Lunchtime help for parents from parents
Because we are concerned about the “ whole child”, and development
in all areas; intellectual, social emotional and physical, SBCCSI has always
had a nutrition policy that applies to what we serve for snack as well
as what parents send for lunches. We also realize the challenge this can
present in the 21st century when so many foods are prepackaged and marketed
as “all natural” or “healthy”; terms that are not
regulated in the food industry and can be misleading! Remember, we are
not advocating low fat diets for children, but rather trying to avoid diets
high in fat.
SBCCSI's policy was refined over time with input from parents and staff and under the supervision of a nutritionist from the Department of Family Medicine, who is also a parent at SBCCSI. The Health Policy Committee met late this winter and reviewed the policy and will be looking at ways to provide information and educational opportunities to parents and staff who might be looking for more.
Because packing lunches can be challenging, some time ago we asked parents to share ideas and tips with us, so that we could share them with you. Click here for a compilation of suggestions from SBCCSI parents. And find out Why Fruit Juice is Not the Best Choice for Your Child.
From Lucille
The sun is shining today as I'm writing this, and summer is truly on its
way. As we approach the 2nd anniversary of the opening of our new building,
there is much that is happening here at SBCCSI.
Mary Ellen Rosenblatt, Suzanne DelVillar, and Josefina Gallardo and I just
returned from a SUNY Directors Conference in Syracuse, and are reaffirmed
in how solid our program is, and how it is looked at as a model by our
colleagues. We are now embarking upon the road to apply for our 5th reaccredidation
by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. The process involves
an intense self-study on the parts of the teaching staff, administrative
staff, and parents as well. Shortly, you will be receiving a questionnaire
on official Academy forms that we will need to include in our documentation.
We would appreciate your taking time to complete, as we need a high rate
of return, and your comments matter a great deal.
We received wonderful news that the center received a grant from the Staller family to complete the East Woods Pre-K yard, in memory of Tina Staller Shea. This yard represents half of our preschool outdoor space and is adjacent to Pre-K 3, which also was named in Mrs. Shea's memory. This is quite exciting for we hope to be able to complete the yard as an outdoor learning laboratory as envisioned during expansion process, but which we could not fund. We hope to offer this yard as a prototype to entice other donors to complete all the yards. As for the yards, the permanent awnings that were provided for by two health and safety grants will be arriving shortly, just in time for that sunny weather.
The Personnel Committee has been working with Human Resources to do a Class and Compensation survey of the salaries of our professional teaching staff. We have just received the results, and the challenge now is to see how to equitably apply the findings, as well how to fund the salary recommendations of the committee.
Earlier this year, on Staff Development Day, we held a Board/Staff retreat to initiate our strategic planning for the next few years. This was just a beginning, but many ideas emerged to define and optimize what is unique about SBCCSI for both funding and research opportunities.
Above all as the seasons change, I see the change in the children. Who doesn't need to be wheeled in a stroller anymore, who walks in holding their own lunch box, who can use the “all powerful security card” to open the front door, and who is beginning to realize that they will soon be leaving and going off to kindergarten. In the end this is what we do so well, care for your children in partnership with you. Let us continue to build upon this partnership.
Have a great summer,
Lucille
Honoring Dr. Joan Kuchner
Congratulations to Dr. Joan Kuchner, longtime friend and SBCCSI Board Member
and Director of Child and Family Studies who received the 2002/2003 Chancellor's
and President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching.
At SBCCSI Joan takes an active advisory role in developing and reviewing the programs policies and procedures, advocating for the program, the families supported by it, and the undergraduate students completing practicum at the center.
Joan has mentored numerous Child and Family Studies student interns
participating in advanced internships at the child care center. Under
Dr. Kuchner's guidance
they have explored issues such as discipline, literacy, multi cultural
art and music curriculum.
SBCCSI congratulates her and thanks her for her long and productive association
with our program.
From Nancy
As you may have heard, I'll be taking a year-long
leave of absence, and my last day will be July 3rd. After many years
of attending classes
part time, I received my Bachelor's degree in Nutrition at CW Post
in January. For the next year, I'll be pursuing the Dietetic Internship
and
Master
of Science in Healthcare Policy and Management at Stony Brook.
I've worked here for 14 years, and while I'm excited about this new adventure, I will miss the people I see every day. The people who work here at SBCCSI are special; talented, dedicated and caring, full of energy and ideas. I will miss each of them. The children and their families are also a pleasure, and I will also miss seeing them.
This is a great place to work - there's such a variety of people, ideas and activities. It's never boring!
I will stop by often, and I look forward to returning to SBCCSI next July. See you in a year!
