August 2021 Bits & Bytes
Bulletin Board:
Welcome Back to School!
DCAEYC is excited to welcome educators, families, and students of all ages Back to School! While this time of year can be daunting for some, it is also a time for fun and discovery. Looking for ways to make the transition to a new school year easier for your students? Check out our Principle of Practice section below for some tips from NAEYC on creating a welcoming environment in any setting! For a fun project that can also encourage reading, check out how to Make a Cardboard Mini Library inspired by Elinor Wonders Why.
DCAEYC and Discount School Supply
Back-to-School Pop-Up Shop
Thursday, August 26, 2021
12:00pm - 6:00pm

In-Person (Masks Required): 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Floor 7, Washington DC, 20003
Online: Zoom
Come by in person or pop in on Zoom to see a large array of ideas and products for extending teaching and learning in the outdoors. Participants will also receive an exclusive 22% discount code for Discount School Supply products!

Also Featuring:

Product Demonstrations Led by Sharon Krull

Special Discounts

Gift Certificate and Product Giveaways

Yummy Refreshments
Help spread the word about our Back-to-School Pop-Up Shop
to your friends and colleagues with our event flyer!
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of life, including your ability to attend important appointments and receive routine vaccinations. During NIAM, DCAEYC encourages you to talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccination. Resources from the CDC on vaccines and immunizations can be found here. Information on COVID vaccinations in DC can be found here.
 NAEYC State Survey Data for the District of Columbia:
Child Care at a Time of Progress and Peril
NAEYC just released state level data from their recent survey. One DC highlight: 43% of respondents inclusive of all settings say their program likely would have closed without help. The full report from NAEYC's survey on the impact COVID has had on DC child care can be found here.

For data from other states visit naeyc.org/pandemic-surveys.
Welcome New DCAEYC Members! - DCAEYC extends a warm welcome to the following new members who have joined throughout July and August:

Dina A.
Sonia A.
Tierra F.
Javon J.
Kisha L.
Shane S.
Xzandria T.
Sarah W.
Tina Z.


Member
Spotlight On...


Regina Mack
Special Education Early Childhood Educator,
Savoy Elementary School
“I wish that children, especially those with disabilities, are viewed and valued as important contributing members of society. All children deserve to live in a physically and environmentally safe world.”
*If you or someone you know would like to be featured in a future member spotlight, please let us know by emailing info@dcaeyc.org.
Principle of Practice:
Make Transitioning Back to School Easier by Creating a Welcoming Environment
Can you believe it? A new school year is about to begin! As exciting as this may be, it can also be a nerve-wracking time for children and families. They may be unsure of what to expect, not just because they’ll be in a new setting but also because they’ll have to build new parent-teacher relationships. Luckily, as educators you are in a position to allay those fears through creating a welcoming classroom environment. Use these tips from NAEYC to ease transitions year round and get the year off to a great start!

  1. Start with a clean, well-organized room. 
  2. Decorate the walls. 
  3. Have cubbies, labels, class lists, and name tags ready. 
  4. Create a new year bulletin board. 
  5. Display photos of the children and their families.
  6. Learn families’ names before the first day.
  7. Set up learning centers and tables with a few engaging toys and materials.
  8. Create a welcome area.
  9. Identify volunteer family ambassadors.
  10. Offer warm greetings.
  11. Follow each child’s individual schedule for feeling comfortable.

For more details on these suggestions, check out the NAEYC article “11x: Welcome Children and Families to Your Classroom.” Additional NAEYC resources for Back-to-School can be found here.
Policy Beat:
Budget Season Ends with Wins for Early Childhood Education in DC
Following the unanimous vote by the DC Council to approve the 2022 fiscal year budget, the District’s budget season is officially over. In addition to the $70 million – at full implementation – for early educator compensation already approved on August 3, this final vote establishes the Early Educator Equitable Compensation Task Force. This Task Force will shape the plan to increase the pay and benefits of early educators. For more on this Task Force, read Under 3 DC's August 10 Press Release.

DCAEYC sends a special thanks to all the Councilmembers who voted in favor of early childhood education this Budget season, including Councilmembers Charles Allen, Janeese Lewis George, Brianne K. Nadeau, Robert C. White, Vincent C. Gray, Elissa Silverman, Trayon White, and Christina Henderson. DCAEYC especially thanks Councilmember Henderson, who shared the following with us after Tuesday's vote.
“As a policy person who has worked on childcare issues for the past decade, I understand how complex, critical, and expensive quality childcare truly is. While DC has made investments to stabilize the child care market, we haven’t gone so far to transform this sector by ensuring its employees – who are predominately women of color – can earn a living wage commensurate with their experience, credentials, and value. As a mother to a toddler and with a baby on the way, I know exactly how important early childhood educators are to families across the District. I am proud to support unprecedented investments to help our families who need it most.”
Upcoming Events:
Think Local, Crank Global:
Go-Go Workshop for Educators
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
10:00am to 12:30pm
PreK-12 educators are invited to join Teaching for Change’s Teach the Beat and DC Public Schools Office of Teaching and Learning for a go-go professional development experience featuring The Uncle Devin Show®!

Through this 2 1/2 hour virtual workshop, educators will learn how to:

  • Use instruments we shake, scrape, and strike to enhance curriculum and teach the art of go-go music
  • Make music from items within their environment using the JunkYard Band as an example
  • Make something out of nothing; go-go through body percussion, tables, and more!


Can't make this event on August 17? This event will be held again on Tuesday, September 18, 2021.
Directors' Nook
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
1:00 pm-2:00pm
Join our virtual meeting for DCAEYC members who are early childhood directors or administrators. This meeting will be a safe place for all early childhood directors and administrators to meet, share, and discuss topics related to our work and any additional interests. For this month's meeting, we will discuss the recent budget vote by the DC Council and the planned bump in compensation for early educators.
 
Click the above image to access the pdf with links. Click here for a version in Spanish.
Job Opportunites:
School for Friends is seeking two full-time Lead Teachers to join their team to work with children from 18-24 months and 3-5 year olds. For full details about this job listing, please review their Lead Teacher job description here. Applicants can send their resumes to recruiting@schoolffriends.org.
Educare DC is seeking applicants for the following open positions:

  • Assistant Director
  • Front desk receptionist 
  • Infant Toddler Assistant 
  • Pre-K Assistant 
  • Eligibility Assistant 
  • Health and Safety coordinator 
  • Facilities coordinator 
  • Facilities specialist 
  • Floater 

Candidates can apply via the Educare DC's Careers Page and indeed.com. Any candidates interested in the Assistant Director position should follow the instructions on the job description found here.