Welcome Our New Professional Development and Literacy Coordinator!

Natasha Beckner is the new Professional Development and Literacy Coordinator for the Alexander County Partnership for Children.  She will be coordinating Raising A Reader, Reach Out and Read and Professional Development for the county. Raising a Reader is an early literacy program that serves children ages 3-5 in 4 and 5 star child care facilities. Reach Out and Read is a literacy program that provides children with a free age appropriate book at their well child visit to the doctor. We currently have two doctors' offices that participate in Alexander County, the Alexander County Health Department and the Family Care Center.  Natasha will also be supporting child care professionals in the county who want to continue their education.

Natasha has been a resident of Alexander County for 15 years.  She has worked in the child care field for 6 years, beginning as her early childhood career as an infant-toddler teacher then moving into the role of a two year old teacher. The last five years, Natasha has been  an NC Pre-K teacher during the school year and a school age provider during the summer.   Knowing how important the first few years of a child’s life are to their learning and development, the Alexander County Partnership for Children  is excited to have a person on board that brings both a wealth of early childhood experiences and a passion for working with young children and their families.  Stop by the office and welcome Natasha to our Partnership team. 

Thank You Rev. Tim Marsh

Alexander County Partnership for Children recently recognized Revered Tim Marsh for his service to the partnership board and the children of Alexander County.  Reverend Marsh served on the board of directors for over 4 years and most recently served as vice-chair.  Pictured is Susan Cogdill, Executive Director of the Alexander County Partnership (L) presenting  a recognition plaque to Reverend Tim Marsh (R ).    For additional information about the Partnership for Children visit our website www.alexanderchildren.org.  The Partnership for Children is a Smart Start and United Way agency.

Sweet Potato Discovery

The Alexander County Partnership for Children got a surprise last week when they found a sweet potato that weighed in at 19 lbs. 9.7oz in the straw bale garden in front of their office.  A single, large sweet potato was not the crop the Alexander County Partnership for Children anticipated from the sweet potato vine that has been growing since May of 2012.  It is currently on display in front of the Alexander County Partnership Office. The straw bale garden is part of the Partnership’s healthy living initiatives. There are currently 11 child care centers, family child care homes and community groups who have received gardening grants from The Alexander County Partnership for Children.  If you are part of an organization that would be interested in creating a community garden in the Spring please contact the Alexander County Partnership for Children at 828-632-3799 or visit our website www.alexanderchildren.org.  Alexander County Partnership for Children is a United Way organization.

 

Circle of Parents

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child 6 months to five years of age? Would you like to talk with other parents and caregivers about parenting?  Do you ever find yourself stressed with your children and wish you had another parent to talk with? Would you like your child to have an opportunity to play with other children in a high quality learning environment?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Circle of Parents might be for you!

 Alexander County Partnership for Children has started a parent support group that meets weekly at their offices on Highway 90. This support group is open to all parents and caregivers who are residents of Alexander County and who have children 6 months to five years of age and has a corresponding children’s playgroup where children can play while their parents meet and talk with other parents.

The Circle of Parents support group helps build friendships with other parents and caregivers who share common challenges and experiences in parenting. It’s also a place for parents and caregivers to be able to share their successes with one another. The weekly group is co-led by parents and a trained group facilitator. The group is an open place for parents and caregivers to share their experiences and find strength in each other.

What can you hope to gain from this group? You can have a feeling of belonging and relief while you learn that you are not alone in the challenges of parenting. You will learn about opportunities and other resources within the community and listen to others as they share their stories. You will also get a chance to learn how to become an advocate for yourself and others while giving and receiving support.  The best part of this group is that the parents involved make the decisions about what the group will discuss. 

The weekly meetings take place at Alexander County Partnership for Children on Thursday mornings from 10-11:30. In addition to the parent group, the children have a wonderful playroom filled with toys and activities that promote early learning and development as well as giving children the opportunity to play with other children and learn social skills that will help prepare them for kindergarten. 

The Alexander County Partnership for Children is a non-profit organization that provides programs and services for families and children in the County.

If you or someone you know needs parenting support, or if you would like more information about this program, please stop by the Partnership at 1565 NC Highway 90W in Taylorsville, call 828-632-3799 or visit http://www.alexanderchildren.org/

 

Fall Family Fitness Event

 Join Us For An Afternoon of Family Fun!

 

Monday, October 15, 2012

4:00- 6:00 pm

YMCA Playground

260 Black Oak Road,   Taylorsville, NC

 

All activities are FREE for families.

 

The Alexander County Physical Fitness and Nutrition Coalition invites you to Fall Family Fitness,

Monday, October 15th,4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the new YMCA playground!

 

This event will offer families and their young children an opportunity to enjoy an evening filled with fitness fun, free activities and active entertainment.

 

 

A variety of agencies and businesses will offer information to families about services and provide an activity that promotes fitness and health.

Star Providers for August and September Shine!!

Mrs. Johnson is one of the four year old teachers at Millersville Child Development Center. She has devoted some extra time to making the Creative Curriculum easier for her to utilize and organize.  Mrs. Jeannie wanted to have a way to ensure that each objective and dimension to the Creative Curriculum was being seen for each child.  She created a documentation sheet that allows her to check off each objective and dimension for every child, every three months.  This took extra time and effort however the reward will be in knowing that each child’s development is being documented.  Thanks to Mrs. Jeannie for going above and beyond.

Ms. Rinehardt and Mrs. Bowman are the teachers in the infant classroom at First Baptist Child Development Center. The team, Ms. Bowman and Ms. Rinehardt, worked together with the support of several other staff in the center to create their own blocks.  They utilized the website www.pinterest.com to locate a pattern for blocks that would be safe and fun of the children in the classroom.  This team of teachers has spent many hours sewing their new blocks and took it one step further to include a bell inside each block to encourage the children’s curiosity. The teachers have been hard at work thinking outside the box.  Thanks ladies!!