|
Smart Start of Pender County
Quarterly Newsletter
April/May/June 2025
| | Pender County Early Childhood Lending Library | | Our Early Childhood Lending Library specializes in making learning fun! We offer countless resources such as developmentally appropriate educational toys and manipulatives, theme boxes, puzzles, teacher resource books, parenting books, music and MORE. Our resources cover all subject areas with an emphasis on the “play to learn” philosophy. Members may check out up to THREE items at a time for an entire month. In addition, we also have a workroom for all your classroom or craft needs and a variety of programs aimed to benefit the young children in Pender County! | | Meet Our Newest Team Members | | Mrs. Mia Carney embodies the spirit of dedication and passion for education as the Program Support Assistant at Smart Start of Pender County. Growing up in Pender County, she was profoundly influenced by her mother, a devoted teacher for Exceptional Children, who instilled in her the values of nurturing, creativity, and a love for learning. This early exposure ignited Mia's own fervor for education, motivating her to become a memorable figure in the lives of children, just as her mother was for so many. With a deep understanding of the importance of community in raising children, Mia pursued her Early Childhood Credentials at Stanly Community College in 2009, and over the past 12 years, she has sharpened her skills working with children from infancy to school age in various daycare settings as both a lead teacher and after-school educator. Her journey reflects an inspiring commitment to making learning not just an obligation, but a joyous adventure for every child she encounters. Since embarking on my journey as a Pre-K Instructional Assistant in 2017, I have embraced the rewarding challenge of nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning. My decision to pursue an associate’s degree in early childhood education at James Sprunt Community College was just the beginning, as I am now excitedly working towards my bachelor’s degree at Garner-Webb University. This educational endeavor is not just a personal goal; it is a commitment to continually enhance my skills and knowledge to better support the children and families in Pender County. With each step forward, I am motivated by the belief that investing in our youngest learners is the key to building a brighter future for our community. | | Hello! I’m Reginald Clark, BS, MSA the new Community Engagement Specialist with Smart Start of Pender County. I recently started working with Smart Start in December 2024. I have a plethora of knowledge in the educational systems of North Carolina in Pender, New Hanover, Sampson, McDowell, Caldwell and Alamance-Graham counties. In addition, I served as an administrator in Sampson, Caldwell, and McDowell Counties for several years. My experiences are rooted in over 30 years in education which ranges from assistant teacher, teaching in the Exceptional Children’s program (Behavior Specialist), teaching regular education curriculum. In addition, I’ve taught Kindergarten through grade 12, as well as the Cape Fear Community College GED program instructor. I have 3 children, 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. | | |
Holiday Closings
Our office will be closed to the public on Friday, April 18, 2025, and Monday, April 21, 2025, for the Easter holiday. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Our office will be closed to the public on Friday, May 23, 2025, and Monday, May 26, 2025, for the Memorial Day holiday. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Our office will be closed to the public on Thursday, June 19, 2025 and Friday, June 20, 2025 for the Juneteenth holiday. We will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Our office will be closed to the public on Monday, June 30, 2025 thru Friday, July 4, 2025. We will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, July 7, 2025.
| | Early Childhood Development | | Pender County Health Department | | |
Make a donation to support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The program aims to inspire a love of reading in young children. Every month, it provides free books to kids from birth to five years old. These books are available at no cost thanks to the support from Dolly and local community partners across several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. By helping fund this program, you can play a role in encouraging children's reading habits from an early age.
Home - Donate to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
| | | |
Join in supporting a good cause for your birthday this year. Please consider Smart Start of Pender County as your Facebook nonprofit fundraising project. Your contribution will make an impact. Every little bit helps and is appreciated. Meta will donate $5.00 too after the first donation.
The mission of Smart Start of Pender County, Inc. is to support services that help every child to grow into his or her potential as a person. Facebook takes care of the donation processing with no fees.
| | You can always donate through Paypal as well. | | |
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400.
The license is not an endorsement by the State.
| | |
Board of Directors
Leslie Green- Board Chair
Donald Hall - Vice Chair
Sharon Willoughby - Treasurer
Allen Phillips-Bell– Secretary
Angela Beacham
Stacie Poulin
Rev. Dean Walker
Edith Meza
Sandra Sarmiento
Avery Ellington
Tandra Shepard Henderson
Jerry Groves
Donna VanVliet
Daisy Lee
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.
| | |
Smart Start of Pender County Staff
Connie Carr-Costin, MSW
Executive Director
ccarr-costin@pender4kids.com
Ext: 31
Angel Parker
Program Manager
aparker@pender4kids.com
Ext: 24
Regina Bass-Corley, M.A.Ed
Consultant
rbass-corley@pender4kids.com
Ext. 27
Mia Carney
Program Support Assistant
mcarney@pender4kids.com
Ext. 36
Reginald Clark, BS, MSA
Community Engagement Specialist
rclark@pender4kids.com
Ext. 26
Lisa Worley, MBA
Program Evaluator/Coordinator
lworley@pender4kids.com
| | |
The staff of Smart Start of Pender County would like to thank our board members, childcare providers and our local community for investing in early care and education.
Special thank you to Ms. Lauretta Murray.
| | 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. | | | | |
