Early Learning Update Week of August 1^st, 2022

Items Covered:

·      Early Learning Landing Page

·      Monthly Meetings with Dick Abrams – Sign up for a month

·      Save the Date: Virtual Early Learning Professional Development Day Conference Friday, February 10^th, 2022

·      Monthly Early Learning Roundtables: 2^nd Thursday of each month at 4:00pm

·      Licensed Only: Monthly Licensed Webinars: 3^rd Thursday of each month at 4:15pm

Please see this week’s professional development opportunities and news: https://mycatholicschool.org/for-catholic-schools/catholic-identity/early-learning/

1.)   Early Learning Landing Page:

I want to provide a quick refresher on the resources available on the Early Learning Landing Page on MyCatholicschool.org – Early Learning – My Catholic School

·      Preschool Finder: Please review your school information (contact, hours, ages) and get back to me if you see any changes that need to be made.

·      Professional Development: Here you will find upcoming Professional Development opportunities with direct links to registration (as a reminder staff in licensed programs need to complete 10 hours of STARS in-service from January 1^st 2022- December 31^st 2022).

·      Early Learning Resources and News: Here you will find archived Early Learning Updates, Early Learning Roundtable Recordings, Licensed Program Webinar Recordings, Marketing Templates, Early Learning Curriculum Standards, News Articles and more

·      Licensed Program Resources: Here you will find the Early Learning WAC’s, Forms and Documents, Staff Qualifications, Training, Requirements and more.

2.)   Monthly Meetings with Dick Abrams – Sign up for a month:

Each month I meet with Dick Abrams, who started the Fulcrum ECE Fund that supports my position and our programs, to update him on Early Learning programming and needs in our archdiocese. As a part of that monthly meeting we have a program lead join for 15-20 minutes of the meeting each month to give him a virtual tour of their program space and talk about the history, things they are most proud of and needs for their program. Dick really enjoys these conversations and seeing all the programs. The meetings take place at 4pm on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month. Please let me know if you would like to join one of the meetings this school year and I will get you scheduled on the calendar. 

3.)   Save the Date: Virtual Early Learning Professional Development Day Conference Friday, February 10^th, 2022:

As many of you gather with your staff to prepare for the new school year I am hoping that you can share the date of our second annual Virtual Early Learning Professional Development Day Conference. The conference takes place on the all school Regional Professional Development Day on Friday, February 11^th and is a No School Day on school calendars. The Early Learning tract will feature several sessions focused entirely on Early Learning topics geared toward you and your staff (and STARS eligible for licensed programs). I will send a calendar alert with more details as we move into the school year! If you are interested in being a part of the planning team please let me know. Last year the time commitment for the planning team consisted of 3-4 meetings that were an hour in length. Thank you and looking forward to an awesome day of learning.

4.)   Monthly Early Learning Roundtables: 2^nd Thursday of each month at 4:00pm:

Please join us this year for our monthly Early Learning Roundtables. Starting in September they will take place on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at 4:00pm. They will be recorded for those unable to attend. During these roundtables we focus on one topic and share with each other how you approach that topic in your programs. These roundtables have been a great way to connect, meet each other and share resources and ideas. Please let me know if there are topics that you would like to focus on during this year’s roundtables. Please see link for topics and recordings from previous roundtables:  Early Learning Resources and News – My Catholic School

5.)   Licensed Only: Monthly Licensed Webinars: 3^rd Thursday of each month at 4:15pm:

Please join us this year for our monthly Licensed Program Webinar’s. Starting in September they take place on the 2^nd Thursday of each month at 4:15pm. They will be recorded for those unable to attend. Each one of these webinars focus on a different administrative aspect of operating a licensed program. These webinars have been great to make sure we are staying in compliance with our DCYF requirements and tracking changes and updates that happen throughout the year. Please let me know if there are topics that you would like to focus on during this year’s Webinars. Please see link for topics and recordings from last year’s Webinars.  Early Learning Resources and News – My Catholic School

Dave Mayer | Director of Early Childhood Education

O: 206-264-2080 | C: 206-512-4336           

W: mycatholicschool.org