About a month ago I was asked to sit on the board of the Infant and Toddler Community of Practice of Vernon by my friend and daycare provider Pauline Fortier of The Academy of Art and Learning. This is a sub-committee of the Vernon School Readiness Council which focuses on children ages birth to 8 and prenatal women in Vernon. I am excited and honored to be part of this group, as well as report to you the up coming community events and collaborations.
The official mission statement is "The Infant and Toddler Community of Practice of Vernon will support and help parents and child care providers to raise safe, healthy, and productive infant and toddlers by providing training, services, and information." And they plan to do just that, by creating and sponsoring workshops for both parents and providers, sharing knowledge of education and resources, and enhancing community development.
There are many others on this board, including WIC, Early Head Start, DCF, and local daycare providers such as The Indian Valley YMCA, Apple Tree Learning Center, and Tolland Kids Academy. A complete list of resources and contact information will be provided at the end of this article.
Some upcoming events planned are as follows:
Ready Set School Fair at Vernon Center Middle School, Saturday March 24 from 10 am - 1 pm. This event is child friendly with many activities and entertainers, and open to all public. Vernon kindergarten registration is available at this event.
Free Parent Workshop- Come meet Anita Bage: Birth to Three Special Education Teacher at The Academy of Art and learning Too, Thursday, April 19th from 6:30-7:30, with pizza at 6 pm. Child care is provided. Register by April 13th by calling Ann Scharin at 860-872-1793 or by email at ascharin@vernon-ct.gov.
Jill Morey-ECHN's Family Resource Center at Maple Street School, 860-875-5771.
Tess Mackenzie-ECHN's Family Resource Center at Maple street school, 860-875-5771.
Kathy Minicucci- East Hartford Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), 860-528-1458. Servicing Vernon area. Rockville WIC is open Monday 815 am-4 pm, and Tuesday 815 am-2 pm.
Caitlin Buzzell-ECHN Early Head Start, 860-268-7668.
Michelle Hill-Vernon Youth Services, 860-305-7127.
Tina Gladden-Indian Valley YMCA of Vernon, 860-896-0584.
Rebecca Ladr-Tolland Kids Academy, 860-875-5437.
Rachel McCue- Vernon Kids Academy, 860-870-7529.
Ann Scharim-Vernon School Readiness, 860-872-1793
Pauline Fortier-Academy of Art and Learning, 860-871-0642
Sarah Yost-Vernon Patch, 860-268-2145.
Carl Slicer