Important Preschool Announcements

The Core Knowledge Early Childhood Department has been full of activity this summer. In July, we welcomed our new Early Childhood Coordinator, Sally Guarino, who comes to us with a background in classroom teaching and in curriculum development with the Success for All Foundation. Full of ideas and energy, Sally hit the ground running and has been working with a number of centers for summer training. (Ask Sally about her pet chickens, too.)

We are also pleased to announce that the CK-PAT (Core Knowledge Preschool Assessment Tool) Version 3.1 is now available. If you already purchased the CK-PAT Versions 3.0 or earlier, contact the Core Knowledge Foundation to see about getting a replacement CD. This revision includes an easy-to-use installer, simplified data entry options, and more detailed reports. Be sure to check it out!

In addition to the Summer Preschool Institutes and regular on-site trainings this summer, we have scheduled regional training every two months at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in Little Rock, AR. Below is our schedule for 2005–06 professional development modules.

November 17–18: Using Children's Literature and Writing to Develop Language and Literacy Skills
January 26–27: Phonological Awareness, ABCs, and More
March 6–7: Building Oral Language Skills

Each module is only $230, which includes the participant workbook and a boxed lunch. Click here to download a brochure, or click here to register. Be sure to ask about special Core Knowledge discount rates at the hotel.

February 19–22 you can relax in San Antonio, TX, while taking in content-rich training at the annual Preschool Institutes, hosted by the Marriott Riverfront. The following Preschool workshops will be offered:

Getting Started
Leadership
Autonomy, Social Skills and Work Habits
Using Children’s Literature to Develop Language Skills
Mathematics and Number Sense
Scientific Reasoning
Assessment and Planning to Meet Children’s Learning Needs

Click here to learn more about all the trainings. You will also want to make plans to stay the rest of the week for the 15th Core Knowledge National Conference.

Contact us if your preschool has not yet participated in Core Knowledge Preschool professional development. We can talk to you about different training options and what may work best for your center. Call or email today!

Linda Bevilacqua
Vice President-Early Childhood

Mary Miller
Assistant Director of Professional Development—Early Childhood

Sally Guarino
Early Childhood Coordinator