Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

CONTACT US

General Information
651-403-8390
Fax: 651-403-8310

Registration Information
651-403-8353 or
651-403-8390

Laurie Hume
Early Learning Assistant Director
651-403-8350
laurie.hume@isd197.org

Aleshia Leivermann
Early Learning Program Manager
651-403-8353
aleshia.leivermann@isd197.org

David Owens
Tech Pro
651-403-7364
| david.owens@isd197.org

CLICK HERE
to Register

Welcome to School District 197 ECFE

The 2025-2026 Way To Grow Early Learning Program brochure is located under the drop-down menu below. Click Here to see the updated Winter/Spring classes from page 7 of the brochure. Initial class registration runs from January 8-11, 2026. Class placements will begin on January 12, and you will receive an email when your registration is approved. Registration remains open and continues until classes are full.

Register early, classes fill quickly!

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program that offers parents or guardians and their children, from birth to pre-kindergarten, opportunities to grow and learn together in a supportive and stimulating environment.

Age-specific classes are offered in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Most sessions last 1 to 2 hours. A typical session begins with time for parents and children to enjoy classroom learning and fun activities together. Parents are then provided time to share experiences and explore ideas with each other and a licensed parent educator. Children continue to play and learn under the supervision of a licensed early childhood teacher and a teaching assistant.

ECFE is a unique Minnesota program offered in school districts statewide and has been active for five decades! Participant feedback and research show that ECFE is a major resource for families with young children. It sets the stage for parent involvement in children’s success in PreK-12 education. ECFE helps create caring communities by bringing families from all backgrounds together around their common goals as parents. ECFE offers a sliding fee scale to ensure that all families may participate. Sliding Fee Scale information is on page 13. Please note: Sibling Care is only available at the Early Learning & Family Resource Center (ELC).

Flip through ECFE's Way to Grow brochure to find a class for you and your little one! Registration for classes is open until classes are filled.

ECFE Way to Grow Brochure (see the first paragraph above for updates)

Four Easy Ways to Register

Online
Please visit our online registration site! You will create a new (or access an existing) account to register for an ECFE class. Click here to register and create an account. This secure site is available 24/7 and accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and direct withdrawals from your bank account.

By Phone
651-403-8390 or 651-403-8353

In Person
Visit our office at the address below Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

By Mail
Early Learning and Family Resource Center
1970 Christensen Avenue
West St. Paul, MN 55118

ECFE Teachers

All ECFE teachers are highly qualified, licensed Early Childhood instructors. They are committed to providing an engaging and safe learning environment for all young learners and an educational and supportive environment for parents.
Teachers
Jamey Iovino at Pilot Knob 651-403-8351 Jamette.iovino@isd197.org	Michelle Smith at ELC 651-403-8362 michelle.smith@isd197.org
Parent Educators
Roberta Enderby at Pilot Knob 651-403-8358 roberta.enderby@isd197.org	Michelle Mergler at ELC 651-403-8352 michelle.mergler@isd197.org
Early Childhood Screening at ELC
LaRae Dufresne Early Childhood Screener larae.dufresne@isd197.org 651-403-8363 Early Childhood Screening Office https://www.isd197.org/schools/early-childhood-education-2

Building Bridges Family Learning - for Spanish Speakers

Building Bridges - Family Learning is a free program that provides learning and fun activities for families that speak Spanish:

Building Bridges for Spanish-speaking Families is held at the Early Learning and Family Resource Center on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm for parents and their preschool-age children. The program provides early childhood education for children aged 3-5, parent/child time, and parent education in Spanish. Transportation is available. To qualify for this program, one eligible child must be 3-5 years old (pre-kindergarten) to enroll. Child care is available for children under age 3. School-age care, including homework help, games, and crafts, is available.

Pre-registration is required. See the ECFE brochure for a registration form. Call or email in Español at 651-403-8366 or ybeth.jimenez@isd197.org. Call or email in English 651-403-8353 or aleshia.leivermann@isd197.org for more information.

What are the basics for learning English?

Practice the 4 core skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These skills are all important in learning a new language. Keep a notebook of new words you have learned. Use them in sentences and try to say them at least 3 times when you speak.

Six ideas to help learn English:

1. Listen to English every day

Listen to English radio.
Watch English TV.
Go to English movies.

2. Make an English/ESL friend

Make up conversations.
Practice dialogues.
Use beginner textbooks.

3. Read English stories

Start with children's books.
Try ESL readers.
Read advertisements, signs, and labels.

4. Write down new words

Start a notebook for new words.
Write words in alphabetical order (A, B, C).
Make example sentences.

5. Keep an English diary

Start with one sentence.

How do you feel?
How is the weather?
What did you do today?

Write another sentence tomorrow.