A Year of Growth, Partnership, and Impact:

Celebrating Our Successes at Smart Start of Forsyth County

As we close out another remarkable year at Smart Start of Forsyth County (SSFC), I am filled with deep gratitude, pride, and excitement for the transformational work we've achieved together. This year has been one of unprecedented collaboration, growth, and community impact—thanks to the tireless efforts of our board, staff, partners, and supporters across Forsyth County.

Transforming Pre-K Access Across Our County

One of the most impactful milestones of the year was the final implementation of the Pre-K Priority, County, and City Pre-K Project. This initiative—made possible by the collective leadership and vision of our partners—has expanded access to high-quality early education for hundreds of children across Forsyth County.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Family Services, Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), the Hispanic League, Forsyth Futures, and Prismatic Services for standing with us in this transformational partnership. Through this locally driven investment, we are laying a strong educational foundation for the children and families of our community.

Expanding Father Engagement and Workforce Support

We are proud to have expanded our M.A.L.E. (Males Aspiring for Leadership and Excellence) program countywide—bringing intentional engagement and support to male caregivers and Early Childhood Education (ECE) staff. This initiative is not only changing the narrative about fatherhood but also strengthening the emotional and developmental well-being of children across our community. We also added new staff to better serve and uplift male caregivers in the early education workforce.

A New Era of Family Support: Our Family Resource Center

This year marked the successful launch of our Family Resource Center, a hub of essential services and support for families across Forsyth County. From diapers, clothing, and hygiene items to employment assistance, case management, and transportation services, this Center has served hundreds of families with dignity, compassion, and respect. It stands as a reflection of our commitment to meeting families where they are and walking alongside them toward stability and opportunity.

Historic Apprenticeship Program Launch

We are thrilled to share that SSFC received approval from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to launch an Apprentice Program to train and certify high school students to become Teacher Assistants. This innovative partnership—led alongside Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and Forsyth Tech—addresses the pressing need for a stronger childcare workforce while creating new career pathways for youth in our community.

We are honored to be the first and only Smart Start out of 71 statewide to be certified to implement such a program. This groundbreaking model reflects our bold commitment to early childhood education, workforce development, and community advancement.

Recognition, Appointments, and Collective Impact

This year, our work did not go unnoticed. We were deeply honored to receive:

The Education Award from the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity
Non-Profit of the Year from the Triad Minority and Women Business Expo

I am also honored to share that I was appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC)—the body responsible for shaping state strategy and funding for children with disabilities ages 0–5. Additionally, our very own Pastor Tembila Covington, a passionate advocate and community leader, was appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly to serve on the North Carolina Partnership for Children—the statewide organization that funds and supports the 71 Smart Start organizations across our state. Her voice and leadership will strengthen the future of early childhood development across North Carolina.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

None of this would have been possible without the dedicated leadership of our Board of Directors, the unwavering support of our exceptional staff, and the strength of our community partnerships. Together, we are rewriting the story of what's possible for children and families in Forsyth County.

As we look ahead to a new year, we do so with renewed passion, deeper commitment, and the shared belief that every child deserves a smart start.

On behalf of the entire SSFC family—thank you for believing in our mission and continuing to invest in the future of our community. We look forward to another impactful year of progress, equity, and transformation.

With gratitude,

Dr. Louis A. Finney Jr.

President & CEO

Smart Start of Forsyth County

SMART START NEWS & UPDATES

A SSFC PKI Sneak Peek:

Literacy Vending Machines Are Here!

We're excited to share a first look at our Literacy Vending Machine Initiative! Four vibrant machines have been installed in strategic, high-traffic locations across Forsyth County as part of an innovative effort to increase access to children's books and promote early literacy.

While not all the machines are stocked just yet, our SSFC office machine is ready to go and already serving families. Plans are in motion for a thoughtful rollout to our other sites that will bring free, high-quality books directly to families—right where they live, learn, and gather. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to launch this exciting new chapter in community literacy!

Gear Up for School Event: Supporting 85 Families with Back-to-School Essentials

Smart Start of Forsyth County hosted a successful back-to-school event this week on August 8, 11, and 12th to provide families in Forsyth County with free bookbags to help prepare children for school. Through collaboration with our Family Resource Center, we were able to also provide families with clothes through the clothing bank, shoes, and other household items needed.

