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Addison Building Bright Futures
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Early Childhood Council - Early Connections Newsletter
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Greetings, 
Can you believe it is already March? Spring is upon us, despite all of the snow, and the Early Childhood Council is as busy as ever!
Work on our strategic plan has progressed nicely, our work session on the Theory of Change helped us to align our priorities with IFS (Integrated Family Services) and other Addison County goals.
I look forward to seeing you all this month at the March 5th early childhood council meeting, or Early Childhood Day in Montpelier on March 11!
 I am enjoying my work in Addison County tremendously. I am thankful each and every day to have an opportunity to build relationships with new colleagues, and make progress toward realizing the promise of Addison County children and families!
The intent of this monthly newsletter is to provide the latest news and research, upcoming events and connect our early childhood world, both locally and statewide.
I invite you to send your ideas, concerns and dreams for a healthy early childhood system within Addison County! Please contact me at danderson@buildingbrightfutures.org or 349-5173 to schedule a time to share ideas. |
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Strategic Planning
Feb. 25, 2015
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Addison BBF in ACTION
The Theory of Change and Addison BBF Strategic Plan
On February 25, presenters from Actknowldge led the council through the Theory of Change methodology.
Over 20 council members attended the Feb. 25 session with Actknowledge, to  learn about this process, and how to apply it to our strategic planing. The intent of using the Theory of Change is to confirm that our actions are intentionally staged to meet our goals. The road map we are creating will enable us to be accountable for our actions, as we work toward achieving our goals. The areas of focus center around health, education, and family. Collaboration, quality and family focus are the driving forces behind our work. It was inspiring to align our priorities with the IFS System of Care, and other agency priorities. Feedback from the morning included: "Thank you!" "This is exciting work!" and "We in Addison County really ARE good at collaboration!"
Parent  s of Addison County
Join the discussion with other parents on how you can encourage more "family" voice
for children and families in Addison County.
Family Advisory Council for more details
Please RSVP by 3/16/15:
Call or email Lorraine Sylvain 802-777-7983 or lsylvain@vffcmh.org
Brought to you by The Vermont Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, Ben and Jerry's Foundation, System of Care. Partners in Addison County/Integrated Family Services, and Vermont Agency of Human Services.
Week of the Young Child™
Celebrate NAEYC's Week of the Young Child™ April 12 -18, 2015!
This year's celebration includes weekday themes that focus on a variety of ways to make play meaningful and learning fun!
Music Monday
Taco Tuesday
Work Together Wednesday
Artsy Thursday
Family Friday
TS Gold Trainings
Brandon Inn, 20 Park Street, Brandon, VT 8:30-3:30
Instructor: Linda January, Otter Creek Child Center
Step 2: March 28: Analyze and Respond- Participants will explain the levels within the progressions of development and learning, and identify when to use the On-the-Spot Observation Recording Tool and the Assessment Opportunity Cards™.
aturday April 18th
Step 3: April 18: Evaluate- Participants will explain the four steps of the assessment cycle, discuss observation notes, discuss portfolios and the analysis of documentation, evaluate child portfolios, and develop a plan for communicating with others.
Saturday May 16th
Step 4:May 16 Summarizing Assessment Information, Using It to Plan, and Sharing It with Others - Participants will demonstrate how to navigate through each of these areas: documentation, checkpoints, planning, communication, and children.
Each class will take place at the Brandon Inn and will be from 830-330. I recommend Step 3 for people who are want more understanding of the checkpoints and Step 4 for admin who are working with reports.
To register:
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Vermont Early Childhood News
 How children benefit from family friendly work policies
A new report explores Vermont's policies through the lens of optimal child development
Family friendly workplace policies promote optimal childhood brain development and enhance child and family well-being. With nearly 65,000 Vermont children under age 13 living in households where all of the parents are in the labor force, are Vermont's work policies up to the task of supporting the state's working families?
Click here to read Balancing Work and Life: The Importance of Family Friendly Work Policies on Child and Family Well-being, a new policy brief by Project LAUNCH's Traci Sawyers, published by Building Bright Futures.
If you like this article, or are a working parent, check out the video for a laugh (or cry)!https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=937985949578876&fref=nf
Harvest of the Month (HOM) is a
Farm-to-School c ampaign providing ready-to-go educational materials for the classroom, cafeteria, and community that promotes the use of local, seasonal Vermont foods. Our local organization, ACORN is a community partner helping to increase awareness in Addison County. The goal is to sign up every pre-school in the county and ACORN will offer assistance to help us introduce new foods to our youngest community members. A range of resources developed by Harvest of the Month are available on their website: recipes, taste testing and beautiful monthly posters. Every elementary school in the county has signed the pledge, with your participation we can help introduce the seasonal produce to the children in your pre-school.
