Westmoreland

County

Community

College

Early Childhood

Education Program

Beth Hoden

Office Phone: 724-925-4013

Email: hodenb@wccc.edu

Nancy Rustic

Office Phone: 724-925-4035

Email: rusticn@wccc.edu

ECE Support

Vicki Hricik

Office Phone: 724-925-4013

WCCC Early Childhood Education

Program Newsletter

Got ECE News? Email Vicki at

hricikv@my.wccc.edu Volume 3, Edition4

October 20, 2011

Volunteers Needed 1

Leadership Conference

New ECE 181 Course 2, 3

Westmoreland County

Food Bank Food Drive 4

Action For Animals

PAEYC 5K 4, 5

Win a $1000

Scholarship

5

Literacy Conf. Info.

Party / Art Show 6, 7

WCCC SGA / Community Service Ideas

TRiO Peer Mentoring

Become a Member of PAEYC

8,9

Inside this issue:

The mission of this newsletter is to keep all ECE students informed of ECE Club

activities, volunteer events in the community, ECE professional development

opportunities, and anything related to the ECE field.

Volunteers Needed for

First-Ever Thank-A-Thon

The WCCC Education Foundation needs your help to reach out and

make a personal connection with the individuals who make our scholar-

ships and amazing opportunities possible. On October 25, 26, and 27 over

200 phone calls will made. All participants are asked just to give one hour

of their time. Students will be given a script to follow and light refresh-

ments will be provided.

Available shifts are as follows:

Tues. Oct. 25—6:45 to 7:45 PM

Tues. Oct. 25—7:30 to 8:30 PM

Wed. Oct. 26—6;45 to 7:45 PM

Wed. Oct. 26—7:30 to 8:30 PM

Thurs. Oct. 27—6:45 to 7:45 PM

Thurs. Oct. 27—7:30 to 8:30 PM

Please contact Kelly Carpenter to

reserve your preferred shift.

carpenterk@wccc.edu

or

724-925-4055

Special thanks to ECE Club students

that participated in Family Fest! Ben Lowden Julie Lieb

Kerri Zelenak Kayla Keefe

Brittany Dragan Sara Millar

Meredith Metcalf Vashti Abbott

Carli Capponi Kristi Miller

Mika Sakuma

13th Annual Student Leadership Conference

at Pitt-Greensburg

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011

Time: Registration begins at 12:00 PM

Conference begins at 1:00 PM

Location: Pitt-Greensburg Campus Smith Hall

What will I gain from the conference?

Excellent opportunity to network with other student leaders.

Strengthen or develop your leadership skills.

Discuss ideas and issues.

Explore different perspectives.

Attend workshops that include topics such as:

Leadership Styles Motivation

Diversity Awareness Ethics

Conflict Resolution Negotiation

Group Dynamics Goal Setting

Delegation Recognition

Effective Meetings Marketing

Conference schedule:

12:00 PM Registration—Smith Hall Lobby

1:00 PM Keynote Presentation Collegiate EmPowerment

“You Can’t Lead Others Until You First Lead Yourself””

2:00 PM Session Block 1

3:00 PM Session Block 2

4:00 PM Session Block 3

5:00 PM Conference Conclusion by Collegiate EmPowerment

Dinner

Contact Erick Randolph for more information at 724-836-9937 or edr23@pitt.edu

New ECE College Course Begins January 2012

The Early Childhood Education Program is pleased to announce a new three college

credit course is being offered. The course code and title is ECE 181, “Achieving Early

Learning Standards Through Play.” This course is open to all interested students.

Course Description:

Leading scholars in early childhood education have all recognized that play is the basis of

good early childhood pedagogy and practice. Moreover, play is THE fundamental cornerstone

for children’s development. In recent years, early learning standards have been developed,

identifying what children need to know and be able to do. Standards are the ends of ECE; the

means or process to meet these standards is play. This course is designed to provide compre-

hensive investigation of how we maintain fidelity to all domains of development and play and

still meet the early standards for all children ages 3 to 8 years. Site visits are required.

