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



    August 2018
 
 
You're here for Delaware's children and families. 
We're here for YOU! 
Introducing..."Play for Development and Learning Plus" 
New Workshop Includes Quality Assured Coaching

Don't miss out on this opportunity to participate in this new workshop that will be piloted this fall and for the first time include quality assured coaching.  The workshop "Play for Development and Learning Plus" is for early childcare professionals who work with children ages three through six. 

At the workshop, you will  explore the characteristics, value, and benefits of play and its connection to learning.  It includes practical application of how to guide intentional play.  Additionally, effective teaching practices related to play are identified.  

Coaching Follow Up
Research shows that with coaching, teaching practice is more likely to improve after attending a workshop.  

As follow up to this workshop, you will have the opportunity to work with a coach to set a goal and create an action plan based on the teaching practices you learned.  Included here are the details on the coaching portion of the training.  

Also, for participation in this workshop you will receive incentives such as  books, videos, gift cards, and prop boxes filled with dramatic play materials.

Sign up here to be a part of this pilot. 
Teaching Strategies GOLD - News & Updates
New Checkpoint Dates 
Please note that the Checkpoint dates for 2018-2019 are
November 15th, March 15th and June 15th.  These dates are different from previous years so be sure to mark your calendars.  

If you have any questions, contact Jen Potts, Curriculum & Assessment Technical Assistant.
Gold Delaware Helpline
If you need technical support, please contact Teaching Strategies' Help Desk at: 1-888-352-4653.  The phone line is for Delaware users only.
 
If your issue isn't resolved after five business days, contact Jen Potts by email with your:

1. NAME
2. USERNAME (Teaching Strategies Login)
3. PROGRAM NAME
4. DATE you originally reached out to Teaching Strategies Help Desk
5. DESCRIPTION of your concern or issue
 
DIEEC staff will work directly with Teaching Strategies staff to reiterate the urgency of your concern.

Dates Set for Assessment Workshops
Mark Your Calendar Now
Plan now for attending assessment training by registering for the following:

"Child Assessment for Administrators: Polishing the Lens" - Six Hours

"Advanced Assessment for Administrators: Data Driven Decision Making" - Six Hours

"Child Assessment for Teachers: The Power of Practice"  - Six Hours

"Advanced Assessment for Teachers: Purposeful Planning" - Six Hours

For all details including dates, times, and locations click here.

Keep up with our Quality Assured training sessions by following us on Facebook.


Delaware First News
Online Application Coming This Fall
The application for the Delaware First Program, the professional development system for early child care and school-age programs, will be available online this fall.  

Delaware First staff will be assisting program participants during the next year to transition from paper applications and documentation to submitting online applications and uploading documents.  Various assistance and supports will be available to assist applicants during this transition.  This change is necessary to allow for faster processing of applications, resulting in more timely qualification certificates being issued.
 
To this end, Delaware First staff will hold public information sessions to acquaint everyone with the new online application.  These sessions are for teachers, center and program administrators, Delaware First participants, and anyone who will be using Delaware First and needs to learn how to navigate the new online application.  Please plan to attend any of the following sessions to learn more:
 
  • August 21 - Three Information Sessions
    • Kent County - Collette Education Resource Building, 35 Commerce Way, Dover
    • 1-3 p.m., 4-6 p.m.,  6-8 p.m.
  • August 22 -  Three Information Sessions
    • Sussex County - Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine Street, Georgetown 
    • 1-3 p.m., 4-6 p.m., 6-8 p.m.
  • August 27 -  Three Information Sessions
    • New Castle County - De State Police Troop 2,100 Lagrange Avenue, Newark
    • 1-3 p.m., 4-6 p.m., 6-8 p.m.
Attached are two documents for additional information:


For questions about the new Delaware First Online Application, please contact Carmen Gallagher, Office of Early Learning, at 302-735-4295.
Announcing "Calendar Section"
What's Happening in August!
On an ongoing basis, REACH will include a designated section of a calendar of events for the coming month.  This will include a variety of events and activities - that are often free - for you as well as the children in your program.  

Click here to see the what's on tap for August.
Infant Sleeping Safety
New Safe Sleeping Tool
Still, close to 3,500 babies die unexpectedly and suddenly from sleep-related deaths every year.  This number is astounding and points to the need to continually educate care givers about safe sleep practices.

Following are resources that provide practical tips and applications for ensuring babies sleep safely.  These resources are also great conversation starters to use with parents who have other practices.

Included in this video is an interactive teaching tool to help engage families in conversations about what safe sleep looks like and why it is important.

Additionally, this article outlines step by step tactics to counter challenging reasons care givers may have for unsafe sleep practices.
Personnel Update
Professional Development Adds New Staff Member
Welcome to Marcie DiGregorio, the newest staff member in DIEEC- Professional Development.  Marcie's role as a PD coordinator is to help develop quality-assured coaching and to instruct, in addition to creating new professional development.

Her background includes 11 years of teaching in the public school system as a special education teacher where much of her career was focused on literacy intervention and behavioral modifications.  Through her research, Marcie established best practices to set her students up for success while advocating for more effective, inclusive classrooms.  She leveraged her expertise by coaching other teachers working with classified students.

Marcie holds a bachelor's degree in education and a master's of education in special education.

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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