From the Director
Oct. 1, 2008 11:03 am
Fran Walls places 1st in the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Early Care and Education
Gov. Minner congratulates Fran Walls
Congratulations to Fran Walls who has been named the 1st place recipient of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Early Care and Education. The awards dinner was held on Tuesday, September 23 at the Dover Sheraton. Fran has been a teacher of toddlers at the UD ELC since 2004 and also serves as an instructor for Training in Early Childhood Education classes. Fran is loved by her toddlers and held in high regard by her colleagues, families and UD students. Those of us who work with her know that she deserves the spot light of Delaware’s only award for early childhood teachers.
Sep. 6, 2008 11:02 am
Back to School Updates
The ELC provides high quality service for more than 200 children and families daily. We also exist as a UD facility to support the academic, scholarship and research work of the University and we receive generous financial support from multiple Colleges and Departments within the University to help us fulfill that role. Last year more than 400 UD students and faculty observed, worked or participated in research at the ELC. This semester 100 clinical students are already scheduled to be with us.
Our professional development day on Monday, October 13, 8:00 -4:00, will focus on improving our ability to coach and mentor the UD students who serve clinical placements at the ELC.
Sep. 6, 2008 11:02 am
ELC Welcomes New Staff
Welcome to Alene Heider who joined the ELC staff on September 2 as the Associate Director for the kindergarten and school-age program as well as the responsibility for recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and supervision of substitutes. Alene holds a BA from Boston College and comes to us with 18 years of experience as a teacher and director. Her office is the room across from our large conference room/lunch room. Please make the time to stop in and introduce yourself.
Welcome to Kathy McDonald who joined our full-time staff in September as a classroom assistant in Susan Yetman’s multi-age preschool program that is based on the Montessori model. Both Susan and Kathy are certified Montessori instructors. Stop by to chat with them and observe the model in action.
Aug. 28, 2008 10:45 am
Renewal at the ELC
The preschool wing experienced some major transitions during the week of August 25th. The kindergarten moved to a larger classroom to accommodate the 21 children that they serve this year. Eileen Blouse, Jon Robinson and Alicia Spencer kicked off the year with three new groups of pre-k students. Trisha Dean, Julie Shaw, Diane Staz and Danette Boyer accepted assignment changes. The rooms look great, the children are actively engaged, the staff are smiling – all signs point to success!
Mar. 18, 2008 4:08 pm
Welcome to the Director’s Blog
Those of us who work at the ELC share the privilege of serving hundreds of children, families, UD students and faculty on a daily basis. Thanks to the UD Office of Education Technology (OET), the ELC website is evolving into one that will allow those we serve to access up to date information about such things as daily menus, classroom and school-wide activities, clinical placement news, and research projects. The Director’s Blog is the first step on a path that will hopefully lead to each classroom having a blog of its own in the months ahead. Refer to this site for updates and notices such as:
- We are currently accepting registrations for the 2008-2009 kindergarten class. Children enrolled in our pre-K classes are offered first priority registration through Thursday, March 20. After March 20, enrollment opens to the public. If you opt to enroll in a full-day kindergarten program other than at the ELC, your child is welcome to join the ELC before and after school program. West Park and Newark Charter provide transporation free of charge for children enrolled in before and after care at the ELC.
- It’s time to think ahead to summer! Registration for the UD World of Wonder Summer Camp 2008 opened on February 15 and the available positions are filling fast. If your child is completing 1st through 4th grade and plans to attend the ELC this summer be sure to register soon. Our camp is a ten-week experience focused on supporting children’s academic development while providing ample opportunity for recreation. Events will include bowling, swimming, ice skating and visits to the Newark Library to participate in the Summer Reading Program. The fee for the ten week program is $2250. UD employees receive a 10% discount. A non-refundable $500 deposit is required at the time of registration, which will be applied to the balance of the fee. Purchase of Care positions are available. POC clients are exempt from deposit requirements. For more information, stop at the ELC reception area to ask for a brochure and registration form.