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PRE-K UPDATE
MARCH 27, 2019
Here's the latest news from The Long Island Pre-K Initiative, your source for  expert training and useful resources:  www.nassauboces.org/pre-k

Just out from NYSED: Guidance and resources for implementing social-emotional learning
On March 18, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) released a new free document: Social Emotional Learning: A Guide to Systemic Whole School Implementation
. This comprehensive, downloadable guide covers everything from research on how social-emotional learning (SEL) impacts school performance to links for resources on a variety of topics. For example, the section on SEL and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) includes information about training packages available from the National Center for Safe Supportive Learning and a link to a toolkit offered by the National Center for Traumatic Stress Network.

Topics range from school culture to integration of SEL into content area lessons to engaging parents and families as partners. A sample rubric for assessing your school's SEL program provides a framework for approaching planning or improvement.


When it comes to children's books, parents want more diversity; kids want humor
A majority of 6 to 17 year-olds (52%) just want a book that will "make me laugh," according to the latest installment of Scholastic Inc.'s  Kids & Family Reading Report. In second place (40%): books that allow them to "explore places and worlds they have never been." In fact, a full 70% of them say reading is a way for them to
"understand the world."

Parents also want books that will help their children understand other peoples' lives. And this is becoming more of a priority. In the previous survey, conducted in 2016, 36% said this was important; now the proportion is 48%. More specifically, 58% say that it is extremely or very important that the books their children read include diversity.

One thing that hasn't changed since the last survey is the "decline by nine." Scholastic's research shows a steep drop off in reading at this age. For example, 40% of eight year-olds say they "love" reading while only 28% of nine year-olds report this. Similarly, 57% of eight year-olds say they read 5 to 7 days a week, while only 35% of nine year olds do. While the Scholastic report does not explore reasons for this drop or make recommendations, the authors do comment:  "... across ages, the majority of kids agree they should read more books for fun, and tell us they believe reading matters. This suggests it is possible to prevent the decline and even to re-engage a child in reading, provided the experience meets their needs and expectations.

Click here to download the full report.

Here's a book that's simply " mathical"
Nothing Stopped Sophie by Cheryl Bardoe is the winner of this year's Mathical Book Prize for ages 5 to 7. This inspiring  biography tells the story of 18th century mathematician Sophie Germain, "whose parents took away her candles to keep her from studying math."

The award is given annually by the Mathematical Sciences Institute in partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, in coordination  with the  Children's Book Council. It recognizes "fiction and nonfiction books that inspire children of all ages to see math in the world around them." Prizes are given in four categories, ranging from age 2 to 18. 

Past winners for 5- to 7-year-olds include Sheep Won't Sleep and Max's Math

Click here  for lists of this year's winners in all age categories, of all past winners and of nominated "Honor Books."

Sign up now for One-Day Summer Institute

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2019
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: Western Suffolk BOCES Conference Center, Wyandanch
(Note: Lunch is included; coffee/tea only in the morning.)

REGISTER NOW: $75 per person
Six hours OCFS or CTLE credit

Keynote: High-Quality Early Learning for a Changing World: Images of Possibilities
Presenter: Beverly Falk, Director of Graduate Programs in Early Childhood Education at CCNY's School of Education.

Choice of workshops 
The full day's schedule is still being finalized, but choice of workshops will include Eco-Conscious Early Childhood Programs and Research-Based Early Literacy Practices.

This week's job listings for early ed on Long Island

For positions listed below with the EOC of Nassau County Head Start Program
Email resume to Human Resources Manager, mdenton@eoc-nassau.org

Early Childhood Education Administration/Professional Development Internship
Full-Time Early Childhood Specialist
Full-Ti me Family Community Coordinator
Part-Time Professional Development Coordinator/Coach
EOC of Nassau County Head Start, Hempstead

Full-Time Teacher
EOC of Nassau County Head Start, Westbury, Long Beach, Roosevelt, Freeport & Hempstead

Full-Time Teacher Assistant
EOC of Nassau County Head Start, Westbury

Full-Time Teacher Aide
EOC of Nassau County Head Start, Hempstead, Roosevelt & Westbury

Here's how to add your school's staffing needs to this list:
 
Send an e-mail to prek@nasboces.org with the subject line "List our position."
 
In the body of the e-mail, include the following information:
 
For our records:  
  • Your name
  • Your position
  • Your e-mail and phone number
For the listing in our e-newsletter  
  • The name of your school and the town it's located in. You can include your web address, if you have one.
  • A very brief description of the position or positions you want to fill. (For example: "Part-time Teacher Assistant" or "Full-time Pre-K Teacher."
  • Information about how potential applicants should contact your for details or to apply. (For example: "Call Jane Smith at 631-xxx-xxxx" or "Send e-mail to jane.smith@schoolname.org") 
It's important to understand that:
 
We will not include information about salary. We will not include any descriptions of your school or program, although we can include a link to your school's web site.
 
We will publish your information a single time. If you still have openings, you can e-mail us again with the details and we will run the information again.
 
Our e-newsletter is typically sent out on Wednesday mornings. However, it may be mailed on a different day, depending on content or technical considerations. 
 
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative reserves the right to edit information; space in the e-newsletter is very limited.
 

About Us
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a grant-funded project that seeks to strengthen partnerships between school districts and community-based organizations and to share information about research, policy and best practices for early learning. Administered by Nassau BOCES, it is supported with expertise from The Early Years Institute and funds from the Rauch and Hagedorn Foundations. Our partners: Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Western Suffolk BOCES, and the Child Care Councils of Nassau and Suffolk.







NASSAU BOCES DEPARTMENT OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
71 Clinton Road, Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: (516) 396-2220  Fax: (516)-396-2355
www.nassauboces.org