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| Smart Start Is ... | | Smart Start-Centre County is a network of early care and education professionals, parents, and community leaders committed to giving children in Centre County the best possible start in life through education, information, activities, and outreach.
Staff and Interns
Eileen Wise, Executive Director
Kelly Johnson, Project Manager
Emily Woodard, Intern
Action Committees
Communications & Outreach
Early Care & Education
Early Childhood Mental Health
Parenting & Literacy
Board of Directors
Charlene Friedman, Chair
Rebecca Ardoline, Secretary
Patricia Best, Ph.D.
Doug Coatsworth, Ph.D.
Doug Erickson, Treasurer
Jack Raykovitz, Ph.D.
Robert Sunday
Joseph Webber | |
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Board Member Profile | 
Name: Joseph Webber Professional position: My occupation for the past 16 years has been a financial advisor. My employer is Merrill Lynch here in State College.
Educational background: 1994 Graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelors degree in Business Management/Economics. Professional Degrees: Certified Financial Planner & Certified Investment Management Analyst
Why am I involved in Smart Start: I recognized the importance of early childhood development first hand as a father of 3 children. Children who can take advantage of the wonderful programs offered from our local childcare facilities have an advantage when entering kindergarten and beyond. Smart Start plays a very important role in educating childcare providers.
My favorite Smart Start projects: My favorite smart Start projects include our annual "Community Reading Project" and "Countdown to Kindergarten".
My goals for Smart Start in the future: Continue to expand our committees by attracting new members. Increase fundraising efforts so we may provide more services and programs to Centre County children.
Where I live: I currently reside in Port Matilda, PA.
Family: My three boys are Austin 4, Brandon 4 and Carson 1. My wife Jennifer is a 6th grade elementary teacher with the State College Area School District. |
| Volunteer Opportunities |
Smart Start is looking for 2 volunteers for each of these events:
--Senator Corman Spikes Day August 7
--Kids Day at Grange Fair, August 30
Volunteers help with set up, take down, and supervise the activity for kids or talk with parents about our resources and activities.
Volunteers get a FREE Smart Start T-Shirt! | |
T-shirts are also available to buy: adult sizes $15
kid sizes $12
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Publication Sponsors | |
THANK YOU to the following sponsors of our publications:
Babies Rock with Books:
PNC Bank
Centre County United Way
Stand for Children
Sally Thiel
Family Resource Directory: Centre County United Way
Pre-K Calendar:
Cen-Clear Child Services
Geisinger Medical Group
Care Partnership: Centre Region Communities that Care
Capital Blue Cross
Centre County Federation of Public Libraries
Nittany Bank
State College Kiwanis
Mount Nittany Medical Center
Child Development & Family Council of Centre County, Inc. & their Pre-K programs at Philipsburg and Discovery
Nittany Eye Associates
Pediatric Dental - Kelly, Kilareski, & Kremser
Centre County Youth Service Bureau
Child Care Information Services of Centre County
Hospitality Asset Management Company, Inc. (Lion Country Lodging)
State College Area School District's Title I Reading & Math Program
State College Area School District Family Outreach Services
Bellefonte Family YMCA Child Care Programs
MidStep Centers for Child Development
Centre County Local Interagency Coordinating Council
Linda & Tony Domin
Bob & Janice Lindsay
Walk's Service Center | |
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| State Legislators | |
State Representatives
Kerry Benninghoff
Boroughs and Townships served: Bellefonte, Centre Hall, College, Gregg, Harris, Millheim, Penn, Potter, Spring, State College, Walker kbenning@pahousegop.com, 355-1300
H. Scott Conklin:
Boroughs and Townships served: Ferguson, Halfmoon, Huston, Patton, Philipsburg, Port Matilda, Rush, South Philipsburg, State College, Taylor, Worth
238-5477/ 342-4872
Michael Hanna:
Boroughs and Townships served: Benner, Boggs, Burnside, Curtin, Haines, Howard, Liberty, Marion, Miles, Milesburg, Snow Shoe, Union, Unionville
353-8780
State Senators
John Wozniak:
Boroughs and Townships served: Philipsburg, Rush, South Philipsburg
266-2277
Jake Corman:
Boroughs and Townships served: all other than Philipsburg, Rush, South Philipsburg
355-0477 | |
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| Disclaimer | |
Acceptance of advertising, announcements, and postings does not represent Smart Start's endorsement of any product, program, or service, nor is Smart Start responsible for representations made by others. | |
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| Committee On-line Reporting Forms | |
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Dear Smart Start Supporter,
It's "publications month" here at the Smart Start office! Every year at this time, we print our yearly Pre-K Calendar and our annual brochure highlighting our projects, activities, and impact for the year.
