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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 (LI-RTAC). Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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Newsday cover story: 76,000 Long Island students began this school year remote-only
The featured story in last Sunday's Newsday ran down the data on remote learning in Nassau and Suffolk school districts. They found that 21.3% of students have been learning exclusively online--and they are mostly from districts with high percentages of
economically disadvantaged students and students of color. For example, statistics collected by the New York State Education Department reveal that almost 90% in Uniondale and 63% in Wyandanch fall into this category. (These percentages don't include children whose school districts are offering hybrid programs.)
"Parents of color and parents of low-income backgrounds were more likely to be concerned about the health and safety of sending their children back, and they also had less overall confidence in the education system," according to Ian Rosenblum, Executive Director of The Education Trust-New York, which recently conducted a poll of New York State parents.
The story also includes interviews with parents, school district leaders and education experts on such topics as integrating virtual learners with the school community, "screen fatigue," and the pluses of hybrid schedules. Click here to read more and to watch a video about approaches in the Elmont School District, where 47% are remote-only.
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YOUR (VIRTUAL) CLASSROOM
Educators are sharing what they've learned teaching young children remotely this fall--here's what they have to say
Puppets can help with social-emotional learning, say two teachers from New York City. Ana Liriano and Gabiana Martinez have videotaped episodes of "Chatting with Mr. Elephant" to support units about different emotions. "I feel that if I as a person show the child about social and emotional skills they won't listen, but when you are being a puppet they will...They can't wait for the next episode." An interview with these two early educators is featured in the blog of the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute. A link to one of their charming improvised videos is included. ("Initially I found myself almost creating a script," says Martinez, "but I found that having a general idea of how the conversation between us and the puppets would go was enough..I find the video to be engaging, educational and a bit comical."
Jamboard is her "lifeboat," says educator Kristi Mraz. The author of
Purposeful Play, Mraz remembers using a feltboard to retell stories with her young students by moving a repertoire of felt characters around. Now she uses Jamboard to achieve the same effect using images sourced via Google. What's more, she explains, step-by-step how she uses Jamboard to make a reading lesson feel very interactive, using the screen sharing function and virtual "Post-it notes." Read more.
These tech tools may help you later, too, according to Stephanie Rothstein. Although she's a high school teacher rather than an early educator, her Edutopia article about free software is worth exploring. For example, Rothstein recommends using Pear Deck to add interactivity to Google Slides and includes links to videotaped samples--and of how she's used favorite tools like Scribble Scrabble (drawing) and Stress Check. Also discussed: Flipgrid and Canva.
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BOOKSHELF
Are your students picking up on all the talk about vaccines? Here's a book to share with them--and more
The School Library Journal recent reviewed a new picture book, The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine. It tells the story of another era when people were scared of catching polio, and children couldn't go swimming in the summer or even enjoy a day in the park. And it explains how scientists created not only the polio vaccine, but the first flu vaccine as well.
What's more, the Journal article includes suggestions for your classroom discussions and resources for learning more about vaccines--and about the earlier epidemic, polio.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Don't miss these opportunities coming up in December
Now That We're Back: Strategies for Program Leaders
Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Registration: There is no fee, but pre-registration is required.
Professional Learning Circle: Sharing How We Engage with Our Families
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Registration: There is no fee, but pre-registration is required
From Nassau BOCES, afterschool webinars on tools for virtual classrooms
Nearpod for Hybrid, Remote and In-Person Learning
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Registration: $40 (credit cards accepted) or $25 for school districts participating in the Model Schools program
Google Meet for Synchronous Remote Learning
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration: $40 (credit cards accepted) or $25 for school districts participating in the Model Schools program
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HELP WANTED
This week's job listings for early ed on Long Island
For the Long Island Head Start positions listed below
Email resume to humanresources@liheadstart.org or fax to 631-758-2953
Full-Time Teacher
Long Island Head Start, Amityville, Bay Shore, Bridgehampton, Central Brookhaven, Southampton
Full-Time Certified Teacher
Long Island Head Start, Southampton
Full-Time Teacher I
Long Island Early Head Start, Islip
Full-Time Teacher II
Long Island Early Head Start, Central Brookhaven
Full-Time Family Educator--Bilingual
Long Island Early Head Start, Patchogue
Full-Time Family Advocate
Long Island Head Start, Bellport, North Fork, Southampton, Wyandanch
Full-Time Family Advocate--Bilingual
Long Island Head Start, Bay Area, Bay Shore
Full-Time Center Manager
Long Island Head Start, Huntington
Full-Time Teacher Assistant
Long Island Head Start, various
Full-Time FCP Specialist Bilingual
Temporary Early Childhood Mentor Coach
EHS-CCP Disabilities Services Consultant (Birth to 2)
Full-Time Facilities Technician
Long Island Head Start, Central Administration Patchogue
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Here's how to add your school's staffing needs to this list:
In the body of the e-mail, include the following information:
For our records:
- Your name
- Your position
- Your e-mail and phone number
For the listing in our e-newsletter
- The name of your school and the town it's located in. You can include your web address, if you have one.
- A very brief description of the position or positions you want to fill. (For example: "Part-time Teacher Assistant" or "Full-time Pre-K Teacher."
- Information about how potential applicants should contact your for details or to apply. (For example: "Call Jane Smith at 631-xxx-xxxx" or "Send e-mail to jane.smith@schoolname.org")
It's important to understand that:
We will not include information about salary. We will not include any descriptions of your school or program, although we can include a link to your school's web site.
We will publish your information a single time. If you still have openings, you can e-mail us again with the details and we will run the information again.
Our e-newsletter is typically sent out on Wednesday mornings. However, it may be mailed on a different day, depending on content or technical considerations.
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative reserves the right to edit information; space in the e-newsletter is very limited.
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About Us
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Regional Technical Assistance Center, which supports Pre-K and early childhood education on Long Island. The other collaborating partners are the three Long Island BOCES, the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc., the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. and the Family Leadership Network.
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| NASSAU BOCES
71 Clinton Road, Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: (516) 396-2220 Fax: (516)-396-2355
www.nassauboces.org |
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