Monthly Report

December 2007

The Early Childhood Mental Health committee is brainstorming about possible speakers for the 2008 Speaker Series. The committee is considering partnering with the LICC to have Dr. Parkis, a pediatrician, speak about food and nutrition and the impact on children’s behavior.
This committee is also continuing its work on the Mental Health Consultation to Child Care Project in order to show its necessity and define what outcomes are expected from this project.

The Parenting & Literacy committee is working on developing the 2008-2009 Pre-K calendar. A sub-committee has been working on getting fundraising letters updated and mailed as well as discussing possible changes for the calendar. The committee if open for suggestions of new sponsors for the calendar.
The Pennsylvania Library Association’s "One Book, Every Young Child Project" has selected its book of Up, Down, and Around. The committee is planning to continue its outreach to family daycare providers with community members reading the book and doing a craft with children.
The 2008 Family Resource Directory has been printed and is now available! For copies contact Smart Start-Centre County.

The sub-committees of the Early Care and Education committee are working diligently on their transition projects. The Child-to-School sub-committee is working on their “Kick-Off to Kindergarten Event” on February 9, 2008 at the Nittany Mall. All school districts in Centre County along with private and charter schools have been invited to the event to provide information about kindergarten registration and transition. Parents of 3-5 year olds are the target audience for the event. Any help with publicizing the event would be appreciated.
The Family-to-School sub-committee has completed its Kindergarten Parents Survey. The goal is to distribute the survey throughout all the school districts in Centre County within the very near future. The survey will assess what is currently working and what is not in the transition process.
The School-to-School sub-committee is finalizing its “Getting to Know Your Child” form. This will be available to parents and child care providers on the Smart Start website soon.
The Community-to-all sub-committee has plans to add its Transition Notes to the Smart Start website. Information will be provided about Kindergarten Registration in all the school districts in Centre County.

Please visit the Smart Start website at www.smartstartcc.org to view Health and Nutrition Resources.

Smart Start would like to welcome our new intern, Cindy Perttu. She is completing her degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
The Smart Start Board is working with CBICC to create an annual “Family Friendly Award” to recognize a Centre County business that models the integration of work and family for its employees.
Smart Start be participating in the "Pre-K Fair" on January 19, 2008 hosted by Mom’s and More at the Mount Nittany Medical Center from 9:30am- 12:30pm. Smart Start will have a display at the event and also will distribute its publications.
Smart Start is proud to be one of the sponsors of The Early Years are Learning Years Conference for early care and education practitioners that is coming up on January 26, 2008 at the Penn Stater Conference Center from 8:00am-5:00pm.