Our 2010-11 Pre-K Calendar will arrive here tomorrow for distribution to early childhood programs next week. Parents and others can request a free copy by emailing us at info@smartstartcc.org or calling 238-0331. The calendar is created by our committee and staff members and includes photos of local children. We distribute about 5,000 free copies of the calendar throughout the county each year.
This Spring, we also ran out of two of our other publications - "Babies Rock with Books" and the "Family Resource Directory" - and have been busy revising them for a new printing this Fall. They are currently at the Paisley Group, a graphics design company owned by Toni Duchi, who volunteers her staff and services to help design and print our publications. We are very excited to have 10,000 copies of each of these updated publications to distribute this Fall to Mount Nittany Medical Center for families with new babies, and also to schools, early childhood programs, social service agencies, and doctor's offices.
Our publications are an important part of the educational outreach part of our mission, so we hope you will take the time to read them when you see them in the community! And if you have the chance, thank our publications sponsors! (See list included in this enews.)
Smart Start Staff |
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| Public Events and Meetings |
Smart Start Committee and Board meetings are listed under the 'Committee Activities" section below. To submit an item for this calendar, email kelly@smartstartcc.org.
Saturday, August 7: Senator Corman Kids Day with the Spikes, 12 noon until 3:00 pm, Medlar Field. There will be exhibits and fun activities for children by programs in the local community and the purpose is to inform the public about services available to them and to entertain and educate the youth.
Saturday, August 7: Sensory Integration: Tools, Resources and Real World Solutions for Life with Challenging Kids sponsored by NASW and Hope For Kids, Patton Township Municipal Bldg, 9:00 - 3:30, $60 for professionals, $50 for NASW members, $20 for caregivers, register on-line at www.nasw-pa.org under professional development tab. Questions: Daisi Eyerly, LSW 814-571-8064
Wednesday, August 11: Open House for Adapted Water Sports Clinic, see Aug. 20 for details. Open House is from 1:00 - 2:30 at Easter Seals, 383 Rolling Ridge Drive.
Friday, August 20: Adapted Water Skiing & Water Sports Clinic, Raystown Lake's Tatman Run Recreation Area. This program allows those with and without mobility impairments the ability to participate. In the past we have skied individuals with spina bifida, paraplegia, cerebral palsy, autism, and many other disabilities. We hope that you join us in enjoying freedom on the water! (Once registered, a doctor's note will be required to participate.)Cost: $35.00 - 1 Lesson; $50.00 - 2 Lessons (times assigned after registering) Please call Matt Ernst at 814.944.5014 ext 4338 for additional information.
Friday, August 20: Parent/Youth/Professional Forum, 9:30 - 12:00, Department Of Health, Northcentral District Office, Williamsport. We will be forming work groups to address the issues that we have been identified as barriers for families and children with special health care needs. Parents will be reimbursed for travel and childcare expenses. RSVP or info: Jessica Bower, (570)327-3400
jesbower@state.pa.us
Saturday, August 21: Salvation Army Back to School Program Family Celebration. This program assists struggling Centre County families in preparing their children to the new school year (K-12) by providing school clothes and supplies. Call 861-1785 for availability information.
August 26 - Sept 2: Grange Fair, Centre Hall.
Monday, August 30: Kids Day at the Grange Fair, 11 am-4 pm. Local agencies and organizations provide activities for children while informing families about their resources and services. Held in the Recreation Building.
September 8 - 10: Grant Workshop Series hosted at Cen-Clear Child Services main office in Philipsburg, pre-registration required. Call 342-5678 for information. |
| Spikes Fundraiser | |
SmartStart-CentreCounty participated in the United Way
Board Member Joe Webber & First Pitch volunteer Derek Becker |
Partner Series at the Spikes for the game on Wednesday, July 28.
Board and PCC members helped to sell about 150 tickets to the game, raising about $50 for Smart Start, which supplemented the money from our silent auction at the game for a total of about $350 raised. Several Board and PCC members bought tickets to donate to Cen-Clear Child Services' families to attend the game.
Board members, PCC members, staff, and our summer intern were able to solicit donations from fifteen local businesses for our Silent Auction, which was started on-line the day before the game. Items that did not receive bids are available for on-line auction NOW (see below).
Smart Start's new logo t-shirts were also sold publicly for the first time at the game, with women's vee-neck, men's crew, and youth sized shirts available.
Derek Becker, age 10, was excited and nervous to 'throw out the first pitch' representing Smart Start. He was escorted by Board member Joseph Webber. Derek was proud that his pitch made it to the catcher!
THANK YOU to the generous businesses and individuals who donated Silent Auction Items:
Apple Tree Gifts
AvantGarden
Bastian Tire
Beth Quinn/Premier Designs Jewelry
Child Development Laboratory
CHIP/Capital Blue Cross
Connie Schulz/Parenting Press
Growing Tree Toys
Hotel State College
Kim Smith
Kim Smith/Lia Sophia Jewelry
Linens Unparalleled
Lion's Pride
Rebecca Ardoline
Reflections |
| Member Article: For the Children CDT Column, July 25 |
 by Nichol Sheridan
Q:I've been looking into child care options, and I was wondering if you could tell me why some programs
belong to "Keystone STARS" and some do not? Is this
something important to consider in choosing the best child care program?
A:When searching for an early care and education program or childcare, it is important to consider a variety of factors, including Keystone STARS. Research shows that children who attend high-quality childcare are more likely to do well in school, get better grades and are more likely to graduate from high school.
Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/professional development, Assistance, Resources and Support) is Pennsylvania's continuous quality improvement initiative. Programs that are eligible - those that are certified or registered with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Head Start or Pennsylvania PreK Counts - voluntarily choose to participate. A center certified through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, for instance, meets the minimum requirement for health and safety, but the certification does not address early education standards. Pennsylvania has established standards for infant, toddler, preschool and kindergarten and revised the kindergarten to third grade standards to align with the early learning standards.
Keystone STARS programs combine these health and safety requirements with Early Education standards to give children a safe and educational environment.
Keystone STARS performance standards are grouped into four levels: STAR 1, 2, 3 or 4. Each level builds upon the previous level and utilizes re-search- based practices to promote quality early learning environments and positive child outcomes. Programs begin with a "Start with STARS" rating and work their way up to a STAR 1, 2, 3 then 4. Some programs can work their way quickly through the levels while others may take a bit longer to reach the next STAR level. The STAR rating should be used as an indicator of the providers' commitment to improving quality, no matter what their current STAR level.
For those programs that are not eligible or choose not to participate, you should ask about any national accreditations or certificates they may have that you could use to determine the quality of care they provide. You should also look for other characteristics of quality, such as: small group sizes and smaller adult-to-child ratios to encourage the best opportunities for a child's development; caregivers or teachers who have experience and education in early childhood development; opportunities for meaningful parent involvement; learning materials and teaching styles that are age-appropriate and respectful of a child's cultural and ethnic heritage; and learning opportunities that promote your child's success in school.
You should also visit the program several times and at different times of day to see if it's the best fit for your family, based on your preferences.
Nichol is the program director for the Child Care Information Services of Centre County. She is also the co-chair of the Smart Start-Centre County Communication and Outreach Action Team and on the Smart Start-Centre County Professional Coordinating and Early Care and Education Committees. She can be reached at c-nsherida@state.pa.us or 814-231-1352. |
| Advocacy this Month: FMAP Funds Cut |
The budget that Pennsylvania legislators approved last month included $850 million in anticipated federal funds Federal Medical Matching Assistance Program (FMAP).
The current version of FMAP, if passed by the U.S. House, will bring about 70% of the funds anticipated. A final vote on FMAP in the U.S. Senate is scheduled for today. The senate goes into recess until September on Friday. If the Senate approves it, the bill will go to the U.S. House for a vote when they return from recess in September. If FMAP passes, there will still be a $255 million gap in the state budget.
