Smart Start of Pender County
Quarterly Newsletter
January, February, March | Volume XX, Issue III
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The Early Lending Library Fees |
The Resource Library will no longer be offering memberships to the community due to the COVID-19 crisis. We will be offering entrance fees according to what type of services the patron requests.
The fees are based upon three levels of service.
Level I: Individuals, parents, public agencies or businesses
Level I entrance cost is $3.00. The patron will receive current limit of supplies with the exception of lamination, faxing and notary services.
All lamination will be .50 cents per foot, faxing will be $2.00 per page, and notary services will be $3.00 per page.
Level II: Individuals, parents, teachers, public agencies or businesses
Level II entrance cost is $5.00. The patron will receive double limit of supplies with the exception of lamination, faxing and notary services.
All lamination will be .50 cents per foot, faxing will be $2.00 per page, and notary services will be $3.00 per page.
Level III: Childcare Providers: Centers and Home
Level III fees will be suspended until July 2021. The COVID-19 health crisis will then be reviewed and fees will be implemented upon the standing status of the pandemic. Childcare providers will receive current level of supplies with the exception of lamination, faxing and notary services.
Classrooms will be allotted twenty feet of lamination per week. Faxing fees will also be excluded. Notary services will stand at $3.00 per page.
Patrons will be encourage to call and make 30 minute time slot appointments to ensure the area visited is sanitized and social distancing is practiced for theirs and staff’s safety. All patrons will pay upon entrance for the level of services they are requesting. This practice will also be emphasized and used throughout remainder of the fiscal year. A fee schedule and RL pamphlet will be given to each patron to inform them of the new changes. The new fee schedule is listed below with limits for each patron. If the patrons requests more materials, the fee schedule is posted to help patrons and staff calculate the costs for items requested.
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Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-4:30
Wednesday 8:30-5:30
Friday (Staff Only) 8:30-5:00
All entrance services will be by appointment only. This is to ensure sanitizing of area and social distancing for a healthy environment.
This schedule has been adjusted due to COVID-19.
Please call to arrange an appointment.
The Resource Library will continue to follow Pender County Schools
schedule for closings and delays for inclement weather.
Phone: (910) 259-9978
1-866-606-0909
Fax: (910) 259-9728
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Saturday Services Restored! |
Due to COVID-19, all safety procedures for public facilities are continually updated to ensure that public and staff are kept safe and healthy during these difficult times. The Lending library has slowly integrated safety guidelines and limited services to ensure continued operations for the community patronage. I understand that even with limited services, some patrons will not find the same benefits that were provided in the past years of operation. As an advocate for the community, please be patient and hopefully full operation and services will return in the near future.
The Saturday hours will remain the same as before, which are 9:00-12:00 on the first Saturday of the month. Currently, all entry will still be by called in appointments only. Masks are mandatory and only one family member per visit. No children allowed unless they are an infant in a carrier. All safety procedures are implemented in this manner because of spacing and sanitizing the facility after each patron has used the Lending Library. The Resource Library book distribution will continue as previously stated on the Lending Library entrance door.
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Mental health is defined as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It effects how we think, feel, and act in response to events that have happened in our lives.
To promote mental health awareness for your program by planning activities for children and adults (parents, teachers, and staff) to improve their mental health and increase resilience. The stigma related to mental health often prohibits individuals from taking full advantage of the services that are available. Research data from Mental Health America (MHA) shows that 1 in 5 people will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime. Currently anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health issues affecting children and adults.
The circumstances around the COVID -19 pandemic have presented numerous potential triggers that could impact the mental health of children and adults: death of loved ones, School closures, Business closures, Social distancing, Quarantine
These changes in our daily lives due to COVID-19 are causing anxiety and depression for children and adults. Data from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) shows nearly 450 million people worldwide are currently living with mental illness. Sadly, even though anxiety and depression are treatable (people can get better and recover), nearly two thirds of people with known mental illness never seek treatment.
There are small things we all can do for our mental health while dealing with COVID-19: Ask someone to be your support buddy. Call, text, or video chat as needed. Exercise at home. Use resources like online support groups or the Crisis Text Line. Set boundaries with your phone, especially with social media usage. Use a mindfulness or meditation app. Set a timer for every hour to get up and stretch or take a walk. Create a new routine. Keep a journal. Take 10 deep breaths when you feel stressed.
If you are taking steps to manage your mental health but they don’t seem to be working and you are experiencing emotional distress related to COVID- 19, crisis counselors are available 24/7, 365 days a year at 1-800-985-5990. You can also text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 . If you are in a crisis or thinking about suicide, get connected to a local crisis center immediately; you can also text “MHA” to 741741.
Excerpts taken from Blog Mental Health Awareness Written by:
Miriam Genise Miller
May 28, 2020. Retrieved from
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HOPE4NC HELPLINE: EMOTIONAL WELLNESS, IN THE KNICK OF TIME |
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Burgaw Rotary Helps Kids Read
By: Lori Kirkpatrick,
Post & Voice Staff Writer
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Burgaw Rotary Club has recently been involved in a variety of projects to support early literacy in Pender County. They have installed Little Libraries in outlying areas of Pender County in the last year and are continuing that process. They are also supporting Pender County’s Smart Start’s Together We Read program.
