Look What’s in This Week’s Edition Key Connection 2-10-14.… · Look What’s in This Week’s...

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The Key Connection Week of February 10, 2014 Look What’s in This Week’s Edition Mark Your Calendars Professional Development At A Glance ECELS February FREE Self-Learning Module Review Offer Celebrate Dental Health Month and Chance to Win Resources Infant/Toddler Project What FREE On-Site Supports are available for child care programs from the NE Key? Community Days Offered Monthly Throughout the Region Community Days At-A-Glance PD Registry Facts for PQAS Students 2013-2014 Northeast Key Exchanges Calling All Directors Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework Professional Development Schedule 5 Things to Know About the New PD Registry Focus on Early Childhood Mental Health Emotional Development PA One Book Invitation Information for Families Wellness Tip February is National Children’s Dental Health Month Kids Corner Here are some important dates to remember February 2014 National Children’s Dental Health Month 14 Valentine’s Day 17 Bucks County Conference Lackawanna County Conference Lehigh/Northampton County Conference 26 Tell a Fairy Tale Day March 2014 Music in Our Schools Month 2 nd Week National Bubble Week 3 National Read Across America Day 17 St. Patrick’s Day April 2014 1 st Week Library Week 2 Children’s Book Day 20 Easter 27 Tell a Story Day

Transcript of Look What’s in This Week’s Edition Key Connection 2-10-14.… · Look What’s in This Week’s...

The Key Connection Week of February 10, 2014

Look What’s in This

Week’s Edition

Mark Your Calendars

Professional Development At A Glance

ECELS February FREE Self-Learning Module Review Offer

Celebrate Dental Health Month and Chance to Win Resources

Infant/Toddler Project

What FREE On-Site Supports are available for child care programs from the NE Key?

Community Days Offered Monthly Throughout the Region

Community Days At-A-Glance

PD Registry Facts for PQAS Students

2013-2014 Northeast Key Exchanges

Calling All Directors

Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework

Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework Professional Development Schedule

5 Things to Know About the New PD Registry

Focus on Early Childhood Mental Health – Emotional Development

PA One Book Invitation

Information for Families

Wellness Tip

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Kids Corner

Here are some important dates

to remember

February 2014

National Children’s Dental Health Month

14 Valentine’s Day

17 Bucks County Conference

Lackawanna County Conference

Lehigh/Northampton County Conference

26 Tell a Fairy Tale Day

March 2014

Music in Our Schools Month

2nd Week National Bubble Week

3 National Read Across America Day

17 St. Patrick’s Day

April 2014

1st Week Library Week

2 Children’s Book Day

20 Easter

27 Tell a Story Day

Professional Development Corner

Lackawanna College Professional Development Opportunities

February 27th – Find Your True Colors March 10th – One, Two, Three Magic: Following

Through for Effective Discipline March 31st – Making Transitions Work

For more details and to register visit the PA Keys Website at www.pakeys.org

Find the flyer on the CSC website under the Professional Development section.

Professional Development At A Glance

Professional Development Events from

February 16, 2014 to April 19, 2014 are listed

in the Professional Development Calendar.

Get a full list of events and to register by

going to www.pakeys.org.

Lehigh Carbon Community College CDA Cohort

February 18, 2014 through May 6, 2014 Tuesday Evenings 6:00 to 9:15 pm

Riverview Christian Church 3301 Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge, Reading

Cost: $30.00 per student plus books

Please contact Deb Wanamaker in the LCCC in the Teacher Education Office at 610-799-1875 or email her at

[email protected]. Please include your name, home address, contact phone number, email address,

your STARS site location and fax number for registration information to be forwarded. Registration paperwork

must be received no later than February 17, 2014 in the Teacher Education Office.

Save the Date

Annual LANAEYC Conference

Saturday, March 29, 2014 8:15 am to 4:00 pm

Holiday Inn Express, 90 Kunkle Road, Easton, PA 18042

Keynote: Lois Wachtel aka “Miss Lois”

Topic: “Through the Eyes of a Child” - Interactive art, music, literacy, math, science workshops for infants through school-age. Lots of messy, interactive FUN!

Registration Information: Brochures is available on the CSC website under the Professional Development section and on the LANAEYC website

Northampton Community College CDA Specialized Diploma

March 11, 2014 through June 24, 2014 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm

NCC Main Campus, Bethlehem College Center 113

For more information go to http://www.northampton.edu/Early-Childhood-Education/Partnerships/Northeast-Key-Funded-

Classes.htm

Find the flyer on the CSC website under the Professional Development section.

