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PennAEYC Newsletter
January 2011
Our vision is that every child in Pennsylvania has the equal opportunity to be a successful, responsible, and productive member of society as a result of early childhood experiences. |
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Greetings!
Many of us make New Year's resolutions around things that focus on our own wellbeing or quality of life, things such as- losing weight, getting out debt, kicking a bad habit. How often do we think about resolving to make efforts that would improve the lives of others? I suggest that this year; even if you've already listed your resolutions, add just one more. If you haven't made one yet, take the time now to do so. Let us all resolve to do our very best this year to make quality education accessible and affordable to all Pennsylvania's Young Children. You may ask, "How can I do that?"
One of the simplest things you can do, as a parent, is to be your own child's champion. Families are both a child's first teacher and their best advocate use the time to network ways to communicate on behalf of your child with an early learning program, healthcare provider, other families and policymakers. A second way is to simply read to, talk to and play with your child. Turn off the television, get down with them on their level. Playing, talking and reading to children helps their brains develop and build vital language, math and social skills.
As a member of your community you can also take steps for all children. Educate yourself with the facts about quality early childhood care and education. Talk to your school board about quality early education in your community. Share success stories about local Keystone STARS, Head Start, or PA Pre-K Counts programs in your school district at a public school board meeting. Invite school board members to attend open houses or graduations at local early learning programs, or read to children throughout the year. Remember, today's preschoolers are tomorrow's kindergartners and what they learn now will affect their success in school.
Bringing together parents, the community and classroom teachers will establish a dynamic interaction. You can be the catalyst that help people understand the idea of dollars invested now will pay dividends well into the future as children gain the skills necessary to become early learners, achieving students, and adult innovators. The benefits that our children and families experience from quality early learning opportunities extend to all of our communities by making it possible for parents to work and build a stable family structure for their children; by increasing our children's success in school and in life; and in turn by creating a stronger workforce and tax base today and in the future.
Quality early learning can be a gateway of opportunities for every child to do well in school and in life. But quality early learning requires the commitment of families, teachers, and the community in order for children to have a brighter future. So let us take a moment to pause and resolve to ensure 2011 and beyond is marked for early childhood success!
--Jodi Askins, Executive Director
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Early Childhood Action Day
SAVE THE DATE!!!! SAVE THE DATE!!!!
SAVE THE DATE!!!! SAVE THE DATE!!!!
Early Childhood Action Day - April 12, 2011
Spring is fast approaching and with that comes Early Childhood Education Action Day.
Building upon the success of last year; parents, care givers, providers and advocates from across Pennsylvania will be traveling to Harrisburg April 12, 2011 to visit legislators and talk with them about the importance of quality early childhood care and education.
This year's message has not changed. Quality early learning and child development can open the doors of opportunity for every child to do well in school, in the workforce, and in life. But quality early learning requires the commitment of families, teachers, and the community in order for children to reach their promise.
In Pennsylvania, approximately 60% of children under age six need some form of child care as their parents work, and nearly 10% of Pennsylvania's K-12 children participate in school-age programs. The quality of this care impacts parents' reliability at work, children's cognitive and social development, and the quality of our future workforce.
Help us tell our legislature about the importance of quality early education. Come to Harrisburg to tell them what it means to you!
To learn more about how you can participate in Early Childhood Action Day, contact any of your local AEYC organizations or the PennAEYC office today! Registration opens soon!!
SAVE THE DATE!!!! SAVE THE DATE!!!!
SAVE THE DATE!!!! SAVE THE DATE!!!! |
Upcoming Activities
February 26: LVAEYC Early Years Are Learning Years Conference, www.lvaeyc.org
March 13 & 14: PennAEYC will be hosting the Public Policy Forum in Harrisburg at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey
Dinner and Guest speaker Sunday,
March 13th - Breakfast, lunch and advocacy and leadership sessions
March 14th - PLUS special sessions for Early Childhood Action Day Regional Coordindators!
April 9: Central Susquehanna AEYC Conference
April 12: Early Childhood Action Day
May 5-7: Delaware Valley AEYC Annual Conference "Picture Every Child Confident & Secure," Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, www.dvaeyc.org |
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Advocacy: Public Policy Forum
Annual PA Early Childhood Public Policy Forum: A Great Source of Knowledge and Tools Register Today!
Are you ready to communicate with a new state administration and legislators at the state and federal levels? PennAEYC has been diligently working to ensure you have the necessary tools to feel confident, knowledgeable and educated to do just that!
PennAEYC invites you to the 2011 PA Early Childhood Public Policy Forum, which will be held on March 13 and 14, 2011 at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey.
We have worked hard to ensure that there is something offered for those newly introduced to advocacy and for seasoned veterans! All sessions are lead by experts who have extensive knowledge about both federal and state early care education issues and much, much more.
Sessions topics include state and federal budget issues, advocacy and social media, communication skills, long term relationship building, working with school boards and how to make the most of Action Day. ***A special session for Early Childhood Education Action Day regional coordinators will wrap up the forum.
The program will kick off Sunday, March 13 at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey hotel with registration beginning at 4 p.m. with a chance to meet your fellow forum goers. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. with a special keynote presentation on The State of Early Childhood in our Nation. Monday, March 14 will feature two, hour-and-a-half sessions in the morning; a keynote address over a noon lunch and then finish with two, hour-and-a-half, sessions in the afternoon.
