| Smart Start
On-Line |
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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
Kathy Le, full-time intern
Erin Rowley, intern
Action Committees
Early Care & Education
Early Childhood Mental Health
Parenting & Literacy
Board of Directors Charlene Friedman, Chair Rebecca Ardoline, Secretary Doug Erickson, Treasurer
Patricia Best, Vice Chair for Board Development
Suda Babu
Melissa Clark
Doug Coatsworth Linda Duerr
J. Hugh Dwyer
Roxie Nestlerode
Jack Raykovitz Joseph Webber |
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| Board Member Profile | |
Name: Kathy Le
Professional Position: Spring Human Development and Family Studies Intern at Smart Start
Educational Background: I am currently a senior at Penn State majoring in Human Development and Family Studies
Why I am involved in Smart Start: I first heard of Smart Start from the HDFS career fair when I was seeking an internship for the spring of 2011. After reading the description for the job I instantly knew it would be a great opportunity for me to work for Smart Start. I have a passion for helping children and I want to be a part of this team to make a difference. I am so appreciative that Smart Start has offered me the opportunity to have a first hand learning experience in the field of HDFS and what I learn in this internship will extremely benefit me for my future careers.
My Favorite Smart Start Projects: I have only been working for Smart Start for a month but I am currently working on the "One Book Project" that is coming up this April. This project is time consuming but I am very ecstatic about how this project will turn out!
My Goals for Smart Start in the future: I would like to see more sponsors from different businesses and I would love to help create more events that will benefit children in Centre County.
Where I live: Currently, I live in an apartment in State College but I was born and raised from New Jersey and just recently moved to Maryland.
Family: I have an amazing mother and two older sisters who I love and thank for all of the support they have given me! | |
| Volunteer Opportunities | | |
Volunteer Readers needed for One Book, Every Young Child community reading project in April. This year's book is "Whose Shoes?" To learn more, click here. Readers attend a tea to hear the story and then are scheduled to read it in one or more local early childhood programs.
Show your support with a Smart Start logo shirt:
adult sizes $15
kid sizes $12
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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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| Committee On-line Reporting Forms |
In-Kind/Volunteer Time: Report your volunteer time spent on Smart Start projects and committees. Transition Activities: Report any meetings, activities, publications, etc. with a goal of making connections for improved transition to kindergarten. |
| 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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Dear Smart Start Supporter,
Please help spread the word:
Countdown to Kindergarten
Saturday, February 5
10:00 to 2:00
Nittany Mall, in front of JC Penney
This annual event is for families with children 3-5 years old. We invite local schools that offer Kindergarten to have a table where they can share information and resources. In addition we will have local agencies, story times, magic shows, costume characters, prize drawings, and more. We hope to see you there! Please visit our website for details and to see or print the flyer. Snow date is set for Sat. Feb. 12.
In other news, we are pleased to welcome several new members to the Smart Start - Centre County Board of Directors: Sudha Babu, Melissa Clark, Linda Duerr, J. Hugh Dwyer, and Roxie Nestlerode will bring new perspectives and energy to our existing Board. We look forward to their input and ideas. Watch for profiles to learn more about them in the e-news over the next few months!
We also are lucky to have two interns helping in the office this semester, Erin Rowley from Penn State Communications and Kathy Le from Penn State Human Development & Family Studies. Their help will be invaluable this Spring as we prepare for the One Book, Every Young Child community reading project, the Annual April Children's Art Show, and an exciting new publication. For the children, 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.
February
February 5: Countdown to Kindergarten for families and their 3 - 5 year old children, SNOW DATE Feb. 12, Nittany Mall/ JC Penney courtyard, 10:00- 2:00, www.smartstartcc.org for info.
February 8: Beyond Fundraising 101, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, $15, visit www.leadershipcentrecounty.org for information or to register by January 31.
February 8: Scrapbooking & Networking Night for early childhood programs, Toy Lending Library, Philipsburg, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, for information or to sign up, email kelly@smartstartcc.org.
February 25: Parenting Plus playgroup, 12:30 - 2:00 pm, Bellefonte Youth Center
February 26: Focus on Strong Families 25th Annual Conference for Parents, Mount Nittany Middle School. Child care available. Register by Feb. 11. $20 person/$30 couple/$10 childcare). For a brochure, call 231-1087. February 28: Autism Training - how sensory processing challenges affect young children with autism, Matternville Preschool, 9:00 - 3:00, $30 registration, for more information, click here. |
| Member Article: Helping Families Get Ready for Kindergarten | |
Smart Start's For the Children CDT column for January, by Amy Wible, child development and disabilities coordinator for Cen- Clear Child Services Inc and co-chair of our Early Care and Education Committee.
