VPK Roundups

All 4-year-olds in Florida are eligible for FREE VPK through the Early Learning Coalitions. Every year, the ELC hosts VPK Roundups, a week-long sign-up for VPK vouchers.

This year, 1360 families signed up!

For more information about obtaining a VPK voucher, contact the Coalition at 352-435-0566.

Here are some photos from the week…

Mr. Al Comes to Lake County

Last week, Mr. Al Rasso came to visit Leesburg for a two-day musical extravaganza! On Friday, over 400 children from child care centers around the county attended his two concerts at 9 AM and 11 AM at Morrison United Methodist Church. While there, the children waved, danced, sang, and jumped their way to a great time. Mr. Al’s incredible upbeat, light-hearted show even got the adults dancing too!

On Saturday morning, bright and early, over 200 teachers, vendors and ELC staff came together at Morrison United Methodist for our annual Uniting for Children conference. Mr. Al led two workshops— “Learn Through Play, It’s the Best Way!” and “All Stressed Out and Nowhere to Go!"

The teachers had a great time learning new techniques that emphasize art and music to facilitate learning, and were able to earn continuing education credits while having fun! During breakfast/registration and lunch time, vendors from the community presented merchandise and information for the teachers’ enjoyment. At the end of the conference, over 30 teachers walked away with great door prizes, including learning materials for their classrooms, books, décor, and personal gifts!

The Early Learning Coalition of Lake County wishes to say “thank you” our staff, sponsors, and vendors for helping make the 2013 Uniting for Children Conference a great success!

 

Our Local Sponsors: 

• Brooklyn Water Bagels in The Villages
• Chick-Fil-A in Lady Lake
• Cracker Barrel in Clermont
• Cracker Barrel Leesburg
• Delias Boutique in Leesburg
• First Watch Restaurant in the Villages
• Florida Porch Café of Leesburg
• Katie’s Salon of Lady Lake  
• One Flight Up Café of Mt. Dora
• Oscar’s Donuts in Leesburg
• Toojay’s in the Villages
• Winn-Dixie in the Villages
• LakeShore Learning Materials
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
• Discount School Supplies
• Miller School Supply 
• Becker School Supply
• Michael Manning Massage Therapy
• Wilfredo Ceron
 

Our Local Vendors:

• Diane Kelly
• Georgette McLean
• Revelation Books, etc.
• The Green Apple-Health Foods
• TD Bank
• The Crafty Ladies from Woodlands at Church Lake
• Insight Credit Union
• Safe Climate Coalition
• Lake County Health/Dental Department
• Becker School Supply

A big “thank you” to our guest speaker— Mr. Al “The Music Man”

A special thanks to Morrison United Methodist Church in Leesburg for the use of their Sanctuary and Gymnasium for this annual event!

Disney Institute and Shine On Grant

Here at the Coalition, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve what we do, including continuing education for our staff and administration. 

On March 22^nd, our Executive Director, Lesha Buchbinder and Tameka Mays, Early Education Supervisor, attended the first “Leadership Excellence” workshop for the recipients of the Disney “Shine On” grant at the Disney Institute in Orlando. This year’s workshop was offered at no cost to leaders of local non-profits for the first time.

The purpose of “Leadership Excellence” workshop is to “gain insight into time-tested Disney strategies and tactics for improving business results through exceptional leadership”. While there, these nonprofit leaders learned to let their imaginations soar, problem-solve as teams, and succeed in completing tasks regardless of the roadblocks and barriers. Through a series of games, challenges, and competitions, participants not only learned about Disney’s creative business practices, but also how to implement these strategies within their own organizations.

Yesterday, the workshop’s participants came together again to receive their grants from Disney.

We at the Coalition would like to thank Disney for their generous $20,000 contribution to our organization and for their continuing support in helping us serve the children of Lake County.

6 Benefits of Growing up with Pets

The majority of Americans grow up with or own at least one pet in their lifetime. Children, especially, are fascinated by animals and love to play and cuddle with them. Having pets in the home not only provides entertainment and a special friendship for children, but many other emotional, psychological, and physical benefits as well.

 Encourage Learning

• Studies have shown that children are more likely to feel comfortable reading to a pet than to their peers or adults.

• Therapy animals can help developmentally challenged kids to learn.

 Provide Comfort

• Pets are not critical or judgmental. Children will often talk to pets about things they are not comfortable telling another human about for fear of embarrassment or consequences.

• Dr. Melson asked a group of 5-year-old pet owners what they did when they felt sad, angry, afraid, or when they had a secret to share. More than 40 percent spontaneously mentioned turning to their pets. "Kids who get support from their animal companions were rated by their parents as less anxious and withdrawn," she says.

 Encourage Nurturing

• Children like to take care of their pets. Whether they are petting, feeding, or walking their pet, they are developing skills that will help them with parenting as adults. 

• Pets give children the opportunity to learn caregiving at a young age. "Nurturing animals is especially important for boys because taking care of an animal isn't seen as a 'girl' thing like babysitting, playing house, or playing with dolls," Dr. Melson says.

Boost Immunity

• Children who are exposed to more bacteria are less than half as likely to have allergies or other immune system issues. Studies have also shown that children who have early exposure to dogs and cats are less likely to develop asthma

Encourage Family Bonds

• When there is a pet in the house, families are usually playing with it, watching it play, walking it, etc. When a family’s attention is focused on the same thing, more interaction takes place, and therefore develops stronger bonds within the family.

 

 

Congressman Dan Webster Comes to the ELCLC

On Tuesday, Congressman Dan Webster and some of his staff members came to the Coalition for their first visit to our organization. During his time here, the congressman was able to tour our facility and meet our awesome staff! 

 Our executive director, Lesha Buchbinder, stressed to the congressman about importance of early learning, and explained the services we provide. We oversee Lake County's VPK and SR program, and in doing so, can understand and meet the needs of our community members. Through our organization, not only do children receive high quality care that prepares them to enter school ready to learn, but we assist families in becoming economically stable, thus enhancing our community's economy. 

Touring our inclusion room

While walking through our halls, he expressed his passion for early childhood education, and his involvement with the initial legislation for the creation of school readiness programs in Florida starting in 1998. Also, as the father of six children, the congressman understands how crucial the first years of life are to development. 

After our tour, Congressman Webster joined us at Morrison United Methodist Preschool, where they have both VPK and School Readiness programs. There, we were able to meet dedicated teachers and explore a great center. As we tip-toed through a room full of sleeping toddlers, we made our way to a VPK classroom where the congressman was able to read a book called Chicka Chicka 1,2,3. It was voted class favorite, and everyone enjoyed it!

 

Thank you, Congressman Webster, for volunteering his time to come and see what we do here at the Coalition. It was an honor to have you join us!