Instructor Bio:

Dr. Ernie Dettore is currently a Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of

Pittsburgh, a Consultant to numerous early childhood programs, a Play Expert with the

Early Head Start program, an Advocate for issues relating to children, a Teacher Mentor, and

Founder of the P.L.A.Y Academy. He has 17 years experience in higher education, teaching at

Edinboro University, Duquesne University and Westmoreland County Community College.

While at Duquesne, Dr. Dettore designed the undergraduate and graduate Early Childhood

Programs and served as the Director of Early Childhood Education. He earned a Doctorate in

Education in Instruction and Learning from Pitt in 1993. In February 2007, he co-edited a

book titled “To Play or Not to Play: Is It Really a Question.”

The course will meet every Tuesday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The dates are as follows:

January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1.

Some of the topics covered in the course include:

Approaches to Learning through Play Constructing: Organizing & Applying Knowledge

Scientific Thinking & Technology : Exploring, Inquiry & Discovery

Language and Literacy Development: Early Literacy Foundations: Reading, Writing,

Speaking, and Listening

Facilitating Children’s Play.

To register, call the WCCC registration center at 1-800-

262-2103, ext. 4204. Please give the course code ECE

181, Achieving Early Learning Standards Through Play.

The Westmoreland County Food Bank is looking for individuals and groups to help them during the

upcoming Fall Food Share Food Drive at participating Giant Eagle Supermarkets. Volunteers support

this drive by handing out a "most-needed" items list to customers and encourage them to purchase

a few extra items to donate to the Food Bank. Please register to help a couple of hours on

Saturdays or Sundays between Oct. 20 and Nov. 16. This volunteer experience is family-friendly

and young children are welcome to volunteer with the adults in their family or group. Create a

group by asking friends or family to join you. Schedule is filled on a first come, first serve basis.

To schedule to volunteer at your local Giant Eagle store, contact Louise Wilhelm at (724) 468-8660

ext. 13 or email her at louise@westmorelandfoodbank.org.

Volunteer for the Fall Food Share Food Drive

Volunteer to Help Action For Animals Humane Society

There are many volunteer opportunities at Action For Animals.

Cat Socializing in the state of the art open air cageless Tigre pavilion.

Dog Socializing in the private visitation rooms, beautiful Blessed’s park or outdoor covered play yards.

Daily help is always welcome for animal care and cleaning, landscaping, office help, laundry, dishes, and

more.

Work at Fundraising events and rabies Clinics, sell raffle tickets throughout the year, post event fly-

ers, and promote the shelter and animals.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, email Action for Animals

at afahsboard@aol.com.

Page 5 WCCC Early Childhood Education Program Newsletter

PAEYC’s & 1-Mile Walk

Let’s join the fun and form a team! We could represent the WCCC ECE program at this

special event. We could participate and help to raise awareness about the importance of play,

physical activity, and education for our youngest learners. Whole families are welcomed and

children’s participation is encouraged. Entry fees are as follows: non-PAEYC members $20,

PAEYC members $17, registration day of event $25, 1-mile walk $10 family fee. Register now

at www.pghaeyc.org. Let’s go out and play!

Student Essay Contest

~ Win a $1,000 Scholarship! ~

Essay Topic

Describe a professor, staff member, or administrator who encouraged you to complete a

course, finish a semester, or graduate from college, and describe how they encouraged you.

Deadline is Midnight( CST) November 8, 2011

$3,000 in prizes

$1,000 Scholarship to the Student Author

$1,000 to the Faculty/Staff/Administrator Featured in the Essay

Complimentary 2012-2013 NISOD Membership to the Student’s Community College

For a complete list of prizes, contest details, and to submit an essay, visit:

www.nisod.org/student_essay

NISOD announces the fourth annual Community College Week—NISOD Student Essay Contest in honor of

Scott Wright, past editor of Community College Week (1995–2000), recipient of the 1998 Award for Excel-

lence in Higher Education Journalism, and the reporter who brought national attention to developmental

education and the unique mission community colleges possess in providing an accessible education.

