Pacific Northwest Montessori Association News

EDUCATION SUMMIT WITH WA LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

Dee Hirsch — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:52:07 GMT

MAY 6 CANDIDATE FORUM flyer to post

2012 Legislative Candidate Forum

When: Sunday, May 6, 2012...1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Where: Garfield Community Center

2323 E. Cherry Street

Seattle, WA 98122

Join us to ask the candidates what they will do to make high-quality education a priority. Let’s educate these candidates now on how their future decisions will affect all educators from early learning to higher education and the impact on families and the community.

Candidates from the
11th, 36th, 37th, 43rd and 46th legislative districts
have been invited.

For more information or to RSVP,
contact Espy Borboa at 360-813-4355 or eborboa@aftwa.org

Department of Early Learning News

Dee Hirsch — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:35:38 GMT

The May DEL Update newsletter is now available at http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/communications/docs/DEL_update_May_2012.pdf

You can read about:

Pertussis Epidemic

· Portable background checks and online training

Provider Appreciation Day May 11

PNMA Advises DEL on QRIS and MERIT

Dee Hirsch — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:21:27 GMT

QRIS, Quality Rating and Improvement System (WA); MERIT Professional Lattice

We have current documents relating to the Quality Rating and Improvement System and provide access for your input to the process.

Also, we are tracking developments for the MERIT system including the Professional Lattice and the Trainer Approval for credits that has launched and is fully implemented by September 1.

OUR FRIENDS FROM CHILDCARE RESOURCES HAVE MET WITH US TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TO LISTEN TO MONTESSORI PROGRAM DIRECTORS.

This CCR created field test retroperspective document: QRIS Newsletter

This DEL presentation of the QRIS program: WA QRIS Standards 2011

Also, this WFIS summary of education legislation: WFIS Legislative Update

OUR NEW FRIEND, JULIET MORRISON IS RECEIVING OUR DOCUMENTS ON THE MACTE ACCREDITED MONTESSORI CREDENTIALS. This will help establish the professional ranking of these credentials in WA. Advisors to DEL on these credentials are Mary Schneider of MEIPN, Jeannine Hanson of MTEC-WA, and Gulsevin Kayihan of Spring Valley Teacher Ed.

Vision Diversity Conference 2012

Nancy NDCWebDesign — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:53:27 GMT

Creating a Vision of Imagination and Equity in Education

June 2, 2012 - 9:00-3:00pm
5 STARS Hours Available

Conference Description
This year's conference will feature Eric Liu as the keynote speaker. We have a number of outstanding workshops scheduled including an afternoon session with State Superintendent, Randy Dorn. Please go online to see the full brochure -- www.careersined.org. Look under "Training and Events" and then click onto Vision Diversity Conference. There are scholarships available to providers who register prior to May 1st!

From Cradle to the Classroom, Education Week

Dee Hirsch — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:13:28 GMT

From Cradle to the Classroom, "Eliminating the Achievement Gap Must Start Early" By Paul Vallas & Nina Rees

"As a starting point, rather than reinventing the wheel or creating a new board or program, we need to encourage greater dialogue between school systems and community-based early-care and -education centers. This can be done by asking district superintendents to hold forums that bring school principals together with early-childhood-education directors to explore the issues and challenges facing each."
"80 percent of early care and education is offered by the private sector...lawmakers ought to...put in place monetary incentives for districts to ensure that federal dollars reach young children where they are already being served."

Paul Vallas is the superintendent of the Recovery School District of Louisiana, and a former chief executive officer of the Philadelphia and the Chicago school systems. Nina Rees is the senior vice president for strategic initiatives at Knowledge Universe, a provider of early care and education. She headed the U.S. Department of Education’s office of innovation and improvement as an assistant secretary of education in President George W. Bush’s administration.

DEL invites comments on Child Care Center WAC by APRIL 30

Dee Hirsch — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:17:41 GMT

DEL asking for input on child care center rules: DEL is reviewing child care center licensing rules contained in WAC 170-295. Extended through April 30, 2012, we are asking for your input on the current rules and suggestions for changes.
Read more at: http://www.del.wa.gov/laws/development/center.aspx

DEL is interested in suggestions that are child-centered and evidence- or research-based.

