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We are so lucky to have such an amazing, thoughtful, and dedicated group of educators at UCCC. I am so proud to share with you that one of our educators was recently recognized at the regional Early Educator Appreciation Event at the Magic House. On May 15, Ms. Veronica received the Early Childhood Trailblazer Award for her phenomenal work at UCCC. She was surprised and filled with joy when awarded at the event. With more than 30 years in the field, Ms. Veronica shared her treasured experiences at UCCC and the importance of being a lifelong learner. At UCCC, I've witnessed her heartfelt contributions of wisdom, compassion, and gentility as she interacts with children and fellow educators. Congratulations Veronica!
Peaches Lott
Center Director
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UCCC hosted a Baby Food Tasting Party on Thursday, May 19. Brought to you by Chef Demond and Chef Desiree, families learned how we value FOOD at our Center and received tips on feeding the whole family. Chef Demond recently joined the UCCC family with a talent for making food FUN. He incorporates
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FRESH ingredients in creative snacks and meals, introducing our children to new flavors, colors, and textures. Mealtimes at UCCC support social development, emotional development, fine motor skills, language, literacy, persistence, and self-regulation. Click here for helpful tips from our Center Educational Support Specialist, Jessica Sims, on how you can support your child during mealtimes.
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Learn about an 8-week class for parents and their child (6 weeks to 2 years). Classes support children to be attentive, develop self-confidence, and deepen his or her understanding of self and others while parents observe, celebrate, relax, and learn. Attend an Orientation on Wednesday, June 8, July 13, or August 10 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.at the Shrewsbury Rec Center. Orientation is $10 per family. Call the Rec Center, 314.647.1003 to register. For more info, click here or email Shannon, scarr@lumeinstitute.org.
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Family Matters is a program of LUME Institute helping families navigate 21st century challenges through proactive, preventative, and comprehensive education and support.
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Steve Zwolak, Chief Executive Officer of LUME Institute, presented "Invest in Early Childhood and Give Children A Voice" to Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice on May 12, 2016.
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The community-focused group selects a variety of knowledgeable speakers to provide information on social justice issues. Mr. Z engaged the group to join the movement by first sharing the landscape of early childhood - a high turnover rate of educators, trends in preschool expulsions, and an increasing need for high-quality care and education.
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LUME disrupts the field and meets the needs of the community through our Approach that focuses on developing the child through the inside-out and helping teachers understand themselves so they can better understand children. Click here to learn more about our Approach and the Spheres of Understanding.
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We are very fortunate to have the support of many middle and high school students throughout the year and during summer camp. Completing their required service hours for school, we offer the students a chance to see what really happens in the world of early childhood education. During the months they are here, their skills in caring and understanding children increase.
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I have witnessed volunteer students leave with aspirations to continue on a path focused on caring for children. What a great way to expose young people to the field of early childhood! We are helping students discover their passion, inspiring future educators and leaders by providing them with insight on the value of what happens early in life lasts a lifetime.
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A special thanks to every school that encourages community engagement and volunteer opportunities that give back to the community, especially in elevating the field of early childhood education.
Tameka Cook
Volunteer Program Manager
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LUME Institute was featured in a St. Louis Public Radio article, "Apprenticeship pilot program to train child care workers in St. Louis," published on April 27. In April, LUME held two orientation sessions at St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE). The orientation sessions were well-attended with 45 potential educators anxious to learn about the two-year program to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. In the article, orientation attendees and Miton Clayborn (LUME Project Manager) shared their excitement around the apprenticeship program. "There's this movement towards the importance of early childhood education, how important it is to be instructive, not just babysitting when you're in the class with kids." Miton said, "We're pushing teachers to be just as well-educated as any other educators." Click here to read the article.
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One of the ways we keep the LUME Approach fresh in our organization is through quarterly three hour classes on various topics. So far this year we have offered a course on "Temperament and the LUME Approach" and "The Rock in My Shoe," a course examining the way our personal history shapes and impacts our teaching, both consciously and subconsciously. Our next two classes will be "Executive Function" and "Case Studies: Problem Solving in the Classroom." Kaitlyn shares how the LUME Approach helps her grow as an educator:
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“By pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I've been able to become not only a better person, but also a better teacher. Now I can walk away from those situations feeling more confident in the fact that I helped the children learn how to handle those [types of situations].”
Kaitlyn Gilbert, LUME Student
and Early Childhood Educator
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Laurie McKenney
LUME Early Childhood and Youth Development Specialist
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The Mysun Charitable Foundation
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LUME Institute is excited to announce that The Mysun Charitable Foundation has awarded $39,000 to support our workforce development initiative. We hosted the Foundation for a site visit and meeting. The Foundation requested to bring additional members back for a second visit. After those visits we were awarded $39,000 with the additional bonus of extending the grant to three years (totaling the investment to $177,000). They believe this is a game changer for the field of early childhood. Thank you to The Mysun Charitable Foundation. For more information about initiative in workforce development, click here.
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Join our team of SUPERHEROES
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We are currently hiring for full-time Infant/Toddler, Two's, and Preschool educators, along with part-time substitute educators. Join the diverse and innovative community of University City Children's Center and LUME Institute and support our vision that all children be prepared for life. Click here for more information.
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Help Support our Tuition Assistance Program
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For every dollar you spend, Schnucks will contribute up to 3% of your purchase amount! Help build a better future for our children by following the easy directions below:
- Pick up a card at UCCC or your local Schucks
- Register your card at www.escrip.com/schnucks
- Present your card to the cashier when you shop at Schnucks
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When you shop at AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% off your purchase to University City Children's Center. The funds support UCCC's Tuition Assistance Program. Click here to start shopping!
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