The Children's Guild, Author at The Children's Guild - Page 3 of 33

Celebrating Compassion and Commitment: Ellen Meyer Joins Board as Family Legacy Thrives

by | Jul 29, 2024 | News

For two generations, the Meyer family has been a huge champion of The Children’s Guild. Their dedication has significantly impacted the lives of children in need, promoting a community built on love, commitment, and support. We are proud to be a part of their legacy, rooted in compassion, resilience, and an unyielding belief in the power of education and care.

As we welcome Ellen Meyer to The Children’s Guild Board of Directors, we are also here to celebrate her family’s enduring contributions, highlighting how their involvement has left an indelible mark on The Children’s Guild and the lives it touches.

Ellen joins The Children’s Guild Board of Directors with over 36 years of experience in the Human Resources industry.  Before retiring in the summer of 2024, she served as an HR Director, where she successfully aligned human resources strategies with organizational business goals. Her extensive experience makes her a trusted and insightful thought partner for our internal HR team.

Ellen’s background will be a tremendous asset as we expand our programs and services, requiring additional hiring and training across multiple locations. Her expertise will be available to share with our human resources department and our executive leadership team, as our internal team works to streamline recruitment processes and attract top talent dedicated to our mission. Additionally, her skills in training and development will be a resource we can tap into as Human Resources continues to equip and support our staff with the necessary tools and knowledge to provide the highest level of care and support for the children and families we serve. With Ellen’s insights and board partnership, we are confident that The Children’s Guild will continue to thrive and make a lasting impact in our communities. “The legacy part is so special but that wasn’t the only driver for me to join the Board. It’s also my internal interest and passion in children and education.”

A former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development, Ellen follows in the footsteps of her late mother, Louise G. Goldberg, who was also a reading teacher at The Children’s Guild and a former Board Member. “Every time I think about it when I was at the first board meeting, I think so much of my mom, if she only knew, if she could only see this, she would be just so thrilled and touched. It’s almost like it brings her alive for me.”

To honor her mother’s dedication to education and generosity of spirit, Ellen and her brother made a generous donation to The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy. In December 2023, the school dedicated the Louise G. Goldberg Vocational Room. This new space offers students pathways to skill development and job readiness, enhancing their employability and overall quality of life. “I had never experienced anything like that before. It was my first time seeing a dedication. There were teachers, staff, the principal, and the Chief Executive Officer, Jenny Livelli; it was amazing! They did a video presentation of the school so we could get a sense of the children in the environment and how they could use the additional resources to get a real sense of the value of our contribution.”

The Vocational Room helps students acquire functional academic and living skills while developing vocational skills through job sampling on campus in simulated work environments, shadowed internships in the community, and competitive employment. Some skills students have learned in this new space include food preparation, sorting items, and cleaning.

As we celebrate the Meyer family’s legacy and welcome Ellen’s expertise, we look forward to continuing our mission of transforming lives and building stronger communities. The Children’s Guild is grateful for the Meyer family’s unwavering support and is excited about the future we will shape together.

Maryland Knows The Value Of Preschool

by | Jul 10, 2024 | Education, News

Free preschool is an invaluable resource most find easy to support. Maryland is leading the way by instituting expanded free pre-K for many families who live in the state. Many other states have also launched free pre-K programs or are in the process of doing so. Through a variety of quality learning experiences in pre-K, kids develop skills, knowledge, and behaviors essential to being successful in school and life.

About Pre-K for Your Kids in Maryland

Maryland offers state-funded pre-K programs for three- and four-year-old children. Pre-K helps all children, but Maryland’s free programs are specifically designated for families who are economically disadvantaged or homeless. Programs offer experiences in language and literacy, math, social foundations, science, social studies, fine arts, physical well-being, and motor development.

Free pre-K for all the state’s three- and four-year-olds in need has been a major focus for Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Requirements in the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act say that local school systems should enroll all income-eligible three- and four-year-olds whose parents or guardians seek to enroll them. Maryland’s programs are administered through the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant. In 2023, almost 28,000 students were enrolled in free pre-K in Maryland.

Kids Need a Strong Start

Expanding access to preschool and pre-K gives all kids a stronger start. The Children’s Guild knows that any preschool education can substantially increase a child’s chances of thriving in school and life. Programs teach social skills through interactions, mentoring, and direct teaching—and often can shrink racial and economic education gaps in children’s development.

“Early learning programs play a crucial role in laying the foundation for a child’s future success. These programs provide essential cognitive, social, and emotional development opportunities that are fundamental for a child’s overall growth and readiness for formal education. Investing in quality early learning programs not only benefits individual children but also contributes to building a strong foundation for a more prosperous and equitable society.  For many years, this has been an unmanageable expense for families. Now, there are widely available and affordable programs that enhance equity to access and opportunity for all young learners,” says Jenny Livelli, M.Ed., President and CEO, The Children’s Guild.

