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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Bundle of Joy Preschool Childcare, located in Hidden Valley Lake, became Northern California’s first Certified Nature Explore Classroom after receiving national certification from the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation.
Bundle of Joy Preschool Childcare, owned and directed by Jean Goulart, joins a growing network of organizations and institutions that have created effective nature-based outdoor learning environments for children. This network allows for idea-sharing, peer support and continuous development.
Nature Explore Classrooms are part of the Nature Explore program, a collaborative project of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation developed in response to the growing disconnect between children and nature.
Certified Nature Explore Classrooms help fill the void by integrating research-based outdoor learning opportunities into children’s daily lives.
“Bundle of Joy Preschool Childcare has shown tremendous leadership in growing the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Susie Wirth, Nature Explore outreach director. “Their commitment to providing research-based and nature-rich learning offers a wonderful example to educators throughout the country.”
The classrooms, which are being developed across the country, offer interactive elements such as musical instruments made of natural materials, garden or pathway areas and natural materials for building and creating art.
Children who learn and grow in Certified Nature Explore Classrooms enhance concentration, develop creativity and problem-solving, relieve stress and improve skills in many areas of development.
Outdoor classrooms that are designed according to standards and principles described in Dimensions Educational Research Foundation’s Learning With Nature Idea Book are eligible to become certified Nature Explore Classrooms.
A new guidebook, “At Home With Nature: Creating Nature Explore Playscapes for Families,” helps parents bring the same research-based approach to learning in nature to their own children at home.
The first Nature Explore Classroom is located in the Tree Adventure attraction at Arbor Day Farm, the Arbor Day Foundation’s interactive conservation venue in Nebraska City, Neb. More information on the program can be found at www.natureexplore.org .
More information on Bundle of Joy Preschool Childcare may be found at http://www.natureexplore.org/certified/HiddenValleyLake_BOJ.cfm .
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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The West Crockett and Middle Creek campgrounds on the Mendocino National Forest will be utilized by the University of California, Davis archaeological field school for several weeks.
Starting Monday, approximately 25 field school participants will be at West Crockett Campground in the Snow Mountain Wilderness on the Grindstone Ranger District. The campground will serve as a home base for students until Friday, July 10.
Beginning Monday, July 13, the participants will be based out of Middle Creek Campground on the Upper Lake Ranger District until Friday, July 21.
During this time, forest visitors interested in utilizing these campgrounds should be prepared for increased use.
Depending on the experience they are looking for, some visitors may want to consider a different campground or recreation area at this time.
Field school participants will be performing archaeological surveys and possibly excavations in the general vicinity of these areas.
For more information on the Mendocino National Forest, please call 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Sen. Mike McGuire has dedicated the greater part of the last five years on expanding career training and job skills programs in our public middle and high schools.
Since being elected to the State Senate, McGuire has doubled down on those efforts – organizing a bi-partisan coalition to successfully push for the largest investment in career training programs over the last decade via The Career and Job Skills Education Act (SB 148).
Agreed to by the Budget Conference Committee – and heading to a floor vote in the State Senate and Assembly later this week – $400 million will be invested across the state into results-driven, high-quality career training classes in public middle and high schools.
“This is the first time that small and rural districts, like many on the North Coast, will have an equal playing field when it comes to Career and Job Skills training,” McGuire said. “We know that results-driven Career Technical Education increases high school graduation rates and ensures students are better prepared for the workforce.”
Across the state, CTE programs have been cut by districts as California’s education financing structure has undergone significant change. McGuire has made it a priority to increase the state’s commitment to Career Technical Education by investing millions of dollars into new and expanded high-quality programs.
“This year, students all across our state will benefit from this $400 million investment in career training programs and I can’t thank the governor, Pro-Tem de León and our bi-partisan coalition enough for their incredible work and dedication to this vital issue. A new generation of students will have the resources they need to succeed in our state’s growing economy which will benefit our communities in the years to come,” McGuire said.
Key to McGuire’s CTE proposal are elements that would ensure smaller school districts are not at a disadvantage when it comes to applying for CTE funding and that urban and rural districts alike that have high drop out and unemployment rates will receive priority when applying for funding. In addition, districts that have high English Language Learner populations, low income families and foster youth will also be provided priority.
Additionally, McGuire has focused on establishing accountability metrics to ensure that CTE money is being spent on high-quality programs that lead to student success.
Almost 70 percent of public high school graduates in California will not go on to receive a four year college degree. McGuire believes students deserve results-driven career, technical and job skills programs to ensure they have the tools necessary to thrive in today’s job market.
The investment in CTE funding comes on the heels of the largest investment the legislature has ever proposed for public education when the Senate and Assembly passed the legislative budget yesterday. The budget prioritizes education funding by investing more than $68 billion – more than $10,000 per pupil – an increase of 15 percent in just two years.
This year’s budget will also invest $265 million for Early Childhood Education programs, it will create an additional 10,000 new slots in the California State University System, 5,000 new slots in the University of California system (in addition to a two year tuition freeze) and will grow the state’s reserves to the largest in decades.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Christian Center Preschool held its 2015 graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 9, to an excited crowd.
After the adorable performance, the graduates received their diplomas and certificates.
Receiving preschool/pre-K diplomas were Erick Alvarez, Izabella Ceja-Avila, Danny Biagi, Mason Carter, Jasmine Grider, Elyse Haley, Knox Hensler, Gemma Lewis, Lennon Llorin, Gael Moreno, Alora Nieto, Ruhi Patel, Jason Patrick, Thomas Preciado, Aliereya Scudder and Annica Warren.
Receiving Little Learner Certificates were Alturo Ceja-Avila, Hayton Chen, Mavrik DeSimone, Serenity Hermo, Colin Ingram, Gabriella Keyes, Wyatt Marshall, Kiera Mick, Evan Moretz, Haylee Perry, Hollace Stencil, Ximena Venegas, Samuel Valedez, Hailee McGabe, Kaida Holladay, Noah Baigi and Ashlynn Schlapkuhl-Cortez.
Also participating were several after-school daycare students.
Lakeport Christian Center Preschool begins its Summer Enrichment Program on Monday, June 15.
Call today to reserve a spot. The preschool can be reached at 707-262-5520. NCO is accepted.
