Art is the “first language” of the beginning reader and writer. Children usually draw or paint before they write. They use what might seem like just scribbles, lines and blobs to represent things. But isn’t that what writing is all about?
About
Both art and writing are a process of symbol making and can be a means of communication. Children’s pictures are words to them and represent an essential step on the road to literacy. In this edWebinar, participants will:
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- Look at the ages and stages of writing from infants to kindergarten and explore the many ways to support children’s beginning writing and art skills;
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- Explore the essential social and emotional aspects of art and writing expression while building an emotional vocabulary;
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- Develop new ideas for process-based art activities for self-expression and storytelling;
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- Use poetry and the work of modern artists to inspire children’s art and writing;
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- Build positive and supportive strategies for talking to children about their art; and
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- Define the current brain research that supports the importance of art as a tool for self-expression, language, and writing.
This edWebinar will be of interest to pre-k and kindergarten teachers.
Register
To register for this webinar, visit the EdWeb event page.
In collaboration with The Pennsylvania Key, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recently announced the “Building Capacity for Coaching Initiative” in support of developing internal coaches in STAR 3 and STAR 4 facilities.
About
The purpose of this initiative is to leverage coaching supports from Penn State Better Kid Care (BKC) and other professional growth activities to develop internal coaches in STAR 3 and STAR 4 facilities. Selected applicants will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of early childhood practices and must have the approval of their administrator or director as this will require a time commitment.
Family Child Care providers can apply if they are able to support other family child care providers in their coaching efforts and commit the time necessary to complete the program.
Benefits
Facilities
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- will develop the internal capacity to offer coaching to other staff to ensure continuous quality improvement;
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- receive exceptional professional development opportunities at no cost as well as access to the Learning Community;
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- and gain valuable insight as OCDEL works to learn about needed coaching supports for ECE providers.
Coaching & Staff
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- coaches receive a one-time stipend of $2,500
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- and teachers receive supports and coaching on areas of practice that can strengthen or improve child experiences in their classroom.
What Will Be Expected
Facilities participating in this program must meet the following expectations:
Facility
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- identify a coach (lead teacher, director, assistant director, or another instructional leader);
- have two teachers, identified by the coach, complete four free modules;
- have coach-staff teams select one coaching guide as a framework for coaching;
- and complete additional recommended professional development supports as needed.
Coach
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- attend a one-day in-person coach training;
- complete two free BKC online modules;
- observe and then facilitate bi-weekly coaching sessions with selected teachers;
- complete a coaching log;
- participate in monthly learning community webinars;
- and participate in two touchpoints per month.
Applications
To apply for this program, visit their online form.
All applications must be submitted by Friday, September 20, 2019.
Learn More
To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
Questions
For more information or questions, contact Barbara Willier at barwil@pakeys.org.
In July, Pennsylvania’s PD Registry received new enhancements that will help support early childhood professionals.
New Services Available
Through the PD Registry website, early childhood professionals can now apply for or access:
Early Childhood Career Pathway
The Early Childhood Education Career Pathway is a tool to support the ECE profession in entering the field prepared for success while growing the existing professional’s capacity to advance in their intended field. This tool is now available on PD Registry. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
Note
The Career Lattice will still be used for Keystone STARS designation and Education and Retention Awards (ERA) until further notice. Additionally, early childhood educators that currently meet the expectation of particular career lattice level will be honored at that level by being grandfathered into the Career Pathway level that is equivalent if verified within the determined timeline.
Many individuals have already uploaded transcripts before the new enhancements went live on July 1. You will still need to complete your profile to be placed on the career pathway. If transcripts were already uploaded, this step will not be needed again. To view tip sheets on completing the profile and uploading transcripts, please view them at the PA Keys website.
More Information
For more information on these enhancements, watch the recorded webinar, visit the FAQ document, and view tipsheets and more on the PD Registry.
Questions? Call 1.800.284.6031 or email registry@pakeys.org.
*Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
Are you interested in learning how to use Ages and Stages Questionaires®, including Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional®, as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years old?
Join Trying Together for a three-hour professional growth session that provides information on how to administer, score, and share the results of the screener with families. The session will include resources for making referrals to additional services. This course will be instructed by Carlow University’s Coordinator of Undergraduate Education Programs, Pamela Zimmerman.
More Information
For questions and more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
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Registration
To participate in this course, complete the registration process below.