Cathy Guidry, President of Burgaw Rotary Club, recently presented Connie Carr-Costin, Executive Director of Pender County Smart Start, a check for $750 to help them continue the Reach Out and Read program in Pender County. This program supports doctor offices in promoting early literacy and brain development to young children by giving the children a free book when they go for a well visit. “We are actually getting ready to purchase with some grant money five little libraries to go around the western part of the county,” began Guidry. We are placing one in Willard, one in Penderlea Park and one at Miller’s Pond Park in Rocky Point. The other two locations have not been determined yet.” She explained that the grant money they are using for these projects is all for the “Together We Read” program.
The Burgaw Rotary Club has already placed Little Libraries in Currie, Atkinson and two in Burgaw-one at Harrells Park and one at Rotary Park. She states that “we always need books. Books would be great donations if anybody has any to give. They are children’s books, so it helps the kids in those outlying areas to be able to get books to read. We don’t ask that they replace it. They can keep them, and we will replenish them”. The Rotary has provided a drop box for books at Smart Start.
Please come by and get a book for your child. For more information about projects Burgaw Rotary Club is working on, or to donate books, please contact Cathy Guidry at cmcathyguidry@gmail.com. You can also call or text her at (910) 471-4740.
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Starting February 2nd
During our 3-one hour sessions, Be Active Kids will provide a foundation for active learning, while preparing each participant to use teaching strategies and practical resources to improve the health and development of young children. Learn about the evidence-based Be Active Kids Movement Guide and how to implement developmentally appropriate play and learning opportunities for children inside and outside.
(Any participants from our prior sessions can complete course work during our February session to obtain full credit for this course. Register now, so you don't miss this great opportunity!)
There is a $15 fee for CEUs.
Please see full online course description on the Be Active Kids website.
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Children’s Developmental
Services Agencies
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Local Children's Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs) are available to help families, caregivers, and professionals serve children with special needs through our Infant Toddler Program.
For more information please contact Tawnya Rayman.
3311 Burnt Mill Drive , Suite 100
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: 910-251-5817
Fax: 910-251-2652
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Register your child today to receive a FREE, new book each month until age 5. Smart Start of Pender County and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library are working together to bring books to North Carolina’s youngest children through funding provided by the North Carolina General Assembly. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a FREE program for all families with young children in Pender County regardless of income or zip code.
You can register online by visiting
*Please keep in mind that the books can only be delivered to your mailing address.
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ROR Podcast-Subscribe Today! |
We’re excited to announce that the Reach Out and Read
Podcast launched on July 30, 2020!
The podcast is centered on the belief that children’s books build better brains, better family relationships, and happier, healthier children and societies.
Join us as host Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, medical director of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin and pediatrician with a children’s librarianship degree dives into a wealth of varied early childhood health and literacy topics with expert guests examining the many facets of supporting the parent-child relationship as key to early success.
For more information and family resources please visit www.rorcarolins.org.
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Join Goodsearch.com to raise funds for Smart Start of Pender County.
Goodsearch donates money to your favorite cause when you search the Internet, shop online or dine out at local restaurants!
Use Goodsearch.com to search the Internet and they donate a penny per search to your cause. It's really easy; it's free and turns simple everyday actions into a way to make the world a better place. Please sign up today to support Smart Start of Pender County.
Go to
to get started and help
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Smart Start of Pender County, Inc., is a public-private non-profit
organization. All donations are tax deductible. Any form of contribution is greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a contribution to Smart Start of Pender County please complete this form and return it to our office. Make checks payable to Smart Start of Pender County, Inc. All contributions are used to enhance services to young children.
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Please consider supporting Smart Start of Pender County.
When you shop at Amazon Smile, Amazon will donate to Smart Start of Pender County.
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Board of Directors
James “Jimbo” Robbins -
Board Chair
Sharon Willoughby - Secretary
Donald Hall - Treasurer
Leslie Green – Vice Chair
Angela Beacham
Dr. Charles Aiken
Stacie Poulin
Rev. Dean Walker
Shontel Kirby
Rachel Willaims
Joan Taylor
Elizabeth Peterson
William Marshburn
Edith Meza
S. Eugene Jordan
Tonya Hooks
Cathy Guidry
If you are interested in serving on the Smart Start of Pender County Board of Directors, or volunteering with our agency, please contact our office at (910) 259-9978 or stop by and visit with us.
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SSPC Team
Connie Carr-Costin, MSW
Executive Director
Ext: 31
Angel Parker
Early Literacy Consultant
Ext: 24
Shelly Martin
Quality Program Manager
Ext: 36
Regina Bass-Corley, M.A.Ed
Resource Library Coordinator
Ext: 27
Candice Dillard
Quality Consultant
Ext:22
Jasmin Johansen, MBA
Program Evaluation Coordinator
Ext: 26
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The mission of Smart Start of Pender County, Inc. is to support services that provide opportunities for every child to grow into his or her potential as a person. |
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