It can also be a scary time as well - children and families may be experiencing a lot of "firsts:" a new building, riding a bus, meeting new friends and going through a lunch line.
Many children may be participating in a classroom situation for the first time.
"Experiencing early academic and social success can pave the way for children's later positive school adjustment," Robert C. Pianta and Marcia Kraft- Sayre write in their book, "Successful Kindergarten Transition."
This is a time when families, early childhood programs and schools need to work together.
In our area, Smart Start-Centre County is hosting the 4th annual Countdown to Kindergarten event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Nittany Mall. This event, organized by the Early Care and Education subcommittee of Smart Start, is a time for families to visit with school representatives and community organizations that focus on providing a smooth and successful transition for incoming kindergarten children.
Last year, more than 450 people visited more than 20 exhibitors, including school districts, private and charter schools, and support agencies.
The same groups are invited this year and information will be given to parents and educational activities will be provided for children.
While this is not the official kindergarten registration, it is a time to ask questions and to receive more information about school transition activities. It is important for families to connect with schools and the early childhood community and this is a perfect opportunity to do so.
Many of these groups are providing additional opportunities on this day.
There will be story times at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and magic shows at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Costumed characters will greet children and each family will have the opportunity to win one of several door prize packages.
This year, each child who attends and is entering kindergarten in the fall will receive a free "Class of 2024" T-shirt. We are certain that this event will provide a positive and uplifting start for your child's transition to kindergarten.
We are thankful to all of the groups that participate and know that by working together, we are setting the stage for a healthy and successful entry into kindergarten.
Please remember to join us Saturday in front of J.C. Penney. If the event needs to be canceled due to weather, we will have the Countdown to Kindergarten on Feb. 12 at the same time and location. We hope to see you there. |
| Resources | |
Free Tax Assistance for Centre County Residents
IRS certified volunteer preparers are available at various locations throughout the county to prepare basic tax returns to include Federal, State, Local taxes and Property Tax/Rent Rebates. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to low-to-moderate income (generally, $49,000 and below) individuals/ families. Returns cannot be prepared for those who have rental properties, or for businesses with employees and/or losses. Most sites are open Feb. 1 - Apr. 16.
Centre County VITA Sites for 2010 Tax Season:
Church of the Good Shepherd, 402 Willowbank St., Bellefonte
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3 pm - 8 pm, Saturdays 9 am - 4 pm
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, Call 355-6816
Millheim Outreach Center
Thursdays, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, Call 349-5850
Philipsburg Senior Center/Towers, 300 North Front Street
March 28 9 am - 1 pm
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, Call 342-6549 after Feb 1.
Holt Memorial Library, 17 N. Front Street, Philipsburg
Tuesdays (March 8,15,22&29), 10:30 am -2:30
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, CALL 355-6816
Centre Region Senior Center, 131 South Fraser Street, State College
Fridays 9 am - 1 pm, SENIORS/ APPOINTMENTS ONLY
Call 231-3076
Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 South Allen Street, State College
This site Opens on February 7!, Mondays and Wednesdays
Noon - 3 pm, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, Call 355-6816
Penn State/Cooperative Extension, Ferguson Bldg, Rm 10
Closed March 5-12, This site closes on April 14!, Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, 5 pm - 8 pm
Saturdays 9 am - 2 pm, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Call 814-863-7448, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 4:30 pm, to make your
appointment.
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| Local News | |
To submit items for "local news" email kelly@smartstartcc.org.
Hildebrandt seeks center director for new University Park child care center. Click here for details. |
| Committee Activities |
Early Childhood Mental Health Committee--discussing Early Childhood Mental Health Speaker Series plans --To get involved in this committee, email Wendy Whitesell at wjw8@psu.edu. The next regular committee meeting is February 10, 9 - 10:30 at the Center for Child and Adult Development, 1315 W. College, Ste. 303, State College.
Parenting & Literacy Action Committee --Pre-K Calendar evaluation
--beginning work on 2011 Calendar
--planning for One Book project --final review of Babies Rock with Books and Family Resource Directory
--To get involved in this committee, email Connie at ces11@scasd.org. The next regular committe meeting is February 7, noon - 2:00 at Schlow Library, State College.
Early Care & Education Action Committee
--tallying surveys of Kindergarten parents
--hosting advocacy scrapbooking sessions
--planning 2011 Countdown to Kindergarten
--To get involved in this committee, email Amy Wible at awible@cenclear.org. The next regular committee meeting is January 25, 8:30 - 10:00 at Child Development and Family Council, 2565 Park Centre Blvd, Ste 100, State College.
PCC Meeting February 28, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. |
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