The Cat in the Hat was on the loose in North Florida during the month of March. In celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2, the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) held a drawing at its Annual Early Educators Conference for several of its counties’ child care centers and preschools to receive a Dr. Seuss program in their school. The program, put on by ELC staff and volunteers, consists of a story time with special guest “The Cat in the Hat” followed by various activities relating to Dr. Seuss books. Each child received a free copy of the book “Ten Apples Up on Top”. Teachers received a resource bag filled with a set of eight Dr. Seuss books and other related teaching materials.
The winning schools were: First Baptist Preschool in Palatka; St. John Paul Early Learning Center in Ponte Vedra; Baker Pre-K Center in Macclenny; Yulee Baptist in Yulee; The Goddard School; First Class Learning Center; Kindercare Oakleaf; Kids Kampus in Orange Park and Pinewood Christian Academy in Middleburg.
“Promoting early literacy is a priority mission for us at the Early Learning Coalition,” said ELC’s Literacy Outreach Manager. “Getting children excited about books and making sure that all children have them can make all the difference in their success in school all during their lives.”
In addition to hosting the Dr. Seuss programs, ELC held a contest for the most creative Dr. Seuss themed classroom reading corner. Forty schools entered their classrooms into the contest. The first place winners are: First Baptist Preschool in Palatka and Bartram Academy in St. Johns. The three second place winners are Fernandina Beach Head Start, Rainbow Family Education Center in Starke and Bartram Academy in St. Johns. The first place winners received a Read and Learn Area Rug and the second place winners received a set of soft-sided child furniture.
The ELC of North Florida provides child care assistance to families who meet certain income requirements and who are working or going back to school. This school readiness program is designed to increase a child’s chance of achieving future educational success. The ELC also administers and manages Florida’s FREE VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds).
Additional Photos are here:
Putnam County:
Photo #1 –
Photo Download: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/First-Baptist-Palatka-Putnam-Cty.-copy.jpg
Caption: Cat in the Hat fun with children from First Baptist Preschool in Palatka as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2021.
Picture #2 –
Photo Download: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/First-Baptist-Palatka-Putnam-County-2.jpeg
Caption: Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Volunteer Jane Hafner having fun with the Dr. Seuss book “Ten Apples Up On Top” with children at First Baptist Preschool in Palatka as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2021.
St. Johns County:
Photo Download:
https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/St.-John-Paul-ELC-in-Ponte-Vedra.jpg
Caption: The Cat in the Hat receives big hugs from children at St. John Paul Early Learning Center in Ponte Vedra as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2021.
Baker County:
Photo Download:
https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Baker-Pre-K-Baker-County.jpg
Caption: The Cat in the Hat with children from Baker Pre-K in Macclenny holding up their new “Ten Apples Up On Top” books as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2021.
Clay County:
Photo Download: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Kindercare-Oakleaf-Orange-Park-Clay-County.jpeg
Caption: The Cat in the Hat with children from Kindercare Oakleaf in Orange Park holding up their new “Ten Apples Up On Top” books as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2021.
Nassau County:
https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Yulee-Baptist-Nassau-County.jpg
Photo Download:
The Cat in the Hat enjoying his visit with children from Yulee Baptist Early Learning Center as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2021.
For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and its programs and services, please visit, www.elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267.
The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org. Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.
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Sponsored by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.
