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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
Action Committees
Early Care & Education
Early Childhood Mental Health
Health & Nutrition
Parenting & Literacy
Transition Team
Board of Directors
Charlene Friedman, Chair
Rebecca Ardoline, Secretary
Sudha Babu
Patricia Best, Vice Chair
Melissa Clark
Doug Coatsworth, Vice Chair
Linda Duerr
J. Hugh Dwyer
D. Richard Francke
Rob Huffard
Denny Nau
Roxie Nestlerode
Jack Raykovitz, Vice Chair
Joseph Webber
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| Resources | |
Natural Resources
website offers an archive and a listserv for free and low-cost resources including websites, booklets, CDs, videos, powerpoints, etc. on early childhood and early intervention topics.
Looking for some fun learning activities for indoors? Check out the "in the kitchen" activities for babies through kindergarteners in this month's "Learning is Everywhere." |
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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,
We at Smart Start work every day to promote the best possible start for young children through effective parenting practices, workplace policies, community services, government support, and early care and education programs. We would like to ask you to take a few minutes as you consider the new year to think about what actions you might take this year for children. If you are a parent or grandparent, can you deepen your relationship with your child? If you are a business owner, can you have more family-friendly policies? If you are a voter, can you let legislators know your views about children's programs? Need suggestions about how to accomplish these goals? Here are some good places to start: **To prepare families for Kindergarten - Countdown to Kindergarten, Saturday, February 4, 10 - 2, Nittany Mall, JC Penney Court. Click here for flyer. **To learn about fun physical activities, bullying, balancing work and home, books, mindfulness and other topics relevant to parents of newborns through high school graduates - Focus on Strong Families Conference, Saturday, February 25, Mount Nittany Middle School. Click here for flyer. Look for our table at these and other upcoming events to find out more about making young children a priority in 2012!
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.
January
January 7: Preschool Fair, many local preschools will have resource tables and staff on hand to answer questions. State College Friends School, 10 am - noon. For details, email membership@mothersandmorestatecollege.org.
January 17 - February 21: 6 week Tuning in to Kids class, noon - 1:30, Schlow Centre Region Library, free. Register with Connie Schulz at 231-1070 or ces11@scasd.org.
January 18: Smart Start Parent Advisory Group meeting, all parents, future parents, and past parents welcome!, Schlow Library, for details email eileen@smartstartcc.org or call 238-0331.
January 23, 30 & Feb. 6: How To Talk So Kids Will Listen Video and Discussion Program, Houserville Elem., free with dinner and child care available, register by Jan 16 with Connie Schulz, 231-1070 or ces11@scasd.org.
January 27: Parenting Plus Play Group - 12:30 - 2:00 pm, Bellefonte Youth Center, call 237-5731 for information.
February
Saturday, February 4: Countdown to Kindergarten, 10 - 2, Nittany Mall. See flyer.
Early Years are Learning Years professional conference - February 18, Penn Stater
Focus on Strong Families parenting conference - February 25, Mount Nittany Middle School
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| Member Article: Community Activities Instill in Children Sense of Giving |
By Melissa Clark, Smart Start-Centre County Board Member and attorne y with the law firm of Schemery-Zicolello in WilliamsportQ: During the holiday season, I'd like to help my preschooler learn that it's not just about receiving gifts, but also about spending time together as a family and giving to others. Are there any community activities that would welcome parents with young children and help promote these goals? A: If you are looking to make the holidays more meaningful, there are a variety of fun community activities that are appropriate for families with young children. First, there are some excellent local events perfect for families with preschoolers. For those who are musically inclined, St. Andrew's Church, at 208 W. Foster Ave. in State College, offers preschoolers a chance to dance to their own beat in a program called Musikgarten. It's free to register for the program and attend one class. Classes run through out the holiday season. For more information, visit www.Musikgarten.org/ bethasmusik.
If your family loves stories, check out Barnes and Noble's Story Time, at 365 Benner Pike. Story times begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Make sure to arrive early to get some cocoa from the adjoining cafe, sample cookies and get a good spot in the story circle.
First Night State College is always a fun event for children of all ages. On Saturday, preschoolers and their families can "ring" in the new year and marvel at ice sculptures throughout the downtown area. Another First Night activity that preschoolers will really love is marching in the papier mache puppet parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. Preschoolers will also enjoy bopping to the family friendly songs of Billy Kelly and The Blah Blah Blahs at 3 p.m. at the University Baptist and Brethren Church at 411 S. Burrowes St. Attendance at all three First Night events is free. For more information, visit www.firstnightstatecollege.com.
As to your second goal, of developing the habit of giving to others, here are some ideas: Spend time with your child reading books focused on the importance of giving such as "The Grinch that Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss, "The Rainbow Fish," by Marcus Pfister or "The Giving Tree," by Shel Silverstein. All of these books and more are available at local libraries. Set up an afternoon of cookies and caroling. Help your preschooler decorate cookies to give with a special holiday wish to neighbors or friends. Ready-made dough and icing make the experience stress-free and fun. Nothing goes better with homemade cookies than a rousing rendition of "Jingle Bells" by some of the neighborhood's little carolers.
At First Night, suggest that your children think of someone in need whom they know personally, write a wish for him or her and place it on one of several "resolution sculptures."
Remember that the best gift your child can receive is quality time with loving parents. Any activity you and your child enjoy and do together is sure to make lasting holiday memories. Adding the element of giving to others into those activities sets a positive tone and creates habits for a lifetime.
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| Volunteer Opportunities |  | |
Recruiting volunteers now for Countdown to Kindergarten, February 4, 2012 at Nittany Mall.
Check out our newly revised "Get Involved" page on the website for details about our volunteer opportunities.
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| Local News | |
To submit items for "local news" email kelly@smartstartcc.org.
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| Advocacy This Month: Presidential Candidates Quiet on Education Issues |
From the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children:
It's time to start submitting question that matter to us! Here's an opportunity to submit questions about children's issues for an upcoming presidential candidate debate!
Submit your questions in the comments section at http://www.facebook.com/MeetThePress?sk=app_201387976576727 for the New Hampshire primary debate to be held this Sunday, January 8 at 9:30AM. |
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| Committee Activities |
All of our committees are open to the public and welcome new members and interested guests. Health and Nutrition Committee Next meeting: January 10, 9:30 - 11:00, January 17, 6:30 - 8:00, January 24, 9:30 - 11:00, Bennett Family Center, Penn State. Contact Person: Kim Bahnsen at kbahnsen@homenursingagency.com.
Early Childhood Mental Health Committee Next meeting: January 19, 9:00 - 10:00, Center for Child and Adult Development Office, 1315 W. College, Ste. 303, State College
Parenting & Literacy Action Committee Next meeting: January 9, 12:00 - 2:00, Schlow Library, State College
Early Care & Education Action Committee Next meeting
January 24, 8:30 - 10:00, Child Development and Family Council Office, 2565 Park Center Blvd, Ste 100, State College
Contact Person: Amy Wible at awible@cenclear.org.
Board meeting: January 12
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