Archive for books

Volunteer Training Sessions Offered in August

Posted by
August 9, 2021
Filed Under books early learning preschool Press Release reading Reading Pal Volunteer

Early Learning Coalition volunteers Jane Hafner and Carol White read the book “Mr. Seahorse” by Eric Carle to children at Children’s World in Palatka, Fla., Wednesday November 18, 2020.

VOLUNTEER FLYER: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ELC-Volunteer-Recruitment-Flyer_July-2021_FINAL-PDF.pdf

Early Learning Coalition Needs Volunteer Readers in Six North Florida Counties

Training Sessions Offered in August

ORANGE PARK, Fla., August 9, 2021-  The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) is seeking new volunteers to read to children in local preschools and help them put on themed literacy programs. 

Reading volunteers read once a week or bi-weekly. Literacy program volunteers volunteer as needed, putting on themed programs in schools such as space, ocean, dinosaurs and more. Volunteers are part of a team that puts on the programs. 

Upcoming Training & Information Sessions: 

Thursday, August 19, 2021, 1 p.m.

ELC of North Florida Clay County Office

3620 Peoria Road, Orange Park, FL

Contact: Lacy Doss at [email protected] or call 904-342-2267 ext 202

Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 1 p.m. 

ELC of North Florida St. Johns County Office

2450 Old Moultrie Road, Suite 103, St. Augustine, FL 

Contact: Joan Whitson [email protected] or call 904-342-2267 ext 202

Thursday, September 2, 2021, 10:30 a.m. 

ELC of North Florida St. Johns County Office

3841 Reid St., Palatka, FL

Contact: Joan Whitson [email protected] or call 904-342-2267 ext 202

 

“Reading to young children sets the groundwork for a child’s future ability to read and learn,” said ELC Early Literacy Coordinator Joan Whitson. 

Volunteer Reading Pals are matched up with local preschool centers where they read once a week or bi-weekly to groups of children. The ELC has a specific need currently for more volunteers in Clay County.

Reading Pals volunteers will learn the following skills: how to choose age-appropriate books; child development, including the attention span of preschoolers; presenting books to preschoolers and promoting early literacy through phonetically reading.  

“It makes my day when I walk into the classroom and the children cheer ‘It’s the book lady,’” volunteer Reading Pal, Ellen Prest said.

Studies show that the best opportunity to influence our children’s lifetime learning is before kindergarten when their most rapid period of brain growth occurs. Instilling an early love for reading is crucial to children’s future success in school. 

The ELC has a well-stocked lending library with books and literacy materials for the volunteers to check out and use.  Readers are also able to create relationships with the children through their consistent appearances. Volunteers can read solo or they can share their assignment with a partner. The ELC has several husband and wife teams as well. Civic organizations have also adopted a classroom and members take turns reading. 

 For more information about becoming a reading volunteer contact Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Outreach Manager at 904-342-2267 x 202 or email [email protected]

 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 assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

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Sponsored by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning. 

[NEWS RELEASE] Simultaneous Reading Event Held for More Than 6250 Children in Local Counties

Posted by
November 9, 2020
Filed Under books early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release providers

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., November 9, 2020 – Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) joined readers across the country on Thursday, October 29 to celebrate Read for the Record, America’s largest shared reading experience.

Each year schools and child care centers participate in trying to break the world record of reading the same book on the same day to the most kids. Read for the Record is celebrating its 8th year and is sponsored by Jumpstart.org. The ELC of North Florida participates in this literacy event each year. 

Locally, ELC provided a free copy of the the official campaign book “Bear Sees Colors” by Karma Wilson and an activity packet to all of six county preschool providers in Clay, Nassau, Bradford, Baker, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The book was read at schools, libraries and countless special events from coast to coast. Eighty-two providers participated for a total of 6,257 children participating in all local counties.

In St. Johns County the ELC also partnered with the United Way of St. Johns who provided special guest readers to local preschools. Officers from the St. Augustine police department and volunteers from the Flagler College sorority Phi Alpha Omega were among the guest readers.

Launched in 2006, the campaign brings together millions of people to celebrate literacy by breaking the world record for reading the same book on the same day.

Many schools followed their reading of the book, “Bear Sees Colors”, with a variety of color themed learning activities. The book is about a bear that goes for a walk with his friend Mouse and sees so many colors along the way. It encourages children to go on their own colors hunt and is the perfect book to teach young children about colors.