For Fiscal Year 2019-20, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA) program has undergone several important changes. Administered by The Pennsylvania Key, RSTA helps cover a portion of tuition costs for early childhood professionals.
Fiscal Year 2019-20 Changes
The following changes have been implemented for FY 2019-20:
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- “Grandfathered” applicants seeking an AA, BA, or PreK-4 Teacher Certification will continue to receive 95% of tuition costs with a maximum benefit of $6,000 per individual. These applicants will need to transition to T.E.A.C.H. or another financial aid resource by Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
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- For new applicants for approved CDA or Credential Coursework, individuals will receive 95% of tuition costs and fees net of other funding sources for approved credential or CDA coursework up to eighteen (18) credits.
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- Additionally, new applicants for approved CDA or Credential Coursework can submit a request form (including receipt) for reimbursement for books after purchase.
More Information
To learn more about the RSTA program, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.
For questions, call 1.800.284.6031 or email pakeyvoucherprogram@pakeys.org.
*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is offering training for all DHS licensed providers on completing a Plan of Correction (POC).
About
This free, live webinar training will focus on the elements needed for the foundation of an acceptable POC. It is strongly recommended that all facility staff involved in completing POCs attend one webinar session. Each scheduled webinar will last approximately one hour. Only one webinar should be attended, as the material covered will be the same in each session.
Webinar Dates
The dates for the webinars are as follows:
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- Tuesday, July 16, 9:30 – 10: 30 a.m.
- Tuesday, July 16, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 17, 10:30 – 11: 30 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 17, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 23, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 24, 10:30 – 11: 30 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 24, 1:30 – 2: 30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 25, 9:30 – 10: 30 a.m.
Registration
To register for a training session, visit the registration web page.
Space is limited and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. After registering, you will receive a link to connect you to the webinar training.
Unable to Attend?
If you are unable to attend one of these webinar sessions, DHS will be offering a similar training in a self-paced format in late July 2019. Additional information will be shared on how to access the self-paced training in the future.
*Information provided by the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Due to a federal requirement under the reauthorization of the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), child care providers are required to complete a new clearance—the National Crime Information Center/National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR).
About
The NSOR clearance will verify that a check of the National Sex Offenders Registry was conducted and if the individual can or cannot work for a regulated child care provider. This clearance is required in addition to a Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check for Employment or Volunteers, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Fingerprinting.
There is no fee for the NSOR clearance.
Requirements
The following individuals must complete the NSOR verification certificate by July 1, 2020:
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- any individual 18 years or older residing in the child care facility;
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- all individuals working for Regulated Child Care Providers;
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- any individual with an ownership interest (corporate or non-corporate) in a Regulated Child Care Provider and who participates in the organization and management of the operation.
Application Process
By late summer/early fall 2019, there will be a paper application process for the NSOR clearance, and in late fall there will be an electronic process in place at keepkidssafe.pa.gov.
Learn More
For more information on required clearances, visit the Keep Kids Safe website.
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*Information provided by the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Join the Center for Urban Education from July 18 to July 20 for their 2019 Summer Educator Forum.
About
The Center for Urban Education Summer Educator Forum (CUESEF) is a professional learning experience for education professionals, including pre- and practicing educators in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region, that focuses on Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Act 48 credits are available.
During this intensive forum, participants from PreK-12 from all subject areas will deepen their knowledge and understanding of the topic, while experiencing a series of workshops and keynote speakers, including Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow: The Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.
Registration
Registration is required; fees vary.
To register, visit the CUESEF event page.
Learn More
To learn more and see the forum schedule, visit the Center for Urban Education website.
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Join the Partnerships for Family Support Office of Child Development on July 23 to learn how to recognize and support children and families impacted by incarceration and domestic violence. This training is for staff of centers in the Allegheny County Family Support Network.
About
Living in a household with domestic violence is a source of trauma for children. Even if the children don’t see the domestic violence, they are affected by the conflict in their family. Having a parent in jail or prison is also a source of trauma, as parental incarceration may include witnessing a parent being arrested, adjusting to their parent being gone, and adjusting to the return of their parents after serving a sentence.
When exposed to situations of domestic violence or incarceration, children can develop serious emotional and behavioral difficulties, many of which aren’t always recognized by parents or caregivers. As a result, children do not always get the help they need. In this training, participants will learn how to recognize, and support children and families impacted by these traumas.
Registration & More Information
To learn more, ask questions, and register, visit the event page.
