Spring 2014 - Delaware Valley Association for the Education of
Transcription
Spring 2014 - Delaware Valley Association for the Education of
2 0 14 SPRI N G The QUARTERLY Newsletter of the Delaware Valley Association for the education of young children Be Careful What You Wish For Because Content MAtters Sharon Easterling, DVAEYC Executive Director I hope you’ve already heard about our new statewide campaign Pre-K for PA. DVAEYC and our regional partners, United Way, PCCY, and the Economy League; and our state partners, including Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh AEYCs have a vision that every preschooler in Pennsylvania will have access to a high quality early learning program. Our goal is to raise the visibility of early childhood education so that every candidate – from Governor on down, will make a commitment to early learning. We know that children’s work is play, with teachers who carefully observe them and support their development. I’m very excited about having this opportunity to have public conversations about what our children really need, rather than continuing to just be grateful for anything our elected officials are willing to give. As excited as I am about the Pre-K for PA campaign, however, I also know how important it is that we as a field, are very clear about what we mean by high quality early childhood education. There are a lot of things that high quality doesn’t mean: • It doesn’t mean using standardized tests • It doesn’t mean relying on worksheets and homework • It doesn’t mean one size fits all. A lot of damage has been done by well-intentioned but misinformed individuals from outside the field, who call for programs such as these that we know don’t align with best practice. Peek Our efforts can be organized around many different themes. Some high quality programs use the arts as an organizing theme. More and more programs are working toward using children’s experience of nature as such a theme. Whatever the organizing principle, high quality ECE is based on children having hands-on experiences that evoke their curiosity and creativity. We know that children – indeed all learners – learn best when they have real, meaningful experiences with things that interest them. We know that children’s work is play, with teachers who carefully observe them and support their development. Without these ingredients, we’re shortchanging our kids. I hope that you will be inspired by this issue of Connection—with its intertwining themes of quality and advocacy. I hope that you will find a way to become involved in the Pre-K for PA campaign—with all its wonderful opportunities to make our voices heard in the wider community. Most of all, I hope that you will be a passionate and articulate advocate for the high quality learning experiences that can really make a difference for our youngest children. • It doesn’t mean drilling children on numbers and letters inside High quality is not monolithic; there is not one right path to get us there. 2 4 6 Meet the Pre-K Campaign! DVAEYC Conference 2014 DVAEYC Wins Video Award 6 Advocacy DVAEYC • The voice of early childhood education Pre-K for PA From the Field heaviest burden. When STARS runs out of their budget money, who suffers? The answer is, of course, the children and the staff and, in the end, society. Judi Clyman, owner and Director of Childworks Inc., a NAEYC accredited and PA Department of Education licensed program in North Penn, Montgomery County: High quality preschool is imperative in helping prepare children for the rigors of the K-12 system. A high quality setting helps to prepare the families as well. Settings like ours will catch and meet any early intervention needs before the child enters kindergarten. This is critical to the child’s future and a huge saving for future schools in the long run. More assistance with teacher salaries and paid professional development would be wonderful. So what is our takeaway from the field? It’s time, we are ready, and we need to make this happen. As Sharon Easterling, Executive Director of DVAEYC, stated in her speech at the Pre-K For PA official kickoff event in Philadelphia, “This is our moment to insist that the little kids get to