NC ELSSP-VI Newsletter
October 2016
Each child will be honored, respected, and empowered to achieve success in school and life.
Link enjoying the light box.
Will (Where are you now Student)
Lucas exploring a part/whole book.
North Carolina Early Learning Sensory Support Program for Children with Visual Impairments
Office of Early Learning
Email: bethany.mayo@dpi.nc.gov
Website: earlylearning.nc.gov
Location: 6371 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: (919) 733-0533
October's Quote
-Robert John Meehan
Contents
Student Pictures Submitted by NC ELSSP-VI Staff
Professional Development Submitted by Lin CauseyFoundations Training Submitted by Dr. Vivian James via Bethany Mayo
Save the Date
Family Play Group at Pullen Park Submitted by William Tubilleja
Teacher Talk 101 Submitted by Kim Sawyer
NC-APVI (For Parents) Submitted by Sandy Bryant
Pumpkins & Prizes Submitted by Lin Causey
Where are They Now Submitted by Sandy Bryant
Article from the New York Times on Inclusion Submitted by Beth Shaw
Staff Birthdays for October
Professional Development Opportunities
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Shared by Krystal Davis, Public Health Consultant with the NC Early Intervention Branch
Quality Interactions Between Professionals and Families to Enhance Child Learning Webinar
Sponsor: University of Illinois
Objectives:
- Explore strategies for helping families understand early communication attempts of children before language is developed or in the presence of a delay or disability
- Explore how adult-child interactions change to promote children’s learning
- Explore the role of the environment in the interaction between parent and child
Date and time: November 3, 2016, 11:00 a.m.
Contact hours: 1 hour 30 minutes
For more information and to register: https://learn.extension.org/events/2648
Making Strides in Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships Webinar
Sponsor: Office of Head Start
Summary: Explore how grantees are individualizing their approaches with diverse child care partners. Find out how they support infants, toddlers, and their families through EHS-CC Partnerships.
Date: Anytime
Contact hours: 1 hour
Fee: Free
Watch Now On-Demand!
The Impact of Trauma and Toxic Stress on Infant and Toddler Development Webinar
Sponsor: Office of Head Start
Summary: Early Head Start caregivers, teachers, and parents are central in the lives of infants and toddlers who have experienced toxic stress. In this webinar, panelists discuss the impact of trauma and toxic stress on brain and social-emotional growth. Strategies for adults to use in supporting very young children are also discussed.
Date: Anytime
Contact hours: 1 hour 30 minutes
Fee: Free
Partnering with Families Who Are Coping with Adversity Webinar
Sponsor: Office of Head Start
Summary: Many families are struggling with and experiencing increased levels of adversity. Understanding the challenges and locating resources within the community is key in order to lessen any negative impact.
Date: Anytime
Contact hours: 1 hour 30 minutes
Fee: Free
***************************************************** 5th Annual NCIMHA Conference and Annual Meeting - Science of Resilience: Building Adult Capabilities to Promote Early Childhood Mental Health 11/7/2016 Friday Center, Chapel Hill, NC
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2016: 66th Conference on Exceptional Children
November 8 – 10, 2016
Koury Convention Center, Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons
http://ec.ncpublicschools.gov/conferences-profdev/annual-conference
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“I Just Need a Day Away”: Taking Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Others
11/8/2016 and 12/6/2016
The Education Center at Eastern AHEC
2600 W. Arlington Blvd.
Greenville, North Carolina
http://easternahec.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/e49990.pdf
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Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Professional Development Center
Workshops and Online Learning
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Foundations Training!!!
Go to the Early Learning Network website and then:
Click on Training Modules
Click on Foundations
Click on Self-Paced Modules on the blue bar
The direct link http://modules.nceln.fpg.unc.edu/self-paced-modules .
