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Martinsville Bulletin - Monday, November 7, 2011
Smart Beginnings program for preschoolers funded
The United Way of Henry County and Martinsville has received a three-year, $537,225 Harvest Foundation grant for the Smart Beginnings Martinsville Henry County Initiative, according to a press release.
Smart Beginnings MHC is a coalition of 18 community partners who provide services for children up to the age of 5, their parents and child care providers.
"We appreciate The Harvest Foundation's support that will allow us to grow our work with parents, caregivers and the community so every child can have a smart beginning in life," Sheryl Agee, Smart Beginnings MHC director, stated in the release. "We will continue to be dedicated to building an early childhood system that is an effective part of the cradle-to-career education continuum for Martinsville Henry County committed to producing successful students ready for lifelong achievement."
Over the past several years, Smart Beginnings MHC has reached more than 400 caregivers and parents of small children with education, developmental screenings, and training certification classes for child care providers, said the release. It added that efforts will be enhanced with the grant funds.
Smart Beginnings MHC will expand the Healthy Beginnings partnership to incorporate developmental screenings as standard parts of well-child visits with additional doctors, according to the release. Earlier developmental screenings means earlier detection and intervention, when necessary.
Smart Beginnings also will start a program to help local child care providers receive star-quality ratings through the Virginia Star Quality Initiative or VSQI. Those ratings help parents identify top-quality local child care providers, the release said.
The goal is to help place young children in the best position to succeed by the time they reach school-age.
"Through their work, the Smart Beginnings Coalition has been able to make a collective impact in our community," said Angela Logan, Harvest Foundation program officer. The coalition has "pulled together partners to work towards a common goal - making sure that every child is ready for school and ready for life. We are delighted with the work they have accomplished, and look forward to their future efforts."
The Harvest Foundation was established in 2002 from the sale of Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. It researches and invests in programs and initiatives to improve health, education, and community vitality.
Job Opening: Software Support Specialist
Smart Beginnings Martinsville Henry County is seeking qualified candidates for a Software Support Specialist position. Position will provide administration and oversight of data management system, including technical support and training for end-users, and compilation of data for case management, evaluation and reporting. Successful candidates must have: education and work experience in software support and reporting, with working knowledge of Access a plus; ability to accurately compile, analyze and interpret data; good communication and interpersonal skills. Must be a self-starter and have the ability to work independently. For more information. . .
Application Deadline: October 21, 2011
Application Package
• Cover Letter
• Application form
• Resume
Application package should be submitted to sheryl@smartbeginningsmhc.org
Commonwealth to Observe "School Readiness Month" in August
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation Shares Ten Tips for Families
Richmond, VA (August 2011) - The first day of school for the 2011-2012 academic year is just round the corner and the workforce of the mid-2020s is busy getting ready to start kindergarten. In recognition of the Commonwealth's commitment to early childhood initiatives as the
foundation for success in school and in life, Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed August as School Readiness Month" in Virginia.
"The first five years are a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a positive and long-lasting impact on a young child's school preparedness," said Scott Hippert, President of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. It's an unfortunate fact that about one in five children in Virginia start kindergarten without the necessary skill-set required for this structured learning environment," he said. "School Readiness month will focus attention on the importance of providing the next generation of workers with a smart beginning in the early years, which is essential to their success and to Virginia's economic prosperity."
During "School Readiness Month," families can help their young children prepare for success in the classroom, whether that's in a daycare, preschool or elementary school setting. Some school readiness tips from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation include:
- Adjust bedtimes so that children will have enough sleep for those early-morning wakeup calls and enough time to eat a nutritious breakfast.
- Contact the local school board for more information on registering a child for kindergarten if you haven't already done so.
- Call your school to see if there are opportunities for you and your child to take a tour or
- meet the teacher before the first day of school; ask if there are any supplies that your
- child should bring on the first day.
- If your child will ride a school bus, contact the school to get the bus number, route and
- schedule in advance.
- Make appointments for medical checkups; a health exam is required. If additional
- screenings and/or immunizations are identified, make any necessary appointments.
- Encourage young children to have listening ears, walking feet and inside voices when they're in a group setting; also, praise children when they follow directions, take turns and treat others with respect. This behavior is expected in a classroom.
- Read aloud to young children every day, especially books with rhymes and big colorful pictures, which are favorites of preschoolers.
- Play simple-yet-instructional games with young children. For example, "Go Fish" improves number recognition and Candyland helps children identify colors, which are important school readiness skills.
- Plan fun family outings to provide young children with enriching school readiness experiences, such as visits to the library, the local petting zoo and the park.
- Talk to your child about what to expect on the first day to make the transition easier; share your excitement about this new adventure.
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