| 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 Nicole Murray, Intern Joyce Wrigley, Intern Stefania Casalinuovo, Intern Action Committees Early Care & Education
Early Childhood Mental Health
Health & Nutrition
Parenting & Literacy
Transition Teams
Board of Directors
Charlene Friedman, Chair
Rebecca Ardoline, Secretary
Sudha Babu
Patricia Best, Vice Chair
Melissa Clark, Chair-Elect
Doug Coatsworth, Vice Chair
Linda Duerr
J. Hugh Dwyer
D. Richard Francke, Treasurer
Rob Huffard
Denny Nau
Roxie Nestlerode
Joseph Webber
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| Resources | |
Video: What We Learn Before We Are Born
Early Learning at the Doctor's Office
Reminder Regarding New Crib Safety Standards Child care facilities have until December 28, 2012 to comply with the new U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) federal regulations for crib safety standards. For further information, please see New Crib Standard: Questions and Answers posted to the CSPC website. |
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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, Pennsylvania is celebrating 10 years of Keystone STARS to quality program for early childhood programs by showcasing children who are Shining Stars! Shining Stars are invited to a recognition and family fun day in Harrisburg on May 8, including free tickets to Harrisburg attractions. If there is enough interest, we will try to arrange a bus for Centre County families to travel to Harrisburg together on May 8. Who is eligible to be a Shining Star? Any child who has participated in a Keystone STARS program (at STAR 2 level or higher) for at least two years is eligible to be recognized as a Shining Star. The child may be a "graduate" of the program. The program should currently hold a STAR 2-4 rating even if the child has graduated. Who can nominate a Shining Star? - Children can nominate themselves (with their parent's or guardian's permission)
- Families of children
- Teachers and program directors (with permission from the child's parent or guardian)
How do I nominate a Shining Star? Complete the nomination form, including a short essay or video essay about how participating in a Keystone STARS program has made a difference in the child's and family's lives. Permission to use the essays for publicity must be included. For a nomination form, email kelly@smartstartcc.org. Nominations are due by March 9. For the children,
Smart Start Staff
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| Public Events and Meetings |
For this month, we are trying something new with our calendar. All events are now posted on our website calendar at http://www.smartstartcc.org/calendar/. Please visit the calendar to learn about upcoming activities including:
Early Years and Learning Years conference - Feb. 18
Focus on Strong Families Conference - Feb. 25
Budget Forum Breakfast - Feb. 24
Business Before Hours Breakfast Presentation on Investing in Early Childhood - Feb. 29 (see box below for details)
FREE 2 day training on protecting kids from abuse, register by Feb. 20 - flyer
Parent Discussion Series on stress - March
and more
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| Join Us For These Smart Start Activities |
Feb. 18: Smart Start table display and Eileen presenting a workshop at Early Years are Learning Years conference
Feb. 25: Smart Start table display and Health and Nutrition presenting movement activities and dance at Focus on Strong Families Conference
Feb. 28: Early Care and Education/Transition to Kindergarten Meeting, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m., Child Development and Family Council Office, 2565 Park Center Blvd, Ste 100, State College, contact awible@cenclear.org.
Feb. 29: Smart Start is hosting a Business Before Hours breakfast presentation on Investing in Early Childhood featuring Norm Rich, former CEO of Weis Markets, 8:00 - 9:15 a.m., Celebration Hall, State College. For more information and registration flyer, click here. Sponsored by Chamber of Business and Industry Centre County and Friedman Real Estate Group.
March 13: Health and Nutrition Meeting, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Bennett Family Center, Penn State, contact kbahnsen@homenursingagency.com.
March 15: Early Childhood Mental Health Meeting, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.,Center for Child and Adult Development Office,1315 W. College Ave., Ste 303, State College, contact wjw8@psu.edu.
March 19 Parent Advisory Group 9:30-11:00 am at Schlow. Parents of children birth through age 8 are welcome. Childcare and light refreshments are provided to children and adults. RSVP to Connie Schulz at ces11@scasd.org or 231-1070. Click here for flyer.
