PCDC Monthly Newsletter
October 2022
Parent Child Development Corporation
About Us
Email: nagee@pcdcva.org
Website: pcdcva.org
Location: 602 Main Street, West Point, VA, USA
Phone: (804)843-2289
Our Mission
The mission of Parent Child Development Corporation is to empower families to improve the quality of their lives through educational and self-help programs, family support services, and advocacy activities in partnership with the community.
Our Vision
The vision of Parent Child Development Corporation (PCDC) is to be a leader in comprehensive preschool programs, child care services, and family support services in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. PCDC will provide direct services, coordinate regional and inter-agency service delivery systems for children and families, and advocate for programs and services which promote the welfare of all children and families in the community, state and nation. PCDC will forge partnerships with communities and organizations to effectively and efficiently utilize human and financial resources, both public and private.
From the Interim Executive Director
Happy Fall, Y'all!
It's my FAVORITE time of the year... and Bree's, too! How about you? I love a good hoodie!
October started off with a wonderful school year, new beginnings, and new faces! Please join me in welcoming Rosalin Ball to our team! Rosalin is our new Assistant Executive Director. She comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge in education. Drop Rosalin a hello (rball@pcdcva.org) and make her feel welcomed!
A special SHOUT OUT to Head Start for gracefully dealing with transportation challenges and Early Head Start for transitioning classes to better fit the needs of infants and toddlers! And, to Middlesex who have been champions in moving and setting up an ah-dorable classroom!
Have an absolutely brilliant October!! Stay safe, stay vigilant, and be well.
Sharing one of my favorite stories to read in the fall. Enjoy!
Kiss your Brain! Kiss Your Heart!
We see you and are proud of you! You have worked so hard to prepare and create a safe and warm space for your littles! Continue to be your best and the children will give you their best!
PCDC appreciates you. You are amazing!
Take Care,
❤Nicole
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
Reid Milner - October 4th
Lourdes Wiloughby - October 8th
Karina Andrews - October 30th
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED YEARS OF SERVICE TO PCDC AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEAM!!
Gay Brooks - October 4th - 1 year
Kristie Taylor - October 8th - 4 years
Lourdes Willoughby - October 8th - 3 years
Breanne Carlton - October 15th - 4 Years
Tammy Ball - October 26th - 24 Years
Hope Arrowood-Moore - October 26th - 5 Years
New Hires
New Hires
Rosalin Ball - Assistant Executive Director
Caryn Beyer - Secondary Caregiver
Abagail Owens - TCW Family Advocate
Jacquelynn Worth - Fiscal Manager
Moesha Williams - West Point Family Advocate
Brandon Wise - Smart Start Site Manager
Job Announcements:
Job Announcements:
Lead Teachers (West Point - School Age & Fee-Based Smart Start)
Teacher Assistants (West Point - School Age & Fee-Based Smart Start)
Primary Caregiver
Secondary Caregiver
Bus Driver (PT)
Substitutes - Various locations
✨Gentle Reminders✨✨
- Please call out approximately 2-hours before the start of your shift to allow for proper coverage.
- All PTO must be approved by your Immediate Supervisor for scheduled days off.
- Dress is business causal. Jeans are allowed on Friday. Please make sure all clothing is free of holes and tears at all locations (jeans included).
- Please send a copy of all completed training certificates and professional development workshop sheets to HR.
- Great News!! We are all returning to in-office or on-site work this school year! Telework must be approved by the Executive Director.
Yay! As of October 11, the Family Services Department will be fully staffed. We welcome Moesha Williams as the West Point Head Start Family Advocate. Family Services has been busy with completing intakes and enrolling children in both Early Head Start and Head Start. Middlesex Head Start families will be starting on October 11th. Family Advocates met with families for Orientation/Open House to welcome new families as well as returning families. Thank you to all of the Family Advocates for their hard work thus far in helping with the recruitment, enrollment, and completing intakes process. The numbers for enrollment are steadily increasing.
Kristie
Happy Fall from the Education Department!!
Here's a great read aloud book I found entitled "The Secret Life of Squirrels" by Nancy Rose. It takes the children through the day of Mr. Peanut who happens to be a squirrel.
A Pine Cone science experiment you can do with your students can be found on lemonlimeadventures.com/why-pine-cone-science-experiment-for-kids/
Fun ways students can learn to write their names.
National Apple Day is October 21st - The children create apple trees and fill the trunks using a oatmeal sensory bin.
Nina
Friendly Reminders
- ESIs are to be completed 45 days from the student's first day of school, for students who started school 9/13 they are due 10/27. For students starting after this date, make sure to complete and report their results to Nina, via the End of the Month reports.
- All classrooms are expected to begin the FRED program the week of 10/11.
- PALS assessments begin 10/17
- Make sure to keep up with your COR observations
Vicki
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Important Message: Masking
The Office of Head Start will announce in the near future the removal of the mask mandate. Until then, please continue to mask.
December is Depression and Mental Health Screening Month.
I wanted to share this resource that provides screening tools for various mental health conditions, including depression: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/
Common symptoms of depression include:
- not enjoying the same hobbies or interests that you once did, or not getting the same amount of pleasure from these activities
- not being able to focus for very long
- losing your appetite regularly
- losing an abnormal amount of weight at one time
- feeling weak or exhausted with no clear cause
- feeling overwhelmingly guilty
- feeling like you’re not worth anything or are inadequate
- feeling anxious or irritable
- losing feelings of hope for the future
- crying without any specific cause
- not being able to sleep well at night
- having dramatic mood swings
- having thoughts about death
It is also worth noting that symptoms of depression can differ between men and women. Some differences are hormonal in nature, including menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Other differences are connected to societal norms. For example, in the United States, men have historically been expected to present as tough, and may be less likely to share how they are feeling. This tendency can cause both men and women to express their feelings of depression differently based on what they believe is socially acceptable for them to do or say.
Symptoms of depression in men may include:
- showing anger
- blaming the people around them
- picking fights
- turning to destructive habits like drinking
Symptoms of depression in women may include:
- showing sadness
- blaming themselves
- turning to unhealthy habits like emotional eating
However, everyone experiences depression differently, so you may find that your symptoms aren’t easily lumped in any one category.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or notice a change in your own thoughts or behavior, please reach out to someone- this may be someone close to you, myself or another coworker, or your primary care physician.
Jenn
Did you know that there is an easy way to make sure your cereal is within the CACFP sugar limit?
One way that you could check is by going onto the WIC approved breakfast cereal list.
A second way that you could check is by using the USDA’s Team Nutrition training worksheet.
A third way does require a little math. Find the serving size in grams, then divide it by the total sugars in grams. If the number is equal to or less than 0.212, then the sugar is within the CACFP sugar limit.
Taty
From the Assistant Executive Director
Greetings,
I am so excited to become a part of the PCDC family. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful as I have transitioned into this position. I look forward to seeing everyone in action and working together to ensure that children grow physically, emotionally and educationally. Our future is in their hands.
Rosalin Ball
The best the world has to offer comes from the best you have to give to others. ~ Matshona Dhiliwayo