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On-Line
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Spread the word and help us get 100 fans on Facebook. Fan number 100 will get a special prize!
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MEET A Board Member
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 2011, Heavenly Temple, Beijing
Name: J. (Jack) Hugh Dwyer, Ed.D. Position: Executive Director, The Central Intermediate Unit # 10, a public educational service agency serving all public and non-public schools in Centre, Clearfield and Clinton Counties since 1972.
Educational Background: Attended St. Patrick Elementary School and Kokomo High School in Kokomo, Indiana ( Class of 1965). Has BS, MS and doctorate from Indiana Uni verity ( Bloomington, IN). Have been an elementary, middle school, high school and university teacher; a principal and school district central office administrator.
Why did you get involved with Smart Start? Became involved in Smart Start because of CIU # 10's work with over 900 preschool students in three counties.
Favorite Smart Start Project: Countdown to Kindergarten at Nittany Mall.
What are your goals for Smart Start in the future? Support area preschools as they adopt common core goals in their curricula.
Where do you live? I live in Philipsburg, PA.
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| JOIN OUR LIST |  |
| 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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| 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 DeVivo, Intern Emily Woodward, Intern Committees Early Care & Education
Early Childhood Mental Health
Health & Nutrition
Parenting & Literacy
Transition Teams
Parent Advisory Group
Professional Coordinating Committee
Board of Directors
Chair Melissa Clark
Secretary Rebecca Ardoline
Sudha Babu
Vice-Chair Doug Coatsworth
Linda Duerr
J. Hugh Dwyer
Treasurer Richard Francke
Charlene Friedman
Rob Huffard
Levent Kaya
Carla Matero
Denny Nau
Joseph Webber
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Dear Smart Start Supporter, We are very pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our PreK Scholarship Program, funded through local business donations through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Children ages 3 or 4 attending or applying to participating STAR 3 and 4 programs are welcome to apply. Email kelly@smartstartcc.org for a list of participating preschool/childcare programs and/or the application. Smart Start will be participating in the Centre Gives fundraiser June 27 and 28. Centre County Community Foundation will match all donations given during the fundraiser. This will be our first ever public 'ask' for donations, and it comes at a critical time as our state government considers cutting funding for early education programs. More information will follow; in the meantime, please keep us in mind for a donation this month.
For the children, Smart Start Staff
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| Join Us For These Smart Start Activities |
June 22: Family Daycare Providers STARS ice cream social. Email kelly@smartstartcc.org for information.
June 25: Ever wondered how school boards work or how to work with them? Come to our Engaging School Boards workshop. Free dinner and PQAS credit. 5 - 7 PM. Email kelly@smartstartcc.org for information.
June 26: Early Care and Education/ Transition to Kindergarten Meeting, 8:30-10:00 a.m. at Child Development and Family Council Office, 2565 Park Center Blvd., Ste 100, State College, contact awible@cenclear.org.
June 27-28: Visit www.centregives.org to make a financial donation to Smart Start. Centre County Community Foundation will match the money we raise during this 36 hour event.
July 21: Visit us at Jake Corman Day at the Spikes. 12 noon - 2:00 PM. Free fun activities for families with young children.
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Smart Start in Action: GIVE Us Your Opinion and GET a Chance to Win
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We worked with The Fathering Initiative last year to create and distribute this publication, and now we are looking for feedback.
Your feedback is essential for us to continue receiving funding and sharing community resources such as "First Letter to our Baby." We will be using your feedback to help us continue producing and improving this publication. Everyone who completes this survey will have the option of being entered into a drawing. 10% of all respondents will receive a prize! If you would like to be included in the drawing please include your email in the survey, OR keep your feedback anonymous and send me an email after completing the survey.
Your time and feedback are greatly appreciated!  Please take a few minutes to give us your thoughts about "First Letter to Our Baby" at the following survey link. If you have never seen the publication, there is a link to it online at the beginning of the survey.
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Member Article: Take Time to Reflect on All Mom Gives
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Marc McCann grew up in Cleveland. He moved to State College 21 years ago, where he lives with his wife and three sons. He actively participates in the local Fathering Initiative, a group of five men who write articles and meet to discuss fathering issues. Q: How can a family honor the mothers in their lives on Mother's Day?
