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Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative (TECC) Education Workgroup Meeting Minutes
Meeting held on November 10, 2014. Called to Order at 12:03p.m. by Cheryl Kloczko, Workgroup Co-Chair. Minutes from our last meeting were reviewed and approved.
In Attendance: Elaine Hanscom/TECC, Mary Cecchinato/Torrington Child Care Center, Donna Labbe/TECC & Torrington Public Schools (TPS), Cheryl Kloczko/TPS, Paula Gajewski/TPS, Charlene Lee/Brooker Memorial, Lucille Fines/Vogel Wetmore School, Elinor Carbone/City of Torrington, Eileen Smedick/Vogel Wetmore School, Carmella Galipault/Head Start, Paula Romanelli/Head Start, Deb Thompson/Family Resource Center, Judy Cantot/EDUCATION CONNECTION, Anne Giordano/EDUCATION CONNECTION, Sue Fergusson/East School, Kristen Cellerino/East School, Claudia Ocasio/Even Start, Jan Sosnicki/Hilltop Christian Nursery School, Evette Aird/TPS, Morgan Osborn/Fit Together
Introductions were made for TPS Director of Student Services Evette Aird & Fit Together 5210 Coordinator Morgan Osborn. Fit Together is a partnership of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Northwest YMCA, and Litchfield Hills Food Systems and is another potential partner for TECC as they work to promote healthy lifestyles for preschoolers through outreach to pediatric offices and early childhood education providers.
Items Discussed: School Readiness (SR) Updates-
- Quality Enhancement funds are available to offer scholarships to early childhood professionals who live in Torrington or who work in a school readiness site in Torrington to help pay for college classes toward a higher degree in the field of early childhood. Funds to be used for the spring 2015 semester, potentially 3 scholarships based on applications to be received.
- TECC has the opportunity to apply for a state Smart Start grant for funds to support new Pre-K classrooms for 3 & 4 year olds, with funding up to 10 years. Highlights of the grant application were reviewed and it was decided that a small group will meet to go over requirements in detail before an application is submitted. A motion was made to approve the subcommittee’s recommendations to apply or not for funding, and this motion carried with 2 abstentions.
- The State is applying for a federal Preschool Expansion Grant for new slots for 4 year olds, with an award date of 12-10-14. For families in Torrington 200% below the poverty level.
Birth to 8 Implementation Plan-
- Summer learning loss data received by TPS was presented. DRA assessments were compared grade to grade, with % of regression in reading levels noted in the fall of each year. The most noticeable difference in reading levels was noted in the fall of 1st grade. Discussion followed about why this would occur and what current initiatives in the community support summer learning.
Kindergarten Readiness Fair- Save the Date- Set for January 24, 2015
Meeting adjourned at 2:04p.m. Next Education Workgroup meeting scheduled for 12-08-14.
Respectfully submitted by Elaine Hanscom, TECC Secretary.
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