Director Monthly Updates
Progress Delayed Isn't Progress Denied! April 01, 2017
Our Best Year Ever!
Learning from Experience!
We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, scared to our touch.
Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit. E. E. Cummings
2016 - 17 Goals
- Improve communication between admin, staff and parents.
- THANKS CINDY FOR PUTTING THE UPDATES TOGETHER.
Every classroom should have a Remind 101 for your class. See Cindy if you need assistance.
- Cultivate a climate where we support each others efforts, ideas and hard work, while holding each other accountable for program excellence.
- We each established goals and are holding each other accountable. If you have not made written a growth plan with Washea, please stop by this week to schedule a time to do so.
- Improve our Language, Literacy and Communication Scores on the COR and Ages and Stages by one level.
Early Release
- Reminder: Early Release day April 13th (contact your families and document your discussions on your communication log)
- No School OELC is closed April 14th
April is Month of the Young Child
Please pick up your Purple ribbon in the office to show your support
First Bulletin Board at OELC needs to be completed by the
Month of the Young Child Committee
The Second Bulletin Board is IB and will stay up through April
Staff Meeting/Committee Meetings/Board Meetings
- Committee Meeting ~ April 18th
Dates to remember
- April 3-7 Spring Break
- April 11th Party Planners ~ Board Meeting is Cancelled ~ Meeting Cancelled
- May 5th Spring Concert
- May 18th Spring Celebration
HighScope Certified Teachers
Congratulations!
2016 ~ Shari Baker
2017 ~ Megan Dray, Peggy Harvey, Melissa Giulani, Brandy Lepping, Kelly Lee,
& Jyl Murray
2017 In Progress ~ Melanie Ganz and Jillian Reynolds have submitted their applications
We are so PROUD of all of you and all your hard Work!
OELC is very happy to announce the opening of a new classroom this fall!
When discussing age eligibility for our classrooms, please use the following guidelines below. September 1, 2017 is the date to determine a students' age. Waivers are not offered.
Infants = 0-12 months
Toddler 1 = 12-18 months
Toddler 2 = 19-33 months
3 year olds Full Day = 33-47 months
4 year olds Full Day = 48+ months
Messages From Sue's Corner
Enrollment
Began 3/6/16 ~ Contact your families and make the appropriate documentation on your communication log.
Spring Break Time Sheet were estimated hours ~ you must submitted your actual time.
Any changes to your estimate can be made next week just make sure there is a note along with it.
You will enter your actual hours for the week of Mar 6-12. Along with any changes that need to be made.
Skyward
- Enter your time into Skyward daily: when you arrive and depart.
- Submit your payroll on Wednesday.
- If you are not working your scheduled hours, get prior permission, and put a note in the explanation box.
- Use the mileage form. You can no longer type your miles into the description box.
- Submit mileage within the month traveled.
- Skyward Questions If you have questions about True Time or Time Off Request, please contact Sue first before contacting Angie.
Time Off
- March ~ 32 people were off
- February ~ 16 people were off
- January ~ 14 people were off
- December ~ 12 people were off
- November ~ 15 people were off
- October ~ 22 people were off
- September ~ 6 people were off
April is Month of the Young Child
Month of the Young Child ~ Early Years Are Learning Years
"This is a time when communities and individuals recognize the needs and rights
of young children and their families. Since 1971, one week in April has been celebrated nationally as Week of the Young Child. In 1985, Michigan expanded the celebration to the entire month of April, with each week having a specific focus. Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) coordinates the campaign with support from local and state organizations, businesses and public agencies." MiAEYC, 2017
Week 1 April 1—8 Physical Development
Week 2 April 9—15 Social Development
Week 3 April 16—22 Emotional Development
Week 4 April 23—30 Cognitive Development
The Month of the Young Child Committee sent this letter to you, so you could forward to your family's, if you have questions, please contact the Karen Morris.
The Month of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and families. We're so excited for a month long celebration of our youngest learners! Start planning your celebration today with event ideas and activities below!
The week of April 17th-Friday April 21st will be a fun, spirit type of week. Please have your child dress according to what each day’s theme is. This is sure to be a wacky week!
- Monday, April 17th- Crazy Hair/Crazy Sock Day
- Tuesday, April 18th- Costume/Character Day (dress up clothes, costumes etc.)