ECELS February FREE Self-Learning Module Review Offer

During the month of February, ECELS is offering FREE reviews for completed self-learning modules submitted by early care and education practitioners. Use this special offer to gain knowledge, make health and safety program improvements and earn professional development credit. All ECELS self-learning modules meet the STARS Level 2 Performance Standard for Health and Safety. Choose from 30 self-learning modules listed at our website, www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org. Select Professional Development and then select Self-Learning Modules. Be sure to use the current self-learning modules posted on the website. Here are two ECELS recommendations: ASTHMA - Did you know that cold and flu viruses can trigger asthma flare-ups? Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses of childhood. February is a great time to learn about asthma and how teachers/caregivers can safely care for young children with asthma. The asthma care plan used by many health care providers to guide asthma care at home and school is explained. The ECELS Asthma Self-Learning Module includes easy-to-understand information about asthma and a link to an on-line video. This self-learning module has an online self-assessment that you can complete and submit without sending any documents by mail. (ECERS-ITERS: Program Structure. Personal Care Routines. K7-C2-84 (2 hours credit) MODEL CHILD CARE HEALTH POLICIES- Using the new, 5th Edition of Model Child Care Health Policies, develop customized health and safety policies for your center or home-based program. Model Child Care Health Policies is posted on the ECELS website. Complete self-assessment questions and review selected policies. Submit one policy of your choice to ECELS for review. (ECERS – ITERS: Program Structure. Parents and Staff. K7-C3-76 or K8-C3-92 (2 hours credit)

Contact ECELS with any questions at [email protected] or 800/243-2357 (PA only) 484-446-3003

Celebrate Dental Health Month and Chance to Win Resources Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month in February 2014! The PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP) Healthy Teeth Healthy Children program and Early Childhood Education Linkage System are working together to bring awareness to oral health in early care and education programs in Pennsylvania. We need to work together to prevent dental decay, a common and avoidable health problem. You may address oral health by changing what and how you serve foods or drinks. Or, you might include oral health education in your program. There are many ways to help children and families develop good oral health habits. The Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies address oral health in Knowledge Area 7. 3 C1 – C3. We invite Pennsylvania early care and education programs to let us know what your program is doing or is planning on doing in the future by completing the brief survey below. The first 25 individuals who complete this oral health survey will receive a “Happy, Healthy Teeth” book. This colorful and informative hardcover storybook integrates oral health awareness in a fun and interactive way. In addition, from those that respond to the survey, the PA AAP will choose two centers to receive a FREE onsite two hour professional development oral health workshop. “Cavity Free Kids” is a nationally recognized oral health curriculum that is being offered in Pennsylvania as a professional development session for early care and education programs, which provides exciting curriculum ideas, helpful tools and information for parents. This workshop meets the STAR Level 2 Performance Standard for Health and Safety. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Orsini at 484-446-3071 or [email protected]. Survey Link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T6TTWPR

COMMUNITY DAYS OFFERED MONTHLY THROUGHOUT THE REGION

Recently, STARS Managers throughout the Northeast Region have been offering a Community Day in the counties they work in. No need to come to our office we will come to your county! A Community Day is a day that the STARS Manager is available in a public meeting space (such as a library, church, community room, etc.) to meet with Early Learning and School Age practitioners at any time throughout the day. This is a perfect time to review grant applications, enrollment calculation tools, career lattice, STAR level worksheets, discussing clarifications on a specific standard or documentation. In some counties the STARS Manager will offer a Learning Community or discussion group that day as well. You can make an appointment (to ensure you have a meeting time) to meet with your STARS Manager next time they are in your county or you can walk in! Check out the Community Days at-a-glance listed weekly in our Key Connection.

What FREE On-Site Supports are available for child care programs from the NE Key?

For more details on these supports or information on how to request any of these services, contact Diane Milia at the NE regional Key [email protected], or at 800-528-7222 ext 2329

Infant Toddler Project

You can receive free on-site technical assistance for your infant or toddler classrooms if you are a STAR 2 program! Environments Resources Relationships Quality programming

Early Childhood Mental Health Project

You can receive free on-site consultation for behavior issues with young children. Social and emotional resources available for families, teachers and children

School-Age Project

Free on-site technical assistance for your school-age program! Environments Curriculum Schedules Activities and so much more!

