Summer 2018 Newsletter

YMCA OF GREATER LONG BEACH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

SUMMER 2018

CARNIVAL

On June 30th our second annual ECE Carnival took place at First Friendships preschool. With a petting zoo, an obstacle course, carnival games, music, food, amazing gift giveaways and even a dunk tank, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The Long Beach Fire Department and Police Department visited, letting children explore the gadgets inside a Fire Truck and Police vehicle. The Kiwanis club of Long Beach gave free popcorn for families. Also, El Pollo Loco graciously donated trays of their delicious food. With the help of board members and staff, this event was a complete success and we look forward to an even better carnival next year in the Spring!

BRING ME A BOOK CELEBRATION - FAMILY FUN DAY

Our 4th Annual Bring Me a Book Graduation & Family Fun Day celebrated those families who completed the 30 Week Take Home Book Bags program, but it was also a celebration of reading as a “Super Power� for the community in partnership with Quality Start Los Angeles, with literacy related arts and crafts, community resources, and dinner for more than 400 attendees at Dooley Elementary School. Keeping preschool age children excited about reading is no easy task for parents, but to do it for 30 weeks straight together at home is even more impressive. It helps develop a lifelong routine of loving to learn. This year our preschoolers have read over 7,000 books at home with their families!

A Message From Our Executive Director Dear Preschool Supporter, Happy Summer to you! We extend our best wishes to the graduates who will begin Kindergarten wellprepared in the fall, thanks to the caring, dedicated teachers and staff, whose hearts of service never ceases to amaze me. We also simultaneously welcome several new children and families who are just beginning their preschool experiences with us.

PARENT CELEBRATION

The impact and importance of a parental figure in a child’s educational development cannot be overstated. Each year, to integrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, preschools honor and celebrate any parental figure, caregiver or role model in a child’s life. Whether it’s small steps like reading with a child or building a puzzle together, caregivers are paving the foundation of their child’s educational path. For this reason, our program works closely with caregivers, providing workshops to support parents in creating the best environment for their child.

NUTRITIOUS EDUCATION

We are proud of the many wonderful experiences we have been able to offer our families thanks to the generous support of our donors, including a trip to Big Bear for a weekend of family camp, trips to the Aquarium of the Pacific, the beach, the zoo, free swimming lessons and much more.

For caregivers, reminder that the summer is a great opportunity to bond with your child. Look for no-cost opportunities to spend quality time talking and interacting together including parks, museums and libraries around town. Keep in mind that the best learning happens through play, so make time for it. Pick up a free Highlights Magazine from your local preschool office and practice being your child’s first and most important teacher. Let us know what activities you enjoyed most. We’d love to hear from you!

In Y Service, Andrea Sulsona

Executive Director,

YMCA of Greater Long Beach Early Childhood Education

At the Y we work every day to improve the nation’s health and well-being. We provide a fun, supportive environment to help you live in good health. This is a value we transmit into our Y preschoolers. By partnering with Mobile Farmers Markets, we educate children and families on the benefits of making healthy eating choices, which will benefit them in the long run. Since the obesity rate in young children in the Long Beach area is a social issue, the YMCA strives to help change the direction and positively affect the path of children. With more than 300 fitness classes to choose from, plus a variety of health and wellness programs, you too can find your way to wellness at the Y.

EASTER BASKETS

In partnership with Justin Rudd’s Operation Easter Basket, we were able to provide 50 families with Easter Baskets filled with everything from hygiene products to school supplies and of course, tasty treats. This ongoing partnership blesses more and more families in our program each year.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FAMILY CAMP

One of the biggest opportunities we provide families in our program, is the chance to visit and enjoy the weekend at YMCA Camp Oakes in Big Bear. Full of wonderful activities, families can choose to jump on the zip line, canoe though the lake or stargaze while roasting marshmallows. Fifty of our families were lucky enough to enjoy an all-expense paid weekend trip including lodging, meals and transportation. This would not be possible without the generous donations from our Annual Fundraising Campaign. A huge thank you to our donors – you made this possible.

8/3 - Promotion Day 8/4 - DD’s Discounts Fundraiser 8/6 - Dental Screenings 8/6 - Parent Literacy Workshop 8/15 - Dental Screenings 8/16 - Aquarium Field Trip 8/17 - Pump & Splash Day 8/17 - Dino Exploration Day 8/17 - Bring Me A Book Training 8/19 - Cook Appreciation Day 8/20 - Chef Silly 8/22 - Magic Show 8/24 - Carnival Day 9/3 - Labor Day (sites closed)

YEAR END GOODBYE’S

It’s that time of the year again when our oldest students begin the transition to Kindergarten. It’s a proud but sad day for teachers as their students have developed significantly since their first day, which was often met with tears and resistance. Eventually preschool becomes an environment of carefree learning and so much fun that children want to extend the time they can stay. The bond developed between parents and staff, based on supporting the well-being and growth of the child, is our biggest asset and sets children up to be Kindergarten ready and successful in the years ahead. Thank you, parents, for all you did to make this a wonderful last year of preschool for your child.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

Part of our ongoing drive to provide high quality programs to the community, is to continually improve upon our own standards. This year, preschool sites held their own staff development day and based their training to meet the needs of their respective demographics, before attending the 2nd Annual ECE Symposium the following day. Staff explored and were trained in areas of improvement both inside and outside the classroom setting.

Electronic newsletter available please email us at: fernando.carrillo@LBymca.org if you would like to share with parents or other child care providers.

MEET A BOARD MEMBER Camille Donnell believes that all families, regardless of socioeconomic status, should have access to high quality preschools.

For nearly 20 years Camille has devoted her professional life and volunteer time to supporting causes she is passionate about, including quality early childhood education for young children. Camille currently serves as a fiscal liaison for the Los Angeles County Office of Education and since 2014 she has been actively serving as a board member of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Early Childhood Education Program.

From the start, Camille jumped into a leadership role as campaign fundraising chair. She later served as the First Annual ECE Carnival Chair, and she continues to volunteer along with her husband and children in any capacity she is needed. Thank you, Camille, for your leadership, dedication and support!

YMCA of Greater Long Beach Early Childhood Education 3605 Long Beach Blvd. Suite 210F Long Beach, CA 90807

The mission of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Early Childhood Education Programs is to passionately serve communities to develop a stronger future; to provide children with access to quality child care programs that help them develop school readiness skills, while supporting their families to be active and engaged members of their communities.

70th Street Preschool 700 70th St. Long Beach, CA 90805 562.634.2719 Creative Beginnings Preschool 5600 Linden Ave. Long Beach, CA 90805 562.422.2616 First Friendships Preschool 6650 Orange Ave. Long Beach, CA 90805 562.984.2358 www.lbymca.org/ece

Mayne Preschool 9630 Mayne St. Bellflower, CA 90706 562.804.1976 Play & Learn Preschool 2179 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90806 562.218.4693 MAIN OFFICE 3605 Long Beach Blvd. Ste 210F Long Beach, CA 90807 562.279.1624

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Andrea Sulsona BOARD OF MANAGERS Dr. Eddie Quan, Board Co-Chair Colleen Triesch, Board Co-Chair Alma Castro, Secretary Chris Petit, Co-Treasurer Nina Richardson, Co-Treasurer Vivan Ainis Camille Donnell Daniel Ho-Ching Vivian Malauulu Cindy Orozco Luisa Valladolid