and an engaging environment that give Pre-K3-Grade 2 students attending this center the tools they need to develop a lifelong love of learning.

Offering such classes as Music and Movement, Paint and Play and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), students are taught to ask questions and work together to find the answers.

"St. Paul Early Childhood Center truly offers excellence in early childhood education," says Andrea Sumner, the center's executive director. "Our school is proud to be the only school in Chicago that provides a focus on early childhood education serving students from Pre-K3 through 2nd grade. Our inspired approach to education through project-based learning is researched based and prepares students for academic, personal and career success."

St. Paul Early Childhood Center curriculum was developed in partnership with Concordia University Chicago's Center for Literacy and the Chicagoland Lutheran Education Foundation (CLEF). The center promotes project-based learning and is integrated within the academic content areas of math, science, language, art and music, and by collaborating with others, helps develop strong social, emotional and spiritual skills. The bright and cheerful classrooms feature a STEM lab, art studio, library and large motor room. The school also offers a 2-year-old Wildcats Den, a FREE drop-in play class for parent(s) and child.

Located at 5650 N. Canfield Ave., the center is within minutes of the I-90 (Kennedy expressway) making pick up/drop off easy for parents commuting downtown or living in the Norridge, Norwood Park, Edison Park or Park Ridge communities. Plus, half and full-day (2,3,4,5 days) school options are available.

Enrollment Essentials

To enroll students must be 3-years-old, potty-trained and parents must provide a $200 non-refundable application fee to reserve a school spot. For more information or to schedule an appointment with St. Paul Early Childhood Center, go to www.stpaulecc.com or email: info@stpaulecc.com.

CLEF Partner School

St. Paul Early Childhood Center is one of 23 CLEF partner schools. CLEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funding scholarship support, resources, programs and consultative services to a community of 23 Chicago-area Christian schools. Ranging from Pre-K to high school, these schools offer rigorous academics and enriching educational experiences in a values-based Christian environment. Thanks to the generous support of CLEF Board of Directors, who cover the cost of CLEF's operating expenses, 100 percent of every donation funds programs and services that directly benefit our schools and the students they serve. For more information on CLEF, go to www.clefchicago.org

Concordia University Chicago Center for Literacy

Concordia University Chicago's (CUC) Center for Literacy creates access to meaningful and innovative language and literacy-related experiences in research, education, practice, service and scholarship. The Center fosters responsive collaborations, policy efforts and advocacy programs for the greater community and university addressing language and literacy development. For more information on Concordia University, go to https://www.cuchicago.edu/