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February 2021 Bits & Bytes
A Message from Berna Artis
New DCAEYC Board President
Dear Members and Friends of DCAEYC,

As I take on my new role as the President of DCAEYC, I notice that our work and collective effort are needed for Early Childhood Education more than ever. DCAEYC's network, with its members, partners and friends, is strong and consists of individuals with various personal and professional backgrounds. It is an organization that creates opportunities to learn, advocate, teach, and share high-quality resources for children, families, educators, and other professionals who work directly and indirectly across all early childhood settings. It is an organization that opens doors to networking and informing everyone about the ever-changing landscape of ECE. Our resilient community of professionals, including our partners and sponsors, is what makes DCAEYC stand strong. 

I am proud to be a part of DCAEYC and what it has accomplished over the last four years. I look forward to many more successes we will have together for children, families, and educators. In the year ahead, we will continue our existing initiatives, as well as adding programming designed for the different needs of our members and the larger ECE community. 

Thank you for your continued participation and support. I would also like to give a special shout-out to Dr. Robert Gundling, Past President, and our Executive Director Kathy Hollowell- Makle for their tireless work. 
Bulletin Board:
DCAEYC Celebrates Black History Month
DCAEYC is proud to celebrate Black History Month. Although Black history should be taught year round, Black History Month is a great time to dig deeper into history and make connections with the past. Don't separate Black history highlights from your regular curriculum though as this trivializes and marginalizes anything you are teaching. For other do's and don'ts around teaching Black History, check out this article with suggestions from Learning for Justice. Searching for books and interviews to enrich your curriculum? Reading Rockets has a great selection to help celebrate and learn about Black history and culture.
Registration for the 2021 NAEYC Public Policy Forum Ends Friday, February 19th
Have you registered yet to join the DCAEYC delegation to NAEYC’s 2021 Public Policy Forum? This can't miss once a year event will be held virtually on Sunday, February 28 and Monday, March 1! Your $100 registration fee gets you access to approximately 15 hours of rich, valuable content with a mix of live engagement, sessions you can watch on your own time, and virtual gatherings to connect and coordinate with educators, advocates, and allies in your own states and communities. There will also be opportunities to participate in virtual DC Council meetings.

Remember, you must be a member to participate in NAEYC’s Public Policy Forum, so if you need to join or renew your membership, you can start with that right away. If you’re all set on membership, email Kathy Hollowell-Makle to request the link to register for the Policy Forum as part of the DC team! We can’t wait to have you join us.
Voting for the NAEYC Governing Board Election Ends Monday, March 1, 2021
Your vote will help determine the President-Elect, (2) Board Members at-Large and a Student Board Member. The term will begin on June 1, 2021.

To be eligible to vote in the 2021 election, you will need to be a current NAEYC member by December 31, 2020. The election closes at 11:59pm ET on Monday, March 1, 2021.

To view candidate information and statements, including photographs, and video presentations, visit: www.naeyc.org/about-us/people/governing-board/elections.
Virtual Parent Focus Group Opportunities with DC Head Start Association
How has your experience with child care been during the pandemic? The DC Head Start Association invites parents with children from birth to age 5 in DC to join them for virtual parent focus groups throughout February where you can share your experiences with ECE and family programs in DC. Parent participants will receive a $25 Visa gift card, a brand new and notable children's book, and a raffle entry to win a $75 Amazon gift card as a thank you for their time.

Remaining dates in February are:


A pdf flyer with full details can be found here click here.
Upcoming Events
Focus on Art: A Virtual Activity Celebrating the Gee's Bend Quilts

Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 6pm to 7pm
(Rescheduled from February 9, 2021)
Celebrate Black History Month with the DC Head Start Association's Focus on Art, an activity in collaboration with The Phillips Collection.

The Phillips Collection will host this activity that celebrates the Gee’s Bend Quilts from the Souls Grown Deep Foundation, created by African American female quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. We will be inspired by the resilience, resourcefulness, and creativity of the Gee’s Bend quilters, whose work, created through hardship, poverty, and oppression, has been, for the artists and for us, “joy giving and life enhancing.”

Donna Jonte will present information on the quilters and quilts as art. Then, as we examine and honor our connections to quilts, we will create small paper collages from recycled paper.

Spaces are limited! Click here to register today. To spread the word about this event, you can find a pdf flyer here.
Black Minds Matter:
Addressing Disproportionate Suspensions of Black Children and Youth

Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm ET (1:00pm to 2:30pm PST)
In recent years, there has been increasing attention and educational policy efforts designed to address the disproportionate suspensions of Black children and youth. Using data from California public schools, the presenters will highlight persistent disparities in the application of exclusionary discipline. A reactor panel will then provide insights on how schools and educational leaders support ongoing efforts for change.