go to the front of the line”. Delaware and e and e and Chester Counties Montgomery and y and y and Bucks ucks Counties We are on the move! Both Pre-K for PA kick-off events in Langhorne and Blue Bell were huge successes, inspiring folks to join the movement and get involved with the campaign. There is a “Pre-K” buzz in the air and programs are excited to learn more and take action. Here is what some local directors have to say. This Campaign is important. Every child deserves the opportunity to attend a quality early learning program. Experiencing a quality preschool is the beginning we need to give to our students. If we had some help with professional development, our benefit packages, and, of course, salaries, that would make a big difference. Patti Klemp, owner and Director of Crayon Kids, a STAR 3 program in Norristown, Montgomery County: We’re joining the Pre-K for PA campaign because it works! The foundations we are building can help students to go out and create their own way in the world. We love our school, and feel that we are contributing to making our town, our state, and ultimately, our world, a better place, one pre-K class at a time. My graduate parents return frequently to attest to how pre-K has given their child a great start in their education and love of learning. My biggest wish list request would be for technical support. As a fulltime pre-K teacher and owner, it’s difficult to take time out to learn the business side. Being a small school participating in STARS, our payroll and benefit package is our Second Annual Philly DoGooder awards Lisa Puchalski, Director of Elbow Lane School, a STAR 3 program that has been serving the community of Warrington, in Bucks County, since 1968: If you have driven along Route 3 in Upper Darby within the past several years you know of Fairy Tale Academy. It’s the castle. A place where little kids dreams meet the everyday hard work of providing high quality care for up to 150 children. A bright and sunny hello from Miss Debbie Mallory welcomes all the children and families each morning at The Fairy Tale Academy. Miss Mallory was also one of the first faces to welcome the Pre-K for PA campaign with a smile and embrace. ! DVAEYC and Pre-K for PA win video award! At the Second Annual Philly DoGooder awards on March 12, DVAEYC was the overall winner, with our Pre-K for PA video by film-maker Nic Justice taking the prize. Filmed at the Parent Infant Center in just ten days in January, the video garnered enough popular votes to catapult us into the top five. Then the judges ranked us second, but the crowd at the final event pushed us to the top. Membership SPRING 2014 7 Membership Matters Director Joanne Bucci has embraced the campaign as an important partner in fulfilling the goals for her school. Along with her colleague, Lisa Granger, who has worked to bring their school into the STARS system and up to STAR 3, she understands that high quality pre-K requires investments of hard work, dedication, and finances. Though not easy, it is worth it. Joanne explains, “The goal of Fairy Tale Academy, quite simply and most importantly, is to provide high quality care for our children. Kindergarten readiness is a primary goal for us. We want the children who go through our program to have that important foundation.” She understands the Pre-K for PA campaign will help attain this, through building a movement for what she has been doing as an individual for decades. At a DELCO Pre-K for PA event in February, Bucci and dozens of others networked with peers from across the county and helped develop ideas on how to spread the word. She has used some of the materials the campaign is providing – with something as simple as asking her staff to wear the Pre-K for PA stickers. Early learning professionals, like Bucci and her colleagues, are eager to join with businesses, community leaders, parents, and families in Delaware and Chester County, to be the voice for our youngest learners who cannot vote. They have been building castles of children’s dreams for decades. By working together we can make sure all children in Pennsylvania leave the castle ready to succeed in our shared kingdom. To get involved in Bucks or Montgomery