“The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida is delighted to be a reading partner for this year’s Read for the Record Day,” said Joan Whitson, ELC’s Early Literacy Outreach Manager. “Early literacy is so crucial in a child’s development and future learning success. We are on a mission to help children in our counties enter school prepared to succeed.” 

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 assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

All Counties: Clay, Bradford, Baker, Putnam, St. Johns and Duval Counties:

 

Photo Download: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/clay_county_fun_little_years.jpg

Photo Caption: Children from Fun Little Years in Clay County, Florida being read “Bear Sees Colors” by Karma Wilson participating in Read for the Record Day, Thursday October 29, 2020. 

 

St. Johns County Specific:  

Photo Downloads: 

https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Read_for_the_Record_2020_O_Drouin_at_Island_Prep.png.jpg

 

Photo Caption: Officer Caroline Drouin of the St. Augustine City Police Department reading to the children at Island Prep West in St. Augustine, Florida the book “Bear Sees Colors” by Karma Wilson as they participate in Read for the Record Day, Thursday October 29, 2020. 

 

https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Village_Academy_North_photo.jpg

 

Photo Caption: Children from Village Academy North in St. Augustine, Florida proudly showing off their artwork to represent the book “Bear Sees Colors” by Karma Wilson for Read for the Record Day Thursday, October 29, 2020.

 

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Early Learning Coalition of North FloridaSponsorship by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

[NEWS RELEASE] ELC of North Florida Announces Book Video Contest Winner

Posted by
August 19, 2020
Filed Under books early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release providers

ELC of North Florida Announces Book Video Contest Winner

Contact: Joan Whitson, Early Learning Literacy Coordinator, 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida, Inc. 

Email: [email protected]  

Phone: 904-342-2267

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Early Learning Coalition book video contest winner Treasure Harbor Preschool in St. Augustine, Florida with video creators Chase Glisson, Elissa Glisson and Danni Clay on August 7, 2020.

 

Image/Caption:

Early Learning Coalition book video contest winner Treasure Harbor Preschool in St. Augustine, Florida with video creators Chase Glisson, Elissa Glisson and Danni Clay on August 7, 2020. 

ELC of North Florida Announces Book Video Contest Winner

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., August 19, 2020 – During the month of July, the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of North Florida held a children’s book video contest. Child care centers and preschools were invited to create their own videos acting out or reading a children’s book. The winning school would receive a free iPad and their video would be featured on the ELC YouTube page and shared at their annual early educators conference in January 2021.

The winner of the video contest was Treasure Harbor Preschool in St. Augustine. They took the contest to a new level and created a video using a unique method called stop motion. 

Danni Clay, the director at Treasure Harbor, described the process.

 “They took a picture every time they moved any prop,” said Danni. “Even a centimeter. So, for example, 8 pictures are in one second. The video is about 720 pictures long (1:30). She said they got their own background and gathered their props and moved every prop and took every picture themselves.” 

The video was edited in Adobe Premier. The video is the book “The Foot Book” by Dr. Seuss and can be viewed on the ELC of North Florida YouTube page here: https://youtu.be/GA1fTxiJR2Q 

“We were very impressed with the creativity of this video and its ingenuity,” said Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Outreach Manager for the ELC of North Florida. On Friday, August 7th, the school was visited with a prize team to receive their prize.  

 

The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida’s website and facebook page has up-to-date resources for providers and parents in addition to their child care services, school readiness services and VPK programs. Please visit online at www.elcnorthflorida.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elcnorthflorida.

 

The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) supports potential and current providers through Episcopal Children’s Services, the ELC’s contracted primary service provider. Episcopal Children’s Services is available to offer information about starting a new child care business (including directing to DCF for licensing) and enhancing your program. Episcopal Children’s Services is eager to assist providers with Contracting with the Coalition and with questions about the VPK and School Readiness programs. Contact ECS at 904-726-1500, extension 7054.

 

 

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Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces 8,000 Reading Scholarships Available to Help Students Enhance Skills

Posted by
February 6, 2020
Filed Under books early learning events Media Release Press Release reading

For Immediate Release January 24, 2020

Contact: Governor’s Press Office (850) 717-9282

[email protected]

First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces 8,000 Reading Scholarships Available to Help Students Enhance Skills

First Lady also announces new pilot programs for Math, Reading

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis urged Florida parents and schools to take advantage of more than 8,000 Reading Scholarships available through the Florida Department of Education to help public school students in grades 3-5 improve their reading skills. First Lady DeSantis said that more than 5,600 students and their parents have already taken advantage of these Reading Scholarships during the current school year. First Lady DeSantis also announced that ABCmouse will be launching a pilot program for their Mastering Math app and will soon announce the launch of their Mastering Reading app. Both pilots, which allow students to learn basic skills at their own pace, will be offered at no cost to Florida students in prekindergarten through second grade. “I am proud to support the Governor’s bold steps toward making education a priority,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis.

