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a monthly e-newsletter for Delaware's early childhood and school age programs
 


JUNE 2017


You're here for Delaware's children and families. 
We're here for YOU! 
Aim4Excellence
Due to funding limits, the Office of Early Learning will not be able to continue offering scholarships for Aim4Excellence's online coursework. 

The Office of Early Learning is committed to expanding additional opportunities for administrators and teachers interested in pursuing leadership positions in the coming year. 
Get 2 Free Quality Assured Hours
for current GOLD users only
For current GOLD users, here is a list of training dates near you.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Counselor 
job opportunity!
T.E.A.C.H is currently accepting applications for an Early Education Counselor. Please click here for the full posting and instructions on where to send your resume. 
"What does being an early child care provider mean to you?"
That was the question we recently asked Delaware Stars providers. We received many responses, here is what some had to say. 

"Being an early childcare provider means I get to play an important part in molding our future entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, civil servants, teachers.....our future pioneers!"

"Receiving a gift like this when a family comes to you to enroll children that they have been guardianship of and the circumstances they are dealing with seem to be unbearable in their eyes. On a daily basis you open your heart and your mind and set a goal to make this the best day ever for these 2 kids. Not only just these two but every kid that comes through my door. You never know what anyone has to go through just to make it to another day. So always be open to love, encourage, and inspire."

We received photos as well, here's one.  

GOLD UPGRADE: IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING
New changes effective in July!
On July 15, 2017, Teaching Strategies, LLC is upgrading their GOLD interface design to MyTeachingStrategies. This design replaced the existing GOLD design with a more intuituive, user-friendly interface based on feedback from GOLD users. 

There's no action needed on your part - you'll simply log in using your existing GOLD username and password, which will bring you to the upgraded homepage. 

How is MyTeachingStrategies different than what I see now when I log in?
New design features are smartphone and tablet friendly, which will make it easier for ongoing, formative assessment of your children.  In addition to the birth through five-year-old indicators visible now, users will also see kindergarten through third grade indicators.

This is a change for Teaching Strategies nationally, Educators in other stated who are already using MyTeachingStrategies are saying:
  • It significantly streamlines the assessment process.
  • There is a simplified approach for adding and viewing documentation, completing checkpoints, and accessing assessment activities.
There are 5 Steps you can take to prepare for the new design. This 3 minute video explains saving some of your work. Click here for more information on "how to save lesson plans." 

What supports can be accessed when transitioning to the new platform?
  • All NEW users will be trainer on MyTeachingStrategies platform starting July 2017 through DIEEC. New dates will be scheduled beginning in September 2017. 
<= For CURRENT users, free, 2-hour, quality-assured in-person and online training options.
  • In-person trainings will be scheduled in each county and facilitated by DIEEC July-September 2017 OR
  • After July 15th, an online training will also be accessible through existing GOLD® username and passwords. 
  • Teaching Strategies, LLC will be emailing resources and recorded webinars directly to users. General technical assistance will be available from the Teaching Strategies, LLC "help desk."
  • Current users who participate in the 2 hour in-person or online training can request technical assistance on the MyTeachingStrategies platform from a Stars Curriculum and Assessment TA through fall 2017. 
Provider Spotlight: Thanking all providers that participated in Children's Book Week 
This year, the University of Delaware's  Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) coordinated a statewide effort to provide reader volunteers at 40 early childcare centers in nearly 130 classrooms !

UDaily featured DIEEC and Delaware Stars collaboration in this year's Children's Book Week, click here for the article.  We are humbled and proud to have been a part of this event. We could not have done it without the volunteer readers and programs who participated. They helped make this a success for Delaware's children!

Please enjoy this slideshow that we put together showing some of the special moments captured during Children's Book Week!


Child Care Daily: News You Can Use
Science for Multi-Age Groups
Family Child Care providers often ask, "How can I keep my children engaged in science with materials that are both safe for young children as well as interesting for older children?" The following suggestions are examples of ways to engage children in science activities that can be used in... continue here.
Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood
Delaware Stars for Early Success
Professional Development Department
Main (302) 831-3239 | Fax (302) 831-4223
Visit PD at www.dieecpd.org
Visit DE Stars  at: www.delawarestars.udel.edu


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