Parents have access to many preschool programs in Maryland, including two provided by The Children’s Guild in College Park and Annapolis. Last year TCG was proud to educate 170 preschoolers.

“What sets The Children’s Guild preschool programs apart is their unique blend of innovative educational approaches and a nurturing environment. The dedicated and passionate staff genuinely care about each child’s individual growth and development. Their focus on personalized learning ensures that every child’s needs and interests are met, fostering a love for learning from an early age. The integration of project-based activities and hands-on experiences has been particularly beneficial, allowing our children to develop critical thinking skills and a deep appreciation for the world around them,” says Krissie Taylor, Preschool Director, The Children’s Guild.

How Does Pre-K Work?

Some pre-K programs run a half day; some are full day. Many run on the same calendar as your local school system.

Each session can have about 20 kids, with a state-certified early childhood teacher and a full-time assistant. They use Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards and the Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating & Improvement System. If operated by qualified vendors, programs also meet the highest levels of quality and follow a curriculum recommended by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Are You Eligible?

Find out! Maryland cities and counties have different eligibility requirements, rules, and regulations. Kids should be three or four years old by September 1 of the current school year for which they are enrolling. There are other qualifications, too, and you need to be able to document their age. Check with your school district, or see this list of Pre-K programs, sorted by city and county.

After initial enrollment of economically disadvantaged kids, local school systems may fill any remaining vacancies by enrolling kids who exhibit a lack of readiness in foundational skills, knowledge, and behaviors.

Start by registering your child at your neighborhood or local school system’s Board of Education by completing a registration packet. Your local Board of Education will notify you before the start of the school year if your child will be enrolled.

Preschool Through The Children’s Guild

TCG offers two preschools in Maryland. Monarch Academy Annapolis is free for qualified families and Anne Arundel County residents and offers education programs from pre-K three- and four-year-olds through fifth grade. Monarch Preschool College Park offers project-based learning pre-K for children ages 3-5, along with financial aid and paid tuition options.

Application information for Annapolis is here. Application information for College Park is here.

Set Your Kids Up Now for the Future

When analyzing the long-term effects of Maryland’s public pre-K programs, results show a positive effect on the participants’ school performance through elementary and middle school.

Unplugging This Summer

by | Jun 26, 2024 | Mental Health, News

Remember summer? Lazy days, playing outside, going to camp, seeing family…? Most important for kids — not worrying about school, grades, making the team, stress, and more. Schedules and screens bring pressure, anxiety, and potential burnout, but summertime can alleviate that. Let’s talk about not just unplugging from electronics, but also taking a break from the daily grind that’s there for kids so many other months of the year.

MAKE SUMMER A BALANCE  

Sure, there’s more time for kids to get lost on Instagram and Tik Tok, but also more opportunities for creative outlets, hanging with friends, getting outside, reading for fun… the list is endless. But it’s an abrupt lifestyle change going from a rigid schedule and responsibilities to hours of free time.

“It’s important to have kids slow down, and they don’t always have to be stimulated by technology and phones,” says Monarch Academy Annapolis’s Rachel Light. “Boredom actually sparks a lot of creativity. They make up new games and want to play with friends. It’s actually really important that kids have a little bit of boredom.”

“Overscheduling can be stressful. School year is always go, go, go. It’s important to have a balance. Keep them busy, but also give them time to relax and hang out.”

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MORE OPPORTUNITIES

For your little ones, consider a sensory bin, which you can make in minutes with a container at home. Add spoons, nuts, pasta, Legos – whatever is on hand. Young kids love to play with textures.

Summer reading is important, but we understand it can be hard to engage kids with books and reading. Consider a quick trip to the library or Barnes & Noble, and help them find something they’re interested in. Libraries and local parks often offer free programs. Check out Summer@Your Library events in Anne Arundel County, featuring live animals, magic, music, and more. Baltimore County Parks & Rec has a long list of free activities for kids. If you’re in Prince George’s County, the library system offers free Summer Prince George’s programs, plus lots of free classes and events for all ages and “Summer Learning Spark,” which are no-cost programs in the public schools.

Camps might be another option. You can find STEM camps, sports camps, and others for kids with no electronics allowed. A quick search in Maryland will find camps with activities that include cooking, sewing, sailing, arts and crafts, dance, chorus, history, chess, science, natural discovery, and many more. Families can go camping together, and some travel agencies can send you to places with no wi-fi that are off the grid completely. (Look these up – it’s a thing today!)

Consider service projects. Usually designed for older kids, there’s great value in volunteering and joining summer service projects. Check out volunteer opportunities in Maryland with Meals on Wheels, or a variety of opportunities in Montgomery County, or the Teen Volunteer Program at the Maryland Zoo. There are possibilities for kids in affordable housing, feeding the unhoused, church programs, the YMCA and many more. No child is too young to volunteer and programs provide adult leaders and mentors. Maybe best of all – most of these activities are free.

Remember, Student Service Learning (SSL) is a high school graduation requirement in the State of Maryland and many programs offer these credit hours.