- Wednesday, April 19th- Wacky Wednesday Backwards/Inside Out Day
- Thursday, April 20th- Hat Day
- Friday, April 21st- PJ Day
OELC Family Movie Night-Friday, April 28th at 630 PM. Come out for a super fun, super FREE fun night! We will be watching the Trolls movie at Lakeville Elementary. We will have popcorn, drinks, and will “put our hair up!” We are sure to have a great time! Please sign up in your child’s classroom and you will receive tickets to the show during the last week of April. See the attached for more info about this super fun night!
Macaroni Kid Lake Orion/Clarkston/Oxford has put together the most AMAZING list of free and low cost activities for the month of April. They also included all the restaurants that offer kids eat free/reduced promotions in our area. It’s an extensive packet, so we are attaching it to this email. If you would like a paper copy, please let your child’s teacher know and they can get you one.
This is sure to be a fun filled month for all of our little learners. Please let us know if you have any questions!
The Month of the Young child committee sent out a note with a calendar for activities Promoted by: https://lakeorion.macaronikid.com/
Pat's Corner
Language and Literacy Initiative
Thanks so much to their leadership, commitment and their work with our Language and Literacy Initiative: Kelly Lee, Brandy Lepping, Melanie Ganz and Dee Theile!
The Language and Literacy Committee has been working to improve our student’s skills in letter recognition, sounds, writing, reading, speaking, and listening. These efforts have really paid off. Our COR Data indicates that our Language, Literacy and Communication Scores among preschoolers began the year at an average of 3.28; in February, these same students scored and average of 4.09, this is .81 gain in a very short amount of time! Further our students showed the highest gain in Phonological Awareness with a gain in this one item of 1.24 – this is a stellar gain. In fact, it is our highest gain.
Transition Guidance
As the Transition Committee has set out some general guidelines for activities that will support children’s transition between classrooms and grade levels. The Committee will forward the plans they have developed this month. It is important to remember that effective transition activities include:
- Time for children to meet their classmates, teachers and other adults in their school;
- Time for parents to meet these people who are important in their children’s lives.
- Orientation to the physical building and adjacent spaces.
- Face to face conversation about what to expect, reports back on how activities went and next steps.
- Sensitive interactions with of parents and children who will be exposed to new settings.
- Written and resource information about plans and activities and what parents and children can do.
Transition Resources for Parents
The Michigan Department of Education has published fact sheets for families (and teachers) this is information that we use to support children’s transitions from Early Childhood Programs and into Elementary School. Many of these strategies and handouts are appropriate for younger students as well. Please send the link out to your families:
- Moving between preschool and Kindergarten www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6530_6809-152726--,00.html
- Moving between two through four years old www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Transition_at_Age_3_Final_522390_7.pdf
Pat's Corner
Literacy through Music
Last month the infant and toddlers got together to experience sounds of musical instruments. We shared such sounds as drums, bells, shacky eggs, moracas, etc. We then had the opportunity to listen to a violinist. Ms. Cindy Yu daughter, Katherine (11), came to our classroom and played her violin for us as part of our literacy program, listening to musical sounds. It was a very enjoyable event, our toddler friends held hands, talked to our infant friends, danced, and moved their bodies to the sounds of the violin.
Year Book 2016~2017
Please put your pictures in the shared drive under 2016 -17 year book before 4.13.17.
This is a wonderful resource for found materials. Great Book. Washea has a copy in her office.
Messages from Karen Corner
Parent Advisory Meeting Minutes
A huge thank you to everyone who came to our Parent Advisory Meeting. Here are the things that we discussed at our meeting.
- Pat Brauer, Infant/Toddler Coordinator, introduced our new toddler assistant teacher, Cindy Arencio, as part of the OELC team. She also talked about visits planned for the transition of infants moving into the toddler room and the toddler’s transition into either the older toddler room or the three-year-old room next year. The visits will be weekly, starting in May. This will help the children become familiar with their new teachers and their new classrooms.
