http://buildingbrightfutures.org/franklin/about/
February 2015
Franklin Grand Isle 
Building Bright Futures
Your source for all things early childhood
PLANTING SEEDS

 

Now is the time to plan ahead and prepare for new growth! As the days get longer and the year ramps up, take some time to think about the future with our children and their families. Planting seeds for the future is a joyous and exciting activity to do together.

 

I would like to highlight one of my many favorite books,  
Seedfolks (1997). It is a short children's novel written by Paul Fleischman, with illustrations by Judy Pedersen.The story is told by a diverse cast of characters living on (or near) Gibb Street in Cleveland, Ohio, each from a different ethnic group. Chapter by chapter, each character describes the transformation of an empty lot into a vibrant community garden, and in doing so, they each experience their own transformations.
It is a vivid and imaginative chapter book to be enjoyed by readers of all ages!

Parents, caregivers and providers! As we approach Spring, come join our Playgroups, Tumble times and Story times that offer daily activities throughout our Region. Check out our website for schedules at 

Beat the Winter Blues and come join us in Building Brighter Futures!

Please find out current FGI BBF Activity Calendar here FGI BBF Activity Calendar 2015

 

 

I look forward to hearing from you to better serve our children and families!

 

Thank you,

 

Maria Dolores "Loli" Berard. M.Ed

 

Regional Coordinator

 

Franklin Grand Isle Building Bright Futures PTA, Inc.

[email protected] 

Cell: (802) 370-0747

 

FGI BBF PTA,Inc. Direct Services  Programs [email protected] 

36 North Main Street, PO Box 208

St. Albans, VT  05478

Cell:  (802) 370-0838

 

Find us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/franklingrandislebbf 
Franklin Grand Isle BBF in ACTION
Local Action Plan Stories

SAVE THE DATES!!

 

Feb.7 Saturday 9 am to 12 noon

WHAT: Healthy Hearts in Northwestern Vermont

WHERE: St.Albans City School 29 Bellows St., St.Albans, VT 05478

Join FGI BBF and NMC for a fun, family-friendly, FREE event focused on moving toward a heart-healthy community. You will be able to try out short sessions of physical activity throughout the event. We will also offer free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, healthy snacks, chair massage, activities for kids and interactive educational information on heart health. Join FGI BBF for our popular Storywalks and free give-aways!

 

Here's the schedule for our event's physical activities. Doors open at 9 a.m. and Healthy Hearts runs til noon. Every half hour a new class will start - with sessions for families, and for individuals.

 

9:30-10 a.m. - Family Hoopnotica, Zumba for adults
10-10:30 a.m. - Zumbatomics for the Family, Hoopnotica Fit
10:30-11 a.m. - Family Yoga, Yoga
11-11:30 a.m. - Martial Arts for the Family, Tai Chi

FOR MORE INFO: 

Follow them on Facebook:

Healthy Hearts in Northwestern Vermont

Contact Dorey Demers at ddemers@nmcinc.org

 

March 6 Friday 9 am to 1 pm

WHAT: BABY EXPO

WHERE:St.Albans City Hall. This will be hosted by our sub-grantee, Northwest Counseling and Support Services. Contact Margaret Maley at (802) 393-6591 or email [email protected]

Follow them on Facebook:

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services

 

April 11 Saturday 10 am to 12 noon

FGI Bookmobile BIG RIG DAY & FGI Building Bright Futures "Month of the Young Child"

Annual Month of the Young Child and BIG RIG day on April 11th from 10 am-12 noon at the Highgate Elementary School on Gore Rd. in Highgate Center. Last year we had 600 children and their families in attendance. Contact (802) 868-5077 or email [email protected] for more information about securing a table and setting up.

Follow them on Facebook: FGI Bookmobile

 
Statewide Story

Stay informed with the latest updates for:
  • Universal pre-K Act 166
  • pre-K Expansion Grant
  • Pre-Qualification of pre-K Programs
  • Implementation Guidance on Act 166 part.1
    Click on this link for latest information:

Early Childhood Day at the Legislature - Announcing Sponsors, Member Discounts and Keynote Speaker

Registration is now open at this link:

ECDL Registration 2015 

Registration for Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) will open by Monday, February 2nd. Don't miss this year's education and advocacy event on Wednesday, March 11th from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in Montpelier hosted by the Alliance, Let's Grow Kids and Building Bright Futures.

Membership Discounts on ECDL Registration: Since members and strategic partners of the Alliance will be given a $10 discount on registration fees, we urge you to join the Alliance prior to signing up for ECDL. The links: VT EC Alliance Membership and Legislative Agenda

documents are available online. 
Sign up today!