Join others to make Addison County the first county in the state to have ALL pre-schools pledge to use the resources available through this excellent program. Sign the Pledge that states your interest in promoting this campaign. The resources are free and designed to help you cultivate healthy food and seasonal awareness while promoting our local farms. Subscribe to the Harvest of the Month Newsletter here.
23rd Annual Vermont Kindergarten Conference
Friday, March 27, 2015, Hilton Hotel, Burlington, VT
The Vermont Kindergarten Conference offers kindergarten teachers, administrators, early educators, and others an opportunity to gather, network, learn, and celebrate. Link for online registration: 
Kindergarten Conference Registration
Early Childhood Day at the Legislature
Registration is now open for the 21st Anniversary of Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) on Wednesday, March 11, 9:00-2:30.
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.
Hosted by Let's Grow Kids, Vermont Early Childhood Alliance and Building Bright Futures. Register here. Registration fee financial assistance is available! Contact danderson@buildingbrightfutures.org to find out how your registration fee can be reimbursed!
Resources for Providers
Check out VB3 Shared Services
   
Parent Toolkit
Resources for Parents and Teachers
Tips and guides for social emotional development, academics, and health and wellness. Easy to use website breaks down development by ages, and links to so much more!
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Addison BBF
Regional Council News
Next Addison Regional Council Meeting: Thursday, March 5th, 2:30-4:30pm (This meeting will follow the regional CIS meeting)
Addison County Parent Child Center 126 Monroe Street, Middlebury, VT
Agenda:
2:30-3:45 CIS updates and presentation: Executive Functioning of the Brain- Dr. Jody Brakeley and CSAC's Autism/ASSP program-Megan Mayo
3:45-4:30: Early Childhood Council updates and projects
1) Local Fund Development
2) Week of the Young Child- Community Event(s)
3) Promise Community Proposal
4) Theory of Change
5) Middlebury College Social/Emotional Development Curriculum and Community Project
Please join us as we discuss the current projects happening in Addison County around early childhood. Updates will be available on the development of a local fund and the Promise Community proposal for Addison Northwest Supervisory Union.
We will discuss community plans for the Week of the Young Child, and other Spring/Dabble Day ideas for engaging families.
Interested in social/emotional curriculum? Would you like to participate in a Middlebury College-Community Engagement project with college students in Fall 2016? Seeking planning team members who have great ideas!
The priorities of the Addison County Early Childhood Council include
Health- Families- Education 
- Collaboration in Service
- High Quality Programs and Staff
- Community Resources and Outreach
- Parent Education/Family Engagement
The focus of our work is on whole population prevention, with resources in place for interventions as needed to meet families where they are. Our goals include providing access, quality and seamless transitions throughout our greater education and human services system. Collaboration is at the heart of our work!
Article of Interest:
What Americans Keep Ignoring about Finland's School Success
The Scandinavian country is an education superpower because it values equality more than excellence.
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/12/what-americans-keep-ignoring-about-finlands-school-success/250564/?utm_source=SFFB
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Around Addison County
Addison County Legislative Breakfast Schedule 2015. Mark your calendars for opportunities to meet our legislators, beginning in February. Sponsored by Bridport Grange #303 and Addison County Farm Bureau. Addison County Legislative Breakfast Schedule 2015
3/9 7:00-8:45am American Legion, Middlebury
3/16 7:00-8:45am American Legion, Bristol
3/23 12-1:45pm American Legion, Vergennes LUNCH
3/30 12-1:45pm AG LUNCH Community Hall, Bridport
Professional Development
Check out all of the upcoming professional development opportunities happening within Addison County this month! Click here for more details January-June 2015 Professional Development Addison County, or contact Amethyst Peaslee, Resource Specialist, at Mary Johnson Childcare Services for location and registration information: 388-4304 x 17 or resource@mjccvt.org.
Upcoming Training:
3/5 6:30 -8:30pm Physical Development-How to Support It
3/7 9:00-2:00pm Caring for Ourselves, Caring for Others
3/12 6:30-8:30pm Physical Development-How to Support It
3/24 6:30-8:30pm Eggs!
MiniBury:
Check out the latest calendar of drop-in events for families and news from MiniBury. We are so lucky to have such an educated and community-minded Mom creating this weekly blog and updates around family events from one parent to another! Cheers to MinBury! http://www.minibury.comBridport: Tuesdays 9:30-11 Bridport School
Bristol: Tuesdays 9:30-11 Bristol Baptist Church
Middlebury: Tuesdays 9:30-11 Memorial Baptist Church
Vergennes: Wednesdays 9:30-11 Congregational Church
Salisbury: Friday, November 21st, 9-11 Salisbury Community School
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The Addison 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!
Dana Anderson
Addison Building Bright Futures
danderson@buildingbrightfutures.org
(802)349-5173
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BBF State Council
To find out more about BBF's State Council, CLICK HERE.
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Stay Connected
 
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