County, contact Mary Jo Grieve at maryjo@dvaeyc.org To get involved in Delaware and Chester Counties, contact Mary Ellen Mannix at maryellen@dvaeyc.org. To join the campaign, go to www.prekforpa.org. Quality at HOME DVAEYC is gearing up for another exciting year of supporting quality in family child care homes through a new phase of the Family Child Care Accreditation Project. Over the past year providers participated in our Annual BBQ with PD that focused on Activities to “Get Children Moving”, by none other than our own Lou Warren-Groomes. Leadership was built as providers took on the new role of developing and facilitating learning circles. Mini-grants were awarded for materials, supplies and accreditation support, and strong relationships have grown into peer support and mentoring opportunities. Of the approximate 24 providers who have remained committed to this project over the past several years, 83% have achieved high quality as evidenced by their STAR 3A – STAR 4A status. The Family Child Care team here at DVAEYC will be welcoming in new Family Child Care Providers immediately after the DVAEYC conference. For more information about this exciting project, contact Kendra Thomas at Kendra@dvaeyc.org or 267-974-5424. As of March1, DVAEYC membership now stands at 2,136! Thanks to all those who have renewed since December 1, and welcome to the 187 new members: Aisha Al-Muid Kety Alvarez Ibtesam Amin Latreasha Anderson Sarah Anderson-McNasby Carlis Ayala Kelly Bachich Christine Benesole Catherine Bennington Jeff Benton Rebecca Bergey Kay Bergmann Dana Berthoud Laura Blau Deardra Blow Takisha Booker Anne Marie Bowen Anita Bradshaw Carmela Brant Nicole Brin Tabrea Brinson Crystal Butler Elizabeth Campbell Erikah Carr Jie Chen Kathleen Chesbro Sean Clark Kathleen Cleaver Terri Conroy Antoinette Cooper Felecia Craig Desiree Crawford Gina Cunningham Antoinette Davis-Fisher Dawn DeCampli Ebanise Derilus Teresa DeSantis Rebecca Dhondt Connie DiMedio Ashley Dittman Donna Doherty Casey Dungee Ronald Durant-Parker Patricia Dych Danuta Eichler Derick Ezunkpe Kelley Faust Robin Fetter Clarissa Fontanez Ora Fountain Courtney Franklin Elizabeth George Jennine Gibbons Lacey Gray Sara Green Mariecielo Gueco Fatima Gutierrez Yelina Gutierrez Trinh Ha Shaneekwa Harrington Staci Harris Tina Harris Juanita Harvey Jennifer Hausman Diane Hediger Shannon Hipple Nadine Hoepfl Melanie Honeyman Nancy Hooper Konstantina Houvardas David Hughes Rentia Hunt Stephanie Jabs John Jacobs Melissa Jacobson Elizabeth Jaeger Li-Juan Jain Yoo-Jin Jang Kia Jeudy Danielle Johns Michelle Johnson Sharonda Johnson Mary Jordan Keri Julian AnnaMarie Kambouris Kimberly Kelly Sarah Khatrichettri Ebony Kirtz Joanne Klim Joan Kolp Kimberly Krouse Jamie Kuchar Elizabeth La Salle Cassandra Ladouceur Melissa Landrin Irene Lewis Connie Light Tracy Lommel Kristen Lucas Sonia Lyles Lauren Madden Kimberly Malcolm Marty Malloy Dahiana Malo Calderon Jamila Manley Drew Martin Leslie Martinez Alexandra Mather Dolores Matthews James Maxwell Jennifer McDuffie Joanna McFadden Cindy McKenna Marie McMillan Angie Miller Marianne Modica Caitlin Monahan April Moore Kristen Moore Shareena Moore Jared Moyer Diane Muldoon Jim Mulhern Letica Mullins Emily Munoz Toni Murdoch Melinda Nash Ann Nelson Ha Nguyen Mary O’Prey Stephanie Paul Sharon Payne Jennifer Peck Felixcia Pena Katlin Perigo Mary Peterson Donte Polite Meghan Pollock Wilfredo Ponce Tiffany Poznanski Inez Ragan Jennifer Reigel Yesenia Rojas Santia Saintil Briana Sanders Nicole Seaman Kathleen Seeley Elizabeth Shields Jennifer Shronk Angela Skinner Karolyn Smith Valerie Smith Theresa Snyder Maya Spurlocke Brenda St George Elizabeth Stair Silvana Stamm Vanessa Streets Faith Stucke Renee Terry Kathryn Thompson Sierra Thompson Erica Thornton Danna Tilford Helen Tinsley Shelle Tubbs Darcel Tucker Stacy Verdi Shanna Vitullo Rebecca Wadler Jodie Waldman Janet Walker Shamika Wallace Theresa Walsh Tina Walters Abigail Waterman Gwen Weintraub Kate Wesolowski Tonja Whitehead Amanda Williams Margaret Winner Shannon Wood Courtney Wright Melody Yowell Rosellen Zabala Monica Zimmerman Patricio Zubieta Enjoy your Member Benefits: Bi-Monthly DVAEYC newsletter, Connection Bi-Weekly