This year's South Dakota Early Childhood Education Conference is hosting breakout sessions.

Updates form Early Learner Communities

News From Custer

The Custer Early Learning Community will again host a Scavenger Hunt at the July 4th Celebration in Custer focused on your children and their parents. The prize this year will be supplied by the SD Statewide Family Engagement Center.

Custer is continuing to work on the childcare survey seeking information from parents about the availability and accessibility of childcare in the county.

Huron, Level of Excellence

Mt. Calvary Preschool is proud to be recognized as a Distinguished Preschool Level of Excellence. The School Administrator of South Dakota developed the SASD Preschool Levels of Excellence in September 2018. It is a voluntary evaluation tool that pairs a local school administrator with preschool staff and reviews the quality of the preschool program in ten areas: Relationships, Curriculum, Teaching, Assessment, Health, Teachers, Families, Community Relationships, Physical Environment, Leadership & Management. The Levels of Excellence are divided into three different ratings: proficient, distinguished, and exemplary. Currently there are 37 preschools in South Dakota that are acknowledged through the Preschool Levels of Excellence. Mt. Calvary Preschool is the first in Huron to receive this recognition. You can find more about the program by going to SASD.org and clicking on the Preschool Levels of Excellence tab. See photo below.

Early Learner SD Collaborations

Statewide Family Engagement Center

We are excited to share about their upcoming Early Learning FamFest in Sturgis on April 30th 10-1. We are seeking nonprofits and organizations to join us at the Sturgis Auditorium. Reserve your booth by contacting Megan by April 15th. 

• Free booth space
• Local author Jessie Rencountre will be doing 2 read alouds and every family will receive a copy of her book, We Are All Related
• Families will participate in activities hosted by downtown local businesses
• Every family will receive free learning materials 
• In conjunction with Sturgis City Wide Yard Sale, a long standing Chamber event so many people will be in the area POC
• Find our event on Facebook, Famfest Sturgis

Black Hills Gather to Grow | Family, Kids and Family Yoga Festival

BH Gather to Grow is a family-friendly, community-centered event that synthesizes literacy, art, yoga and fun. Visit Lead, April 22nd-24th this Spring to grow with us. The focus is on early learners, children of all ages, families, and the professionals who support them. By promoting a variety of intentional movement and educational sessions, we commit to building a strong foundation for children and community relationships.

Please email Cary: [email protected] for inquiries.

Imagination Book Stop

In partnership with Black Hills Reads, a series of Imagination Books Stops have been developed. Each Book Stop features information about the book, discussion ideas and activities.

Check out this month's featured Book Stop, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? You can find them all on the Black Hills Reads website.

If you would like to submit an event for your organization to our Collaborators Section, please submit details or a flyer to [email protected] by the 15th of each month for next month's newsletter.