March 22: Board Meeting
March 26: Professional Coordinating Council Meeting
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| 5th Annual Countdown to Kindergarten |
 | | Smart Start table |
Smart Start-Centre County was pleased to organize a successful 5th annual event Saturday, February 4 promoting successful transition to Kindergarten for Centre County children and their families. More than 150 families visited 20 exhibitors including four school districts, private and charter schools, and support agencies and programs who provided
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information and answered questions about Kindergarten programs and registration. Parents really appreciated the opportunity to talk to staff from different schools at one time and place.
Our event this year featured a health and nutrition theme, with 6 active play stations for children and take-home materials including a WIC Program cookbook, the children's book "The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food," a jump rope, a ball, and reused materials for active play at home. Families also  enjoyed visiting our popular reading area, provided this year by Cen-Clear Child Services.
Thanks to generous donations, we were able to give 150 Kindergarten-bound children who attended a free "Class of 2025" t-shirt. An additional 850 of the t-shirts will be given to children at Kindergarten registration.
 | | Avery's new shirt |
A big "thank you" to:
- Smart Start's Early Care and Education Committee and Health and Nutriton Committee
- Volunteers from Child Development and Family Council, Cen-Clear Child Services, and Bennett Family Center
- Nittany Mall for the space, tables, and chairs, sound system, set up and clean up
- Penn State interns and volunteers
- Coupon donors: Auntie Anne's, Charleys, and Dairy Queen
- T-shirt donors: PAMP, Cen-Clear Child Services, PNC Bank, Kid to Kid, Child Development and Family Council, Child Care Information Services of Centre County, CDFC Pre-K Counts Discovery and Philipsburg
- CCDA Waters in Milesburg for free bottled water for the
 event - First Media 3WZ Radio and TV for free advertising and an on-air interview about the event
- Incoming Smart Start Board Chair, Melissa Clark
- Volunteer Coordinator Roni Franke and Activity Coordinator Edie Hillard
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| Volunteer Opportunities |  |
Over 40 volunteers helped make Countdown to Kindergarten a success. We are now recruiting volunteers to help with our Children's Art Show and reception in April. Please email kelly@smartstartcc.org if you are interested in details.
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.
Applicants Sought for AAUW Scholarships
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) State College Branch seeks applicants for four $5,000 undergraduate scholarships to be awarded for 2012-2013. Applicants must meet the following criteria: be a woman who is a permanent resident of Centre County; has completed at least one-quarter of her baccalaureate degree; has interrupted her studies for at least two years; attends an institution of higher education on a part-time or a full-time basis; and can demonstrate financial need, academic promise, clarity of educational goals, and service to the community. References and financial information are required.
The application deadline is March 1, 2012. If you meet the above requirements and wish to apply, please visit the AAUW State College Branch Web site where you will find an application form, instructions, and more. If you have questions, please call Ellen Grubb at 237-3737 or send an e-mail to emw1@psu.eduwith the subject line of "AAUW Scholarship" and with your name and phone number included in your message.
AAUW is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. For membership, program, and additional information, go to
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| Advocacy This Month: Governor's Budget Cuts Early Childhood Programs |
From PennAEYC (Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children www.pennaeyc.org)
This week, Governor Corbett released his proposed 2012-2013 Pennsylvania budget.
His proposed budget calls for steep cuts to programs that support low-income, working families and high quality early learning, including Child Care Works, Keystone STARS, Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance.
The proposed budget also eliminates the Accountability Block Grant, a major source of funding for pre-k and full-day kindergarten, but proposes no new revenue options to support essential early learning programs and resources.
PennAEYC has prepared a short handout with a breakdown of the proposed ECE budget, as well as revenue options being left on the table that could boost support for ECE.
Stay informed by following PennAEYC on Facebook to receive breaking news on ECE issues across the state, sign up early for Action Day, and reach out with any questions you may have about the budget.
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