DVAEYC electronic newsletter, eConnection NAEYC Journal Discounts on DVAEYC Conference and trainings Discounts on NAEYC Conference 20% discount on products in NAEYC’s catalog/store Free Membership to SharedSource PA Receive 15% discount at any of Becker’s Parent/ Teacher Stores when you show your membership card. NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHILADELPHIA, PA PERMIT NUMBER 4425 The voice of early childhood education 1608 Walnut Street Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 p: 215.893.0130 f: 215.893.0205 www.dvaeyc.org The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children presents DVAEYC champions high quality early care and education for all young Champions for Young Children: 20 Years and COUNTING children (birth-eight) in Southeastern Pennsylvania through professional development, advocacy, and public engagement. Patricia Baxter, President Sharon Easterling, Executive Director Pamela Haines, Connection Editor Wednesday, May 7th, 6-8 pm Smith Memorial Playground in East Fairmount Park Seth Williams, District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia, 2014 Champion for Young Children Mr. Williams is an outspoken advocate for expanding public investments in high quality early childhood education, calling attention to research that demonstrates how early learning is a powerful crime prevention strategy. Ticket Prices Members: $75 Non Members: $100 PLEASE CONSIDER DVAEYC WHEN MAKING YOUR UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTION DONOR OPTION #4549 6 Advocacy DVAEYC • The voice of early childhood education Pre-K for PA From the Field heaviest burden. When STARS runs out of their budget money, who suffers? The answer is, of course, the children and the staff and, in the end, society. Judi Clyman, owner and Director of Childworks Inc., a NAEYC accredited and PA Department of Education licensed program in North Penn, Montgomery County: High quality preschool is imperative in helping prepare children for the rigors of the K-12 system. A high quality setting helps to prepare the families as well. Settings like ours will catch and meet any early intervention needs before the child enters kindergarten. This is critical to the child’s future and a huge saving for future schools in the long run. More assistance with teacher salaries and paid professional development would be wonderful. So what is our takeaway from the field? It’s time, we are ready, and we need to make this happen. As Sharon Easterling, Executive Director of DVAEYC, stated in her speech at the Pre-K For PA official kickoff event in Philadelphia, “This is our moment to insist that the little kids get to go to the front of the line”. Delaware and e and e and Chester Counties Montgomery and y and y and Bucks ucks Counties We are on the move! Both Pre-K for PA kick-off events in Langhorne and Blue Bell were huge successes, inspiring folks to join the movement and get involved with the campaign. There is a “Pre-K” buzz in the air and programs are excited to learn more and take action. Here is what some local directors have to say. This Campaign is important. Every child deserves the opportunity to attend a quality early learning program. Experiencing a quality preschool is the beginning we need to give to our students. If we had some help with professional development, our benefit packages, and, of course, salaries, that would make a big difference. Patti Klemp, owner and Director of Crayon Kids, a STAR 3 program in Norristown, Montgomery County: We’re joining the Pre-K for PA campaign because it works! The foundations we are building can help students to go out and create their own way in the world. We love our school, and feel that we are contributing to making our town, our state, and ultimately, our world, a better place, one pre-K class at a time. My graduate parents return frequently to attest to how pre-K has given their child a great start in their education and love of learning. My biggest wish list request would be for technical support. As a fulltime pre-K teacher and owner, it’s difficult to take time out to learn the business side. Being a small school participating in STARS, our payroll and benefit package is our