- Karen Morris, Family Specialist, talked about ‘Playhouses for a Purpose’. Real Estate Gives, in Lake Orion, is sponsoring an Auction on May 13 at the Lake Orion Flower Show. Three nonprofit organizations whose missions center on children and families were chosen to participate. The three organizations are Oxford Early Leaning Center, Love Inc. of North Oakland County and The Daisy Project. Each organization is building a playhouse, which will be auctioned off, to the highest bidder on May 13. OELC’s playhouse will be on display by our marquee on Pontiac Street, starting April 1. We will receive 100% of the money raised from our playhouse. Our plan is build ‘Little Libraries’, one at each elementary school and others at different locations in the community. Families will be able to take a book and leave a book at their leisure.
- We also talked about Parent/Teacher communication and how families are happy with the remind 101 texts they are receiving. Some parents were concerned that not every classroom was being notified of an illness in the school. They suggested that we, (OELC), post any illness that maybe in the school, in a common area where all parents can see it.
- Melanie Ganz talked about the Language and Literacy program being piloted this year at Oxford Early Learning Center. She gave some examples of activities ranging from our infant program to our extended day programs. We talked about how each age group are engaging in developmentally appropriate activities that promote language and literacy. Parents suggested using the monitor in the hallway of OELC to provide information to the parents on the weekly goals of each age group. Parents can then help support these activities from home.
- Each committee chair attended the meeting.
- Dee Thiele's Spring Celebration update. The event takes place Thursday, May 18 from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm. Many fun things are planned. The food and drinks will be provided by Oxford Schools Food Service Department. Thanks Karen Bissett! We will raffle baskets from our classrooms and local businesses.
- Jillian Reynolds spoke on behalf of the transition/curriculum committee. For our infant, toddler, and three-year-old programs, weekly visits to classrooms are planned. Children will spend some time in their new environments and meet the teachers. These visits will begin in May and will continue until the school year concludes. Kindergarten visits are planned for our preschoolers. Off-site GSRP classrooms will visit kindergarten classrooms in their buildings and OELC preschoolers will walk to D.A. Each classroom teacher will make books for the students transitioning into their room. These books will include pictures of the teachers, different areas of the room, anything that would be new for the incoming students. These books will then be added to the classroom library. Preschoolers will participate in a bus safety trip.
- Leanne Smithling shared news about our OELC Spring Concert. The event takes place Friday, May 5th in the Performing Arts Center. Teachers will instruct parents to drop their children off 15 minutes prior to the performance. Light refreshments will be available after the concert.
- Melissa Giuliani spoke on behalf of our party planning committee. Parents reported they enjoyed the Halloween Party and Valentines Dance. Parents did ask if we could start having our parties on Friday evenings instead of Wednesdays and maybe we could alternate different sites. Karen Morris will look at next year’s calendar and see if Fridays are available.
- Shari Baker was the spokes person for the Month of the Young Child. Families will receive an email with all the fun things planned for this month.
Data Meeting Minutes
March 23, 2017
Review of December Goals
We shared goals and data from the Data Analysis Summary.
Program Strengths: curriculum and planning continue as a strength. Teachers explained the benefits of using the Child Observation Record (COR) and using the Data Driven Report on a weekly basis. Ms. Ganz showed example of how COR results and observation inform lesson plans. She discussed activities and strategies that are developed by using this information.
Parents reported that the COR portal has been helpful in looking at what their children are doing on a daily basis. Parents also reported that they appreciate signs outside of the classrooms. This is a great way to start a conversation with their children.
Parents further shared that all classrooms at OELC use the same curriculum, assessment, staffing and credentials, so the Data Meeting includes families and teachers from all classrooms. Ms. Baker related that Ms. Jackson’s presence has been essential to achieving this level of quality.
Review of December Goals
Long Term Goals:
At the December Data Analysis Meeting, two items from the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) included Conflict Resolution and Diversity Materials.
Review of activities to promote conflict resolutions skills among staff included: mentoring, practicing the six steps, professional development, and discussions during monthly meetings.
Review of activities to promote and increase in diversity related materials in the learning environment included how teachers can think about diversity in terms of the children’s living experiences and community. Examples include: blocks with pictures of community and school, class made books with photos of families, use of logos that represent family work places, and pictures, books, and puzzles that counter gender stereotypes (men cooking and caring for babes; women in construction work).
Review of activities that support children’s phonological awareness. A leadership team including the director, coordinator and teachers has been working to support teachers with an initiative focused on supporting development and skills.