How about something completely different for your child? Enroll them in a local cooking class. How about science and discovery? For Harry Potter fans, the Physics of Quidditch. The organization DC Area Moms has a list of programs for preschoolers and younger kids. There are theater programs, fashion design, cake decorating, American Sign Language, therapeutic recreation… the list of possibilities for your child is huge. It’s a chance to try something different – and get them out of their comfort zone.

CHILDHOOD HAS MOVED INDOORS

Today, the average American child spends as few as 30 minutes in unstructured outdoor play each day while spending more than seven hours in front of a screen. That’s a radical change from a few decades ago, when there were no smartphones, Internet, and far fewer channels on TV.

Connecting with friends, keeping in touch, playing games, and spending free time is mostly done online and indoors today. Many kids have never experienced life without a smartphone in their hand and wi-fi connectivity or cell service. And any screen time discourages human connections — so important for anyone — especially kids.

Benefits of volunteering and spending time outdoors — especially in an entirely new environment and comfort zone — are extensive and well-documented, especially for young people, with proven wellness and mental health advantages.

YOU CAN IMPROVE THEIR SUMMER EXPERIENCE

As parents, you not only can ensure kids have something occupying them during summer vacation, and also prevent the dreaded “I’m bored” syndrome when your kids are out of school.

There are physical and mental benefits to different summer activities, like improved blood pressure, aerobic fitness, reduced levels of anxiety and depression, and boosted social skills, empathy, self-esteem, and leadership. And it’s not too late to get your kids involved.

Unplugging for the summer doesn’t just mean an expensive and exclusive summer camp. Hit up your school or a place of worship for ideas. Look at volunteer organizations in the community. There are many sports and civic organizations available. Find out more from your public library of local government. Keep them occupied as well as outside their comfort zone!

And we’ll be ready to see them back at school, happy, rested and healthy, in a few weeks!

Congratulations to our 381 “Class of 2024” Graduates

by | Jun 24, 2024 | News

Throughout June, we’ve joined with our administration, teachers, families and students to celebrate the achievements of 381 graduating students across our eight public and non-public schools in Maryland and Washington, DC.

The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County had eight 12th graders graduate and thirteen 8th graders promoted to high school. The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy had three students complete the program. The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School had 35 8th-grade and 17 kindergarten students promoted. The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore promoted three students. The Monarch Academies collectively had 308 graduates, with 67 8th graders promoted to high school from MA Glen Burnie and 90 8th graders from MA Global-Laurel.  In addition, 70 pre-K students and 81 5th graders were promoted to the next grades from Monarch Annapolis. Monarch Preschool College Park had 19 young graduates well-prepared for kindergarten.

The graduation ceremonies celebrated the students, many of whom have overcome significant personal and academic challenges. We were thrilled to join proud family members, dedicated teachers, and supportive community leaders, all of whom have played an integral role in the students’ journeys.

“The Children’s Guild extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates and their families. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the lives of these students and highlights The Children’s Guild’s commitment to educational excellence and holistic development,” says our President and CEO Jenny Livelli.  “Each of our students has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support of their families and our dedicated staff. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited for the bright futures that lie ahead.”

As we reflect on the joyous celebrations and commendable achievements of our 381 graduating students, we are filled with pride and optimism for their future endeavors. The milestones reached across our campuses exemplify the strength, dedication, and resilience of our students, families, and educators. As these graduates step into the next chapter of their lives, The Children’s Guild remains steadfast in its mission to nurture and empower every student.

Our Commitment and Integrity Shine with Four-Year NCASES Accreditation

by | Jun 10, 2024 | News, Special Education

Last month, three of The Children’s Guild’s (TCG) non-public schools — The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, and The Children’s Guild – Transformation Academy — earned a four-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES), a part of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC). 

Throughout TCG’s 70-year history, special education has been our cornerstone. We are extremely proud of this validation of our staff’s hard work and commitment to continuous improvement. We also understand how important this external validation is to our students and families, who can be reassured they are receiving the best possible special education services. 

“The NCASES accreditation is a mark of excellence, representing rigorous standards in the delivery of special education services. It reflects our dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and effective learning environment that meets the highest professional standards. We want to extend our gratitude and congratulations to every member of our team. Their tireless efforts and commitment to excellence have made this accreditation possible and we thank them for their dedication and outstanding work,” said Elizabeth Garcia, LCSW-C, MSSA, MNO, Chief People Officer, The Children’s Guild. 

The NCASES accreditation process is based on a study of compliance with 50 national standards covering processes, procedures, and practices critical to the functioning of a special education setting. It also includes a comprehensive site review performed by a team of special education experts. 

“This is beyond regulations, it demonstrates excellence, so we are very proud of our four-year stamp of approval, showing everyone what we are capable of,” added Rae Meneses, Managing Director, Compliance, The Children’s Guild.  

Our entire administration, teachers and staff are to be commended for their part in this accreditation. Click here to learn more about our special education and autism services.