A: When my mother passed away, unexpectedly, eight years ago, I was put into the sobering position of having to reflect on what she had meant in my life. It's not that I didn't appreciate her while she was alive, or that we didn't have a good relationship - I did value her, and we in fact had an excellent relationship. Further, I'd say she's been more influential on me and who I am as a person than anyone else in my life has been.
But the truth is, I hardly ever slowed down or stopped to really meditate and reflect on exactly how much she impacted me, and how much she had meant to me while she was alive. That's precisely where my thinking and my emotions led me to go, time and time again, once she had passed away. And in so doing, I realized at a much deeper level just how much she sacrificed, worked, thought about and behaved out of love for my siblings and me. When I was preparing for her memorial service, I started listing all these things on paper, along with some of her attributes. Once started, this catalog grew quickly in number, and richer in value and intensity. I wish I could have had some conversations about these lists with her while she was still alive.
Taking mom out to dinner today and getting her a gift are great ways to pay tribute to her. But consider approaching the day with some reflection, whether you have children or not. If you do have children (dads out there), think about doing this exercise with them. Spend some time reflecting on:
* all the things mom does for you and everyone else directly on a daily basis, like chores around the house, helping with homework, volunteering to improve the classroom or the community, or maybe organizing events to strengthen the family.
* all of the great characteristics and values that mom models for her children that will help shape the kinds of people they become - caring, loving, hard working, taking initiative, responsibility, etc.
Then, in whatever creative or non-creative way, you (and the kids) can come up with, present to her how you've thought about these two lists, showing her that you don't take these things for granted, and thanking her for all that she gives, and all she represents.
If she lives out of town, give her a call and tell her these things, or write her a letter. If she passed away, like my mom, spend a little time thinking about her today. Who are the other mothers in your life that you may want to do this with? Stepmoms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters? However you want to package it, consider reflection as a powerful (and low-cost) way to begin the process of honoring all of the moms in your life. Thanks, Mom!
For the Children is Smart Start's monthly column in the Centre Daily Times. To submit a question, email eileen@smartstartcc.org.
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| Local News & Events | |
To submit items for "local news" email kelly@smartstartcc.org.
Parent support group for children with eating disorders, second Tuesday of each month 7 - 8 PM at Mount Nittany Medical Center. For more info, contact Kristie at 466-7921.Duty to Care: Honoring the Healer, free full-day training on self-care and professional resilience, June 12, Harrisburg
Movies on the Mountain at Tussey Mountain Ampitheater. June 15: "The Muppets" June 29: "The Wizard of Oz" $1 entry, movies begin at dusk. No outside food or drinks. www.tusseymountain.com Mothers and children (ages 4- 6) sought for research study: Researchers in the Developmental Psychology Department at Penn State are currently recruiting mothers with children who are 4 to 6 years old to participate in a research study examining how parents and children play with one another. Mothers and both boys and girls are needed for the study. Participation involves a one-time visit to campus, and the session takes 1 hour to complete. You and your child will be asked to play with various toys including jigsaw puzzles and blocks, and you would each be asked to complete some paper and pencil puzzles. You would remain with your child for the entire visit. Children typically find these activities to be fun, as the tasks are designed like a game. Your child will receive a gift certificate for an ice cream cone at Meyer Dairy as well as a certificate of participation for his or her involvement in the study. Parents must consent for their children to participate in the study as they are minors. If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Giulia Borriello, the co-investigator of the study, at 917-817-5718. Or you can email Giulia at gaborriello21@gmail.com. Thank you!
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| Advocacy This Month: Now is the Time to Tell Your Early Education Story |
On May 9, the Senate passed, SB 1466, a proposed budget for 2012-13. The bill
- Restores funding to 2011-12 levels for PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental;
- Maintains the Governor's proposed budget for Child Care Works; and
- Reduces funding for Keystone STARS by $8.7 million from the Governor's proposed budget.
The bill then moved to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration. On May 21, the House Appropriations committee approved the bill as is to move to the full House for consideration and vote.
The House may be voting on the bill this week. It is important that House members (representatives) understand the value of early education programs, what cuts are included in the bill, and how those cuts would impact children and families in their communities. You can find contact information for your elected officials on the PA General Assembly website. Now is the time to share your story with Keystone STARS and Pennsylvania's early education programs, as a teacher, parent, child, employer or member of your community. Time is running out - the deadline to pass a budget is June 30.
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