#INspirEDearly
May 2019, Volume 3
Welcome
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
With Teacher Appreciation Week being May 6-10, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank you and your colleagues for everything you do for Indiana children and families.
New Releases from IDOE
NEW Website
Approaches to Play and Learning Guidance
Social Emotional Guidance
It's That Time - OMWPK Enrollment!
Are You Eligible to Become an On My Way Pre-K Provider?
Capacity Building Grant Opportunity
• Training and professional development of teaching staff;
• Classroom materials that demonstrate increased outcomes for children or increased instructional practices for educators;
• Evidence-based curriculum or instructional materials including professional development for teaching staff to utilize the curriculum;
• Family engagement activities or materials and/or marketing and communication materials;
• Other relevant needs to help expand capacity and/or improve quality programming to help programs reach Paths to QUALITY™ level 3 or 4, which is the requirement for a provider to be eligible to be an On My Way Pre-K provider.
Deadline to apply is Friday, June 7, 2019, at 5 p.m. EDT.
Click on the link below for more information!
Transitions to Kindergarten
As we look to the end of the school year, transitioning from Pre-K to Kindergarten can be an exciting time. Here are some resources to think through as you're implementing your transition plan.
Kindergarten Readiness - Resources for Families
IDOE has created handouts for families that help explain Kindergarten Readiness generally and also specific to Literacy and Mathematics. These handouts may be helpful to pass out to families at Pre-K Conferences, Pre-K Graduations, and Kindergarten Round-Ups as they provide ideas for activities that families can do at home:
Kindergarten Literacy Readiness
Kindergarten Mathematics Readiness
Kindergarten Readiness - Spanish
Spotlight From the Field
Jennifer Smallwood
Jennifer Smallwood is the Early Learning Compliance and Integration Manager for the Monroe County Community School Corporation's early learning program, located across twelve elementary schools and two licensed centers. In her role, Jennifer coordinates early learning quality initiatives at all 14 sites, and creates and delivers professional development to early learning staff. Jennifer is a doctoral student studying Organizational Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University, with a special interest in the role of workplace conditions on the psychological health of teaching staff. She holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. Jennifer has been in the field of early learning for more than 25 years, as a teacher of young children, a college educator, and a program director.
Jennifer's colleague, Debra Prenkert, says of her:
"Just this school year, we integrated all of our early learning preschool programs and opened another early learning center. The center serves infants that are six weeks and up. Jennifer works tirelessly to ensure that our teachers and families have the support they need. She also works with our Paths To Quality Coach. We are currently level 3 and are working diligently to become level 4. With her leadership the teachers and instructional assistants are getting high quality professional development. She offers monthly evening training and she also created an early learning PLC that meets every Wednesday. At this meeting, she provides guidance and assistance as the teachers discuss the NAEYC standards and collect evidence and documentation needed for each standard. She also problem solves with the teachers and ensures they have what they need in order to help every child be successful!"
Thank you, Jennifer, for everything you do for young children!
Nominate Your Colleague!
Community Spotlight
Saint Mary's Child Center
Engage With Us
Foundations Guidance Workgroups
Reminder: Early Learning Advisory Committee Meeting
Resources We Love
WIDA Connections Document
DEC Recommended Practices
Professional Development
Thank You!
Pages to Paradise: Coming to a Town Near You!
Indiana Head Start Association Director and Leadership Conference
Thursday, May 9, 2019, 01:15 PM
2501 South High School Road Indianapolis, IN
First Steps Conference
Thursday, Jun 13, 2019, 04:00 PM
Monroe Convention Center, South College Avenue, Bloomington, IN, USA
Sarah Parks-Reese
Email: sparksreese1@doe.in.gov
Website: www.doe.in.gov/earlylearning
Location: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 317-234-5719
Twitter: @sarahlee218
Krystal Robinson
Email: krobinson2@doe.in.gov
Website: www.doe.in.gov/earlylearning
Location: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 317-232-0510