How to give input
Submit your comments by March 31, 2012 by one of the following methods:
Online: DEL Rules Comment webpage. Click “Add Comment” to give your input, or “View Comments” to read what others have said.
Email: Rules@del.wa.gov
Postal mail:
DEL Rules Coordinator
Washington State Department of Early Learning
P.O. Box 40970
Olympia, WA 98504-0970

Remembering Bev Yorkey...invitation

Dee Hirsch — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:12:49 GMT

In Memoriam
Beverly B. Yorkey
1943 – 2012
The honor of your presence is requested
at a celebration of the life of Bev Yorkey.
Monday, March 12th, 2012
Village Theatre
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, Washington

Invitation to Open

Learn about ELAC meeting

Dee Hirsch — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:38 GMT

ELAC meeting: The Early Learning Advisory Committee will meet Monday, February 27 in Lacey. The public is invited to attend the meeting and should bring lunch. View the meeting information and agenda: http://www.del.wa.gov/partnerships/elac/meetings.aspx

The DEL Communications Team

Kids’ Potential, Our Purpose

Stay Connected!

NEW! DEL Twitter

DEL Blog DEL Facebook DEL Listserv

VIMA 2013 EVENT SURVEY

Dee Hirsch — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:30:07 GMT

The Vancouver Island Montessori Association (VIMA) is planning another conference for April 2013. We are in the planning stages and would like to hear from you what topics and events you would like to see as part of the upcoming conference. Below you will find a link to a survey in which you will be able to let us know what will support you in your work. The survey will take 5 – 10 minutes to complete.

USE THIS LINK:Click here to take survey

The survey will be available to you until February 15^th.

Please forward this site http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N95FNSC in the email to any of your colleagues to let them know about the survey if they have not already received this information.

We will be passing on more information to you as our planning continues.

Thank you for your support through your completed surveys.

Debbie Gillespie <dgillespie@pacificcoast.net>

VIMA Conference Committee Chair

Job Opportunities at Child Care Resources

Dee Hirsch — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:39:11 GMT

The following jobs are staff positions at CCR

Find more details at http://childcare.org/jobs/jobs-ccr.asp

Title: Chief Program Officer: The Chief Program Officer is a key leader and member of the agency’s leadership team. The CPO provides strategic programmatic leadership and direction to 30+ employees. As the person accountable for program delivery, the CPO ensures CCR staff deliver consistently high quality services that meet our outcome requirements. As a dynamic leader, the CPO engages staff to identify innovative approaches that meet children’s needs, support provider’s quality improvement and represents CCR in the early learning community.

Early Learning Consultant Request for Qualifications: Child Care Resources is seeking individuals to provide consultation for child care programs in King County. Consultation may include the following: onsite coaching, mentoring for accreditation, technical assistance, and training. Please see our Project Profiles for details regarding the scope of work.

Early Learning Consultants are independent contractors to CCR, not employees.

Please send Resume and cover letter to: Child Care Resources, ATTN : Human Resources, 1225 South Weller #300, Seattle, WA 98144.

DEL... WASHINGTON PRESCHOOL BILL 2448

Dee Hirsch — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:43:52 GMT

Dear licensed child care providers; DEL has information to share with providers on three topics:

Washington Preschool

· In response to questions from providers about House Bill 2448, Washington Preschool, we’ve posted a fact sheet with answers: http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/communications/docs/Preschool_Q_A.pdf

Provide your input on several rules under development

· Please check the DEL blog for information about how to provide input on several rules under development about topics that affect providers, including:

o Child Care Center rules on lice and nits

o Non-expiring licenses

o Suspected unlicensed child care fines

o Working Connections and Seasonal Child Care subsidy rules

Link to blog: http://delconnect.blogspot.com/2012/01/del-accepting-public-comment-on-several.html

Child Care Check upgrades

· Today, DEL launched upgrades to Child Care Check, our child care licensing information system. Read about the changes here: http://www.del.wa.gov/resources/newsroom/012712.aspx

SPRING VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Nancy NDCWebDesign — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:49:08 GMT

Science and Cultural Activities Fair

Friday, January 27, 2012 , 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm

All Montessori educators, parents and children invited.

36605 Pacific Highway South, Federal Way, WA. 98003

www.springvalley.org

(253) 927-2557

Montessori Assistant Training

Nancy NDCWebDesign — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:41:19 GMT

Introduction and preparation for the support personnel in the Montessori Infant, Toddler and Early Childhood Environments

20 Hours of Initial STARS Training

Thursday, January 19, 2012 5-8pm

Saturday, January 21, 2012 8-5pm

Saturday, January 28, 2012 8-5pm

Please note, we will only be taking ½ hour lunches on Saturday's

Early Bird Special $200.00 (postmarked January 12, 2012)

Late registration: $225.00 (space available)

Please note, we have limited spaces available for this class. It has reached capacity in the past so early registration is advised.