For additional information or to register to attend the Public Policy Forum, just click on this link:
Don't miss out on the opportunity to network with your fellow early childhood educators, advocates, parents and students and learn how to be a stronger more effective voice for children!!
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Professional Development
PennAEYC
Professional Development Opportunities
This Spring!
Engaging School Boards in Early Education: Taking Away the Fear
Two hour session on effectively engaging school boards in Early Childhood Education
DATE: 2/16/2011
TIME: 6-8PM
PLACE: Neighborhood Center UMC, Harrisburg PA17102
Play and Developmentally Appropriate Practice = Learning
What do we mean when we say, "Play = Learning"? How does play enhance children's development? Participants will explore how play and creativity IS the essence of children's development and learning. Bring a creative play material(s) and/or manipulative(s) from your classroom. Bring a copy of the Early Learning Standards.
DATE: 4/5/2011
TIME: 6:00-9:00PM
PLACE: YWCA of Adams County, Gettysburg PA17325
Effective Media Communication
Effective Media Communication, with a focus on dealing with newspapers, radio, TV and social media with an emphasis on How to write a press release; How to write a letter to the editor and Why an Op-Ed piece could showcase a specific issue.
DATE: 4/9/2011
TIME: 10am-12pm
PLACE: The United Way of Cumberland County, Carlisle PA 17013
DAP for Infants and Toddlers
Developmentally Appropriate Practice focused specifically on working with infants and toddlers. Participants will learn the most current information from NAEYCs New 3rd edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practices, from Birth through Age 8 and how to apply that information in day-to-day classroom operations and interactions with infants and toddlers.
DATE: 5/16/2011
TIME: 1-4PM
PLACE: YWCA Lancaster, Lancaster PA17602 |
Federal News
FEDERAL ADVOCACY!! YOUR ACTION NEEDED!!
Things are heating up again in Washington. Action to finish a federal budget is sitting on the front burner and must happen by March 4th.
Cuts are likely and it looks like early learning could get left out in the cold!
Some members of Congress want to make serious budget cuts. If this happens - more than 12,000 Pennsylvania children are likely to lose child care subsidy and nearly 2,000 will lose Head Start.
Join your colleagues from all over the country urging members of Congress to put the needs of children in Head Start and child care on the front burner.
Click here to add your signature to the sign-on letter and support child care and Head Start.
We need your help to convince Congress to sustain an additional $681 million for child care and an additional $840 million for Head Start in a final budget bill for this year to avoid these serious cuts.
Click here to add your signature to the sign-on letter and support child care and Head Start.
Act today! We have no time to waste.
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NAEYC News
From the DESK of our NAEYC Executive Director - Jerlean E. Daniel, PhD
Dear Colleagues,
Greetings to each of you in this New Year! We hope that you enjoyed time with family and friends during the holiday season and are re-energized to return to work on behalf of young children.
This is a dynamic moment for NAEYC. We are writing this letter so you can join with us in the work that lies ahead. Specifically, we want to bring you up-to-date on recent developments and changes within NAEYC that directly affect the Affiliate Network and share our plans for knitting together important pieces of new work that the association has determined worthy of significant investment - even in this time of economic uncertainty. We've got a lot to share, and it's all quite exciting!
Affiliate Relations Reorganizes
During my (Jerlean) remarks at the November 2010 Affiliate Council meeting, I indicated that changes were underway for the Affiliate Relations Department. Since Anaheim, we have been hard at work designing a new staffing pattern, name change, and work plan for the next 18 to 24 months. Affiliate Relations is now Affiliate and Member Relations. We added two full-time positions - an Associate and a Member Specialist. Expanding our staff will allow us to better serve you and expand the ways in which we can grow together for greater impact.
The new Affiliate and Member Relations Department will immediately embark on a strategic plan to align its expanded priorities within a new work plan. A clear priority during the next 18 months is the National Dialogue, which was launched at Leadership Day this past November. Also important is the development of the new membership position and a national plan to engage with the Affiliate Network in a series of recruitment and retention campaigns. Through all of these changes, our commitment remains to provide quality customer service and support to this community.
To read the full letter, click here: New Direction in 2011
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Chapter News To submit your chapter news, please send information to [email protected].
Central Susquehanna AEYC: Conference April 9th, Williamsport, PA Delaware Valley AEYC: May 5-7, 2011 Annual Conference www.dvaeyc.org
Lebanon Valley AEYC: Early Years Are Learning Years Conference February 26 |
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Disclaimer: PennAEYC provides a forum for discussion of major issues and ideas in our field. We hope to provoke thought and promote professional growth. The views expressed or implied are not necessarily those of the Association. Acceptance of advertising, announcements, and postings does not represent PennAEYC's endorsement of any product or service, nor is PennAEYC responsible for representations made by advertisers. |
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Your Membership Status
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If you are a PennAEYC member, your membership information is as follows:
Member ID #:
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Expiration Date:
Local Chapter/s: To become a member or renew your membership, go to www.naeyc.org/membership or call NAEYC at 1-800-424-2460.
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