“Today is about bringing the public and private sectors together to ensure that Florida’s children have the support and resources they need to excel academically. Strong reading and learning skills are critical to student success in all aspects of life, and we are committed to continually pushing forward to create the best education experience for all Florida students.”

“A huge thank you to First Lady Casey DeSantis for championing this great opportunity for Florida families,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “We know that every student can learn. Currently according to NAEP, Florida is ranked number 6 in 4th grade reading nationwide. These Reading Scholarship accounts are going to enable us to help thousands of students who are struggling. I look forward to announcing the more than 8,000 scholarships available that will ensure we are giving students every opportunity they need to thrive.”

The Reading Scholarship is administered through the Department of Education by Step Up for Students. The eligible expenditures for reimbursement are:

 Instructional materials;

 Curriculum;

 Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services.

The services shall be provided by a person who holds a valid teaching certificate pursuant to s. 1012.56, F.S.; a person who holds an adjunct teaching certificate pursuant to s. 1012.57; or a person who has demonstrated a mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to s. 1012.56 (5);

 Fees for specialized summer education programs designed to improve reading or literacy skills; and

 Fees for after-school education programs designed to improve reading or literacy skills.

For more information about Reading Scholarship Accounts, visit http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/reading/.

 

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Ocean Themed Literacy Program Makes a Big Splash with Local Children

Posted by
July 12, 2019
Filed Under books early learning

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida’s volunteer Julia Frederick dressed as a shark acting out a rhyme with children from Brandts Child Care in St. Augustine.

Over the summer the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida’s (ELC) outreach team is holding a series of ocean themed literacy programs in local preschool centers.

 

The programs consist of an interactive story time featuring ocean themed books, songs and rhymes followed by an activity time. During the activity time the children get to make their own ocean in a bottle, paint seashells, make sand necklaces and ocean themed hats. Children learn about marine creatures and life in the coral reefs as they feel real pieces of coral and touch different types of shells. Each child receives a free ocean themed book to take home.

 

Volunteers are the key to success for this program and the other themed programs that the ELC puts on, including: Space, Meet the Masters, Dinosaurs, Mother Goose “Rhymers are Readers” and Eric Carle’s World of Colors. Volunteers help the ELC in two main ways. The first is by being an outreach volunteer that assists in putting on programs. These volunteers read stories, sing songs, lead craft activities and maybe wear themed costumes – such as a shark for the ocean themed program. The second way volunteers help is by being a weekly reading volunteer to a group of local preschool children. Reading volunteers get the privilege of exposing the same group of children each week to great books and get to plant the seed of early reading.

 

For more information about volunteering contact Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Outreach Manager at [email protected] or 904-342-2267.

 

The ELC 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). 

 

For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and its other programs and services, please visit, www.elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267.

 

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Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

Helping Hands Newsletter – July Edition

Posted by
July 3, 2019
Filed Under activities books early learning parenting preschool registration Volunteer

Enjoy the Helping Hands Newsletter for July! Look for local updates and fun family ideas for the summer. Please note, the correct date for the Early Educators Conference is Saturday, January 18th, 2020.

 

Download here.

 

Download (PDF, 1.43MB)

The Cat in the Hat is on the Loose in North Florida for Early Literacy

Posted by
March 14, 2019
Filed Under books early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release reading

MEDIA: PLEASE SEE IMAGE LINKS AND CAPTIONS BELOW RELEASE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR COUNTY

The Cat in the Hat is on the Loose in North Florida for Early Literacy

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., March 14, 2019 –  Watch out! The Cat in the Hat is 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.

This year’s winners include: A Child’s Castle in Palatka, Orange Park Methodist Preschool, First Class Learning Center in Orange Park, Brighton Day Academy and Memorial Lutheran Preschool in St. Augustine.

“Promoting early literacy is a priority mission for us at the Early Learning Coalition” says Joan Whitson, 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.”  

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). To learn more, visit:  www.elcnorthflorida.org for more information.

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.