Presented by:

Tammy Oesting & Juliana Fitts

Location: Woodinville Montessori School, Bothell Campus

19102 North Creek Parkway, Suite 100, Bothell, WA 98011

PROGRAM

In this introductory interactive workshop series we will cover: Montessori Philosophy; Child Growth and Development; Health and Safety; Maintaining the Montessori Environment; Overview and Observation; and How to be a Professional Support Team Member. Topics are specific for the Infant, Toddler and Early Childhood classrooms and are designed as an introduction into the Montessori Classroom.

Stars Hours: Successful completion of this workshop will earn the participant 20 hours of initial STARS training. Please bring your STARS number with you on the first day of class if you would like to receive STARS hours.

REGISTRATION & INQUIRIES

contact Kristen Richter or Carolyn Norton Email: info@meipn.org or 425-486-5092

Registration form available online at www.meipn.org

EARLY LEARNING GUIDELINES...January 2012 Public Comment to 1/18!

Dee Hirsch — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:16:07 GMT

PNMA keeps you in the loop as Washington State DEL develops these guidelines. The current announcement is posted in full on our DEL Page.
Please offer your input during this brief open comment time ending January 18 ! The message includes live links to documents and a comment survey.

When QRIS and WA KIDS are implemented...

Dee Hirsch — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:14:19 GMT

You will be hearing more about QRIS now that WA State has won the $60 Million Early Learning Grant. The Quality Rating and Improvement System will be implemented statewide and OSPI is expanding the WA KIDS program to 500 schools this year and will make it mandatory at all State schools for 2012-13. Part of this program requires more communication with the Early Childhood centers. More information will be required about children transitioning from Primary to Kindergarten classrooms.
When QRIS is fully implemented all centers will have to be registered and rated. The Child Outcomes will be interpreted with WaKIDS Assessment tool or aligned with it. To help you prepare for more of the changes coming to education in WA, keep up with a few websites and announcements.

OSPI: WaKIDS For Early Care and Education Professionals

About WaKIDS: What Early Learning Professionals Can Expect

DEL.WA.GOV:
Early Learning Advisory Council QRIS

Kindergarten Readiness

And one more resource tracking developments in all 50 states with links to progress and plans! Besides the alignment of Early Childhood programs and Elementary School in our state, there is also a conversation starting about making it work nation wide.
Child Trends: A Review of School Readiness Practices in the States: Early Learning Guidelines and Assessments
http://www.childtrends.org/Files/Child_Trends-2010_06_18_ECH_SchoolReadiness.pdf

DEL opens PUBLIC COMMENT link on the Child Care Center WAC

Dee Hirsch — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:08:20 GMT

In 2012, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) will start reviewing child care center licensing rules in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 170-295. This will be the first substantial update since 2003.

Before we begin reviewing the rules, we wants to hear what you think about the current child care center licensing rules, such as:

Which rules should change?
Which rules should remain the same?
Are there any rules that should be eliminated?
Should DEL consider any new requirements that are not addressed in the current rules?

DEL is interested in suggestions that are child-centered and evidence- or research-based.

The Petition for Montessori

Dee Hirsch — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:15:04 GMT

We have a collaborative, inclusive Montessori organization in the Northwest. Be sure to encourage more cooperation in Montessori circles...check out this petition and short questionaire:
MONTESSORI UNITY AND COOPERATION PETITION

PNMA and OMA collaborate for School Survey

Dee Hirsch — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:59:06 GMT

Did you ever wish you knew more about Montessori schools in the Pacific Northwest or could ask other schools questions about policies? Now you can get those answers in a confidential survey.

We have received a request from Oregon Montessori Association to collaborate on a survey of schools. OMA has created the survey and will be sending a link to our School members. Please participate if you can and we will all benefit from the results when tabulated.

If you have questions, please email Jennifer Ryznar at jbrznar@gmail.com .

Department of Early Learning News

Dee Hirsch — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:39:45 GMT

November news from DEL. Keep up on the Early Learning Plan. Learn about the Teacher Approval Board for MERIT.

http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/communications/docs/DEL_Update_November2011.pdf

Cedar River's middle school students win awards at Renton FilmFrenzy!

Nancy NDCWebDesign — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:59:56 GMT

With four submissions to the Renton FilmFrenzy contest, one student took Third Place in the Student Division and the team won the Special Judges Award from Seattle International Film Festival judges in acknowledgment of their accomplishment - making four films in 50 hours.

CRMS was also recognized by Red Tricycle with the 2011 Most Awesome School award.