Spring 2020 Provider's Focus Magazine

FOCUS Magazine PROVIDER’S

Spring 2020

A quarterly publication for early childhood care and education professionals

Shining a spotlight on our community

Talking to children about COVID-19

The new faith-based provider representative

Pg 10

Q&A with Amanda Jae

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Navigating through uncertainty

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Hillsborough Heroes

Inside

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BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL A message from the CEO

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HILLSBOROUGH HEROES Thank you for all you do!

06 NAVIGATING THROUGH OCEANS OF UNCERTAINTY

Talking to young children about COVID-19 08

BIG STEPS FOR LITTLE FEET Transition to kindergarten - for everyone

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MEET YOUR FAITH-BASED PROVIDER REP A Q&A with Amanda Jae

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VPK CONFERENCE 2020: SUCCESS! Our first conference was a hit

Tips for talking about the COVID-19 crisis, pg. 06

14 CELEBRATE LITERACY WEEK, FLORIDA

Thank you for participating!

otos h p t u o k Chec PK V e h t m o fr ce!

Conferen pg. 12

Provider's

FOCUS Magazine SPRING 2020

INTRODUCTION

Helping teachers AND families transition to kindergarten, pg. 08

The Provider's Focus Magazine is a quarterly publication of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC). The ELCHC is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization located in Tampa, Florida.

The Provider's Focus is printed in limited quantity and distributed across Hillsborough County, Florida. It is also available in digital format at www.elchc.org in the Publications area of the website.

PUBLISHER

SUBMISSION INFO

Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

If you would like to submit an article to be included in the Provider’s Focus, listed below are the submission deadlines and requirements for the 2019-2020 publication year.

PRODUCTION MANAGERS Jonna Johnson, M.A. Jessica Salmond

Articles should include the author's name, affiliation/title, and be typed, double-spaced in 11 or 12 point Arial, Calibri or Times Roman font. Any accompanying photos or artwork should be in high-resolution JPEG format (at least 300 dpi) and sent as a separate attachment along with the article (not inserted in the article).

PHOTO COORDINATOR Jessica Salmond

Photo releases should accompany any photo submissions. Submit all to jsalmond@elchc.org by noted deadlines. Please note that submission of articles, information etc., does not guarantee publication.

Submission Deadline

For Issue

May 8, 2020

Summer 2020

August 14, 2020

Fall 2020

November 6, 2020

Winter 2020

January 8, 2021

Spring 2021

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jonna Johnson, M.A. Jessica Salmond CONTRIBUTORS Cindy Horwitz Nichole Gonzalez Jonna Johnson Jessica Salmond

Business

as

UNUSUAL (COVID - 19)

“

We understand that this is a trying time for our providers and families and we assure you; you are not alone. Thank you for being there for the families that need you now. There are many working people within the families you serve that are necessary to the vitality of this community. “Thank you” for continuing to serve our Hillsborough County community with integrity and commitment. We are here to work alongside you at this time.

”

- Gordon L. Gillette, CEO, ELCHC

Hillsborough Heroes While COVID-19 has caused strife and anxiety in our lives, it's also done something else: shown us who keeps society running. In an effort to recognize the efforts of those essential people in our community, we started the #HillsboroughHeroes project. Here are just a few of the amazing submissions we received. To see all of our community heroes, watch our Hillsborough Heroes videos on our YouTube channel, ELCHillsborough.

The Learning Experience of New Tampa teaches children philanthropy on a daily basis and as part of our amazing curriculum, we made cards and donated lunch from 900 Degrees WoodFired Pizza to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Thank you to our amazing everyday heroes. — Amy Rath Gauvin, Director

Natashia Garcia at Playtime Learning Academy is an outstanding teacher who has completely changed her school-age, after-school class into a functioning multi-age classroom for her students.

She tutors each child individually and also creates fun learning projects for them that incorporate hands on learning. The children have been advancing their studies while building, creating, reading, writing, and more.

— Julie Banks, Director

I would like to nominate the administration and staff members of Kids R Kids of Waterset and Kids R Kids of Southshore as Hillsborough Hero’s.