Second Annual Philly DoGooder awards Lisa Puchalski, Director of Elbow Lane School, a STAR 3 program that has been serving the community of Warrington, in Bucks County, since 1968: If you have driven along Route 3 in Upper Darby within the past several years you know of Fairy Tale Academy. It’s the castle. A place where little kids dreams meet the everyday hard work of providing high quality care for up to 150 children. A bright and sunny hello from Miss Debbie Mallory welcomes all the children and families each morning at The Fairy Tale Academy. Miss Mallory was also one of the first faces to welcome the Pre-K for PA campaign with a smile and embrace. ! DVAEYC and Pre-K for PA win video award! At the Second Annual Philly DoGooder awards on March 12, DVAEYC was the overall winner, with our Pre-K for PA video by film-maker Nic Justice taking the prize. Filmed at the Parent Infant Center in just ten days in January, the video garnered enough popular votes to catapult us into the top five. Then the judges ranked us second, but the crowd at the final event pushed us to the top. Membership SPRING 2014 7 Membership Matters Director Joanne Bucci has embraced the campaign as an important partner in fulfilling the goals for her school. Along with her colleague, Lisa Granger, who has worked to bring their school into the STARS system and up to STAR 3, she understands that high quality pre-K requires investments of hard work, dedication, and finances. Though not easy, it is worth it. Joanne explains, “The goal of Fairy Tale Academy, quite simply and most importantly, is to provide high quality care for our children. Kindergarten readiness is a primary goal for us. We want the children who go through our program to have that important foundation.” She understands the Pre-K for PA campaign will help attain this, through building a movement for what she has been doing as an individual for decades. At a DELCO Pre-K for PA event in February, Bucci and dozens of others networked with peers from across the county and helped develop ideas on how to spread the word. She has used some of the materials the campaign is providing – with something as simple as asking her staff to wear the Pre-K for PA stickers. Early learning professionals, like Bucci and her colleagues, are eager to join with businesses, community leaders, parents, and families in Delaware and Chester County, to be the voice for our youngest learners who cannot vote. They have been building castles of children’s dreams for decades. By working together we can make sure all children in Pennsylvania leave the castle ready to succeed in our shared kingdom. To get involved in Bucks or Montgomery County, contact Mary Jo Grieve at maryjo@dvaeyc.org To get involved in Delaware and Chester Counties, contact Mary Ellen Mannix at maryellen@dvaeyc.org. To join the campaign, go to www.prekforpa.org. Quality at HOME DVAEYC is gearing up for another exciting year of supporting quality in family child care homes through a new phase of the Family Child Care Accreditation Project. Over the past year providers participated in our Annual BBQ with PD that focused on Activities to “Get Children Moving”, by none other than our own Lou Warren-Groomes. Leadership was built as providers took on the new role of developing and facilitating learning circles. Mini-grants were awarded for materials, supplies and accreditation support, and strong relationships have grown into peer support and mentoring opportunities. Of the approximate 24 providers who have remained committed to this project over the past several years, 83% have achieved high quality as evidenced by their STAR 3A – STAR 4A status. The Family Child Care team here at DVAEYC will be welcoming in new Family Child Care Providers immediately after the DVAEYC conference. For more information about this exciting project, contact Kendra Thomas at Kendra@dvaeyc.org or 267-974-5424. As of March1, DVAEYC membership now stands at 2,136! Thanks to all those who have renewed since December 1, and welcome to the 187 new members: Aisha Al-Muid Kety Alvarez Ibtesam Amin Latreasha Anderson Sarah Anderson-McNasby Carlis Ayala Kelly Bachich Christine Benesole Catherine Bennington Jeff Benton