Plymouth Early Childhood Council
Retreat Notes: May 22, 2015 (Plymouth Congregational Church)
Note taker: Donna Koser
Attendance: Linda Schnaars, Chris Perkins, Donna Koser, Heather Bukowski, Lori Borysewicz, Megan Hawley, Briana
Brumaghim, Hildegarde Siemiatkoski, Allyson Schulz, Liz Parmelee, Crystal Bouchard, Laraine Hogan, Deb Thompson,
Michael Ganem, Jodiann Tenney, Donna Osuch, Elise Brand, Barbara Franek, Davia Shepard, Nicole McWilliams & Faye
Johnpiere
Meeting Notes: April meeting notes will be approved in our June meeting.
Breakfast and Networking: Thank you Megan H. and Lori B. for planning our retreat!
Elise and Heather welcomed everyone. After introductions, Lori B. led the group in an “icebreaker”.
A look at Data: Allyson S. facilitated the group in discussion around the Scorecard data. Family Wellness and
Success Committees broke out into two groups. The following was recorded:
Success:
Reducing the Achievement Gap in Reading – Laser-like Focus
Raising readers accessing families for parent development through the food pantry.
Next steps: Meeting and collaborating with Erin, Lori, Megan and Donna K.
Family Wellness:
What health and active safety opportunities do you want for your child(ren) here in Plymouth?
What should Plymouth add?
Should public spaces in Plymouth be smoke-free?
Would you use a community center and support funding it?
Other ideas?
Keys: The following members were recognized by the PECC Co-Chairs and presented with a Plymouth’s Key
for Kindness:
Key #733 was presented to Heather Bukowski for her leadership as Co-Chair of the Plymouth Early Childhood
Council. Thank you Heather for your countless volunteer hours with PECC as we work to ensure Plymouth’s
Children are healthy, safe and successful.
Key #608 was presented to Chris Perkins for always willing to help with our events and for his part in planning
today’s retreat.
Key #719 was presented to Lori Borysewicz for all she does for the Plymouth Early Childhood Council and for
planning the Council’s May retreat.
Key #600 was presented to Megan Hawley for all she does for the Plymouth Early Childhood Council and for
planning the Council's May retreat.
Key #167 was presented to Davia Shepard for her part in arranging for massages to our Council members at the
May retreat.
Key #763 was presented to Mr. Charles McDermott for his kindness in facilitating the middle school students in
building the Plymouth Early Childhood Council’s, Plymouth’s Appetite for Reading bookshelves.
Collaborative Discussion: Members replied with the following:
1. How effective has PECC been in making change in early childhood initiatives?
(Eight out of nine members responded)
●More awareness of the Council/its intentions
●Great!
●More enhanced prek opportunities
●Higher fitness scores
●Lots of parental involvement – PLTI
●Community Resource book
●PECC Scholarship Fund
●Scholarship
●Restaurant
●Very effective. PECC has a large presence in the community. Uses opportunities to spread awareness
and makes change. Examples include all day Kindergarten, the Preschool Scholarship Fund, and the
Lending Library.
●Preschool Scholarship Fund
●Lending Library
●More Parental and Community Involvement
●Very effective with bookshelves and preschool scholarships.
2. In your opinion, what early childhood issue(s) needs the most attention/advocacy from the Plymouth
Early Childhood Council? (Eight out of nine members responded)
●Dental Health
●Four year old/may 3 year old scholarship
●Reading (continue efforts)
●Recreational/physically active opportunities
●Closing the achievement gap
●Schools
●Mental Health and Prevention (drugs)
●Opportunities for an active lifestyle
●Closing the achievement gap. Early literacy is important, especially in children whose parents cannot
afford the PreK experience.
●Town children Abuse and Neglect Issues
●Knowledge of programs and services
3. For each of the following benefits, please indicate (Yes or No) whether you have or have not received
the benefits as a result of participating in the Plymouth Early Childhood Council:
a. Enhanced ability to address issues related to Plymouth’s children. 9 Yes answers
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Increased knowledge about programs, services and/or people in the community. 9 Yes answers
Enhanced ability to affect public policy. 7 Yes Answers 1 Yes (PLTI) and 1 not answered
Development of valuable relationships. 9 Yes Answers
Ability to have a greater impact than I could on my own. 9 Yes answers
Ability to make a contribution in the community. 9 Yes answers
School Readiness Report: School Readiness Grant was submitted electronically on May 15th. There was much
conversation at Liaison meeting about streamlining electronic process for next year and there will be a
committee formed to work on that in the coming months. The SR Liaison will review the Learning Experience
Plans submitted and feedback will be provided in June.
There is a proposal to increase Full Day slots to $9,312 for next year and to remove residency requirements,
which could allow us to accept out of district children.
It is likely that the Sliding Fee Scale will be changed once again and the OEC is asking for feedback from
programs on current scale. It is likely that this change will occur during the program year and families enrolled
after that point would adhere to new fees. Families enrolled prior to the change will not be required to have fees
change until redetermination.
Results of Unmet Needs Survey: 31 Surveys were completed
13 reported children being cared for outside the home
18 cared for at home without a group experience
12 said they would prefer a School Day experience
16 wanted a Part Day school experience
3 wanted Full Day
1 wanted a 4 Hour day
12 families were unaware of state assistance for child care
19 were aware
Very few responses to question regarding reason for not having child in child care- 4 responded too expensive,
1 not working, and 1 concerned about lack of quality and 1 responded that there child was ready for
Kindergarten w/o childcare.
Dentist: 25 said yes their child had seen a dentist
4 said no
3 did not respond
Δ
+
Positive Environment
Not enough time!
Gathering of “like minds”
Not long enough
Good food
The message
Breakfast and message
Breakfast and Continuous multiple facilitators
Breakfast
Housekeeping:
WCGMF: Discovery Grant application was submitted April 27, 2015.
Next Peer Exchange meeting will be held on June 8, 2015. More information to follow.
Alliance: Email was sent in regards to budget updates.
PLTI: State graduation is being held June 17, 2015 in Hartford.
MEMBER ASSISTANCE NEEDED:
Terryville Country Fair (August 28, 29 & 30): PECC will once again have a table at this year’s fair.
Members are asked to sign up for time slots.
Plymouth Chamber Golf Outing: PECC will once again be a recipient of this year’s Golf Tournament.
Members are asked to consider donating a raffle prize for this event. Members are also asked to
consider donating monies to be used to purchase a raffle (i.e., golf shirt, golf balls, etc.) on behalf of
the Council.
Plymouth’s Appetite for Reading: Linda Schnaars will be partially covering the Coordinator’s duties
beginning on June 26th to July 10th. Members are asked to help with Plymouth’s Appetite for Reading
distribution of books. Please consider delivering books to the Eagle’s Nest and the Lucky Cup in July.
Elise agreed to deliver books to Lucky Cup and Megan will take care of Eagle’s Nest.
BYLAWS: Committee of Three members to review the Council’s Bylaws. Please contact Donna K. if
you are interested. Deb T., Brianna B. and Chrystal M. signed up to review the Bylaws.
to
If you have not already done so…. please like their Facebook page.
Plymouth Keys for Kindness Posters were placed in each retreat folder. Members were asked
consider hanging it up at your site or asking a local business to post it.
If you have a fundraising idea or come across a
grant that fits our mission, please pass it on. 