The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer:  www.nassauboces.org/rtac

"Principals working in the Pre-K–3rd grade continuum span two entirely separate ecosystems – birth to age five, and K-12 – each of which has its own history, infrastructure, and preparation systems." So says the introduction to A Principal's Guide to Early Learning and the Early Grades. Just published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in partnership with the National P-3 Center, the guide explains six research-based competencies for effective leaders and "highlights explicit ways in which being an effective Pre-K-3rd grade principal goes beyond traditional roles for elementary principals."

The first competency called for: an understanding of child development, including social-emotional development and the effects of toxic stress. And the guide points out that "All young children learn best when they are actively engaged, domains of learning are integrated, and curiosity and play are prioritized."

The other competencies include fostering family and community partnerships, enacting a Pre-K-3rd grade vision, and ensuriing equitable opportunities.

To download a free 24-page executive summary of the guide, click here.

For information about a free panel discussion about the guide on Tuesday, March 23 at 4:00 p.m., click here

In two decades as an educator, Riverhead Assistant Principal Gary Karlson says he's heard a lot about "soft skills"--that is, things like communication, creativity, critical thinking and confidence. Writing for a national audience on the Let Grow website, he makes the argument that: "These are not just nice-to-have skills. Let's start calling them essential skills instead."

He asks readers to consider, for example, the skills actually needed for professions as different as baseball umpires, professional YouTubers--and educators, who have to be able to collaborate and be natural problem solvers. And he suggests we need to shift the priorities in our education system away from testing and standards.

"We know how important it is for our kids' future to have these skills," he concludes, "so let's give them the room to grow and the experiences necessary to develop them." Read more.

Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Presenter: Stephanie Dockweiler, the president of QS2 Training and Consulting and past president of the New York Association for the Education of Young Children.

Credits: CTLE and OCFS credit.

Date: Thursday, March 25, 2021

Time: 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m.

Note: This event is being co-hosted virtually by the New York City, Western New York and Long Island Regional Leadership Initiatives

From Thursday, April 15 through Sunday, April 18, the New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC) will be presenting four days of keynotes and workshops for early educators. Nationally known featured speakers range from musician Coy Bowles to anti-bias expert Rosemarie Allen.The line-up of workshops includes "Purposeful P.L.A.Y." and "Adopting a Child-Responsive Supervision Model." Registration fee is $150 for members and $195 for non-members. To learn more--including how to receive training credit--or to register, click here.

Kaplan Early Learning is sponsoring a webinar with one of Long Island's favorite presenters, Bari Koral. She'll be teaching "5 Mindfulness Tools To Reduce Anxiety Now" on Wednesday, March 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. She'll cover topics including the first thing you can do in any anxious situation as well as strategies for resilient, happy children. Click here to learn more or to register.

The Director is in charge of the day-to-day operation and administration of a Center that welcomes children from 8 weeks through Pre-K. The Center uses Creative Curriculum, and the Director will be responsible for creating an environment that contributes to the emotional, physical, educational and social development of the children in the center. Click here for details about requirements and compensation,

Email resumes to humanresources@liheadstart.org or fax to 631-758-2953

Long Island Head Start, Bridgehampton, Southampton

Long Island Head Start, Southampton

Long Island Early Head Start, Patchogue

Long Island Head Start, Central Administration, Patchogue

The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education.