February 2020 Bits & Bytes
DCAEYC Celebrates
 Black History Month
Black History Month began as one week in 1926 when the historian Carter G Woodson designated the second week of February as Negro History Week. In the 1970s, Black History Week became Black History Month and has since been nationally recognized as a time of year to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans in Science, Math, Innovation, History, Sports and Entertainment. 
Books Suggestions to Help You Celebrate:
Whose Toes are Those? by Jabari Asim
A Is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book by Anna Forgerson Hindley
Little Legends: Exceptional Black Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Event Spotlight

DC Early Learning Collaborative's
"Take a Stand for Quality"
Forum 13

Thursday, February 13
6:00pm - 9:00pm

National Children's Center
3400 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Learn from and build on the success of the landmark Pre-K legislation to help produce universal early care for all children. Updates will be given on the Capital Quality Initiative, Pre-Kindergarten Initiative, and Under 3 DC Campaign.
More February Events
February 23-25
​
Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Richmond Hwy
Arlington, VA 22202
 
Whether you have tons of advocacy experience or none at all, NAEYC's Public Policy Forum is THE place for you to sharpen your advocacy skills and help us move a nonpartisan agenda in support of young children and the early childhood education profession!
 
Prior registration required. 
WTU and DCAEYC ECE Task Force Meeting
Wednesday, February 26
5:00pm - 6:30 pm
​
Brightwood Education Campus
1300 Nicholson St NW
Washington, DC 20011
​
The ECE Task Force is made up of members working in all early childhood settings that collaborate to advance the profession by improving policy and practice in DC.
DCAEYC and Discount School Supply "Celebrate Diversity!" Focus Group
Thursday, February 27
1:00pm - 3:00 pm
Martha’s Table Commons. Partner Room A
2375 Elvans Road SE 
Washington, DC 20020
​
We are partnering with Discount School Supply to ensure you have products that will help you teach, embrace, and celebrate cultural diversity in your classroom. To do this, we need your expert opinion regarding Discount School Supply's current culturally diverse products and your ideas for new culturally diverse products.
​ 
A light lunch will be served.
WTU Shared Vision Conference
S aturday, February 29
8:00am -5 :30pm
​
McKinley Technology High School 
151 T St NE
Washington, DC 20002
​
Join us for the WTU and DCAEYC ECE Task Force Session Play Still Matters: Integrating Play into Daily Routines
 
Registration info coming soon!

 Member Spotlight On...
Alexandra Cady 
Program Manager at Trust for Learning
"I was drawn to early childhood work because it impacts every child and because of its great potential to improve equity in our country."
Principle of Practice in Action


It is the duty of educators and community members to civically engage children and families to build their empathy, collaboration and agency so they are able to thrive.
For the second year in a row, School of Friends, a preschool located in Washington, DC, participated in the  Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action as part of their social justice work. The goal of the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is to spark ongoing critical reflection and honest conversations in school communities for people of all ages, and to engage with critical issues of social justice.

The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action involves designing and implementing curriculum that incorporates the  Black Lives Matter guiding principles . Many of the  Black Lives Matter guiding principles , such as restorative justice, empathy, loving connection, diversity, and collective value, are part of the School for Friends' philosophy. They are also inclusive of the  Quaker testimonies  of peace, integrity, equality, community and stewardship. Additionally, the Black Lives Matter guiding principles align with the non-negotiable Anti-Bias education goals stated in the  School for Friends diversity statement .
Policy Beat


DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's Budget Forums
Please let your voice be heard and join DCAEYC at the Mayor’s Budget Forums to advocate for the full funding of high-quality early learning in Washington DC. 


About this Event:
Join fellow DC residents at forums to share your values, priorities, and ideas with the Bowser Administration as the FY2021 budget is developed.
If you would like to request reasonable accommodations, please contact (202) 442-8150 or eomevents@dc.gov.

Monday, February 10
Senior Budget Engagement Telephone Townhall
Time: 12:00 pm
To RSVP, please call 202.442.8150
 
Tuesday, February 18
Budget Engagement Forum #1
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Edgewood Recreation Center
301 Franklin Street, NE
 
Thursday, February 20
Budget Engagement Forum #2
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: UDC Student Center
4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW
 
Saturday, February 22
Budget Engagement Forum #3
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Kenilworth Recreation Center
4321 Ord Street, NE

Social Media:
Twitter: @MayorBowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser