PCDC Monthly Newsletter
November 2022
Parent Child Development Corporation
About Us
Email: nagee@pcdcva.org
Website: pcdcva.org
Location: 602 Main Street, West Point, VA, USA
Phone: (804)843-2289
Our Mission
The mission of Parent Child Development Corporation is to empower families to improve the quality of their lives through educational and self-help programs, family support services, and advocacy activities in partnership with the community.
Our Vision
The vision of Parent Child Development Corporation (PCDC) is to be a leader in comprehensive preschool programs, child care services, and family support services in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. PCDC will provide direct services, coordinate regional and inter-agency service delivery systems for children and families, and advocate for programs and services which promote the welfare of all children and families in the community, state and nation. PCDC will forge partnerships with communities and organizations to effectively and efficiently utilize human and financial resources, both public and private.
From the Interim Executive Director
Happy November!
As we quickly move into the holiday season, I hope you have had time to connect with your children and families. This is such an exciting time of year! And, a time when we tend to fall a little "under the weather, " as well.
There has been a rise in staff illness, so I wanted to take time to remind you to take care of yourself and ensure you take preventive measures to avoid the common cold, flu, etc. It is my hope we all remain well!
Moving forward, please be mindful of how important your attendance is to your children and colleagues. You are so important to us and when you are not here, things are just not the same without you.
I wish everyone an enjoyable and safe November. We especially hope you enjoy your time off with family and friends for the Thanksgiving Holiday!
Wishing you well,
Nicole
Do the Turkey Hokey Pokey Dance!
Shout Out!
Join me in congratulating Reid Milner, Alexis Morgan, and Candace Depping for perfect attendance for the month of October! Way to go!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
Myeisha Mallory - November 8th
Breanne Carlton - November 21st
Danielle Riddick-DeLoatch - November 25th
Kathleen Ahnemmann - November 28th
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED YEARS OF SERVICE TO PCDC AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEAM!!
Gretchen Mandley- November 20th - 2 years
WOO HOO!!!
Congratulations to Ms. Betsabe on the completion of her CDA in Infants & Toddlers!! 🎊
Welcome Our New Hires! We are thrilled to have you join the Team!🎉
New Hires
New Hires
Ciara Frazier - Secondary Caregiver
Pricilla Place - Gloucester Teacher Assistant
Brandon Wise - Smart Start Site Manager
Courtney Nolen - Charles City Lead Teacher
Departures:
PCDC wishes the following employees the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. Thank you for your service, dedication, knowledge, and skills you brought to the Team!
Vicki Hilton
Jennifer Russell
Anita Rohr
Marissa Wood
Job Announcements:
Job Announcements:
Primary Caregiver
Substitutes - Various locations
Mental Health Coordinator (PT)
Assistant Education Manager
✨Gentle Reminders✨✨
- Please call out approximately 2-hours before the start of your shift to allow for proper coverage.
- All PTO must be approved by your Immediate Supervisor for scheduled days off.
- Dress is business causal. Jeans are allowed on Friday. Please make sure all clothing is free of holes and tears at all locations (jeans included).
- Please send a copy of all completed training certificates and professional development workshop sheets to HR.
Family Service Department has been busy recruiting especially in the West Point Area.
Family Advocates gave families information on Literacy and information on obtaining a Library Card.
Family Advocates plan on giving families information On Nutrition in the month of November.
Family Advocates also gave families information about Holiday Assistance and Fuel Assistance.
On behalf of the Family Services Department we would like to wish Danielle Riddick-DeLoatch a Happy Birthday (November 25th).
Kristie
Pre-K Fun!
For math, you can create a pumpkin Geo Board using rubber bands and push pins and a pumpkin. Students can also create their own ornamental corn using various paint colors to create a pattern which is a great STEAM activity.
Story of the Month
"From Seed to Pumpkin" written by Wendy Pfeffer shows students the process of how pumpkins grow from a seed.
For Infants and Toddlers
Nature In A Bag
Collect dry leaves, colorful leaves, big and small and add them to a bag. Place them on the floor and secure the bag with tape. Allow your child to explore. Babies can do tummy time, toddlers can explore stepping on them. Talk about what they feel, what they see and where they come from.
Take them on the nature walk to collect the leaves too! two activities in one!
Water, Oil And Fall Colors
If you mix water, baby oil and food coloring you get this fun sensory bag. Add some fall leaves from your backyard and you have a sensory bag to discover safely without having to worry if your child puts things in her mouth.
We would like to wish all of you a safe, healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Nina and Vicki
Stay Healthy!
Updated (Bivalent) Boosters
The updated (bivalent) boosters are called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.
Previous boosters are called “monovalent” because they were designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19. They also provide some protection against Omicron, but not as much as the updated (bivalent) boosters.
The virus that causes COVID-19 has changed over time. The different versions of the virus that have developed over time are called variants. Learn more about variants of the COVID-19 virus.
Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, have developed updated (bivalent) COVID-19 boosters.
CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was:
· Their final primary series dose, or
· An original (monovalent) booster
People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster.
Food Safety
Important Message: Masking
The Office of Head Start will announce in the near future the removal of the mask mandate. Until then, please continue to mask.
December is Depression and Mental Health Screening Month.
I wanted to share this resource that provides screening tools for various mental health conditions, including depression: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/
Common symptoms of depression include:
- not enjoying the same hobbies or interests that you once did, or not getting the same amount of pleasure from these activities
- not being able to focus for very long
- losing your appetite regularly
- losing an abnormal amount of weight at one time
- feeling weak or exhausted with no clear cause
- feeling overwhelmingly guilty
- feeling like you’re not worth anything or are inadequate
- feeling anxious or irritable
- losing feelings of hope for the future
- crying without any specific cause
- not being able to sleep well at night
- having dramatic mood swings
- having thoughts about death
It is also worth noting that symptoms of depression can differ between men and women. Some differences are hormonal in nature, including menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Other differences are connected to societal norms. For example, in the United States, men have historically been expected to present as tough, and may be less likely to share how they are feeling. This tendency can cause both men and women to express their feelings of depression differently based on what they believe is socially acceptable for them to do or say.
Symptoms of depression in men may include:
- showing anger
- blaming the people around them
- picking fights
- turning to destructive habits like drinking
Symptoms of depression in women may include:
- showing sadness
- blaming themselves
- turning to unhealthy habits like emotional eating
However, everyone experiences depression differently, so you may find that your symptoms aren’t easily lumped in any one category.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or notice a change in your own thoughts or behavior, please reach out to someone- this may be someone close to you, myself or another coworker, or your primary care physician.
Jenn
Important update:
SNAP Scam Alerts
The USDA has recently received reports about SNAP Fraud from individuals “card skimming” and stealing benefits.
Ways to prevent this from happening...
Keep PIN number secret
Check EBT account regularly
Check card reading machines
The importance of Cranberries:
Cranberries are a superfood that is very high in antioxidants. Research has linked that the nutrients in cranberries can prevent certain types of cancer, improve the immune system, and decrease blood pressure (www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269142).
In honor of Thanksgiving coming up, here is a USDA approved recipe a Homemade Cranberry Sauce...
Taty
From the Assistant Executive Director
You ever feel like time is flying and there’s no way you could ever catch up??? Well, as we enter the busiest time of the year let's make sure we take some time to stop, take a deep breath and give thanks. While we get caught up on frivolous things and take small things for granted there’s so much we need to be thankful for daily. At PCDC we are extremely thankful for all of the hard work and dedication the staff and families put in to guaranteeing that every child is prepared for their brightest future possible. Remember relax and give thanks for the little things!!!
Rosalin