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Image/Caption: St. Johns County  

VPK kids at Memorial Lutheran Preschool in St. Augustine holding their books given to them by “The Cat in the Cat”  and the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida outreach team.

https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Memorial_Lutheran_Preschool_in_St._Augustine.jpg

Image/Caption: Clay County/North Florida

VPK kids at First Class Learning Center in Orange Park holding their books given to them by “The Cat in the Hat” and the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida outreach team.

https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Dr._Seuss_at_First_Class_Learning_Center_in_O._Park..jpg

Images (2)/Caption: Putnam County

The Cat in the Hat and Early Learning Coalition of North Florida volunteer Helen Miur sharing hugs with children at A Child’s Castle Learning Center in Palatka.

https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Cat_in_the_Hat_at_A_Child_s_Castle_in_Palatka.jpg

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida volunteer Ginny Levito having fun with the book Ten Apples Up on Top seeing how many apples the children can balance on their head at A Child’s Castle Learning Center in Palatka.  

https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Having_fun_putting_Ten_Apples_UP_on_top_at_Child_s_Castle_in_Palatka.jpg

 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

[NEWS RELEASE] Simultaneous Reading Event Held for More Than 6500 Children in Local Counties

Posted by
November 9, 2018
Filed Under books early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release reading

Children from Andromeda Preschool in Orange Park standing proudly in front of the mural they painted to represent the book “Maybe Something Beautiful” for Read for the Record Day, Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Children from Grace Learning Center in St. Augustine proudly showing off their beautiful artwork to represent the book “Maybe Something Beautiful” by Isabel Campoy for Read for the Record Day Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Children from the Pre-K class at Mosely Elementary School in Palatka having fun for Read for the Record Day Thursday, October 25, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Simultaneous Reading Event Held for More Than 6500 Children in Local Counties

AUGUSTINE, Fla., November 9, 2018 – Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) joined Jumpstart, the Pearson Foundation and readers across the country on Thursday, October 25 to celebrate Read for the Record, America’s largest shared reading experience.

Locally, ELC provided a free copy of the the official campaign book “Maybe Something Beautiful” by Isabel Campoy to all their child care providers in Clay, Nassau, Bradford Baker, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The book was read at schools, libraries and countless special events from coast to coast, with many reading the free digital version available at jumpstart.org. Ninety-four providers participated for a total of 6,541 children participating in all local counties.

Launched in 2006, the campaign brings together millions of people to celebrate literacy by breaking the world record for reading the same book on the same day. Last year, Jumpstart broke the world record by reading to 2.5 million children around the world.

“Maybe Something Beautiful” is based on a true story of one little girl in L.A. who made a difference by bringing color to her once drab neighborhood.

“The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida is delighted to be a reading partner for this year’s Read for the Record Day,” said Joan Whitson, ELC’s Early Literacy Outreach Manager. “We support Jumpstart’s mission to help all children in America enter school prepared to succeed.”

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 assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

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Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

Read for the Record 2018: Maybe Something Beautiful

Posted by
Maybe Something Beautiful
September 12, 2018
Filed Under books early learning Media Release Press Release reading

Maybe Something BeautifulRead for the Record, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is the annual event when millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy by breaking the world record for reading the same book on the same day.

On October 25, adults and children across the United States will read the official campaign book, “Maybe Something Beautiful” by Isabel Campoy. Find out more about this campaign by visiting: http://www.jstart.org/campaigns/read-for-the-record

The ELC of North Florida is providing every center in Clay, Nassau, Baker, Bradford, Putnam and St. Johns with a FREE copy of “Maybe Something Beautiful” along with a packet of activities to do along with the book. (There is a 2 book limit per school or Family Child Care.) For School Districts ELC can provide 1 book for each pre-K/VPK class.

To get your center’s book and packet you must RSVP by phone or email by Tuesday, October 9th to Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Coordinator at 904-342-2267 ext. 202 or [email protected]. A member of ECS or ELC staff will personally bring it to you or it will be mailed. In your email include your center’s name, contact person, address, phone, email, number of books and the number of children to whom you will be reading.

Joan Whitson will be submitting the totals from all of our centers to Read for the Record after the event.

Please send photos of your reading event to [email protected] so ELC can post them on our ELC Facebook page. The activities you will receive and reading guide can also be downloaded by visiting: www.jumpstart.org

Included in the packet we give you will be a World Record Reading Certificate for you to copy and give to each child. They can be downloaded from the campaigns/events link above..

Toddler Fest is Here!

Posted by
May 18, 2018
Filed Under activities books early learning events preschool

Join us June 2, 2018 at the Palatka Library for this free event with more than 20 organizations, including the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida. Children can participate in crafts and fun activities, including visits from fun characters. Free books will be given to preschoolers and more!

 

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