Upcoming Trainings for SAC

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What: SAC Planning and Implementing Summer Thematic Units. (C1-Level 1)
Learn ways to develop thematic units for the specific needs of children.
Practice developing own thematic unit.
Where: Westmoreland County Community College, rm. 2110
145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697
When: May 30, 2009
8:00 AM-10-AM
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What: Art and Books: Ideas for Your Summer Camp (C2-Level 2)
Explore creating a summer environment that is print rich and artfully wonderful! Leave with lots of new ideas and the enthusiasm to begin using them.
Where: Westmoreland County Community College, rm. 2110
145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697
When: May 30, 2009
10:15 AM -12:15 PM
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What: Tips for Trips: Field Trip Ideas for Your School Age Program (C2-Level 2)
Learn how to make the most of field trips by creating positive experiences outside of the site.
Where: Westmoreland County Community College, rm. 2110
145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697
When: May 30, 2009
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
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What: Links to Learning Foundations -A prerequisite for all other Links to Learning courses (C2-Level 2)
Be introduced to basic child development as it relates to SAC. Find out how to involve youth in identifying their interests and learn how to select, plan and develop these activities. Participants will begin to create curriculum/overview for their school-age program and link activities to the PA Learning Standards which are both STAR 3 Performance Standards. The use of thematic units in SAC will also be discussed.
Where: University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development, Basement Training Room
400 N. Lexington Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15208
When: June 6, 2009
8:30 AM-3:00 PM

**Please note that this class is already filled to capacity. This session will be offered again in the fall.**
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What: SAC-Its Raining: Now What? (C1-Level 1)
Don't let the rain stop you from having fun this summer. This workshop will provide you with games and activities to keep your campers busy during those frustrating rainy days.
Where: Community College of Allegheny County-Boyce Campus, rm. SWG 659
595 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146
When: June 6, 2009
8:00 AM-10:00 AM
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What: SAC Planning and Implementing Summer Thematic Units. (C1-Level 1)
Learn ways to develop thematic units for the specific needs of children.
Practice developing own thematic unit.
Where: Community College of Allegheny County-Boyce Campus, rm SWG 661
595 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146
When: June 6, 2009
8:00 AM-10:00 AM
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What: Tips for Trips: Field Trip Ideas for Your School Age Program (C2-Level 2)
Learn how to make the most of field trips by creating positive experiences outside of the site.
Where: Community College of Allegheny County-Boyce Campus, rm. SWG 661
595 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146
When: June 6, 2009
10:15 AM-12:15 PM
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Each session costs $5.00 make checks payable to PAEYC at
5604 Solway St. Pittsburgh PA 15217
To sign up online for any of these classes click on our link to
PA Keys Professional Development Sign-up
or call PAEYC at 412 421 3889
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May 18, 2009 SAC Professional Development

Featuring: Nationally known school-age presenter and author, Roberta Newman.

Title: Guiding Children's Behavior

Workshop description: Guiding Children's Behavior is a session recommended for program directors, managers, leaders and front line staff. This workshop provides a comprehensive exploration of steps staff can take to create an environment that encourages children and youth to engage in the program in positive and productive ways.



When: Monday, May 18, 2009 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Where: Woodlands Foundation
(Room: Meditation Center)
134 Shenot Road Wexford, PA 15090


6 hours of professional development

***Meals and refreshments are provided***

Registration Fee: $15.00

register online http://www.pakeys.org/

or contact Molly at PAEYC
(412) 421 3889
email: mollym@pghaeyc.org

Saturday, March 7, 2009

School-Age Care Professional Development Day
Saturday, March 7, 2009 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
CCAC North Campus
Room 1119
8701 Perry Highway
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

6 hours of professional development
***Includes continental breakfast and lunch***

Register online http://www.pakeys.org/

Classes offered ($5 per session):

• Ethics and Professionalism in the School-Age Workplace
• Literacy = Fun!
• SACERS
• On the Level . . . Positive Guidance and Discipline
• Relationships 101: How to Improve Relationships
• SAC 101: An Introduction to School-Age Care

It was a pleasure to meet so many dedicated practitioners last Saturday. Thank you to all for making the day successful.

Suzanne and Chesca

(Pictures from the event will be posted here.)

A Conversation about Relationships

Standing L->R: Ida, Chesca, Suzanne and Desirae

Seated L-R: Melissa, Raff and Andrea

Saturday, January 17, 2009.

A group of dedicated practitioners got together for coffee, juice and bagels to have a conversation about relationships.

Aside from earning two Professional Development hours, the idea behind the session was to move beyond the basic and obvious necessities of school-age care by improving relationships.

Building relationships in the school-age care setting makes life better not only for the children but for everyone involved.

Through the exchange of ideas and experiences amongst this dynamic group of women,

it was apparent that we all agreed that we must establish a meaningful relationship before we can lead, influence or work with others.

IDA-Stressed that consistency teaches responsibility and is crucial to a positive relationship with children. 

Both IDA and SUZANNE maintain that we do not all have to agree but we must treat everyone with sensitivity and respect.

ANDREA shared how she can like a certain child despite how challenging the work with the child can be.
We identified how important it is to find something to like in a person and build a relationship from there.
DESIRAE reminded us of the importance of giving children control with boundaries. She also tries to ignore the negative in an effort to nurture more of what she hopes to see in a child.

When MELISSA interacts with children she calls upon her own experiences as a child and is able to empathize.
RAFF's experience in supporting a child's interest is what inspired a big project at her site called the international food festival.
After a cooking activity with the children, and listening to them say: "wouldn't it be cool if we tried food from around the world?"
A culturally and socially enriching activity was born.

CHESCA says that talking is a major part of listening.  Reflecting or repeating to a child what we hear them say lets them hear themselves and confirms to them that we are hearing them correctly.

We discussed how L-I-S-T-E-N is an effective tool that can be used to develop and improve relationships:

L - Like something or find something positive.

I -  Inspire. We are inspired when someone reminds us of what is positive in ourselves.

S - Sensitive. In order to connect we must be sensitive their emotions and needs.

T - Talk. As we listen, we should reflect the words back to the speaker.

E - Empathize.  We should remember or imagine what it is like to be in the place of others.

N - Nurture. Make each encounter something that nurtures. Nurture what is good.

The beauty of this tool is that it works not only with our work with children but in our daily interactions outside of work as well.

Life is not defined by the quantity of things we have but the quality of our relationships.

It was a great conversation we had and we look forward to seeing you again.

We hope more practitioners can join us at future sessions.

~Chesca Silva