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

CLICK HERE
to Register

Welcome to School District 197 ECFE!

Please see the brochure below for current class information. Registration is ongoing and continues until classes are filled. Winter classes have started and many go through May. Spring classes are starting in April.

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

A variety of 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 activities together. Parents are then provided with a separate time to share experiences and ideas with other parents, facilitated by a licensed parent educator, while children play and learn under the supervision of a licensed early childhood teacher.

ECFE is a unique Minnesota program offered in school districts statewide and has been in existence for four decades. Participant feedback and current research show that ECFE is a major resource to families with young children. It sets the stage for parent involvement and children’s success in K-12 education. Many also believe that ECFE creates more caring communities as it brings families from all income levels and backgrounds together around their common concerns as parents. ECFE has a sliding fee scale so that all families have the opportunity to participate.

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

ECFE Way to Go Brochure

Four Easy Ways to Register

Online
Please visit our online registration system! You will need to create 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 withdraw from your bank account.

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

In Person
Visit us at the address listed below.
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday.

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 651-403-8352 roberta.enderby@isd197.org	Michelle Mergler at ELC 651-403-8358 michelle.mergler@isd197.org
Early Childhood Screening
Deidi Keating Early Childhood Screener deidi.keating@isd197.org 651-403-8379 Early Childhood Screening Office 651-403-8363 Screening Appointment Line

Building Bridges & Family Learning - for English Language Learners

Building Bridges - Family Learning is a free program and provides two options for families that are non-native English speakers:

Families Learning Together is a program that provides the opportunity for parents and children to learn together. The program runs Monday through Wednesday from 11:45 am to 1:45 pm. and is held at the Early Learning and Family Resource Center in West St. Paul. The program provides early childhood education, parent/child interactive literacy activities, and parent education. Transportation is available and lunch for children attending the program is provided. To qualify for this program, one eligible child must be 3-5 years old (prior to kindergarten) to enroll. Child care is provided for children younger than 3.

Building Bridges for Spanish speaking families is also 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 children. The program provides early childhood education for children age 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 (prior to kindergarten) to enroll. Child care for children younger than age 3 and School Age Care with homework help are provided.

Pre-registration is required. See the ECFE brochure for a registration form or call 651-403-8366 Espanol or 651-403-8353 English 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 learn. Use them in sentences and try to say them at least 3 times when you speak.

Six ideas to help beginners 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.