PLAEA Early Childhood Newsletter

Our trusty NCPMI site (for all things "challenging behavior") have recently updated 2 beginning of the year social stories. Both are available in English, Spanish, and many other languages. For ease of access, I have also included direct links to the social stories below.

• Go to Preschool by Car (English)
• Go to Preschool by Car (Spanish)
• Go to Preschool by Bus (English)
• Go to Preschool by Bus (Spanish)

Professional Learning Opportunities are being provided throughout the state. See 2 options below.

The IAEYC Fall Institute is occurring September 30th and October 1st at the Holiday Inn Des Moines--Airport. Pre-conference sessions are also offered on Thursday, September 29th. Registration is open!

The BEST Conference is being held at the Iowa Events Center on October 10th and 11th. Registration is open!

Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards Handbook: Revised May 2022 with updated additional resources (after the standards page). The standards themselves were not updated. Additional resources included: preschool ratio, preschool teacher qualifications, weather chart, timeline resource, CACFP meal guidelines & disinfecting chart.

Timeline Resource for Iowa Preschool Programs: Checklist created to help you stay on top of preschool gen ed and special ed requirements. For example: deadlines for Teaching Strategies GOLD, IQPPS desk audit, special education timelines etc. We have printed and laminated copies so that you can reuse them every year! Timeline Resource for Preschool Programs

PLAEA Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Toolbox – resource designed to be a “one stop shop” for all things preschool related. It houses everything from curriculum, assessment, preschool special education – FAQ’s and guidance docs all in one spot. This tool is best used in its electronic version due to all the links made available. SWVPP Toolbox

* All of your Administrators have received hard copies via AEA van mail of the above listed items. They will receive electronic copies on 9-2-22.

** If you would like to order copies of these, please email me and let me know (mlentsch@plaea.org)

Using the data we received from our EC PD survey, as well as district preschool data team meetings, the PLAEA Early Childhood team has designed a plan to meet the needs of all learners. Whether you prefer face to face or a self-paced learning module, we have multiple options available.

Focus areas: Unpacking The Pyramid Model, EC Teachers Huddles and Making Sense of Data In Preschool Programs.

Check out the link below - something for everyone to fit into your schedule!

ACHIEVE - resources will be updated next month (October)

i3 Website

i3 website is full of information, guidance, resources and procedures. i3 - Iowa IDEA Information - Guidance - Resources - Procedures

Procedural Safeguards Manual

Do you every have a difficult time finding an updated Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents prior to an IEP meeting? Do you ever need a copy for families in Arabic, Bosnian, Lao, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish or Vietnamese? See the links below for updated Manuals.

Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents Rights for Children Ages 3-21 - English

Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents Rights for Children Ages 2-21 - Arabic, Bosnian, Lao, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Vietnamese

Resources Preparing Parents for IEP Meetings

Parent Information for Initial IEP Meeting

IEP Team Member Roles and Responsibilities

Parent Information of 3 year Re-evaluation

Planning for Your Child's IEP Meeting

PLAEA SWVPP Toolbox

Iowa Preschool Program Timeline Resource

Teaching Strategies GOLD/myIGDI 2022-2023 Dates

NCPMI -PBIS - Challenging Behavior Site

ColorinColorado - A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners

Early Childhood Iowa - Early Childhood Mental Health

• Supports all Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency school districts that house early childhood programs (3-5 years of age) and SWVPP partner sites (private and faith based preschools).
• Coaching, collaborating, consulting and supporting teachers on evidence-based practices, curriculum, assessment, standards and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Provide professional development and serve as a resource to teachers, administrators and instructional coaches of programs 3-5 years of age.

Email: mlentsch@plaea.org
Website: plaea.org
Phone: 515-705-7170