Volume 3, Edition4 Page 6

You’re invited to the GSA’s

Thursday, October 27th Join us in celebrating FH Student Center Halloween this year with From 1-9 PM refreshments, games, music, and a Costume Contest!!

HEY! Did you know there’s an Art Gallery in the

entrance to Science Hall?

Stop by to see this semester’s

Student Show!

Love, A R T Club

WCCC Student Government Association

Needs Representation from ECE Students

The WCCC Student Government Association strives to have representation

of all students. At least two students should attend each meeting from our Early

Childhood Education program. Meetings are held twice a month on Tuesdays at

2:00 PM. The next meeting will be on November 1, 2011 in Room 205. Please let

Beth or Nancy know if you are interested in attending.

Like the WCCC Student Government Association

on facebook: www.facebook.com/wcccsga

Please submit ideas

for a holiday service project

to Beth and Nancy.

TRiO/SSS Mentoring Program at WCCC

What is a mentor?

A mentor is someone who supports and guides another individual’s development. Mentors are viewed as

wise, experienced and helpful. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a mentor is “a trusted coun-

selor or guide”.

What are the requirements to become a peer mentor?

Peer mentor requirements

~ Sophomore status (at least 24 credits completed)

~ Minimum QPA of 2.75

~ At least one recommendation from faculty/staff/counselor/librarian

~ Interest in serving as a mentor

~ Commitment to make regular contact with your assigned mentee(s)

~ Attend a brief orientation session prior to beginning the mentoring experience

BENEFITS OF BEING A MENTOR

Resume booster

Form lasting, meaningful relationships with others

Personal satisfaction of knowing you make a difference in the lives of others

Portfolio enhancement

Become an active participant in the WCCC community

For more information or to obtain an application, contact a TRiO/SSS

counselor today by calling 724-925-4121 or e-mail harrisonm@wccc.edu

with the word MENTORING in the subject line.

To earn Pennsylvania DPW hours as required, check out the PA Keys website,

www.pakeys.org, for professional development opportunities. Westmoreland County

Community College sponsors affordable ECE workshops made possible through South-

west Regional Key funding. Scheduled workshops at WCCC - Fayette County Education

Center in Uniontown, WCCC - Greene County Education Center and WCCC Youngwood

Campus are already posted. Please email Vicki Hricik for more information,

hricikv@my.wccc.edu.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If you have any ECE

news and volunteer

opportunities

that you would like

to share, please

email Vicki at

hricikv@my.wccc.edu.

Professional Development Opportunities

WCCC Early Childhood Education Newsletter

Page 10 WCCC Early Childhood Education Program Newsletter

The Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) is the professional member-

ship organization for those involved with the early care an education of young children. Doctors,

lawyers, and other professionals have membership associations which provide a unified voice on be-

half of their members. In the same way, PAEYC serves as a community resource, and advocate for

quality, and a voice for those in the profession of early care and education. PAEYC currently serves

over 1000 members and is governed by an elected board. Members and those interested are en-

couraged to serve on a committee and take an active role in PAEYC programs including Membership

Services, Advocacy & Public Policy, and Professional Development.

Benefits of Membership Become a Member! Membership in national, state, and local affiliates

6 issues of Young Children, NAEYC's journal

Exclusive access to PAEYC Newsletters

Reduced rates to PAEYC and NAEYC conferences

Career advising services

Meets STARS 3 Requirements

Borrowing privileges with PAEYC's early childhood resource library

Voting rights and eligibility to hold office in PAEYC, Penn AEYC, and NAEYC

Opportunity to participate in insurance plans offered through NAEYC

Become a Member of PAEYC

At least two ECE

Club representatives

are needed to attend

the Student

Organization

meetings. Please see

Beth or Nancy.