Nancy
Safety in and out of
the Center
We are glad that parents are so comfortable at the Center that
they are not anxious when their children run ahead of them
coming in and
out of
the Center. Yet, we must remind you to keep your child in
your sight at all times (and to strongly discourage them from running
in the
Center or
on the walkways outside).
The parking lot and drop off circle can be a dangerous place for a child. Small children might not be seen by drivers, and cannot be expected not to dart in front of cars. You must keep your child next to you, if they are very young please hold them by the hand. Do not allow any children (no matter their age) to run or play on the walks or grassy areas in front of the center.
A note of caution to drivers: SLOW DOWN!
Although children should not be stepping into the parking lot, the possibility always exists, therefore all of us who drive in this parking lot should do so with extreme caution.
Also, please follow the traffic arrows around the drop off circle, do not go against the traffic or attempt to make U Turns.
When you park along the curb, please be careful NOT to block the handicapped accessible cutout along the walkway. This cutout is used by parents with strollers as well as individuals in wheelchairs.
Back to top
Honors 115 presents “Bunny
Tales” at
SBCCSI
Twenty students enrolled in Honors 115: The American Musical Theater,
wrote and performed a musical adaptation of a children's fairy tale. Two
performances
were held in the multi purpose room of SBCCSI. All four preschool groups
attended one of two performances on May 13th. The course instructor is
Dr Richard Gerrig, the Director of the Honors College. The first goal
of the course was to enrich students knowledge and appreciation for the
tradition of American Musical Theater. The second goal was to have students
use this knowledge to craft their own children's musical, “Bunny
Tales” was the product of their effort.
“Bunny Tales” was a modern fairy tale complete with singing, a cello, a trumpet , audience participation and humor.
Parenting Workshops
past/future
In the late winter and early spring, Child and Family Studies and Stony
Brook Child Care Services hosted a series of parenting workshops, Parents
as Problem Solvers: Strategies for Parenting Young Children. In the
series were Brothers and Sisters: Best of Friends, Best of Enemies
and Everything In Between; Juggling Work, School And Parenting-What's
It All About?; and Raising Bilingual Children: The Early Years.
Later this summer and into the fall, SBCCSI will host a another series of parenting workshops here at the center to be presented through a “VitaGrant” awarded to the Community Programs Center of Long Island by the New York State Attorney General. The series will include Cooking with Kids, four hands-on sessions for parent and child, parent workshops on Diet and Behavior, Self Esteem and Parenting, and Nutritional Needs of Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers.
Watch for flyers and signs in your room for more information and registration information.
Interested in joining a Parent Support Group?
Need time to talk with other
parents about kids, school, work, family? Perhaps, starting this fall, parents
can get together for lunch in the Student Activity Center every other week
and a chance to vent to someone other
than family. If you think this is something you would like to try out or
get more information about, please sign up at the front desk or the sign-up
sheet in your room, or e-mail parent Andrea Lipack at alipack@notes.cc.sunysb.edu.
News from the Rooms
ROOM 1
We started a garden with the snow peas that Room 2 gave to us and we began
work on an organic vegetable garden. We planted squash, basil, carrots,
radishes and sunflower seeds!
Anna Nunez joined our teaching team. Kristeen graduated form Stony Brook University.
Visitor says: “Hey guys I have
a question for you…”
Child says: “We're not guys, we're people.”
ROOM 2
We have been busy with some interesting projects indoors and out; water
play, planting a flower garden, foot painting, nature walks in the back
woods and blindfolded partner scavenger hunt to name a few. David P and
Alex T had last days. Izaiah and Bonnie have moved up from the Infant Toddler
Rooms to join us and Michael E is on his way. Jill attended a full day
conference with Bev Bos, a celebrated and dynamic early childhood educator.
Erin is currently taking classes in child development as part of her Master's
in Psychology program.
Luke H.: “ Everybody is a part of everybody.”
ROOM 3
Went on a fun adventure to the campus Greenhouse. Our friend Mike gave
us the royal treatment as usual. During the month of May we had musicians
visit
and share their musical talents. We enjoyed visits from friends and family
as well as graduate students from the Staller Center. Evelyn attended the
full day Bev Bos conference and Suzanne attended the 2003 SUNY Child Care
Conference.
In June we have been exploring sea creatures. The children have shared books
and personal collections. We created HUGE 3-D fish and hung them from the
ceiling. Come and See!
Congratulations to Yejin on the birth of her brother Jinoo Andrew!
ROOM
4
While listening to the song “Yellow Submarine,” we decided
to make a submarine out of a cardboard box. The children painted a picture
and sent
it to a friend in Kuwait City. Dee and Zahabiya delivered a mural painted by
SBCCSI children to Ward Melville HS for the graduating class.
