CyberStart News
CyberStart needs your help!!!We are continually working to keep the CyberStart website (www.cyberstartpa.info) as current and useful to you as possible. We would like your input so that we make certain we are meeting your needs. We value your feedback and would appreciate it if you took a few minutes to respond to some questions. |
Did you know…
Coming Soon!!!
The CyberStart website will be getting a new look within the next several weeks! In order to better serve you, cyberstartpa.info will have a new format for easier navigation. Please check back to see the new site.
….that as of July 1, 2008 new staff in early childhood facilities must obtain an FBI Clearance?
All new staff whether in new early childhood facilities including centers, group homes and family child care homes or new staff in existing facilities must obtain a fingerprint-based FBI Clearance. This is in addition to the already required Child Abuse and Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Cogent Systems website. www.pa.cogentid.com/dpw *Family Child Care Homes are now required to have Child Abuse Clearance, Police Criminal History Checks, and FBI Clearance for every person over 18 years of age who live in the home for over 30 days.
….that May 13, 2008 is Early Childhood Action Day in Harrisburg?
Early Childhood Action Day will be held at the State Capitol in Harrisburg on May 13, 2008. Join your colleagues in The Difference We Make to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program in Pennsylvania, the difference in the life of a child who has a well- qualified early childhood teacher, and the difference we can make in support of high quality early childhood education. To view the day’s schedule and/or to sign up for the Early Childhood Action Day, visit the PA Quest website. http://www.paquest.org/
…that W.K. Kellogg Foundation has a new publication that discusses transforming early education to ensure success for the next generation?
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has recently announced a new publication entitled, Tangible Steps Toward Tomorrow; New Designs for Early Education, Ages 0-8, which provides a set of ideas or "thought-starters" on transforming early education in ways that are culturally and community-responsive. Challenges and strategies are offered around parents, teachers and schools. For more information or to order a copy, visit the WKKF website.
CyberStart Support Line and Website
Do you need assistance in selecting an internet connection or provider? Do you have a question on selecting a computer? Do you need help with minor troubleshooting? Would you like information on how to use computers in your classroom? If so, call the CyberStart toll-free support line at 1-866-704-6305 or email us at cyberstart@csc.csiu.org. This support is available for all early learning practitioners.
The www.cyberstartpa.info website is also available for all early learning practitioners, so if you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to see specific information and resources on the website, please give us a call at 866-704-6305 or email us at cyberstart@csc.csiu.org.
Upcoming Early Learning Conferences and Events
Below is a list of upcoming early learning events. Click on the links under each conference for additional information on that particular conference. If you would like your conference added to the list, please send the information to cyberstart@csc.csiu.org.
May 1, 2008 - Office of Child Development and Early Learning of the PA Departments of Education and Public Welfare, Reading First, and PA Intermediate Units’ Regional Early Learning Academy for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Teachers “One Size Does Not Fit All Differentiation in the Early Childhood Classroom” at Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13, Lancaster, PA
Click here for more information (Word document)
May 1 - 2, 2008 - Pennsylvania Head Start Association Spring Conference 2008 “ Choosing Our Path, Embracing Our Future” at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East, Harrisburg, PA
May 6, 2008 - Office of Child Development and Early Learning of the PA Departments of Education and Public Welfare, Reading First, and PA Intermediate Units’ Regional Early Learning Academy for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Teachers “One Size Does Not Fit All Differentiation in the Early Childhood Classroom” at Appalachia IU 8, Altoona IU 10, West Decatur and TIU 11, McVeytown, PA. Click here for more information (Word document)
May 6 – 9, 2008 - 2008 National Smart Start Conference at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center, Greensboro, NC. http://ns2.ncsmartstart.org/conference/2008/index.html
May 13, 2008 - Early Childhood Action Day, Harrisburg at the State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA http://www.paquest.org/
May 28, 2008 - Office of Child Development and Early Learning of the PA Departments of Education and Public Welfare, Reading First, and PA Intermediate Units’ Regional Early Learning Academy for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Teachers “One Size Does Not Fit All Differentiation in the Early Childhood Classroom” at Chester County IU 24, Downingtown, PA. Click here for more information (Word document)
May 29 - 30, 2008 - Higher Education Institute “Advancing Each Child’s Potential” at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA. For more information, contact beraho@berksiu.org or call 717-213-2064.
June 4, 2008 - 15th Annual Family Support Conference “What’s Love Got to Do with It? The Heart of School Readiness & Success” at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA
June 8 - 11, 2008 - National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) 17th National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development “Technology and Early Childhood Education”, New Orleans, LA
http://www.naeyc.org/conferences/institute.asp
June 22 - 27, 2008 - 2008 Governor’s Institute for Early Childhood Education “Designing a Mosaic for Comprehensive Learning: A Look at the WHOLE Child” at Keystone College, La Plume, PA
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/lib/early_childhood/SAVE_the_date.pdf
July 13 - 18, 2008 - 2008 Governor’s Institute for Early Childhood Education “Designing a Mosaic for Comprehensive Learning: A Look at the WHOLE Child” at Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/lib/early_childhood/SAVE_the_date.pdf
July 17 - 19, 2008 - National Association for Family Child Care 18th Annual National Conference “Family Child Care: Challenge for Excellence” at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, Chicago, IL
http://www.nafcc.org/conferences/2008Chicago.asp
August 4 - 8, 2008 - National Autism Conference Twelfth Annual “Progress Through Partnership” at the Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel, State College, PA.
http://www.pattan.k12.pa.us/files/Flyers08/AutismConf0804-0808.pdf
September 8, 2008 - York Area Association for the Education of Young Children (YAAEYC Inc.) 2008 Conference at the Penn Stater York,, PA
October 4, 2008 - Bucks County AEYC 19th Annual Early Childhood Conference at Bucks County Community College
October 20 - 22, 2008 - Early Childhood Professional Development Summit “Keeping PA's Promise to Children & Families, The Difference We Make” co-sponsored by PHSA, PACCA, PAFPC & OCDELat the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA
October 25, 2008 - Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) Annual Conference
http://www.pghaeyc.org/node/484
Spotlight on Physical-Health
This month we’ll look at the Key Learning Area: Physical-Health and the Standard PH 10.1 – 10.3: Engage in Healthy and Safe Practice.
As per the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for Pre-Kindergarten, “Children’s future health and well-being are directly related to the development and strengthening of their gross and fine motor muscles. Young children must be given opportunities to experience active indoor and outdoor play during which they can use their bodies to explore the environment while they acquire muscle control, balance and coordination. Fine motor practice helps children develop eye-hand coordination, strength and control and skilled use of writing implements. Health and safety activities must be integrated throughout the day as teachers model healthy and safe practices and promote healthy lifestyles for children.”
Check out the highlighted websites for more information and activites related to healthy and safe practices.
Websites of the Month
Every day new websites appear and disappear on the "World Wide Web" (WWW). Some are wonderful; some not so great. Each month we’ll feature several websites that offer quality content for children, parents, teachers, and/or administrators and share the highlights of that site with you. Check out this month's previews on Physical-Health and healthy and safe practices.
Classroom Ideas
Looking for new ideas for your classroom? Check out this month's Classroom Ideas that correspond with Mother's Day Observances.
Q & A
We all have questions but they don’t always come to us while we’re in class or while in the company of experts. In Q&A, we answer YOUR questions each month, in a forum where everyone can share this information.
Check out this month’s Q&A:
Quick Clicks
Each month we focus on a new technology topic and explain the topic in easy to understand language.
Learn this month's Quick Click:
[Posted on May 5, 2008]