Throughout the week we were able to help 100 families with bookbags and supplies! We are honored to have the opportunity to serve the community in this way and meet the needs of the families we serve every day.

July Directors Forum Recap

Our July 2025 Directors Forum was a success, with approximately 16 participants in attendance. The forum provided a valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions around the development of a directors' cohort, updates on the current state of early childhood care and education, and the QRIS Pathways initiative.

We were honored to welcome Council Member Regina Hall as our guest speaker, who joined our directors and center owners for an insightful conversation.

We look forward to continued collaboration and are excited to welcome even more directors and owners to our next forum in September.

NC Pre-K Applications Update

Please note: NC Pre-K applications are currently paused.

Key Information:

Applications will resume on September 2, 2025
Starting September 2nd, only paper applications will be available
Paper applications can be obtained at the Smart Start office

For questions about NC Pre-K applications, please contact us:

Smart Start Office

7820 North Point Blvd, Suite 200

Winston Salem, NC 27106

Email: ncprek@smartstart-fc.org

Phone: (336) 725-6011

UPCOMING EVENTS

8/19 - Active Supervision

8/21 - First Aid/CPR

8/26 - We're Moving, We're Learning

Tuesday Training Series for Early Educators

Every Tuesday | 6:00-8:00 PM | Smart Start of Forsyth County

Boost your teaching toolkit with our weekly professional development sessions designed specifically for early childhood educators.

Each workshop features:

Practical classroom management strategies
Hands-on STEM activities you can use tomorrow
Essential safety certifications to keep your credentials current
Networking with fellow local educators

These expert-led sessions provide immediately applicable skills to enhance your classroom environment and support our community's youngest learners.

Novant Health Mobile Mammogram Unit

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Smart Start of Forsyth County

(7820 North Point Blvd #200, Winston-Salem, NC 27106)

Get your mammogram in your own neighborhood! Novant Health Mobile Unit will be at Smart Start of Forsyth County offering convenient, on-site mammography services.

Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer, and we are making it easy to get your annual mammogram. The American College of Radiology recommends that women over 40 have an annual mammogram.

Important Notes:

An appointment is required
Minimum age for screening mammogram is 35 years old
Schedule your appointment in advance

To book your appointment, please contact keturaho@smartstart-fc.org or call 336-714-4370.

Smart Start Community Connection Carnival

Saturday, September 27, 2025

12:00 pM - 3:00 PM

Quarry Park (1790 Quarry Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27107)

Join us for a day of family fun featuring games, resources, health screenings, and more! This FREE community event brings families together while connecting them with valuable early childhood resources.

Vendors Welcome! We are looking for businesses, nonprofits, and food vendors to join us. Sign up to be part of this exciting community event.

Tech Tips That Actually Transform Your Daily Workflow

Small changes, big productivity gains

We're drowning in productivity advice, but most tech tips are either too obvious or too complicated to stick. Here are five genuinely useful technology tweaks that take minutes to implement but deliver lasting impact.

Master the Two-Minute Email Rule

Instead of checking email constantly, try this: when you open an email, either delete it, respond immediately (if it takes under two minutes), or move it to a specific "action needed" folder. This simple triage system prevents your inbox from becoming an overwhelming to-do list while ensuring nothing important gets buried.

Use Text Shortcuts for Repetitive Typing

Whether you're on Mac, Windows, or mobile, text shortcuts can save hours weekly. Set up abbreviations like "@@" for your email address, "addr" for your home address, or "sig" for your professional signature. The setup takes five minutes, but you'll use these shortcuts hundreds of times.

Enable Smart Photo Organization

Both Google Photos and Apple Photos can automatically create albums by location, date, or even people. Turn on face grouping and location services to let your phone organize photos in the background.

Next time you need "that photo from last month's conference," you'll find it in seconds instead of scrolling through hundreds of images.

Schedule Your Phone's Do Not Disturb

Most people know about Do Not Disturb mode, but few schedule it automatically. Set your phone to enter focus mode during your most productive hours—maybe 9am to 11am for deep work, or after 9pm for better sleep. You'll be amazed how much more present you become when notifications aren't constantly fragmenting your attention.

