School Readiness Council

Middletown School Readiness Council Meeting Minutes Date: ​Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Location: ​Bielefield School, Room 21 Attendance: Monica Belyea ​ x Ed Bonilla x Sheila Daniels Beverly Lawrence ​ x Christine O’Grady ​ x Wendy Berlind Amy Clarke Dawn Dubay ​ x Jerome Long Michelle Peterson-Aresco Jennifer Billingsley ​x Michael Conner Izzi Greenberg Donna Marino ​x Precious Price Jennifer Cannata Rebecca Cuevas Lina Kronenberger Cliff O’Callahan Tiasha Reed ​x Also Present: Erin Daley, Yahaira Mnoz Submitted/Recorded by: Agenda Item Discussion/Motion Recommendation//Action Item 1. Introductions & Ed chimed us in at 12:06. Thanks to all for coming the day before Thanksgiving! Announcements Erin Daley, Monica’s intern’s last day is today. She had a positive experience with Monica! Jen Billingsley​: ​The LGBTQ + Advisory Committee Mtg (next public meeting on 12/18 at 5:30 in city hall.) Middletown/this committee is planning a pride event in June (15 or 22 of 2019) Monica Belyea:​Middlesex Hospital has been recognized, looking for speakers, for​ "A Compassionate Conversation: Understanding & Supporting the Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Community" Tony Ferraiolo was the Keynote speaker “Top Ten Things Your Transgender Patient Needs You To Know Donna​: Next ​Thursday November 29th​ will be the first community conversation about strategic plan, 5-7 at Cross Street Zion Church Ed​: recruiting volunteers for tax support, trying to get back into the workforce, good Share out flyers with our groups for younger people learning & looking to volunteer of people. Middletown Works Launch: Dec 6th 3:30-5:00 at the Community Health Center; share! 2. Minutes Approval Christine O’Grady motioned to accept. Donna Marino seconded the minutes. 3. Financial Report All spaces in School Readiness programs are full. Nothing new to report. 4. Alignment to the Listening Tours/ Community Conversations will begin in January for ECE Strategic District Strategic planning; Planning will begin in February through August; voted on in September Plan Goals for 2019, we will be seeking input from lots of people to improve and align our early 2018-2019 childhood systems. Under Goal 1/ Bridge to Brilliance initiative: being used in all SR programs, FRCs, most private Teaching & programs. Working to increase number of children using who are not in programs. Learning: Creation A bit over 2 million words read. Dr. Conner allocated $66,000 year 2 continuation of of early childhood B2B. We are having discussions about how and when to begin best keep additional strategic plan, academic data in our programs and align this to Kindergarten’s aimsweb. Digital literacy initiative & ELDs coaching 5. Program Half programs have had classroom observations per school readiness monitoring. Monitoring & Programs receiving visits from Dr. Osborne, she is supporting Naeyc efforts as well as Supports our literacy initiatives (Goal one/ strategy 1.5). Dr. Conner providing funds for year 2 ELDs coaching for community programs. This support has been well received by providers. 6. Other & Question of transportation: Monica mentioned an uber system used in Colorado Action Item: 2019 - 2020 Create Adjournment Uber issues, would be nice to have a family van new Meeting schedule Christine: mentioned 2 vehicles at the hospitals, stress on drivers and liability, Third Wednesday or last Donna: talked to liberty bank about the transportation issue; empower and educate Wednesday parents where they have a car Feb 27th April 24th Trainings: MECN: family engagement, SPED Family Session: will share with families of 3 & 4 year olds; Monica have a robust conversation about screen time, Next month’s meeting will be Preschool fair: ​ Saturday January 26th​ snow date Feb 2 held on Wednesday, December Jen B motion; Christine O second 19th from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. at Motion to adjourn: Christine O’Grady Bielefield School, 70 Maynard St. ​Middletown School Readiness Council Shaping our Children’s School Success