Keynote Speaker: We are pleased to announce Dr. Paul Dworkin as this year's keynote speaker. Dr. Dworkin is Executive Vice President for Community Child Health at Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Founding Director of the Help Me Grow National Center, and professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. We look forward to learning from his expertise in the interface between child development, child health services, and child health policy. 

 

Sponsors: We are grateful to the following sponsors that will ensure the day is a success: Agency of Human Services/Vermont Department of Health - Maternal Child Health Division, Department for Children and Families - Child Development Division, Vermont Community Loan Fund, Vermont Early Educators United, Vermont Birth to Three and the Vermont Head Start Association.

 

Questions? Contact Katie Remuzzi, Delaney Meeting & Event Management at [email protected] or call (802) 865-5202

 

 

Meet VERMONT INSIGHTS - a project of Building Bright Futures

Vermont Insights is the reporting system for the current collection of early childhood data systems and the future early childhood integrated data system in Vermont. 
Click this link to watch: 

*WATCH ON TV : * You can watch this program on Channel 17/ Town Meeting Television, on Comcast Cable and Burlington Telecom at the following times:
3 Friday January 30, 3:00 PM
4 Saturday January 31, 5:30 PM
5 Thursday February  5, 1:00 PM

 

 


 

Vermont Early Childhood News 

The Vermont Early Childhood Budget Report  Vermont has a new tool for tracking the benefits of public investments in early childhood.  The Early Childhood Budget Report, released by BBF, examines the share of Vermont's annual state budget devoted to young children- specifically, public investments on behalf of young children through age 8, their families, and pregnant women. Click here to read the full report: 

 


 

Child Care is too Costly for Many      

Vermont spent about 15 percent of its state budget on early childhood education in 2013. A little less than half of that expense supported K-3 education, and the rest targeted the needs of younger children. But many working families still cannot afford child care, according to a new report from an early childhood advocacy group. The update on state spending comes from Building Bright Futures, a non-profit that serves as Vermont's advisory council for early education. It reports that the median rate for childcare in Vermont is just over $9,000 per child.   
Click here to read to report:

 


 

FOR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS! 

Childcare Wellness Consultant Update

Thanks to monies from the Early Learning Challenge grant,Wellness Consultants are visiting programs throughout the state.  Find out how you can schedule a free visit from a Registered Nurse to help assess common wellness issues, such as nutrition, physical activity, emergency preparedness, infectious disease policies and developmental screenings for childcare centers.Click on this link for more information:
 

 

     COLLABORATION
Franklin Grand Isle BBF
Regional Council News

Board Meetings & Hot Topics 


We welcome parents, providers, caregivers and community members to our Board Meetings. Childcare is available with prior notification. Contact Susan McDonald at (802) 370-0838 or email [email protected] to make arrangements.

FGI BBF Board meetings are defined as the gathering of the Board of Directors Members and non-voting Stakeholder Members for the purpose of carrying out the mission of FGI Building Bright Futures PTA, Inc. in accordance with the Board's policies and procedures.  Board meetings are open to all and held monthly according to the Vermont State Open Meeting Law.

Date: Second Monday of each month, except July and August. 

Time: 8:30-10:30am

Location:  Church of the Rock, 1091 Fairfax Road, St. Albans,VT 05478

Stipends:  Stipends are available for parents, early care and education professionals and community members who are not being compensated for their time to attend Board Meetings and Workgroups.  Please note that this is a limited budget item.
FREE Activities!
Have some fun!
The Franklin Grand Isle BBF newsletter hopes to provide the latest news, research and local activities, as well as to connect and inspire those in the state's early childhood system. 

I invite you to send me your ideas, concerns and hopes for our children. I want to hear and learn from you! 
Loli Berard
Franklin Grand Isle Building Bright Futures
(802) 370-0747
In This Issue
Quick Links




  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  

The importance of early childhood education
The importance of early childhood education

Click on this link for latest edition:
elbow-children-line.jpg
Why Focus on the First Years
Why Focus on the First Year
Click on this link for power point:
Building Bright Futures | 802-876-5010 | [email protected] | http://www.buildingbrightfutures.org
600 Blair Park
Suite 306
Williston, VT 05495
About Franklin Grand Isle BBF
Building Bright Futures (BBF) serves a dual role as both the Vermont Early Childhood Advisory Council and 501(c)(3) statewide network, aligning local solutions of 12 Regional Councils with policy at the state level in order to make improvements in access, quality, and affordability of early care, health, and education for families and young children birth to eight-years-old. Franklin Grand Isle Building Bright Futures is one of the 12 Regional Councils in the BBF statewide network.

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