NEW FROM THE LONG ISLAND PRE-K INITIATIVE:
Navigating COVID-19: Conversations with Experts
We are experiencing an unprecedented pandemic, and early educators have many new challenges and questions: How do I stay engaged with
the families of my young students? How can I cope with the uncertainty I'm feeling? What will things be like when schools re-open?
To support you, we are offering free "conversations with experts" to help you navigate this new reality. Listed below are the first seven topics, with sessions starting next week. We expect to add more, so please look for future announcements.
These Zoom sessions are available at no cost, but require pre-registration. The registration process varies; please read instructions. You must have access to the Zoom platform in order to participate. You will be sent a link a day or two before the event is scheduled. Certificates of participation will be issued.
Something is Different: Getting Back to Normal in Your Early Care and Education Classroom
Everyone has been affected by COVID-19, including the children we work with. This two-hour event will provide you with helpful hints and tools to prepare for getting back to your "new normal" in your early childhood classroom. Discussions will include what you might observe in your students and what you can do at school to help traumatized children.
Presenters: Experts from Long Island's QS2 Training and Consulting, including Stephanie Dockweiler, Liz Box, Tami Pelosi and Janiva Jones.
Date: Tuesday, May 12
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Your name and the name and address of the program where you work
- Your cell phone number
- Your email address
--- --- ---
Managing the Stressors and Unknowns of the New Working/School Environment
This health crisis has created a new living and working environment with many difficulties and uncertainties. This workshop will focus on how this crisis is different than previous ones and what unique stressors and impacts it is having on educators. In particular, it will focus on the challenges of balancing working from home, taking
care of family and self-care. You will be encouraged to share how you are managing and learn about the value of developing support systems. Finally, you will find out how to recognize the signs and symptoms of people who may be having a more difficult time in their lives.
Presenter: David Hymowitz is a licensed social worker with 30 years of experience. Currently he is Coordinator of the Behavioral Health Awareness--Training and Education Program for the Nassau County Department of Human Services.
This online workshop will be offered twice. Choose an evening or daytime session.
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Date: Monday, June 1, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
--- --- ---
Coping With Uncertainty
COVID-19 has changed all of our realities in what feels like the blink of an eye. This moment in time challenges us in ways we have never been challenged before. We are expected to guide our staff and our students th
rough this collective trauma, as
we ourselves are feeling unsure and uncertain about what the future holds. In this one-hour webinar, we will have a space to acknowledge th
e emotional tool this pandemic has had on us all, and learn and practice strategies to keep ourselves mentally healthy and improve our coping skills. This session is courtesy of Soccer Shots.
Presenter: Nayeli Calle-Sousa is a social worker and Director of The Harlem Child Development Center Outpatient Clinic for The Jewish Board. She has led many workshops for parents and professionals to enhance their understanding of child development
Date: Wednesday, May 20
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
--- --- ---
Engaging Families During and Post COVID-19--Parts One and Two
In this two-part interactive series, you will learn how to be most supportive of families during this time, with culturally responsive tools, prompts and resources. You will have the opportunity to assess your readiness to engage families during COVID-19, to understand your role in the process as educators and to use sample tools that you can easily adapt to your setting. In the second session of the series, you will use information from these tools to create a plan of action to support children academically, socially and emotionally.
Presenters: Jacob Dixon, CEO of Choice for All and Joanna Geller, Assistant Director of Research at the Metropolitan Center for Research and Equity and the Transformation of Schools at New York University.
Part One
Date
: Friday, May 22, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Part Two
Date: Friday, June 5, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
--- --- ---
Helping Create Lifelong Readers From the Start with Great Read-Alouds
Please join National Literacy Consultant Sarah Cordova for a live webinar on reading aloud to our youngest students. She will share some of her favorite authors and titles that are developmentally appropriate and engaging for Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Cordova will also share tips for doing the online and video read-alouds that are a staple during this pandemic.
Presenter: Sarah Cordova works in elementary and middle school classrooms across the country, supporting administrators, literacy coaches and classroom teachers as they develop and implement engaging reading and writing practices.
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
--- --- ---
Maintaining Family Connectedness During COVID-19
Participants in this interactive session will engage in virtual activities and tools designed to help families cope with stress and isolation. Educators will learn how to support families with practical tools in building routines, practicing mindfulness, and creating emotionally safe spaces. Also included: tools to provide reassurance that are age and grade appropriate.
Presenter: Jacob Dixon, CEO of Choice for All and Co-Plan It, a non-profit organization of educators committed to supporting teachers and transforming schools through collaboration.
This workshop will be offered twice. Please choose one session.
Date: Friday, May 29, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
--- --- ---
Engaging Families through Technology: Planning for the "Next Normal"
Since schools closed in mid-March, CBOs and school districts have been forced to use technology as a tool for engaging their students' families. Even if educators don't have to rely exclusively on technology in the future, it is likely that such tools will play
a larger role as we move forward. This interactive webinar will cover best practices for collaborating with families. Participants will assess readiness, strengths and gap areas, and will brainstorm strategies to make sure they are in a good position to engage families authentically through the use of technology.
Presenter: Jacob Dixon, CEO of Choice for All
This webinar will be given twice; choose evening or daytime session
Evening session
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Daytime session
Date: Friday, June 12, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