STARS Technical Assistance

Free on-site consultants who will provide specific technical assistance for programs wishing to move or maintain Keystone STAR levels! Are you moving to a STAR 3 or 4 and need assistance with policies, environments, assessments, etc? Free STARS TA can support your journey!

Community Days At-A-Glance

County STARS Manager

Location Day Time

Berks Dolores Bethany Child Care 164 Douglass Street, Reading

4th Thursday of each month

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Berks Nancy Friedens Lutheran Church, Oley 3/18/14, 4/11/14, 5/9/14, 6/6/14

12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

Bradford Dana CCIS of Bradford, Sullivan, Tioga County Main Street, Towanda Canton Office, Blast IU 17 33 Springbrook Dr, Canton

3/11/14 3/20/14 6/10/14

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Bucks Angie Doylestown Hospital – Conf. Rm. G 595 W. State St., Doylestown

2nd Thursday of each month

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Bucks MaryKay Upper floor of Wegmans in Warrington 3rd Monday of each month

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Bucks Miranda Fairless Hills YMCA 2nd Thursday of each month

Note: April’s Date 4/9/14

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Carbon Cristin Palmerton Library 3/3/14, 4/7/14, 5/12/14, 6/2/14

3:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Columbia Cristin Bloomsburg Library 3rd Thursday of each month (3/20/14, 4/17/14, 5/15/14, 6/19/14)

3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Lackawanna Kathleen (Even months) United Way of Lackawanna, Scranton Lower Level Board Room

(Odd months) Carbondale YMCA Community Room

TBA

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Lehigh Alli Wegmans 3900 W. Tilghman St., Allentown

3/12/14, 4/9/14, 5/14/14

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Lehigh Dolores Community Services for Children 1520 Hanover Avenue, Allentown

3rd Thursday of each month

12:00 noon – 7:00 p.m.

Luzerne Amber Hoyt Library 284 Wyoming Ave., Kingston

2/26/14, 3/26/14, 4/23/14

Questions – 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Learning Community – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Lycoming Claudia JV Brown Library, Winters Room Williamsport

3/12/14, 4/19/14, 5/14/14, 6/11/14

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Learning Community – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PD Registry Facts for PQAS Students

1. When will the new PD Registry go into effect for students? July 1, 2014

2. When will students receive training on how to use the new PD Registry? Students will have access to training as soon as they log in on July 1.

3. Where will I find the new PD Registry? First, students must log in to the PA Keys Portal at www.pakeys.org. To access the PD Registry, simply select the PD Registry option from the Portal navigation menu located on the left-hand side of the screen.

4. What happens to my PD history from before July 1, 2014? All of your PD that took place before July 1 will still be saved and available in the Portal (logged in at pakeys.org).

5. How will I search for training? Students may search for trainings by selecting a Knowledge Area and/or Competency Group, entering keywords into a search box, or by selecting a date from the calendar.

6. Will I receive suggestions for training opportunities? Yes, students will receive suggested courses based on how they complete their online self-assessment in their Professional Development Plan.

Community Days At-A-Glance (Continued)

Monroe Siyheda Pocono Services for Families and Children 212 W. 4th St., East Stroudsburg Coolbaugh Township Municipal Bldg 5580 Memorial Highway, Tobyhanna

3/12/14, 5/14/14 4/9/14, 6/11/14

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Northampton Rochelle Nazareth Community Library Basement Level 295 E. Center St., Nazareth

2/18/14, 3/18/14, 4/15/14, 5/20/14

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pike Kathleen CCIS Office Hawley TBA 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Schuylkill Cristin Jerusalem Child Care Center 252 Dock Street, Schuylkill Haven

2/24/14, 3/17/14, 4/28/14, 5/19/14, 6/16/14

3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Tioga Dana Tioga CT. Human Services/ Satellite Office 102 St. James Place, Mansfield Tokishi Training Center 124 NYPUM Dr., Wellsboro

2/26/14 3/25/14

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Wayne Kathleen CCIS Office Hawley TBA 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Wyoming Dana H.A.N.D.S. of Wyoming County 41 Philadelphia Ave, Tunkhannock

4/24/14 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

PD Registry Facts for PQAS Students (Continued)

7. Who can register for training in the new PD Registry? Any early childhood or school-age professional working in Pennsylvania with a valid account in the Portal is eligible to register for training.