2016-17 Data
Review of Data; includes PQA data from Oakland Schools, Oxford Schools GRSP and pre- and post- information on Oxford Schools preschool programs (by item). COR data at these levels were shared as well.
Discussion about Progress
The group reflected on data, and noted that Oxford scored above the county average in each area of the PQA, the lowest area continues to be learning environment, the highest area of growth is adult child interaction, which includes conflict resolution
Data about children’s growth using the COR indicates that while phonological awareness was an area of concern in Oxford it is an area of concern across other preschool programs countywide. Oxford’s score was higher than average, it is among the lowest scores for the site. The group compared OELC scores with the county results and found that Oxford scored higher than Oakland Schools' results.
Develop Goals and Activities for the next Quarter
Teachers and parents met by classroom to discuss data and develop goals specific for individual sites.
Lowest COR Item: Phonological Awareness
Lowest PQA Item: Diversity and Environment
Dates to Remember
Library Visits ~
This will be the last Library visit of the school year. The dates available are as follows:
Monday, April 17th - 11:15am – 11:45am Busy Bunnies
Wednesday, April 19th – 11:30am-12:00pm Dinos
Thursday. April 20th – 11:30am – 12:00pm DA GSRP
Monday, April 24th – 11:15am – 11:45am Perkies
Tuesday, April 25th – 11:15am – 11:45am Pandas
Wednesday, April 26th – 11:30am – 12:00pm
Thursday, April 27th - 11:30am – 12:00pm
Month of the Young Child
Use your COR Notes to drive your lessons.
Week 1April 1—8 Physical Development
Week 2April 9—15 Social Development
Week 3April 16—22 Emotional Development
Week 4April 23—30 Cognitive Development
Literacy Notes from Kelly Lee
We are in the final stretch of the phonemic awareness program. The following are the dates for each section through the rest of the school year. The attached scan will give you the activities that are recommended for each chapter. Let me know if you have any questions.
Week #12 April 10-April 14
Rhyming
#36-#39
Week #13 is April 17-April 21
Alliteration
#70-#74
Week #14 is April 24-April 28
Letter Recognition
#89-#94
Week 15 is May 1-5
Sound Awareness
#121-#125
SPRING CONCERT
Finally! The moment you have been waiting for! Below is the list of Spring Concert Songs we will be singing at the concert this year. Please, please, please have an open mind! We are going to try singing 1 song acapella this year! Trust me it will all be okay!
Songs:
1. Friends, Friends 1-2-3 (Same edited version as last year) - This song showcases cultural inclusion and support for the foreign language programs that are such an integral part of Oxford Schools. (approx. 3 minutes)
2. I have Got a Song in My Tummy by Laurie Berkner - This song is fun, upbeat and encourages children to move in not-so-specific ways, so they have some choice). You can find this song on Youtube. I will put all the songs on the share drive as soon as I can. (approx. 3.15 minutes)
3. ABCD Medley by Laurie Berkner - This song supports what our students have been learning thanks to our new language and literacy program! This is the acapella song so please do not play this one for your kiddos to sing along but look it up on Youtube for yourself to get a general idea.) All the teachers in the front row and on stage will sing the ABC part, with the kiddos (which is just the alphabet song and the "ba ba da da da ba ba" part - don't worry I will teach it to you!). In between the alphabet song and chorus the children will recite three nursery rhymes - Little Miss Muffett, Hickory Dickory Dock, and Jack Be Nimble. I will have a symbol to hold up representing each rhyme, so the kiddos know which one they are reciting when. Until I meet with everyone, just practice the alphabet song and these three rhymes which your kiddos probably already know. (approx. 3 minutes)
4. Miss Mary Mack - This supports alliteration - another Language and Literacy component. We will be using the version on Youtube from BabyTV. I have an easy way to teach our kiddos how to clap to this song. I will get that information to you. (approx. 2.00 minutes)
5. One Small Voice - Parents and preschoolers seem to love this song. It brings in a sign language component, and it has got a great message about unity and coming together. (approx. 2.03 minutes).
TRANSITION/CURRICULUM NIGHT
For the transition up to the next class/school, Melanie will set up the kindergarten visits for OELC and off site teachers will set up their visits with kindergarten teachers in their own buildings. Melanie will coordinate hot lunch for OELC, too. Off-site teachers will do the same at their sites.
