Bright Beginnings Newsletter

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Early Learning Network

Supporting Kindergarten Readiness through Integrated Learning

On Friday, October 25th the Early Learning Network (formerly Transitional Kindergarten Plus Network) kicked off the 2019-20 school year, hosting sessions in two locations: Rose Ferrero Elementary School and the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Office. Teachers from school districts across the county engaged in a lively discussion guided by the question, "How can early educators put the idea of integrated learning into practice?" The conversations were so rich, there is interest in presenting to the Soledad Unified School District administration to learn more about the unique aspects and value of Transitional Kindergarten and the early learning continuum. This school year’s priorities are... click here to read more.

Congrats, City of Gonzales!

Winner of the 2019 Culture of Health Prize

Congratulations to the City of Gonzales on receiving the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2019 Culture of Health Prize for your deep investment in: sustainable economic development, youth success, and authentic community engagement exemplified by positive outcomes of collaborative efforts. Read more in our 2018 October Newsletter and here.

Meet Our New Staff Member

Welcome to the Bright Beginnings Team

Bright Beginnings is excited to welcome the newest member of our growing team! Meet Laura Keeley Saldana.

Hello! I am so excited to be part of the Bright Beginnings team as Program Manager - Early Learning Systems Coordination. I come to you with experience managing the Early Childhood Specialists Training and Technical Assistance team for Region IX-Head Start/Early Head Start programs, and as Director for the UC Berkeley, Redwood City School District and CAR Infant Program in Palo Alto. I have also had the pleasure of providing support to the Santa Clara County Office of Education as the Program Operations Manager for HeadStart/EHS. I have an M.Ed. from Rutgers University and experience with both federally and state-funded programs as well as fee-based programs and early intervention services. On a personal note, I have three children and two kitties. My husband and I moved to Santa Cruz about 5 years ago, and we love the Central Coast! I am looking forward to learning more about Monterey County and the hard work being done to prepare children for life and school in this community. I look forward to meeting and working with you!

News + Updates

- Early Learning Network
- Congrats, City of Gonzales!
- Meet Our New Staff
- We're Hiring
- Family Friendly Business

Bright Beginnings Is Hiring

Here's how you can be a part of Bright Beginnings:

Home Visiting Coordination Program Manager
Be part of an expanding backbone team responsible for driving forward the objectives and strategies of the countywide early childhood development strategic framework, and support two key strategies: a home visiting hub and integrated support systems. Click here to learn more about the open position and how to apply.

Program/Lead Director
Provide leadership and strategic management for the Bright Beginnings Initiative as a whole, coordinate partners and mobilize the community to achieve shared goals, while ensuring Bright Beginnings adheres to its vision, mission, and values. Click here to learn more about the open position and how to apply.

Family Friendly Business

Bright Beginnings encourages and promotes Monterey County businesses to strive to be family friendly organizations. There are two ways that businesses can achieve this:

1. Family Friendly Employer: Businesses can establish both a work environment and policies that enable employees to effectively balance and fulfill work and family responsibilities.

2. Child Welcoming Business: Child Welcoming Businesses invite children to read, talk, sing or play in their place of business. They have activities or materials that encourage adults and children to interact, encouraging strong community bonds.

Have you nominated a business or organization that you think is a Family Friendly or Child Welcoming Business?

Click here to learn more and apply today.

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We want to hear from you!
Do you have early childhood development resources or upcoming opportunities and community events that you'd like to share with us? Click here to let us know!

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