.png)
March Newsletter
Read about our progress, achievements, and ongoing efforts to enhance our center as we move into spring!
Dear Families, Teachers, and Community Members,
As we move into spring at Turtle Island Children's Center, we're thrilled to
share updates on our progress, achievements, and ongoing efforts to
enhance our center. This newsletter will give you a snapshot of our work and
priorities. We value your continued support and welcome your feedback as
we continue to provide a nurturing and enriching environment for the
children in our care and seek to improve an already amazing program.
Warm regards,
Mark
Mark LaRosa
President, Board of Directors
Board Highlights
The Board has been actively engaged in supporting the center's operations and long-term goals. Over the past quarter, we've focused on relocation efforts, budget reviews, and enhancing communication channels with the community. Weare grateful for the dedication of our committees, staff, and families, who all play a vital role in fostering the success of our center.Who’s on the board? Check us out here!
Committee & Program Updates
Development Committee
Under the direction of a new committee chair, the Development Committee has been focused on community engagement and fundraising efforts to support the growth of TICC. Upcoming events include Teacher Appreciation Week, which culminates in a community potluck.Join us! The development committee is seeking new members.
Facilities Committee
The Facilities Committee continually works toresolve various maintenance issues at thecurrent building and property. Collaboratingwith the newly formed Property and ProgramCommittee, they've been actively exploringlong-term and short-term property options.These efforts include contacting city officials,local real estate agencies, and otherorganizations that might help secure a newhome for Turtle Island.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is dedicated toensuring the long-term financial stability ofTurtle Island. Our primary goal is to balance thebudget and position the organization to breakeven in the coming years. We are:● Reviewing the past and current budgets● Collaborating with the developmentcommittee to align fundraising goals,● Exploring ways to capitalize on new andcurrent funding streams, and● Identifying necessary adjustments fornext year's budget
Property & Program Committee
Our Property and Program Committee has been busy working on our relocation efforts. We held a community town hall at the end of January to answer questions about these efforts. Our priorities include: maintaining TICC’s nature-based curriculum, the safety of our students on campus, accessibility of location, rent and operational costs that fit our budget, renovation costs, ease of transition, and meeting all required licensing standards.We are vetting several possible locations and working with city council members to advance our cause. We are getting close and will provide details soon. Keep an eye out for email updates on this!
Update: Effective March 23, new CCFAP income guidelines mean that more families will qualify and may qualify for a lower rate!
Apply here.
Email the Finance Committee for help:
Special Education Program
News from Katrina, Director of Student Support Services - We were recently awarded the Vermont Early Childhood Fund Opportunity Grant! We applied for the grant in order to support our new Special Education Program, which includes the creation of a therapeutic space for children.
Our dream is to provide a calming environment where children can work on regulating their emotions, behavior, and sensory needs. This space will also serve as a place where educators- both Turtle teachers and visiting service providers- can work 1:1 or in small groups with children.
One area of this space that I'm particularly excited about is the library section. Visitors to the space will be welcome to read the books there or borrow them to take home.
Here are a few of my books available for borrowing:
● The Sensory-Sensitive Child
● Supporting Young Children with Disabilities in the Classroom
● Engaging Autism
● Inclusive Classroom Profile
● Teaching Young Children with Disabilities in Natural Environments.
There will also be a selection of children's books about inclusion, acceptance, and celebration of differences.
Pinewoods Imagination Station
The Pinewoods classroom has been traveling to the imagination station! This has involved potions, magic powers, beasts (both terrible and wonderful), and the interloping mega machine! They have also been up to the CCV hill for some epic early Spring adventures where they discovered ground spiders and traces of deer.
Property & Program Committee
Our Property and Program Committee has been busy working on our relocation efforts. We held a community town hall at the end of January to answer questions about these efforts. Our priorities include: maintaining TICC’s nature-based curriculum, the safety of our students on campus, accessibility of location, rent and operational costs that fit our budget, renovation costs, ease of transition, and meeting all required licensing standards. We are vetting several possible locations and working with city council members to advance our cause. We are getting close and will provide details soon. Keep an eye out for email updates on this!
Classroom spotlights
Check out some of the amazing work going on in Turtle Classrooms!
The Cave Night Time Party
The children in the Cave classroom came up with the idea of hosting a daytime party in which they do all kinds of nighttime things! They wore their pajamas, used twinkle lights in the classroom, ate “night food” like bread toasted over the fire, and read special stories in an actual tent!
Ocean Pie/Pi Day Party!
The Ocean classroom hosted a Pie/Pi Day Party! The children helped make mini apple and chocolate pudding pies and practiced their shape identification skills when decorating the pies with stars. Families even got to join in on the fun!