Our Early Childhood Center Naming Committee would like your feedback by March 7 on a shortlist of seven names being considered for recommendation to the District 45 Board of Education. Please tell us your choice by selecting one name from our shortlist. Your feedback will help our committee prepare a final report of three recommended names to the District 45 Board of Education.

As our Early Childhood Center neared completion, our Board of Education intentionally postponed a quick decision on the name and instead focused on opening the Center and assuring it was ready to provide services to our youngest learners immediately. They knew that once the Center was open, they could revisit the name of the building at an appropriate time and invite the community to participate.

Our naming initiative aims to find a name that embodies the spirit of early childhood education and resonates with our community. We want a name that will create a sense of pride for everyone in our district.

District 45 has assembled a Naming Committee comprised of school board members, staff, parents, students, and community leaders who will help facilitate the process.

We invite all community members to participate by submitting name suggestions to the Committee. The name should be relevant to early childhood education, connected to our community, inclusive, easy to pronounce, and have positive connotations.

January 2025

• District 45 announces the naming initiative, its purpose, timeline, criteria, and how the community can participate.

February 2025

• The community is invited to submit name suggestions (Jan. 20 to Feb. 10) through an online form or paper submission to the main office of the Early Childhood Center.
• The Naming Committee will gather all name suggestions, organize them for review, and select a shortlist of 5-8 names based on the established criteria.
• The shortlist is announced, and the community is invited to provide feedback (Feb. 19-March 7) on the shortlisted names through an online form.

March 2025

• The Naming Committee reviews the feedback received and prepares a final report with the top three (3) names based on their review of community feedback.
• The Naming Committee presents the final report to the Board of Education (March 18), including the top three (3) names ranked and the rationale behind each.
• The Board of Education reviews the report, considers community input, and decides on the name.
• D45 announces the chosen name through its districtwide communication channels.

Once announced, a ceremony will be planned for fall 2025 to celebrate the new name of the D45 Early Childhood Center.

The Naming Committee will especially be looking for submissions that fit one or more of these criteria.

1. Relevance to Early Childhood Education

• The name reflects the early childhood education’s mission, values, and focus.
• It conveys a sense of nurturing, growth, learning, and development appropriate for young children.

2. Connection to the Community

• The name is significant to the local community, including its history, culture, and notable community figures.
• It promotes a sense of pride and ownership among community members.

3. Inclusivity and Diversity

• The name is inclusive and reflects the diversity of the community.
• It avoids references that could be considered exclusive, discriminatory, or offensive to any group.

4. Memorability and Pronunciation

• The name is easy to remember, pronounce, and spell for children, parents, and staff.
• It is distinct and not easily confused with other local institutions.

5. Positive Connotations

• The name has positive connotations and inspires a welcoming and supportive environment.
• It evokes feelings of warmth, safety, and excitement for learning.

6. Length and Simplicity

• The name is concise and simple, preferably no longer than three words.
• It is straightforward and not overly complicated.

7. Non-Commercial and Non-Partisan

• The name does not include commercial brands, product names, or corporate sponsors.
• It avoids references to political figures or parties to maintain neutrality.

8. Originality

• The name is unique and has not been used by another school or significant institution in the area.
• It stands out and is distinctive to the ECC.

9. Alignment with Educational Values

• The name aligns with the educational philosophy and goals of the school district.
• It supports the values of curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning.

10. Public Appeal and Support

• The name resonates with a broad segment of the community and garners widespread support.
• It is a name that community members are proud to be associated with.