We are still open to serve essential workers. We have offered virtual learning to all of our preschool and VPK students with live lessons twice a week. Teachers have taped reading stories, circle time, and just simple hellos to our students who are staying home. We have found new ways to keep our students engaged through social media, email and technology for both those attending and those at home. We have implemented safety standards to allow minimal exposure to our staff members and students, including curbside drop off, with an art show display for parents in the lobby window. We even drove by our students homes last weekend and provided the Easter bunny for our community. Our students created cards that were dispersed to our community workers, thanks to the Southshore Chamber of Commerce. Our students thought of our farm workers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, emergency workers, military, pharmacists, grocery store workers and didn't forget the CVS or Walmart employees too! Overall, most importantly, our staff members have remained dedicated, calm, and continued to provide a loving and nurturing environment where our children feel safe and secure during these uncertain times.

We just remember our “why” and what we are here for. Our students. I couldn’t be more proud of my teams. Even when the world around us is falling apart, we can still find ways to fall together (even if it's 6 feet apart).

— Shannon J. Jill, Area Director

Tarita Williams is Rainbow of Kids Academy's VPK teacher.

She is volunteering her time to distribute grab-n-go food bags weekly for not only Rainbow's children, but any family in our area that needs food and milk.— Darlene Stowers, Owner

I cannot give you just one name.

They are all heroes at Kids R Kids 6FL Westchase.

Here is my list of heroes: Joy & Steven Silvers Ms. Wendy Ms. Marisela Ms. Deborah Ms. Erriana Ms. Magda Ms. Jennifer Ms. Debbie Ms. Courtney Ms. Jessica Ms. Sadia Ms. Yaile Ms. Paula Ms. McKenzie Ms. Lily Ms. Ashley Ms. Julianna Ms. Shana Ms. Marina Ms. Natalie Ms. Michalyn Ms. Amanda Ms. Sevilay Ms. Nancy Ms. Frankie Ms. Jaime Ms. Lisa Ms. Diana Ms. Kaylyn Ms. Bianca Ms. Debbie Mr. Tim But this list should be echoed by all child care providers across the world as we not just essential but we are all committed.

— April Hetrick Director

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ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE elchc.org Spring 2020

Navigating through oceans of uncertainties with young children By: Cindy Horwitz, LCSW, MPH, IMH-E® The Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County, Inc. How do we discuss the current chaos of events with our children when we might be trying to navigate through oceans of uncertainties ourselves? When dealing with pandemics such as coronavirus, our past traumatic experiences or “sharks” tend to resurface in our shallowing waters. The loss of normalcy can evoke all kinds of feelings within us, and it is not a one-size-fits-all approach to calm our waters.

I’d like to ask you, “How are you?” It is ok to not be ok, or even not sure at the moment. Naming and acknowledging our feelings is the first step to accepting our new sense of normalcy. Our emotions hit us like waves and that is part of the process. It is all about how we handle those waves and sharks surfacing that matters. We too are feeling a loss of safety. How do we regain control? We have to learn to let go of what we cannot control and find constructive ways of what to do with those feelings.

I would like you to reflect on how you are adjusting during this time. I challenge you to be intentional when partaking in self-care activities such as taking deep breaths, sipping on that warm cup of coffee, going for a walk, Face Timing with a friend, etc.

We must take care of ourselves and model self-care for our children, especially during this time. Find time for making positive memories and interactions with your children. Once we can calm our waters, we can begin having conversations with our children. “When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it’s our job to share our calm, not join in their chaos” (L.R. Knost).

From birth, we learn to pick up cues from our environment and through experiences we learn how to respond. Young children in particular, are highly sensitive to stress in their caregiver’s experience. Despite our best efforts to control our waves, our children are sensing that our world is vastly changing around them. Children will develop anxiety and are more inclined to act out as a result. It is our responsibility as caregivers to discuss these changes with them. The beloved Mr. Fred Rogers advises, “When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”

WHEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT OUR FEELINGS, THEY BECOME LESS OVERWHELMING, LESS UPSETTING, AND LESS SCARY. — MR. ROGERS PAGE

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ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE elchc.org Spring 2020

How do you talk to your children about coronavirus and its impact on our community — or any other traumatic or life-changing event?

For Educators:

For Families:

• Being transparent with your students is important — children are sensing that their school and home is changing. Discussing these changes openly can help them.

• Use words and explanations that your child will understand at their developmental level. Be sure to keep explanations brief. Visuals, particularly social stories are an invaluable method of explaining current events to children. Children learn through storytelling and might find this comforting.

• Tell the parents that the children will be discussing current events. Invite the parents who might be anxious to come and join the conversation.

