The WCSS office is still closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and in compliance with NC's Phase 3 order.

Most NC families with children 16 or younger are eligible for a $335 coronavirus relief payment to help with virtual schooling and childcare costs. Go to the North Carolina Department of Revenue website for details and to apply.

You can find more COVID-19 resources on our website.

For the classroom:

Family Engagement & Connection

"Without [the] recognition of their humanity and their lived experiences from teachers, any attempts to support children and their families toward adapting consistency in routines is meaningless."

These words from early childhood education professor Dr. Brian L. Wright ring especially true during the disconnect and disfunction that has been 2020.

Teachers who can engage and connect with children and their families can help their entire community strengthen and grow.

So, how can you build engagement and connection in your classroom?

Six Principles of Family Engagement

  1. Invite families to participate in decision making and goal setting for their child.
  2. Engage families in two-way communication.
  3. Engage families in ways that are truly reciprocal.
  4. Provide learning activities for the home and in the community.
  5. Invite families to participate in program-level decisions and wider advocacy efforts.
  6. Implement a comprehensive program-level system of family engagement.

Support children's learning by bridging the home and the classroom! Here's a fun bubble activity teachers can send home with children to explore science, cooperation, and play as a family!

 

For the home - content provided by our partner:

Connecting with Parent Educators

Children's development is shaped by many different things from their home life, their schooling, and their community. It is important to recognize that family engagement and connection also have tremendous impact on children's overall well-being.

Research has shown that when parents have positive relationships with their parent educators, this tends to impact the quality of their engagement. But how can we do this?

  1. Create a trusting and respectful relationship.
  2. Feel valued and true partners in the process.
  3. Become team players in the child's growth and development.

Along with the characteristics stated above, parent educators who display strong relationships with parents show:

  • Acceptance and non-judgmental attitudes
  • Genuine interest, flexibility, and optimism
  • Awareness of personal culture, biases, and values
  • Intentionality along with consistent communication
  • Familiarity of community resources

Wake Connections is a one-stop coordinated intake system for families in Wake County. One click gets you connected to Parents as Teachers and other Wake Connections programs.

Change the Future for Your Child - Online!

Wake Pre-K: the way to grow, learn, and play!

The Wake Pre-K Application Center is your link to free, safe, and fun Pre-K options for your child... and now you can apply ONLINE!

If your child turned 4 by August 31, 2020, you can apply for Pre-K now! One online application will connect you to Wake County's public Pre-K programs.

Pre-K: what your child learns here lasts a lifetime!

Featured Book: The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

Written by: Sarah Mackenzie

Highlights: The stories we read - and the conversations we have about them - help shape family traditions, create lifelong memories, and become part of our legacy. Reading aloud not only has the power to change a family, it has the power to change the world.

Best for: Caregivers of toddlers and Pre-K

Wake County Public Library Programming: Join WCPL's regional branches for a Halloween Drive-Thru Spooktacular! You'll take home a creepy craft plus tasty treats during your drive. Costumes are encouraged for you and your car! Sign up requested here.

Literacy Tip: Practice writing the names of all the people in your family. Try it with all different supplies: crayons, markers, paint, or even use a stick in the dirt outside!

October's book selected by the Preschool Librarians of Wake County Public Libraries.

Parents and caregivers must take time to take a deep breath because the work of caring for, supporting, teaching, and healing children is never done.

- Iheoma Iruka in NAEYC

 

Want FREE books for your child under 5? Join the Imagination Library today!

 

Celebrate National Farm to School Month with NC Crunch! Crunch down on a locally grown apple at noon on Wednesday, October 21st!

Each month we celebrate the child care facilities that have recently obtained or retained a five star rating!

Congratulations to:

NC Crunch-tastic!

Recipes + books about apples + apple activities = tons of great ways to celebrate NC Crunch!

WCSS has an entire NC Crunch Pinterest board for you to explore!

Visit CCSA's training calendar for all upcoming events.

Note: ITS-SIDS is now available virtually until 1/30/2021.

Toxic Stress & Its Impact on Children

October 12, 1 - 3pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Gardening with Young Children

October 19, 6 - 7:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

ITS-SIDS

October 28, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Grief & Loss in Young Children

October 29, 3 - 5pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Erupting Apple Volcano

Keeping our apple theme going! This is the classic baking soda volcano experiment, but in an apple. Take it outside and let your kids run away from the foam!

Did you know WCSS is a nonprofit and relies on support from members of our community like you? Visit our website today to see how you can make a difference for each child, in every community in Wake County.

 
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Questions? Contact us today 919-851-9550