We welcome Anita and family. Amber Fales has joined our teaching team, welcome Amber!
On April 5th Dee presented “Respect for All” at the Better Investments in Babies Conference at Computer Associates. Dee also facilitated the video conference “The Link Between Self Control and Self Esteem.”
Dee: “Carl , eat your melon.”
Carl: “It's not a melon, it's honeydew!”
ROOM 5
In May we went to Benner's farm and joined in the Baby Barnyard Program.
We fed baby goats with bottles and petted chicks and baby bunnies. We even
saw a mommy
goat being milked.
Returning from a Bev Bos early childhood conference, Kathleen brought back some great projects, like, Shaving Cream and Glue. With a hand mixer we beat 2 cups of shaving cream and 2 cups of glue. It became very foamy and felt like Styrofoam after it dried. Our beginning of summer potluck was a lot of fun with lots of great foods. We were so happy so many families were able to attend. We'd like to wish good luck to all our families who are leaving and welcome all the new friends who are joining us.
David: “ I am God
and we're up in heaven. How are we going to get to earth?”
Luc: “Well my mom is going to pick me up, maybe she'll take you
too.”
ROOM
6
We planted a garden in our yard and are growing vegetable and sunflowers.
The kids are creating wonderful art work using new materials and fantastic
large
paper by the recycling center. Look for their creations in our hallway.
We have hired a great new staff member, Samantha Pinataro. Samantha is
a recent
graduate of Stony Brook and completed and internship in Room 8. We are
so happy to have such a wonderful person as part of our team. Welcome Samantha!
We are
having our Second Annual West Wing Barbeque (6/28) . Last year the potluck
was a great success with a huge turnout. We are looking forward to another
great evening of fun, family and friends!
ROOM 7
Went on a Field Trip to the Setauket Post Office and Strathmore Park in
May. We are also now a part of the Scholastic Book Club. Joining the club
has
allowed us to build our story tape library and will allow parents to order
children's
books as well.
Science Activity Idea: Water Bags—Fill Plastic bags with water; once fully packed, seal bag. Then push a pencil through the bag. The water will still be compressed inside the bag. When the pencil is released, water flows out. This shows children how water compression works.
Josefina attended the SUNY Child Care Conference in Syracuse NY. Jessica attended a full day conference with Bev Bos, a celebrated and dynamic early childhood educator. Hedi facilitated a video conference for the NYS OCFS.
Some observations
on caterpillars—
Yoav: “Caterpillars are fast!”
Brandon: ”When they are in an emergency.”
ROOM 8
We are redecorating ! Look for our soap painting, ice cube painting, and
spray painting, our fish tank, garden and beach scene.
Anna attended the video conference “The Link Between Self Control and Self Esteem” in May. Amy and Dianna completed certifications in CPR and Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting.
Liam: “uh uh “
Thomas: “guy guy”
Patrick : “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!”
Kyle, Bonnie and Michael will be going into their preschool rooms. Welcome to Nicky's brother , Luke. Good bye and good luck to Eddie and his family, we will miss you.
Annual West Wing Barbecue: Friday June 20th at 5:30 pm
Sixteenth Annual Provider
Recognition Dinner and Awards
On May 8th 2003, the Child Care Council of Suffolk hosted the 16th annual
Child Care Provider Recognition Dinner and Awards at the Meadow Club in
Port Jefferson
Station.
Lucille Curcio, Mary Ellen Rosenblatt, Suzanne DelVillar, Zahabiya Zaveri, Dee Polychronakos, Pat Birbiglia, and Sharon Shearod attended. Jennifer and Zahabiya were recognized and received awards for five years of service in child care and Pat Birbiglia for 20 years of service. Congratulations!
Bev
Bos, Early
Childhood Teacher Educator
On June 10th, Kathleen Catalano, Sharon Shearod, Evelyn Mann, Jill Stafford,
and Jessica Medina attended a full day workshop ,“Engaging Your
Preschool Learners”, with Bev Bos. Bev Bos is internationally known
for her early childhood publications (Don't Move the Muffin Tins is
a classic,
must-have
for early childhood educators) and dynamic conference and workshop presentations.
In addition to presenting across the country, Bev Bos directs and teaches
at a preschool in California. She has been an early childhood educator
for more
than 40 years and still maintains an incredible energy that is infectious.
Her workshops promote learning environments and activities that are developmentally
appropriate, creative and respectful of the needs and curiosity of children.
CPR/First Aid
A parent recently asked at the front desk if we could look into hosting
a
CPR/First Aid course for parents.
We will look into the possibility of this, including the cost. Please leave your name at the front desk if this is something you would be interested in attending. If enough families are interested we will do our best to arrange this.
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