• Use words and explanations that are appropriate for your children's developmental stage. Be sure to keep explanations brief. Visuals, particularly social stories are an invaluable method of explaining current events to children.

• Discuss and review any changes to the daily classroom schedule with the children. Incorporate a visual schedule at your children's eye level for them to reference.

• Talk to the children about the importance of social distancing and handwashing. Turn these topics into a game or dance. Demonstrate proper handwashing techniques for the children.

• Ask the children how they feel about the virus. Use a feelings chart or wheel to help children choose their feelings. Give the children verbal praise for sharing their feelings. Provide them ways of dealing with these feelings; such as taking deep breaths, reading a story, stroking a pet, or holding a calming object.

• Establish a routine. Children tend to thrive when they feel they can anticipate what might be coming next. This provides them with a sense of security.

Consider making a new daily schedule while keeping regular mealtimes and bedtime the same. Offer them several options based on standards or daily routines that you already follow in your household.

Giving children preselected options will allow them to feel that they are participating and validated by having their voices heard, thereby providing them some semblance of control.

• Provide them ways of dealing with these feelings, such as taking deep breaths, reading a story, stroking a pet, or holding a calming object. Engage in self-care activities together whenever possible.

• Lastly, reassure your children that they are safe.

Remind them that you are available to discuss their feelings as needed. Remember— just being with your child helps them feel loved, protected, and safe.

• Incorporate Dr. Becky Bailey's Wish You Well Rituals.

Wishing each other fosters the growth of empathy while allowing a child to the process when someone from our school family is absent or ill.

• Lastly, remind the children that they are safe.

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ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE elchc.org Spring 2020

Big steps for little feet:

Easing transition to kindergarten for everyone

By Nichole Gonzalez, Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County The time between early child care and kindergarten is a critical time for a child. But a historical lack of clarity and communication between child care programs, families and kindergarten classes can make this time in a child’s life feel scary and challenging. Recently, the early childhood education field has been looking more into this time of transition and how we can work together to make it easier on children, teachers and families.

The Early Learning Coalition is working together with more smoothly. Currently, this initiative is a pilot community partners, such as Growing Up Great and program that has been successful in the targeted area the School District of Hillsborough County, to bridge of Town 'N Country, but the Foundation is hoping to the gap between the period before school and the bring it to other communities as well. With this new time when children are transitioning into kindergarten. initiative there is much focus on not only preparing the Kindergarten is revered as the beginning of the school children for kindergarten but also their parents. experience, and for some children it might be their first Important points when talking to families are educating experience in a school setting. Some children move the parents on how to enroll for kindergarten, what straight from a home setting into kindergarten. But their options are, and most of all what can be done at there are a good majority of children who are already home between the parent and child to prepare them in a VPK program where they learn skills and strategies for kindergarten. The La Petite, Children’s Nest and which help them when they transition to kindergarten. Hillsborough County Public School teachers who are Regardless of what early learning environment children participating in this program meet with each other are coming from, however, kindergarten expectations once a month and discuss different topics related to are different than what they’ve grown used to either in promoting mindfulness, creating developmentallyVPK, child care or at home. They are moving from an appropriate lessons and activities for their students environment they are familiar with and transitioning and also have a chance to talk about their classroom towards another important milestone, their school and elicit ideas from their peers on behavior career. management, assessments, and any other issues that The Growing Up Great program, funded by the Conn may arise.

Foundation, is an example of a successful attempt at The teachers will also be invited to each other’s addressing the transition time holistically — working classrooms to gain some insight as to what a typical with teachers, child care providers and families VPK, 4-year old program or a kindergarten day looks like. together to make this time in a child’s education run The feedback from the teachers involved has been

For families: tips for working on kindergarten transition at home

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Check out the Hillsborough County Public Schools website for activities and important information

Start routines with your child to get them ready for kindergarten (wakeup/ goodnight)

Research your nearest school

Start having conversations with your child about kindergarten

Learn about first day procedures at their school

Read to your child daily and ask questions about what you are reading together

“I am really enjoying ... discussing the problems that we have in our classroom and coming up with solutions on how to better help our kids and how to educate ourselves.”

— Pamela Mills, Children’s Nest Day School-Jackson Springs. overwhelmingly positive.

“I am really enjoying the classes, getting together with the other ladies, discussing the problems that we have in our classroom and coming up with solutions on how to better help our kids and how to educate ourselves,” said Pamela Mills, a teacher from Children’s Nest Day School-Jackson Springs. “I think that this is a good project. The classes are really helping me on becoming a better teacher.”

