November 2021 Bits & Bytes
Bulletin Board:
November is Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of Native Americans. It also celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native people.

While it's always a good time to incorporate accomplishments of Native peoples into the curriculum, November is a great opportunity to highlight narratives not usually told. For reading suggestions and resources, visit our blog post on Native American Heritage Month here.
"Language Matters" Article in Exchange Magazine
by Berna Artis and Sally D'Italia
As advocates for early childhood education in DC, one of the most important tools at our disposal is language. Language matters because the words we use can convey our beliefs and values. In the November/December of Exchange magazine, DCAEYC President of the Board Berna Artis and DCAEYC Member Sally D'Italia explore why language matters when it comes to pushing for the respect early childhood educators deserve. Read their article in full here.
Reimagine the Early Childhood Education System in DC
Bainum Family Foundation is partnering with Catapult Design to engage a “grassroots innovation group” made up of 50 parents, caregivers, educators, and administrators. Catapult Design will utilize a human-centered design process to come up with feedback and recommendations for reconstructing the early childhood education system in DC. The group members will have a chance to share their unique perspectives and generate transformational ideas. More information in their flyer here. If interested, fill out this quick survey by November 19.
Mark Your Calendars: Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, November 30
Mark your calendars: DCAEYC joins GivingTuesday on November 30! GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past 9 years, this idea has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Join us for this world wide event and help us continue to support ECE in DC.

Member
Spotlight On...
2021 Early Educator
of the Year Honoree


Barbara Lankster
Senior Program Manager,
Catholic Charities Kennedy Institute CDC
"Although I was shy and soft-spoken, working with children gave me a sense of peace and a curiosity that nothing else had. The more I watched children grow and flourish the more I wanted to know."
*If you or someone you know would like to be featured in a future member spotlight, please let us know by emailing info@dcaeyc.org.
Principle of Practice:
Kindness - The Feelings and Actions That Heal
Yesterday, November 13, was World Kindness Day, a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. The purpose of this day is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations. In honor of this day, we've partnered with guest writer Marilou Hyson, Ph.D. to dig into why kindness matters for early childhood education, and to provide tips on bringing it into your program.
Marilou Hyson, Ph.D.
Former Associate Executive Director, NAEYC
Senior Consultant, The World Bank; UNICEF


In 2017 I was part of a NAEYC Institute Panel titled “Promoting Kindness in Turbulent Times.” We thought those were turbulent times! In the turmoil of life in 2021, we need kindness more than ever.

From the Earliest Months, Children Grow into Kindness—With Our Help

Even babies mirror others’ unhappiness. You may also see your youngest toddlers spontaneously helping others, perhaps using what they themselves might find comforting. Preschoolers and school-age children begin to be more intentional in caring, sharing, and helping others.

You probably also notice that, even at the same age, some children seem kinder than others. They’re not just born that way: those children have usually been exposed to models of kindness. They are likely to have had secure relationships with adults. And they are likely to belong to an inclusive, welcoming group.  

Early Childhood Educators Hold a Key to Kindness

Here are some tips from other educators, including ideas from resources you can link to from this article. Consider your children’s ages, community and cultural contexts, and current challenges.

  • Model kindness in your own interactions with children—all children.
  • Use regular and special classroom jobs to promote helping behavior
  • Make the most of daily routines—mealtimes, transitions, morning meetings, “buddy reading” as opportunities for children to build warm relationships and find ways to help one another.
  • Find age-appropriate books about children being kind, make a class book with photos and examples, or role-play kindness with puppets or “social stories.”
  • Learn about children’s personal experiences with kindness: what have been kind acts? How does it feel?
  • For older children, use a community need as a classroom service project.
  • Encourage children who have received a kind act to “pass it on” to a classmate

And finally, be kind to yourself and your colleagues. This is a difficult time for early childhood professionals. Nurture yourself so you can nurture others.

Resources

Making Caring Common: Harvard Graduate School of Education. Research, initiatives, all focused on kindness with emphasis on what schools can do.


Policy Beat:
Early Childhood Educator Equitable Task Force and OSSE Compensation Scale Updates

Following the wins of this past budget season resulting in funds being allocated for more equitable compensation for early childhood educators, the Early Childhood Educator Equitable Task Force (which includes DCAEYC Executive Director Kathy Hollowell-Makle) have been holding biweekly meeting with the following goals in mind:
  • Submit a report to the Mayor and Council by January 15, 2022, that:
  • Assesses the potential impact of implementing an employee compensation scale on EC development providers that:
  • (i) Do not provide childcare services to children eligible for subsidy; or
  • (ii) Serve a minimum number of children who receive subsidy;
  • Proposes an employee compensation scale
  • Provides implementation recommendations 

Task Force meetings are open to the public, and will next be held on Monday, November 15 at 6:30pm. Members of the public can view task force meetings on Zoom here or at www.chairmanmendelson.com/live. Spanish translation will be provided through Zoom, so individuals wishing for interpretation services should use Zoom to watch the meeting.

More information about the task force and its charge is available in this here. Send any public comments to ececompensation@gmail.com. 

Join DCAEYC on Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30pm to weigh in on the proposed salary scale and implementation recommendations. Register Here.
Upcoming Events:
Webinar - COVID-19: What's the Forecast for the Holidays, 2022 & Beyond?
Monday, November 15, 2021
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have significant health, economic, and social impacts in the United States. Join the Bipartisan Policy Center as it hosts Dr. Anthony Fauci and distinguished experts to discuss what is next for the nation with respect to COVID-19 as we approach the holidays and look ahead to 2022.

Featured Participants
 
Fireside chat with:
 
Anthony Fauci, MD ● Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden
 
Bill Frist, MD ● Former Senate Majority Leader; Senior Fellow, BPC
 
Panel discussion with:
 
Jerome Adams, MD ● Former U.S. Surgeon General; Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives, Purdue University
 
Leana Wen, MD ● Former Baltimore City Commissioner of Health; Visiting Professor of Health Policy and Management, George Washington University
 
Moderated by:
 
Anand Parekh, MD ● Chief Medical Advisor, BPC
ECE Equitable Compensation Listening Session
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Please join DCAEYC to voice your concerns about the proposed ECE Salary Scale and recommend mechanisms for implementation. We are charged with providing educator feedback directly to the ECE Equitable Task Force and we want to ensure that you are heard.
 
Directors' Nook
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Topic of the Month: Updates from the ECE Equitable Compensation Task Force
Join our virtual meeting for DCAEYC members who are early childhood directors or administrators. This meeting will be a safe place for all early childhood directors and administrators to meet, share, and discuss topics related to our work and any additional interests.
 
Click the above image to access the pdf with links. Click here for a version in Spanish.
WTU and DCAEYC ECE Task Force
Thursday, November 18, 2021
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Please join our virtual conversation, Speaking with a Common Voice: The Significance of Identifying yourself as an Early Childhood Educator, on Thursday, November 18th, from 6-7 pm. 

Please reflect on the following questions in preparation for our conversation: Why did you choose this profession? What do you want the children and the families you work with to say about you? Do you feel your voice is heard and valued in your work setting or professional community?

Why should you attend? Conversations, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas, tips, and tools allow us the opportunity to grow. As a result, we learn to understand ourselves and others better. 

Register in advance for this meeting. Click Here to Register! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.