Rebecca Bergey Kay Bergmann Dana Berthoud Laura Blau Deardra Blow Takisha Booker Anne Marie Bowen Anita Bradshaw Carmela Brant Nicole Brin Tabrea Brinson Crystal Butler Elizabeth Campbell Erikah Carr Jie Chen Kathleen Chesbro Sean Clark Kathleen Cleaver Terri Conroy Antoinette Cooper Felecia Craig Desiree Crawford Gina Cunningham Antoinette Davis-Fisher Dawn DeCampli Ebanise Derilus Teresa DeSantis Rebecca Dhondt Connie DiMedio Ashley Dittman Donna Doherty Casey Dungee Ronald Durant-Parker Patricia Dych Danuta Eichler Derick Ezunkpe Kelley Faust Robin Fetter Clarissa Fontanez Ora Fountain Courtney Franklin Elizabeth George Jennine Gibbons Lacey Gray Sara Green Mariecielo Gueco Fatima Gutierrez Yelina Gutierrez Trinh Ha Shaneekwa Harrington Staci Harris Tina Harris Juanita Harvey Jennifer Hausman Diane Hediger Shannon Hipple Nadine Hoepfl Melanie Honeyman Nancy Hooper Konstantina Houvardas David Hughes Rentia Hunt Stephanie Jabs John Jacobs Melissa Jacobson Elizabeth Jaeger Li-Juan Jain Yoo-Jin Jang Kia Jeudy Danielle Johns Michelle Johnson Sharonda Johnson Mary Jordan Keri Julian AnnaMarie Kambouris Kimberly Kelly Sarah Khatrichettri Ebony Kirtz Joanne Klim Joan Kolp Kimberly Krouse Jamie Kuchar Elizabeth La Salle Cassandra Ladouceur Melissa Landrin Irene Lewis Connie Light Tracy Lommel Kristen Lucas Sonia Lyles Lauren Madden Kimberly Malcolm Marty Malloy Dahiana Malo Calderon Jamila Manley Drew Martin Leslie Martinez Alexandra Mather Dolores Matthews James Maxwell Jennifer McDuffie Joanna McFadden Cindy McKenna Marie McMillan Angie Miller Marianne Modica Caitlin Monahan April Moore Kristen Moore Shareena Moore Jared Moyer Diane Muldoon Jim Mulhern Letica Mullins Emily Munoz Toni Murdoch Melinda Nash Ann Nelson Ha Nguyen Mary O’Prey Stephanie Paul Sharon Payne Jennifer Peck Felixcia Pena Katlin Perigo Mary Peterson Donte Polite Meghan Pollock Wilfredo Ponce Tiffany Poznanski Inez Ragan Jennifer Reigel Yesenia Rojas Santia Saintil Briana Sanders Nicole Seaman Kathleen Seeley Elizabeth Shields Jennifer Shronk Angela Skinner Karolyn Smith Valerie Smith Theresa Snyder Maya Spurlocke Brenda St George Elizabeth Stair Silvana Stamm Vanessa Streets Faith Stucke Renee Terry Kathryn Thompson Sierra Thompson Erica Thornton Danna Tilford Helen Tinsley Shelle Tubbs Darcel Tucker Stacy Verdi Shanna Vitullo Rebecca Wadler Jodie Waldman Janet Walker Shamika Wallace Theresa Walsh Tina Walters Abigail Waterman Gwen Weintraub Kate Wesolowski Tonja Whitehead Amanda Williams Margaret Winner Shannon Wood Courtney Wright Melody Yowell Rosellen Zabala Monica Zimmerman Patricio Zubieta Enjoy your Member Benefits: Bi-Monthly DVAEYC newsletter, Connection Bi-Weekly DVAEYC electronic newsletter, eConnection NAEYC Journal Discounts on DVAEYC Conference and trainings Discounts on NAEYC Conference 20% discount on products in NAEYC’s catalog/store Free Membership to SharedSource PA Receive 15% discount at any of Becker’s Parent/ Teacher Stores when you show your membership card. NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHILADELPHIA, PA PERMIT NUMBER 4425 The voice of early childhood education 1608 Walnut Street Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 p: 215.893.0130 f: 215.893.0205 www.dvaeyc.org The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children presents DVAEYC champions high quality early care and education for all young Champions for Young Children: 20 Years and COUNTING children (birth-eight) in Southeastern Pennsylvania through professional development, advocacy, and public engagement. Patricia Baxter, President Sharon Easterling, Executive Director Pamela Haines, Connection Editor Wednesday, May 7th, 6-8 pm Smith Memorial Playground in East Fairmount Park Seth Williams, District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia, 2014 Champion for Young Children Mr. Williams is an outspoken advocate for expanding public investments in high quality early childhood education, calling attention to research that demonstrates how early learning is a powerful crime prevention strategy. Ticket Prices Members: $75 Non Members: $100 PLEASE CONSIDER DVAEYC WHEN MAKING YOUR UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTION DONOR OPTION #4549