The Governor and state legislators are now scheduled to meet next week to discuss programs cuts to the state budget to fill the $250 million gap.
Contact information for our state legislators is included in this email. Please help us let them know that early education is a vital service and connot suffer additional cuts. Send postcards, make phone calls, or click here to take action. We would appreciate if you take the time to report your advocacy activities using our online reporting form (see box at left.) Thank you! |
| Local News | | To submit items for "local news" email kelly@smartstartcc.org.
Easter Seals, State College: As of August, we will have a senior lead teaching position open in our integrated pre-K classroom. I am hoping to find an applicant that has at least a few years of classroom experience under their belt and may be interested in moving into an assistant director role in the future. The official job posting is currently posted on Monster and will soon be posted on our website (www.eastersealscentralpa.org) as well.
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The Centre County United Way Board of Directors has voted to approve the selection of Tammy Gentzel as its new Executive Director. Gentzel has spent the last 16 years as the executive director at the State College Community Help Centre, where she has strengthened and expanded services to meet community needs. Gentzel comes from a strong background of service, having in the past worked closely with Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, the Pennsylvania Public Interest Coalition, and the Centre County Council for Human Services. She has proven ability in donor development and sustained giving, and has successfully recruited, managed, and retained over 100 volunteers. "Tammy's experience in community service and administration coupled with her local knowledge of the county make her the perfect choice to lead the organization forward", says Greg Wendt, Executive Chair of the Board of Directors. Gentzel is the recipient of two service awards, which recognize an individual who actively strives to improve the quality of life in Centre County. I look forward to helping to move the CCUW to the next plateau of community leadership and donor capacity", says Gentzel.
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Growing in Faith in Bellefonte currently has an opening for a preschool/school-age teacher. Contact Christine Ebeling, Director, (814)355-7838. |
| On-Line Auction |
We have a few auction items left from our Spikes game fundraiser, and our on-line auction generated some bids last week, so we decided to on-line auction these three donated items:
 ITEM 1: Premier Designs 3-strand silver and black necklace with removeable hammered silver-style pendant. Comes with a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $20 or more. Valued at $52. Starting bid $21. Donated by Beth Quinn, Independent Distributor.
 ITEM 2: Backpack with Book, Toy, Photo Frame & Pencils. "Pick Me Up! book - fun songs for learning signs" includes music CD, instructions, and activities to teach sign language. Playskool Drop & Pop Shape Sorter. Picture frame has birthday die-cuts and space for a 4 x 6 photo. Valued at $75. Starting bid $25. Donated by Kim Smith, Smart Start Volunteer.
ITEM 3: Partylite Gemini Votive Candleholder, 6 votive candles, and 24 tealight candles. Valued at $50. Starting bid $25. Donated by Rebecca Ardoline, Smart Start Board Member.
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| Committee Activities | | **committee members, please remember to complete our online reporting forms for all your volunteer hours, advocacy efforts, and transition activities
Early Childhood Mental Health Committee
--Waiting to hear about two grants for mental health activities and services.
--To get involved in this committee, email Wendy Whitesell at wjw8@psu.edu. The next regular committee meeting is to be scheduled at the Center for Child and Adult Development, 1315 W. College, Ste. 303, State College.
Parenting & Literacy Action Committee
--Distribution of the Pre-K Calendar will be underway starting next week.
--To get involved in this committee, email Connie at ces11@scasd.org. The next regular committe meeting is to be scheduled at Schlow Library, State College.
Early Care & Education Action Committee
--Transition to Kindergarten roundtables are being held this month in 4 school districts.
The next regular committee meeting is August 24, 8:30 - 10:00 at Child Development and Family Council, 2565 Park Centre Blvd, Ste 100, State College.
Communications & Outreach Action Committee
--Thank you luncheons were held for Scott Conklin and Jake Corman at the Autoport restaurant. Both legislators spoke about their commitment to early childhood and their concerns about the State budget.
Professional Coordinating Committee
Next meeting August 16 by conference call.
Other Information
Next Board Meeting will be held August 17. |
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Connected for Kids