The relationships that are being cultivated within this program are unique. Having the opportunity to meet as a group of professionals, the teachers together demystify the scary impression that children and families may have about taking this next step in their educational milestone.

Kindergarten and prekindergarten programs are very different in structure, activity and expectations.

Growing Up Great allows the teachers to work collaboratively to create developmentally-appropriate activities and lessons to use in their classrooms. They are working together to share experiences and offering suggestions for their peers who are struggling or just need another teacher’s perspective.

The teachers meet each month for a Community of Practice in which they can create lessons and activities by brainstorming with one another for ideas to accommodate all the diverse needs of the children in their class. The teachers can take the lead in creating a more inclusive environment for their children by accentuating their strength and applying what they have learned from the Growing Up Great program.

Along with helping to create more inviting and accepting learning environment the teachers are also able to learn strategies and tips that help to strengthen family engagement.

GROWING UP GREAT

All of the participating schools are hosting “family nights” and inviting their partner schools from the district in order to educate the families of the children currently enrolled on what is involved in registering their children, the "must do’s" to get done before registering, and also what families can do at home with their children to help prepare them both intellectually and emotionally for this major transition.

Through these interactions they are realizing each of them plays a big role in their children’s lives and these experiences are helping to create a smooth transition to this new journey. During the meetings they have expressed how wonderful this program is and how there is such a need for a working relationship between them and the private care providers, and ultimately to help make this time of the children’s lives more of an enjoyable experience rather than one filled with anxiety and the unknown.

With more of a lens on this fragile time of children’s lives, we can create a culture of educated parents who are prepared to send their children off to their first day of kindergarten with a joyful and calm heart, as well as creating a dialogue between kindergarten and prekindergarten educators.

“Growing Up Great in Town 'N Country has been a wonderful experience for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with other teachers and professionals over the last several months,” said Rebecca Roberts, a 4-yearolds teacher at Town 'N Country Elementary. “I feel like I have amazing resources through all the incredibly talented new people I have met and observed during this pilot. I look forward to our meetings each month and I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved.”

Growing Up Great is a new initiative funded by the Conn Foundation designed to build a neighborhood-focused educational pathway from birth to fifth grade, focused on Kindergarten Readiness, third-grade reading and long-term student success.

Right now, the program is being tested in Town 'N Country, with hopes to expand it into the rest of the county. It is a collaborative partnership with Morgan Woods Elementary School, Town 'N Country Elementary School, Champions for Children, the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.

Q&A

with Amanda Jae, Director, Palma Ceia United Methodist Day School

ELCHC Board of Directors Faith-based Provider Representative

Amanda Jae is a Hillsborough County native. She has been the director of the Palma Ceia United Methodist Day School since 2015, and helped establish the school’s VPK program. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Florida and her Master of Arts in Teaching from University of South Florida.

Before her current position at United Methodist, she spent 7 years teaching in prekindergarten and first-grade classrooms in both public and charter schools in Hillsborough County.

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1. What inspired you to join the ELCHC board?

I was first introduced to the ELCHC 2 years ago when PCUMDS started our VPK program. Sally McGinnis, who has now retired, was my launching point and shared with me about the lack of private south Tampa schools using the resources from the ELCHC. My inspiration behind joining the board was, there’s so much opportunity to grow VPK programs. I’d love to be a part of that. My long-term vision would be for the state to pay for a full school day since our kids are preparing for a full school day in kindergarten.

We have to do a lot of work in the prekindergarten realm. For example, what are we doing to develop age appropriate independence and emotional intelligence?

I want to help and have that pull as a board member to create further change with the ELC programs.

ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE elchc.org Spring 2020

2. Why do you think it’s important to have a representative for faith-based providers?

4. From a provider’s prospective, how does the ELCHC impact the early learning community?

I think because the board is supposed to represent the different providers in Hillsborough County and having a faith-based provider allows for proper representation of our community. Many of Hillsborough County’s private early childhood schools have a faithbased curriculum, so it’s important to have that representation. And as a director-level provider as well, there’s a lot more we can do to increase VPK quality that doesn’t have to be the same way we’re doing it now. Having that representative shows the rest of the board what the ‘boots on the ground’ providers are doing, what practices are working in some programs, and of what is working, what can we apply county-wide.