8. Will I be able to pay online for my courses? Students will be able to pay online via PayPal for Keystone STARS Core and Support Courses and Courses offered by the Regional Keys.

9. What happens if I have to create a new, or update my existing, user account in the Portal? Any changes made in the Portal (logged in at pakeys.org) regarding an existing user’s information, such as the program they work for, will take 24 hours for the information to become updated in the PD Registry. New user accounts that are created in the Portal will also require 24 hours before their information becomes available for them to be able to use the PD Registry. If a student has duplicate accounts in the Portal he or she must contact the PA Keys Helpdesk at 1-800-284-6031 in order to merge any PD activity that occurred before July 1, 2014.

10. How will course evaluations work in the new system? Students will complete an online evaluation after taking each course.

11. How will certificates work in the new system?

Courses will require that an online evaluation be submitted by each student in order for successful completion and for the online certificate to be generated. Certificates will be saved online and may be viewed or printed at any time.

12. What about people that don't have a computer?

Early childhood and school-age programs are encouraged to use funds, such as Merit Awards,

for purchasing computers that their staff may use. Staff should also consider using computer

and internet services provided by their local public library.

12. Will I be able to register my staff for trainings? No, each student will be responsible for registering for his or her own courses.

13. Where will we input other training not taken through the PD Registry?

You will be able to enter non-PQAS training into the online Individual Professional Development

Plan.

14. Is Act 48 going to stay the same?

Act 48 will not be processed in the PD Registry. It will continue to be tracked in PDE’s

Professional Education Record Management System.

15. Will there be guidance on what type of reports programs will be asked to print as sources of

evidence for designation/pre-designation?

Yes, guidance will be released prior to requirement becoming effective.

2013-2014 Northeast Key Exchanges

The Northeast Key Exchanges will be held via Webinar.

Find out what is happening within the region and get your questions answered without having to travel and with NO added expense. Through the use of webinar you will not incur any long distance charges. All you

need is a computer!

To Register for these events click on the link next to the date you would like to attend. Once you have registered you will receive an email with link to the webinar.

Mark your calendar with these dates and times:

Friday, March 7, 2014 – 10:00 am – Register at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/924844630

Friday, June 6, 2014 – 10:00 am – Register at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/761087038

If you do not have a microphone or speakers through your computer system, you can participate via Conference Call at the following number.

Conference Call Number: 712-432-0390 (Please Note: New Number) Pass code: 157031#

Have a question you would like answered during the Exchange? Email your questions to Beth Gambone at [email protected] prior to the date of the Exchange and we will be sure to answer your questions.

Calling All Directors

Directors you are invited to attend the Director Advisory Team meetings. The Northeast Regional Key would like your input about new policies and procedures, Keystone STARS updates or your community needs. Come share your thoughts and suggestions. This year we will be holding the Director Advisory

Meetings via webinar.

Mark your calendars with the following dates:

Friday, February 28, 2014 – Register at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/828527838 Friday, May 9, 2014 – Register at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/156050134

Time: 12:00 pm t0 1:00 pm

If you do not have a microphone or speakers through your computer system, you can participate via

Conference Call at the following number.

Conference Call Number: 712-432-0075 Pass code: 521992#

There is no charge to participate in the Director Advisory Meetings.

CORE KNOWLEDGE COMPETENCIES AND BIG IDEAS FRAMEWORK

The Pennsylvania Core Knowledge Competencies for Early Childhood and School Age Professionals (formerly known as the Core Body of Knowledge) is an essential component of Pennsylvania’s professional development system. It identifies a set of content areas that help define the knowledge expected of professionals working in Early Childhood and School Age settings. It supports students preparing for entry into the field as well as professionals in the field committed to lifelong learning through ongoing professional growth. The revision is designed to be more inclusive of all group settings and updated to reflect revised learning standards and current research on best practice. Pennsylvania’s Big Ideas Framework and Individual Professional Development Plan for Early Childhood and School-Age Professionals (formerly known as the PDR) is a companion document to the CKCs. It is a summary of the core competencies presented as Big Ideas and Essential Questions and will be the primary tool for consideration of long and short term professional development goals and the creation of professional development plans for individual early childhood and school age educators. The Core Knowledge Competencies (CKC) and the Big Ideas Framework are available on the PA Key website in color and black in white version. The Core Body of Knowledge and the Professional Development Record will continue to be available on the PA Key website until June 30, 2014. To locate and download the CKC, Big Ideas Framework and the CBK/PDR go to Career Development, click on CKC/Big Ideas – formerly CBK/PDR. Ordering information for additional hardcopies is located in this section as well. ROLLOUT PLAN: Over the next year and a half we will be sharing materials, offering PD and learning communities and preparing to completely replace the CBK/PDR by July 2015. July 2014: The Big Ideas Framework will be available to complete online through the PA Key website: PA Keys Workforce Registry. This online completion will be required for Keystone STARS Practitioners beginning July 1, 2015. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES: We recommend practitioners participate in professional development event to become familiar with the content of these new materials. Attending this session meets the requirements of the Keystone STARS Core Series for CBK/PDR. As a result of attending this professional development, practitioners will be able to:

Distinguish among the various components of the PA Professional Development system.

Compare the relationship between the Core Knowledge Competencies document and the Big Ideas Framework document.

Examine the process in completing the Big Ideas/Essential Questions self-assessment section and develop an Individual Professional Development Plan.

Interpret and plan for the role of staff and administrators in the effective implementation of the new PA Professional Development documents.

On the following page are Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework professional development events currently offered in our region. We will continue to add many more CKC/Big Ideas Framework PD opportunities throughout the year.

5 Things to Know about the New PD Registry

Anxious about using the new PD Registry? Here are a few facts to help ease your mind!

1. You will still log in to the PA Keys Portal at www.pakeys.org with your current username and password. The PD Registry will replace the PD Calendar on July 1, 2014.

2. You will not lose any of your PD history. Any PD taken before July 1 will be saved in the PA Keys Portal. Any PD you take on or after July 1 will be saved in the PD Registry.

3. You will be able to search for courses by Knowledge Area and/or Competency Group, through a keyword search, or by selecting a calendar date.

4. Training and FAQs will be available when the PD Registry goes live on July 1, 2014. 5. Please email [email protected] with your questions about the PD Registry.

Core Knowledge Competencies and Big Ideas Framework Professional Development Schedule

County Start Date Start Time End Time Location City State

Berks 2/24/2014 12:00 PM 3:00 PM Morrisville Branch YMCA Morrisville PA

Berks 3/28/2014 9:00 AM 12:00 PM Frieden's Lutheran Church Oley PA

Berks 5/15/2014 6:00 PM 9:00 PM Riverview Christian Early Learning Center Reading PA

Bradford 2/22/2014 9:30 AM 12:30 PM The Weigh Station Cafe Towanda PA

Bradford 3/20/2014 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Canton Office (Blast IU 17) Canton PA

Bradford 5/13/2014 12:30PM 3:30PM Tokishi Training Center Wellsboro PA

Bucks 5/9/2014 12:30PM 3:30PM Schoolhouse Learning Center-Trumbauersville Trumbauersville PA

Carbon 3/3/2014 5:00 PM 8:00 PM Palmerton Library Palmerton PA

Columbia 2/13/2014 5:00 PM 8:00 PM Bloomsburg Public Library Bloomsburg PA

Lackawanna 3/22/2014 12:30 PM 3:30 PM Carbondale YMCA Carbondale PA

Lackawanna 4/15/2014 12:00 PM 3:00 PM United Way of Lackawanna County Scranton PA

Lehigh 4/15/2014 12:00 PM 3:00 PM Community Services for Children Allentown PA

Pike 5/20/2014 1:00 PM 4:00 PM The Good Shepherd Child Care Milford PA

Schuylkill 2/24/2014 5:00 PM 8:00 PM Jerusalem Child Care Center Schuylkill Haven PA

Schuylkill 3/8/2014 1:00 PM 4:00 PM Jerusalem Child Care Center Schuylkill Haven PA

Wayne 5/6/2014 6:00 PM 9:00 PM Hawley Fire House Hawley PA

Did You Know?!

In 2012-2013 the Northeast Regional Key Early Childhood Mental

Health Consultants served 121 children.

