tion a c u d E d o o h d il h C WCCC Early r Program Newslette Volume 2, Edition 5 April 18, 2011
Westmoreland County Community College
Inside this issue: Student Membership Dinner Meeting
1
Sign-Up for Exit Interviews
1
Evening of Books
2-3
ECE Action Day 2011 4 Scholastic Book Fair
5
Become a Member of PAEYC
6
Professional Development
6
Got ECE News? Email Vicki at hricikv@my.wccc.edu
1st Annual PAEYC Student Membership Dinner Meeting — A Huge Success! With over 80 students, faculty members, and PAEYC representatives in attendance in the Laurel Dining Room of Commissioners Hall, the first annual PAEYC student was deemed a huge success. Early Childhood Education students from Seton Hill University, St. Vincent University, and Carlow University joined our WCCC Early Childhood Education students for this event. The gathering became a valuable student network for future collaboration. The importance of professionalism and advocacy was stressed by WCCC Early Childhood Education Program Director, Beth Hoden. Community resource information was shared by Jan Gebicki, Director of School Readiness of the United Way of Westmoreland County. Jan Sapotichne, Assistant Director of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children, encouraged the students to become PAEYC members, to get involved in ECE issues, and help shape the future of the Early Childhood Education profession. Invaluable ECE materials were provided by PAEYC and the School Readiness program. Door prizes were given away including a free PAEYC membership. With the wonderful response to this event, we can look forward to attending next year’s meeting hosted by Seton Hill University.
Beth Hoden ECE Program Director Office Hours: M—W—F 9-10 AM & 1-2 PM T-TH 9-9:30 AM Office Phone: 724-925-4013 Email hodenb@wccc.edu
Reminder for Practicum Students to Sign-up for Exit Interviews A sign-up sheet is posted on Beth’s office door with dates and times for exit interviews. Dates include: April 25, 26, 27, May 2 and 3 with morning, afternoon, and evening times available. Please sign-up as soon as possible to get the time you want.
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WCCC Early Childhood Education Program Newsletter
Evening of Books featuring the book Whose Shoes? A Shoe for Every Job Enjoyed by All!
Decorating cookies Playing memory game
Listening to story
Great reader and listener! Playing hula hoop sock toss
Busy at tote bag craft station
Professional Development DPW Hours
Playing matching game Loving their books!
Creating designs on tote bags
Volume 2, Edition 5
Page 3
Awesome Evening of Books 2011 Volunteers!!! Special note from Sue Menarchek, Evening of Books 2011 Chairperson - I want to say a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who helped with Evening of Books in any way! The children and families who attended seemed to have a lot of fun, and it was all made possible by all the volunteers! Hopefully we helped promote literacy in young children! Pictured above on left— Amy Feher, 2009 Evening of Books Chairperson, middle— Natalie Bercik, 2010 Evening of Books Chairperson, on right— Sue Menarchek, 2011 Evening of Books Chairperson.
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." -Emilie Buchwald
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WCCC Early Childhood Education Program Newsletter
WCCC ECE Students Participate in ACTION DAY
WCCC Early Childhood Education members got up early Tuesday, April 12th to board a bus for their trip to Harrisburg. All gathered at the Pine Street Church to register. They attended professional development sessions and then made their legislative visits. The visits were the most important agenda for the day. The ECE advocates informed the legislators why the programs for children and families are so valuable. Our ECE students joined early childhood educators, parents, and community leaders for a rally inside the state capitol. The rainy day could not dampen the impact of Action Day.
“Invest! Invest! We are learning!� So chants crowd at Action Day Photo taken from website www.promisingkids.org/2011/04/14/677/ on April 18, 2011
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Scholastic Book Fair Coming to WCCC
WCCC Early Childhood Education Program Newsletter
Page 6
Become a Member of PAEYC The Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) is the professional membership organization for those involved with the early care an education of young children. Doctors, lawyers, and other professionals have membership associations which provide a unified voice on behalf of their members. In the same way, PAEYC serves as a community resource, and advocate for quality, and a voice for those in the profession of early care and education. PAEYC currently serves over 1000 members and is governed by an elected board. Members and those interested are encouraged to serve on a committee and take an active role in PAEYC programs including Membership Services, Advocacy & Public Policy, and Professional Development.
Benefits of Membership Become a Member!
Membership in national, state, and local affiliates 6 issues of Young Children, NAEYC's journal Exclusive access to PAEYC Newsletters Reduced rates to PAEYC and NAEYC conferences Career advising services Meets STARS 3 Requirements Borrowing privileges with PAEYC's early childhood resource library Voting rights and eligibility to hold office in PAEYC, Penn AEYC, and NAEYC Opportunity to participate in insurance plans offered through NAEYC
Professional Development Opportunities To earn Pennsylvania DPW hours as required, check out the PA Keys website, www.pakeys.org. Westmoreland County Community College sponsors affordable ECE workshops made possible through Southwest Regional Key funding for only $10 per workshop. Workshops are currently being held at the Youngwood campus, the WCCC Fayette Education Center, and the Fayette County Head Start. Please email Vicki Hricik for more information, hricikv@my.wccc.edu.
Happy Easter
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If you have any ECE news and volunteer opportunities that you would like to share please email Vicki at hricikv@my.wccc.edu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WCCC Early Childhood Education Newsletter