Things they are considering:
- Setting up lunch dates for classes in the cafeteria during Summer Camp (the same way it was done this year).
- Infants and Toddlers doing playdates on the playground.
- Offering childcare for Curriculum Night. Last year, there were numerous children present, which may have been distracting to other parents.
- Asking for NHS volunteers to help with childcare during Curriculum Night.
- Narrowing down the number of speakers. Parents expressed they did not remember what the last couple of teachers said.
Big Question
Tell us your BUCKET LIST? For example... Throw a Dart at a map and go where it Lands, Join a Club, Go on Safari, Jump out of a plane, Swim in the SEA, Run a Marathon and FINISH... Dream BIG...
What would you like to hear or see in your Staff Monthly Newsletter?
Notes from our first staff meeting are attached to the Big Question
Click on the live link above to answer the question.
Where to Go For Help?
Sue Roeher, Program Coordinator cell 810-614-0070, office 248-969-5036
Pat Mueller, Education Coordinator cell 248-221-0920, office 248-969-5082
Karen Morris, Family Specialist cell 248-935-7541 office 248-969-5063
Cindy Peck Office Administrator office 248-969-5038
Organizaion Chart
Where to Go For Help ~ "True power comes when one empowers others". ~ Washea
I fully trust and depend on our team to make sound judgements that are made for the good of the collective group. If you are in need of help, have a question, please see our wonderful admin support!
Sue, Program Coordinator
- Billing, payroll, attendance sheets (only until December), ERD, enrollment, summer/spring break field trips, Summer Camp, schedules and Evaluations: staff attendance and schedules
Pat, Early Childhood Coordinator
- Enrollment, PQAs, sub plans, curriculum: HighScope and IB, assessments: COR and ASQ, Evaluations: monthly meetings, video feedback, lesson plans, assessments classroom visits and Accreditations
Karen, Family Specialist
- Staffing: Orientations, Licensing: PD Log, 1st Aid/CPR, Cleaning Checklist, Pest Logs, Carpet Cleaning, Binders, Community Outreach, Fliers, Marque, Parent Meetings, Communication Logs, Accreditations, Committees and Evaluations: health checklist, PD/Communication logs, committee meetings
Cindy, Admin. Assistance
- Answer phone, sort mail, visitor badges, maintain website, place orders, collect receipts, registration (starting in January), collect attendance sheets (starting in December), advertisement, Enviro-Clean, staff files ~ ICHAT AND DHS, birthday list, Keys ~ tech closet and storage building, and maintain allergy list without Permission to Publish
2016/2017 Approved Subs
Colleen Goodwin 248.568.3679 Not available until after Spring Break
Jan Garreston 248.628.4218
Denise Nicholas 248.672.4886
Sue Morrison 248.895.0263 Monday thru Friday 9:15 - 2:00
Help Desk-Jason French 969-1898
Maintenance Linda 969-5078
Up Coming Dates
April 3-7 Spring Break
April 11 – Board Meeting at 6:30 – Party Planning Committee joins Washea
April 13 – Early Release Day – GSRP Home Visit Day
April 14 – No School – OELC Closed
April 18 – Committee Meetings 6:30 – changes to time or location report to Karen Morris
April 20 – GSRP Intake Interviews with families begins
April 25 – Thunder Drummers at High School PAC free for families show time is 7 p.m.
April 28 – Family Movie Night at Lakeville Cafeteria at 6:30 – details to follow to follow from Month of Young Child Committee
Planning Ahead to May
May – TBD – Transition activities – details to follow from Transition/Curriculum Night Committee
May 5 – Spring Concert at High School PAC 6-7:30 details to follow from Spring Concert Committee
May 13 – Playhouse with a Purpose at Lake Orion Flower Show at 3 pm, contact Karen Morris for more information
May 15 & 16 GSRP Parent/Teacher conferences (before/after school)
May 18 – Last day for GSRP; Spring Fair 6 – 8 – details to follow from Spring Fair Committee
May 22 – 24 Parent/Teacher conferences 4 – 8 (GSRP staff to cover a.m.) Schedules TBD
May First Bulletin Board completed by Infant/Toddlers (together); Second Bulletin Board completed by Perkies