Use Voice-to-Text for Long Messages

Modern voice recognition is remarkably accurate. Instead of pecking out lengthy texts or emails on your phone, try dictating them while walking or doing other activities. Most people can speak three times faster than they type, turning previously "dead time" into productive communication moments.

The Bottom Line: The best technology tips aren't about learning new apps—they're about making the tools you already use work smarter, not harder. Pick one tip this week and actually implement it. Your future self will thank you.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

"Feeding and Educating All" in East Winston-Salem

We're proud to spotlight Neighborhood's Hands, Inc., a vital community partner dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. This minority-owned and operated community outreach center represents the power of local leadership addressing local needs through their commitment to feeding and educating all community members.

Founded from Community Need

Co-founders Dr. S.D. Patterson and Tamica Patterson created Neighborhood's Hands after witnessing the overwhelming community needs in Winston-Salem during COVID-19. Their response demonstrates how community members can step up to serve their neighbors during challenging times.

Unique Community Leadership

What makes Neighborhood's Hands special is the authentic community connection of Executive Director Dr. S.D. Patterson, a Winston-Salem native with deep community experience and reputation.

His unique vision drives this organization to be one of the very few minority-owned and operated community outreach centers in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

Rooted in Community

Operating from 1713 North Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, Neighborhood's Hands serves families where they live and builds lasting relationships within the East Winston community they call home.

Connect with Neighborhood's Hands to learn more about their comprehensive community services.

Contact Dr. S.D. Patterson, Executive Director at (336) 391-0218 or neighborhoodshands@gmail.com to discover how this valuable community partner is strengthening families through education and essential support services in East Winston.

DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY

BOOK OF THE MONTH:

"Steppin' Out: Jaunty Rhymes for Playful Times" by Lin Oliver

Age Range: 3-5 years

Get ready to move and groove with this delightful collection of playful rhymes! "Steppin' Out" combines the wonderful storytelling of Lin Oliver with the beloved illustrations of Tomie dePaola to create a perfect back-to-school book that celebrates movement, rhythm, and fun.

This engaging collection encourages children to get active while developing language skills through catchy rhymes and rhythmic patterns. The jaunty verses are perfect for preschoolers who are preparing for school routines and learning to follow along with group activities. dePaola's charming illustrations bring each rhyme to life, making this book a joy to read aloud and share.

As families prepare for the new school year, "Steppin' Out" is perfect for establishing fun reading routines and getting little ones excited about learning. Visit your local library or bookstore to find this energetic collection that will have children stepping, clapping, and rhyming their way into school readiness!

SMART PARENT SHORTCUTS

After-School Snacks: Fueling Your Child's Success

Now that Forsyth County students are settling into their new school routines, it's the perfect time to focus on after-school nutrition. The right snacks can help restore energy, improve mood, and support learning during homework time. Here's what works best for different age groups:

Preschoolers (Ages 3-5): Keep portions small and focus on easy-to-eat options. Try apple slices with peanut butter, cheese cubes with whole grain crackers, or yogurt with berries. At this age, kids need snacks that are safe, fun, and not too messy. Make it interactive by letting them help prepare their snack.

Elementary Ages (6-10): These active learners need snacks that provide steady energy for homework and play. Great options include trail mix with nuts and dried fruit, whole grain toast with avocado, or hummus with vegetables. This is also a perfect age to start teaching kids about balanced snacking and letting them choose between healthy options.

Middle School (11-13): Growing tweens often come home hungry! They need more substantial snacks that combine protein and carbohydrates. Try turkey and cheese roll-ups, smoothies with protein powder, or whole grain crackers with tuna salad. Involve them in meal planning and let them prepare their own healthy snacks.

Quick Tips for All Ages:

Keep water bottles filled and easily accessible
Prep snacks ahead of time on weekends
Balance sweet and savory options
Always include a protein source for lasting energy

Start this week by involving your child in choosing and preparing their after-school snacks. Teaching healthy eating habits now sets the foundation for lifelong wellness and academic success!