Star Providers Named for May

Mrs. Barbara Hildebran is the lead teacher in the one year old classroom at First Baptist Child Development Center. Mrs. Hildebran was seen patiently, lovingly and quietly entertaining a child who was unable to sleep during rest time.  This was a wonderful reminder that all children do not sleep and Mrs. Hildebran was happy to play with him instead of insisting that it was rest time.  This was an inspiration to see!!

Mrs. Dawn Burns is the lead teacher in the infant classroom at Lulu’s Child Enrichment Center. Mrs. Dawn has taken many changes in her classroom in stride.  The classroom is full of babies who enjoy individualized care and developmentally appropriate centers.  Mrs. Dawn, we applaud you for the progress you have already made and look forward to seeing what the future holds. 

Alexander Leaders Travel to Raleigh

 On Tuesday, June 18, 2012 child care professionals, parents and business leaders from Alexander County traveled to the North Carolina General Assembly as part of Smart Start’s statewide “Tuesdays for Tots” initiative.  The constituents met with the Alexander County legislative delegation and asked members to restore $18.8 million to Smart Start. In 2011, Smart Start funding was reduced by 20% ($37.6 million), disproportionately more than any other component of the education system. As a result thousands of children are no longer benefiting from much-needed early childhood programs.

“There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when that child shows up in for the first day of kindergarten,” said Alexander County delegation member Dale Clary who is board chairman of the Alexander County Partnership for Children.  “We’re meeting with legislators to discuss the needs of children in our community, the science that supports programs like Smart Start, and why investing in our youngest citizens is a wise investment for families, the economy and our society as a whole.”

State funding for Smart Start has been cut by $80 million over the last decade. These cuts are occurring at the same time that economists, military leaders, law enforcement and business leaders are advocating that investments in young children are one of the strongest investments for sustained growth and job creation, protecting our national security, and providing children with the opportunity to reach their potential.

Created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1993, Smart Start is a network of 77 nonprofit local partnerships led by a state-level organization, The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. working together measurably to measurably increase the health and well-being of young children, building the foundation for all future learning, by: 

·         Improving children’s early care and education programs so that they are safe, healthy and provide opportunities for children to learn skills they need for success in school.

·         Providing parents with tools that support them in raising healthy, happy, successful children.

·         Ensuring that children have access to preventive health care.

Local residents traveling to the North Carolina General Assembly today included:  Dale Clary, Reverend Tim Marsh, Natasha Beckner, Melissa Summers, and Susan Cogdill   The residents met with Senator Dan Soucek of the Alexander County legislative delegation and visited with Representative Mark Hollo’s legislative assistant.  Representative Hollow was unavailable due to a change in a committee meeting schedule.  

Reach Out and Read Adds to Literacy Focus!

Medical providers are giving a prescription for reading to their young patients at Alexander County Health Department and Family Care Center PA.  An age appropriate book is given as part of regular pediatric checkups at these two medical practices.  Joining more than 4,779 programs nationwide, these medical practices are preparing America’s youngest children to succeed in school through participation in Reach Out and Read.  

Reach Out and Read's evidence-based model is included in regular pediatric checkups by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children.   The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5. Families served by Reach Out and Read program read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and better prepared to achieve their potential.

Alexander County Partnership for Children is one of 14 Smart Start partnerships selected to implement Reach Out and Read and works with Alexander County Health Department and Family Care Center PA.  In addition to receiving books to distribute to children, a Literacy Corner was furnished at each office with materials funded from Smart Start's Reach Out and Read program activity.  The Literacy Corner is filled with books for children to read while waiting for their medical visit.  The corner also has puppets, flannel board stories, and other literacy enhancement materials.

Parent-Child Outreach Garden is Growing!

The "Growing A Future" garden at the Partnership office is growing!
 Children and their parents have enjoyed picking lettuce, basil and oregano for salads. Stevia, orange mint, sweet mint and spearmint leaves are used to flavor water bottles.
As with any garden, some of the plants are growing well and some, not so well. Some plants need to be moved  and some just need some extra TLC.
Posted below are some changes that have been made to the garden.

Our potatoes are growing ! It is now time to add more straw and soil.
We began the potato "nest" by lining the inside of the laundry basket with straw and added about 12 inches of soil. Potato eyes were placed around the inside of the basket and covered with soil for the first layer. Additional eyes were placed in the center of the basket and covered with soil for the second layer.

We lined the laundry basket with straw in a "nesting" form, leaving room in the center for soil.The plant looks a bit droopy because it needs more water. Now that the potato nest is complete , daily watering is required.

A strawberry plant and a bean plant have been added to the swimming pool garden. The strawberry plant and bean plant have been moved from the straw bales to see if they will grow better.Other plants included are basil, lettuce and oregano. Straw is added to help retain moisture.

The orange  mint planted in the straw bales has begun to grow runners . Mint does not require a lot of water and enjoys the warm sun shine.

A hanging liter bottle planter holds some of our mint. The other plants are growing so well , we thought we should try other ways to grow the plants. It looks pretty cool hanging from the bamboo tee pee .The plant hangs low enough for the children to water the plant and harvest the leaves.

If you look closely you will see beans on the bean plant. Fertilizer and more water will aide in their continued growth.

Alexander County Paper Dolls Headed to Raleigh

A special thanks to the 53 children attending Salem Sloan Child Enrichment Center who traced and designed paper dolls in their likeness.  These paper dolls will represent Alexander County and be part of a display during the May legislative session in Raleigh.  This effort coordinated by MomsRising will call attention to the importance of children’s issues and encourage legislators to Stand Up for Early Learning.  While the dolls may be two-dimensional, our children aren’t.  Well-rounded, quality care is important to the future of each individual NC child.  NC mothers and families support funding quality early learning programs, and we encourage our legislators to ensure that these important programs receive adequate funding in the budget.  There will be extensive media outreach on the day of the display to garner media attention in Raleigh. 

ACPC Board Member Margo Mosley is Honored

Margo Mosley, an Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, was awarded the  Karen W. Ponder Leadership Award at the 2012 National Smart Start Conference. The award, named for Smart Start’s former president, recognizes outstanding service to young children and families in North Carolina.  Mosley was nominated by the Alexander County Partnership for Children. A $1,000 cash award will be made to the partnership in her name.

For more than 27 years, Margo Mosley has worked on behalf of the children and families of Alexander County. She served on the original Smart Start planning group that held nightly meetings at a local restaurant to develop Alexander County’s plan to bring Smart Start to the community. She has never looked back—serving as board chair twice and leading or being a member of almost every committee at the Partnership.

In addition to Smart Start, Mosley has been instrumental in establishing and enhancing numerous efforts in the community. She helped create the Alexander International Center, an organization that works with the international residents of Alexander County.  She volunteers with Forgiven Ministries, working with the children of prisoners when they visit the prison.

In August Margo will retire as Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences with the NC Cooperative Extension. In nominating Margo, the Alexander Partnership noted, “While a void will be felt through Margo’s retirement there is comfort in knowing that Margo’s work in Alexander County has made Alexander County a much better place.  It has often been said it is important in one’s life to use everything you have.  Margo Mosley has certainly used everything she has for the children and families of Alexander County.   Her legacy will continue long after her retirement.”