They provide a lot of services. I love the professional development classes offered. My infant/toddler teachers and I have all taken the ELCHC’s Creative Curriculum. There’s not a ton of specific infant toddler resources offered in Hillsborough County. The ELCHC definitely helps with professional development and

3. What do you hope to accomplish during your term, both in your role and as a member of the board as a whole?

I would love to continue to support the needs of children who are ready for public school. We want public schools to be as efficient and high quality as private schools in Tampa. If we can start that in part, even infant toddler programs, we can create life-long learner using these resources.

Of my parents at PCUMDS, 50% go public with their children and 50% go private when their children graduate out of our school. A lot of parents have this need to go private because they perceive it to be the best option. The goal of VPK is for a child to start in kindergarten ready to achieve greatness, not just the basics. Our parents pay taxes so why not use the VPK voucher and save money? There are 30 other schools offering high quality prekindergarten programs that aren’t the VPK program. Those schools think there are a lot of hoops to jump through to offer VPK, but really the paperwork is the quality control measures set by the state. Plus, we’re helping the state with data and showing how 3- to 5-year-old are doing to shape the standards for kindergarten. I think there could be some mild rebranding for VPK, so if there’s a school that has VPK, parents can assume there will be known elements of success for their child if they enroll. That way, when parents see VPK, they know this program follows what the state standards are, it helps my child into public kindergarten. If we as the guardians can support our children, it behooves me to be the bridge between prekindergarten and kindergarten.

supporting prekindergarten programs.

5. What can a faith-based provider perspective bring to the ELCHC board?

It brings a view of equality. Both faith-based and the general provider representatives are bringing perspectives to the table. Faith-based providers have a lot of social emotional pieces, things like the golden rule, volunteerism, etc. as part of our program. In August, PCUMDS spends the whole month talking about our community to build social emotional expectations of our students, such as “how are we alike and different,” “I have two moms, you have a mom and a dad”. It’s an important part of our curriculum that teaches everyone is valued and everyone is important.

That is just as, if not more, important as the academic standards.

6. Tell us something fun about yourself!

The Palma Ceia United Methodist Day School opened in 1952, and I’m only the fourth Day School Director.

Anne Smith was the original director and remains an active church member to this day. It’s been a wonderful legacy to continue in the South Tampa community.

I grew up in Plant City went to public school all the way through my academic career. I have a golden retriever named Bear, a 2-year-old daughter and a husband who grew up in Tampa.

We came back to Tampa after we graduated college, and found that Tampa had become a bigger city than we left after high school in 2005. It’s been amazing to see how Tampa has grown up and continues to grow.

I’m excited to take on this role to further develop the early childhood programming in Tampa.

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ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE elchc.org Spring 2020

CONFERENCE

2020: Thank you to our sponsors:

Community partners & exhibitors:

America’s Play Caspers Company Champions for Children Discount School Supply First Discovery Academy Florida Day Care Insurance Florida Department of Health Florida Family Childcare Association HCT Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLC. Healthy Start Coalition Hispanic Services Council Preserve Vision Florida Robert-Leslie Publishing Scholastic T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood Scholarship Program USF Preschool for Creative Learning PAGE Waterford

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SUCCESS! ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE

elchc.org Spring 2020

Thank you to our Conference attendees!

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you that attended our first ELCHC VPK Conference on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Over 200 attendees shared in the learning experience, gained new ideas and resources and contributed to the event. You made our conference a success and it was a great pleasure to see so many new faces there! Hopefully you enjoyed both the networking and the exchange of new ideas for your VPK classrooms.

I would like to give special thanks to the speakers, volunteers, staff, presenters and to USF’s College of Education, Anchin Center for hosting us during the event. Furthermore, to our Conference Committee Planning Team who did outstanding work in organizing all the details of the conference.

If you would like to give us feedback on your conference experience please email, conference@elchc.org.

Most Sincerely,

Stacey J. Francois Manager, Training and IACET

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ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE elchc.org Spring 2020

h wit g n i ead your r r g u fo mittin o y ub nk s!

Tha and s hoto p us

A Bridge of Learning

Hope Effect Day School

St. Peter Claver Catholic School

Lil Pals Preschool PAGE

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ELCHC PROVIDER’S FOCUS MAGAZINE elchc.org Spring 2020

Circle C Ranch Academy

Children's Nest Day School - 62nd Street

ZooTampa School

Academy of Tampa PAGE

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