Early Childhood Education Matters
Our New Format
During the 2019-2020 school year, the Berrien RESA Early Childhood Education Department started a community newsletter. We published just a few issues before COVID took all of our excess time and energy. Now we are back and have a new, shorter, and easier to read format. We will publish it every couple of months and will share what we are doing (with pictures and short descriptions) and provide a list of upcoming events or new information you can access. Please let me know what you think, use the link below to subscribe, and as always - let us know if we can help!
Kerenda Applebey
ECE Director, Berrien RESA. kerenda.applebey@berrienresa.org.
Making Connections through Music
Submitted by Daniel Regal, Speech and Language Pathologist, Early On
Music is one of the most effective ways to engage children who otherwise might not pay us any mind - it can be a powerful tool for supporting their learning! As a therapist, I tend to lean toward engagement and rapport-building as the foundation for intervention, especially with kiddos who seem to have little to no interest in tasks that involve joint attention or social interaction. When coaching families, I tend to encourage a similar approach. Figure out what the child enjoys, and try to think, “How can that be a learning activity?” Music is almost always a direct way to transform a one-sided interaction into a more social and educational activity. The tricky part can be understanding how to make anything a song. Take that melody from Old McDonald and put your own words to it. At first this might feel a little strange to some parents (and professionals), but it has been exciting and encouraging to hear all the different ways parents use this approach.
Helping Books Come Alive: The Little Blue Truck
Submitted by Alexis Elston, Early On Teacher
In the Early On classroom, we work on school readiness skills and adult-directed tasks. The book of the month for September was the Little Blue Truck and the children really enjoyed being able to use the felt-board to follow the characters during circle time. Each student would take a turn adding a character to the board when they appeared in the book, working on patience and grasp/release skills. We then transitioned to craft time: painting a muddy Little Blue Truck. Children used paint brushes and cotton balls to add the mud, then we painted their hands to make the cow. It was a great sensory activity and chance for them to engage in messy play. After the trucks dried, I added their pictures to the driver's seat so their parents would have a keepsake from their time in Early On. As we prepare them for school success, it is important that we make it a positive experience for both the kids and their families!
All Steps are Important Steps
Submitted by Kathleen Hucks, Early On Teacher
The photo above show Val VanAllen, Physical Therapist with Early On, as she is introducing Cade to a reverse walker. Val is explaining to Dad the wheel locks and how this walker really helps Cade since he cannot go backwards. The second picture shows Cade as he has proudly walks across the room.
READ AROUND THE COUNTY
On September 30, the Read Around the County event took place at the Niles Riverside Park! The weather was beautiful (rain caused us to cancel the event three days earlier in St. Joseph). A total of 45 people attended - 17 families with 24 children. Many guest readers volunteered their time to read to the families who were spread out on blankets around the park. Every family went home with a gift bag that included a new children's book.
Is that Red Ridinghood?
Great day to read my new book in the park!
Non Discrimination Clause/Title IX
Optimizing Student Outcomes through Collaboration and Transformation
The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.
Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer and for all other concerns:
Breanna Bell, Director of Human Resources
Berrien RESA , 711 St. Joseph Avenue, Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Title IX Investigators: Kevin Clark, Technology Services Director and Breanna Bell, Director of Human Resources
Title IX Decision Maker: Chris Machiniak, Assistant Superintendent
Title IX Appeals: Eric Hoppstock, Superintendent
Title IX Final Rule (Clark Hill). For procedural information, please review Berrien RESA's Board policies.