Focus on Early Childhood Mental Health

Emotional Development For licensing and other credentials, early child care centers are required to maintain specific staff-child ratios—that is, they need to have a specified number of adults for every few children (e.g., one adult for every three infants). The reasons are obvious—it’s difficult to provide individual care and attention and protect the safety of children when there are too few adults. Maintaining required staff-child ratios also makes it possible to provide good supervision for young children in your care, and in so doing, help promote their healthy social and emotional development. Environmental strategies: Create child-friendly space and room arrangements that allow children to move and play without

bumping into things or each other. Make sure you can easily see children around the furniture; e.g., avoid furniture items that are taller

than the children. Use stable furnishings that are not easily tipped over. Keep items that are fragile or unsafe for children out of reach to avoid constantly nagging them,

“Don’t touch that. Don’t go there!” Keep doors and cabinets locked if you don’t want children to get into them.

Paying attention: Know where every child is all the time; make sure each child is always within sight of an adult, even

during naptime. Make frequent head counts of children, before and after every activity or move from one place to

another. Ask children to count with you—make it fun! Move around the room or change your position frequently. Don’t hold long conversations with other adults, even parents, that distract your attention from

children. Scan the room frequently so you can notice a problem before it happens. Make frequent eye contact with children to let them know you are watching and caring about them

and what they do; redirect children to other activities when necessary. Always be aware of each child’s skills, interests and developmental stage.

Resources

Related FOCUS on ECMH factsheets: “Child-Friendly Space’ and “Creating Routines”; www.parecovery.org/services_child.shtml#focus

“Effectively Supervising Young Children”: http://healthychild.net/SafetyFirst.php?article_id=468 “Supervision Policy,” TMCC E.L. Cord Child Care Center;

www.tmcc.edu/childcare/downloads/documents/CHILSupervisionPolicy.pdf

January 2014

Dear Colleagues: I am writing to invite you to participate in our annual Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child campaign. One Book, Every Young Child is Pennsylvania’s collaborative project using the vehicle of “One Book, One State” program to highlight the importance of early literacy development. Once again we are looking for volunteer readers to read the featured book, Stripes of All Types by Susan Stockdale to children within Early Care and Education settings. This engaging book depicts diversity as well as a cadre of characters who each bring their own spin on the action by using simple text and colorful photographs. Stripes of All Types encourages young readers to predict and discuss different types of animals and how there are similarities and difference.

This year we will be hosting a month long celebration of the PA One Book starting on April 1, 2014. This will lead up to

and include the Week of the Young Child (WOYC), April 6-12, 2014. At this time we are asking for volunteer readers to read within Early Care and Educations program including Childcare centers, Pennsylvania Pre- K Counts Classrooms and Head Start programs. What a wonderful opportunity to read to some of the Commonwealth’s youngest learners! If you would like to be a reader or a host location, please complete a survey using the survey monkey link below for the county in which you wish to participate. You will receive a confirmation letter and reading packet prior to your visit. If I can be of any assistance to you please email me at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your participation,

Christine Behm

Departments of Education and Public Welfare Office of Child Development and Early Learning 717-214-5704 [email protected]

The survey will start on January 1, 2014 and will end on Feb 14th in order to allow time to supply readers and host with information. Please reply as early as possible.

Northeast Regional Key https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Northeastregionalkey

Counties: Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming

For more information please contact: Beth Gambone

[email protected]

800-528-7222, Ext. 2391

Celebrate...

The warmth of the Season,

the beauty of the Season,

the memories of the Season,

and the joy of the Season

May you have peace and happiness

this Holiday Season

Wellness Tip

‘Tis the season for humidifiers. Keep yours clean in a few easy steps.

Humidifiers add welcome moisture to dry winter air, relieving dry noses, throats, lips and skin. However, it’s important to keep your unit clean, since it can be a breeding ground for microorganisms. Here’s how to do it: Every third day, empty the tank and brush or scrub it clean. If you notice that scale has built up on the unit, scrub it off. If your humidifier came with specific recommendations for cleaning products, follow them. If not, simply wipe it clean with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Then rinse the unit several times before you run it again to prevent the peroxide residue from going out into the air. And, of course, look forward to smoother skin and few sore throats.

By Miranda Whitham

Start February 26th with a trip to the library to celebrate Tell a Fairy Tale Day. Many libraries will have events scheduled, so check for a schedule before you go. After checking out a few books, cuddle up with a blanket at home and share your favorite stories with each other. Consider building a fort, or castle, to help set the tone! For inspiration you can visit http://builtbykids.com/5-ways-to-build-the-perfect-kids-fort/ and www.indoorforts.com.

February is National Children’s Dental

Health Month

Help your children practice good oral health by

teaching them to brush their teeth 2 times a day

for 2 minutes. Help them develop good habits.