SAVE THE DATE
Family Play Group at Pullen Park with the Raleigh Crew
On a surprisingly cool morning during the middle of September, 5 families met with Lori, William and Sandy at Pullen Park in Raleigh for fun and social networking. While the rides on the historic carousel and little train were intended to be the main events, the parents made those activities secondary by quickly bonding, sharing personal stories and resources with each other. The children had lots of fun and it was a good experience for the parents to see how they did with so many people, sights and sounds around them. Of course, with young children and new experiences sometimes it can be a little overwhelming, but still a good time was had by all. We budgeted an hour of time to spend with the parents and families and when our time was up, instead of spreading out over the vast expanse of the park, the families stuck together to check out the young children playground as we waved goodbye. We agreed that it felt good that the families kind of shooed us away so that they could carry on. The day reminded of that saying, “Build it and they will come.” Instead “Bring families together with mutual interest and they will ‘connect’, ‘share’, ‘bond’ and even become friends.” That’s kind of a mouthful for a saying, and I doubt that it will go viral, but the point of it all, their children will benefit from our families building relationships with each and becoming a resource for information and support unto themselves.
As I mentioned, Pullen Park has some historical artifacts including the carousel and little train. For historical information about the park go to this link. file:///Users/williamtubilleja/Downloads/PullenParkHistory.pdf
Teacher Talk 101
By: Kim Sawyer
Choose Optimism
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
-Winston Churchill
Research shows that optimism improves the immune system, prevents chronic disease, and helps people cope with unfortunate news. Optimists suffer less anxiety and depression and cope better with disease and surgery. Optimists are less stressed by ordinary ups and downs. Optimistic people who interpret change as a challenge and feel a strong commitment to their daily work maintain better health than those who are fearful of change and are less committed to their work.
The evidence supporting the benefits of being an optimist is growing. It makes good sense for us as educators, to choose to be optimists. For us, problems and change are ever-present conditions. As learning leaders, we must be in control and prepared to handle the most difficult of situations. This is impossible if we are quick to doubt and easily discouraged. This doesn’t mean we must radiate a false sense of optimism or put on a cheerful face no matter what the situation. When planning defensively in situations of potentially high risk, optimism may not be the best approach. However, in most circumstances, optimism, anchored in reality, is beneficial. We must accent the positive and focus on our successes rather than our shortcomings. We should enjoy the evidence of our good work and know that our best is yet to come.
We have the choice to be an optimist or pessimist. The Master Teacher opts for the positive.
The Master Teacher, volume 27, number 32
Pursuit-of-happiness.org
Embracethefuture.org
NC-APVI
North Carloina Chapter of the Association of Parents with Children with Visual Impairments
Who We Are…
NC-APVI is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing information and resources relating to raising children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities.
We are the parents and extended family of children with vision impairments as well as professionals who work with visually impaired students.
We are dedicated to:
· Giving emotional support
· Parent Education
· Initiating outreach programs
· Networking
· Advocating for the educational needs and welfare of children who are blind or visually impaired.
We are the North Carolina Chapter of the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments.
***Please see invitation to next NC-NAPVI event-“Pumpkins and Prizes” in Raleigh NC
Pumpkins and Prizes Raleigh, NC
WHERE: Governor Morehead School for the Blind, Raleigh, NC
Where are They Now?
The picture on the left is Will during one of his first VI sessions at his home. He is playing with pots and pans in his kitchen. Will is visually impaired and was diagnosed with aniridia at birth. Shortly after this first home visit Will had a small stroke.
The picture on the right is 18 years later. Will is an extremely active High School Student! He has an additional diagnosis of retinal schisis in his left eye. He is currently president of his high school marching band and the National Honor Society. Will is 4th in his class. He is a senior and busy applying to colleges. Will’s top 4 college picks are UNC, Wake Forest, Georgetown and Princeton. Will loves history and wants to be a stateside diplomat. Will is a former student of Sandy Bryant.
Best wishes to Will from the Early Learning Sensory Support Program/VI.
Article from the New York Times on Inclusion
When the Barriers Aren’t Just Physical - The New York Times
Credit Giselle Potter . Entering the playground, I heard a boy call my son’s name. We turned and saw one of his classmates running toward us.
October Staff Birthdays
October 5th Maggie Dessing
October 6th Paula Roten
October 12th Deidre Dorsey
Photo/Video Credits
NC ELSSP-VI Staff