Early Learning News
March 2020
Helping Kids Learn While At Home
A Toolkit for Supporting Families Impacted by COVID-19
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Welcome!
Hello from the Collab, and welcome to your first Early Learning Newsletter! You'll get this resource every month. Please scroll through to find information about training opportunities and important dates. This month the focus is on what we're all thinking about; coronavirus and Covid-19. Check back here every day for information and links to resources to help you navigate the pandemic.
Last Month At A Glance
MARCH
Publicly Funded Preschool: Coordinated intake calls for the 2019-2020 school year are ongoing. In March, a total of 9 children were pre-screened by Collab staff and placed in a waiting pool for D97 publicly funded preschool screening which opened in late February. Screening dates and KRT testing are on hold until DIstrict 97 reopens.
Professional Development & Symposium: The PD Committee postponed its March meeting and will meet virtually sometime in April
Roundtables: Directors' Roundtable was postponed. The May meeting and April's Family Child Care Roundtable meeting will be offered virtually, times and dates TBD.
Presentations and Profile Building: The Early Learning program area has launched an initiative to disseminate the story of the Collaboration’s work widely and has started scouting and applying for opportunities to present at conferences. In March the Collab agreed to present at 2 virtual conferences that have changed formats in response to COVID-19.
Newsletter: The Early Learning Program area debuted newsletter sites for each of its Roundtables and Committees and a general newsletter site earlier than planned. The initial launch was set for July, but was accelerated to disseminate information to providers and the community in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The general newsletter, Early Learning News received 885 total visits and 44 button clicks and 22 link follows related to COVID-19 information.
Upcoming Meetings & Important Dates
*All face to face meetings are postponed until further notice, but check back here and on the Collab's website for info on virtual meetings!*
Directors’ Roundtable
D97/Collaboration meeting
Publicly Funded Preschool Committee meeting
PFA Grant work sessions
KRT testing
Upcoming Training & Professional Development
*All face to face training is postponed until further notice, but check back here and on the Collab's website for info on credit-bearing virtual training!*
Educator Self-Care- Mindful Practices
Building Your Online Presence- Patrick Small
The 17th annual Symposium was a blast!
A signature event of the Collaboration, each February our annual Symposium provides an arena for more than 300 educators, caregivers, parents, and anyone who works with young children to gain knowledge, perspective and practical skills in promoting positive learning experiences. Thanks to all who attended...see you next year!
Directors' Roundtable
When: Every 3rd Thursday of odd numbered months
Where: Meeting Room at Maze Branch library
What: Lunch at 12:30 and a workshop for Gateways credit!
Family Childcare Professionals' Roundtable
Join us for the Family Child Care Professionals' Roundtable!
When: Every 3rd Friday of even numbered months
Where: District 97 Board Room
What: Dinner at 6:00 and a workshop for Gateways credit!
Publicly Funded Preschool Committee
Have you seen Kid Snippets?
Our Symposium Keynote, Pat Chamberlain shared one of these videos at the end of her talk. Here's a sample in case you missed it!
About the Collab
1) the advancement of high-quality preschool for all children
2) professional development for early childhood providers
3) parent information and support
and 4) developmental screening.
Additionally, we are committed to continuous quality improvement and to engaging in extensive data collection to support short-term evaluations and longitudinal analyses that inform this work.
Email: hduncan@collab4kids.org
Website: collab4kids.org
Location: 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708 613 6122
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/682405125505641/
Twitter: @Collab4KidsOPRF