This event is sponsored by the Center for Organizational Responsibility and Advancement (CORA). To register click here. Additional details, including the panel lineup, can be found here.
The National Black Child Development Institute presents
"Last Thursdays" Virtual Learning Sessions

Thursday, February 25th, 2021
Sessions at 12:00pm and 5:00pm
The February 2021 Virtual Learning Series hosted by The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) is designed to offer discussion and resources related to the impact COVID-19 has had on communities of color. During this session, participants will be engaged in discussing the unique challenges communities of color face, particularly Black parents, caregivers, and educators in those communities.
 
The 12 pm session will focus on data and critical issues impacting Black and Latino communities, and what steps can be taken to move progress and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic forward.
 
During the 5 pm session, participants will be equipped with useful information, including facts about the COVID-19 vaccine and helpful resources for parents, caregivers, and educators. This powerful virtual learning experience will also feature a question and answer session regarding COVID-19 and the vaccine.

To register for this event click here.
It’s Your Story You Should Tell It Part II:
A Mock DC Council Committee on Health with Spaces in Action

Thursday, February 25th, 2021
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Join Spaces in Action on Thursday, February 25 at 6 PM for a continuation of their healing justice storytelling journey It’s Your Story, You Should Tell It Part II. As we prepare for the FY22 Budget Season, we will practice connecting our values as we tell our story and advocate for bold community centered solutions. During the session, we will also put into practice healing justice so that we are mindful about caring for ourselves as we do our work and share our stories. This is the perfect opportunity for the community to engage after Mayor Bowser's Budget Engagement Forums that will be virtual this year.

To register click here.
Click the above image to access the pdf with links. Click here for a version in Spanish.
WTU and DCAEYC ECE Task Force Meeting

Thursday, March 18, 2021
6:00 pm-7:00pm
The ECE Task Force is made up of Early Childhood Educators working in all early childhood settings (public, charter, private, community-based, and homes) that collaborate to advance the profession by improving policy and practice in DC. Have you read NAEYC’s new, fourth edition of the Developmental Appropriate Practice (DAP) position statement? Be sure to check it out! Join us to discuss what it is and how it can help educators advance equity. Our special guest will be Sue Bredekamp, Ph.D.

Click here to register.


Member
Spotlight On...


Erin Iesha Roxborough
Owner and Home Based Early Educator,
Ms. Rox's Child Care
"It is so critical, now that we love and teach our young people. With the inception of this pandemic it is so important that we, as adults, practice self care, but that we not forget about “our children.”
*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:
Responding to Children's Interest and Needs
"Offering active, meaningful experiences to spark young learners’ natural curiosity, encouraging investigation, and promoting understanding is the teacher's role in children's discoveries."
Teachers support children's journeys as they study and marvel at the mysteries around them. Teachers should always look for ways to help children explore their questions. According to NAEYC's Early Learning Program Accreditation standards, responding to children's interests and needs while using instruction helps deepen their understanding while also building their skills, knowledge, and discoveries.

One way you can do this is by observing the children in your room (in person or in Zoom) when they are investigating and making discoveries. What do you notice about their interests, understandings, and abilities? Try the following steps:

  •  Observe closely and offer questions for children to consider.
  •  Think about props and materials you can offer to further children's investigations.
  •  Consider children's responses to your actions and questions. Are their responses what you hoped they would be?
Policy Beat:
DC Budget Season Brings Mayor Bowser's Budget Engagement Forums
Budget season is in full swing, which means Mayor Bowser is hosting her annual budget engagement forums. Join fellow DC residents at these virtual forums to share your values, priorities, and ideas with the Bowser Administration as the FY2022 budget is developed.

Two one hour opportunities for this engagement series are coming up:


We'd like to as much representation from the ECE community as possible. Planning to join? Email executivedirector@dcaeyc.org and let us know! We'd be glad to help you as you prepare to testify.

If you want to participate but aren't able to get into the forum on Thursday, February 18th, then join the budget engagement forum watch party hosted by Jews United for Justice and the Under 3 DC Coalition on Thursday, February 18th from 5:45 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom --  RSVP NOW.

Benefits of engaging with the forum through a watch party include:
  • Chatting live and sharing your thoughts and questions with peers & partners
  • Geting live 'in-person' commentary & questions answered from budget advocacy experts 
  • Tweeting/FB/IG/etc. along with the forum with guidance & support from watch party hosts 
  • Making new friends! (please share this watch party invite :)

We hope you'll join to amplify calls for a moral budget that prioritizes early care and education AND achieves a just recovery.